Al Ameera Restaurant, West New York

Arabic shows and sporting events play on the big-screen TVs at Al Ameera, while servers deliver spreads of Middle Eastern fare to tables. Made from fresh ingredients, these hearty meals unfold with dishes such as:

• The Al Ameera Mixed Appetizer: falafel surrounded by servings of hummus, baba ganouhj, muhammara, and labneh (yogurt) for dipping
• A Middle Eastern salad, such as tabbouleh, made minced parsley, onions, and tomatoes with cracked wheat, seasoned with lemon juice
• Kebabs made from chicken or ground meat (kofta), served with a heaping side of yellow rice
• A sweet dessert like rice pudding, baklava, or kanafeh, a cheese pastry soaked in a sugary syrup