Rudy's Mediterranean Grill, Columbia

Rudy's Mediterranean Grill whisks taste buds on a whirlwind tour of Turkish, Greek, Italian, and other international cuisines. Potent cups of Turkish coffee brewed in traditional Cezve pots kick-start palates before affable waiters ferry greek omelets or belgian waffles to tables for breakfast, and lamb kebabs or grilled chicken during dinner. Dolmas, tabouleh, and other Mediterranean small plates prime appetites for moussaka draped in tomato-and-cream sauce, or the lamb tenderloin—lauded as "juicy and intensely flavorful" by the Baltimore Sun, and as "too far away for me to eat" by the actual sun. Rudy's hosts live music and belly dancing for dine-in guests on Saturday, and packs up meals in to-go containers for carry-out or delivery.