The first European explorers set sail with hopes of finding new, exotic spices to placate the palates of epicurious monarchs, but all they found were heaps of inedible gold. Pick up where they left off by broadening your mouth's horizons with today's Groupon: for $15, you get $30 worth of traditional Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine at Layali Miami in Doral.
Layali Miami swaths gracious guests in the soft glow of antique lamps, which spotlight a dining space adorned by traditional Middle Eastern furnishings. Once seated, diners can forage the Fertile Crescent–inspired menu for tempting edibles including chickpea-speckled wraps, meaty kabobs, light salads, and generously portioned platters. Start off with a spanakopita—a melding of spinach and feta cheese bundled in flaky phyllo dough ($6.95)—or swoop straight into the Layali lemon chicken—a light citrus- and artichoke-infused chicken served alongside angel-hair rice and steamed vegetables ($19.95).
Beyond appeasing swelling stomachs with a bounty of beautifully arranged eats, Layali regularly sparks a fire in patrons’ pupils with traditional belly dancers every Friday and Saturday night (reservations required on weekends). Likewise, weekends also mean that late-night Lebanese treats remain readily available, with the kitchen keeping the stovetops steamy until the tasty strike of midnight.
Layali Miami
Swaths of saffron- and terra-cotta-colored fabrics hang from the ceiling, ornate rugs sprawl across the tiled floors, and elegant lanterns cast a gentle glow across the stout wooden tables. Collectively, these touches give the impression that diners have walked into a ceremonial Middle Eastern tent as soon as they enter Layali Miami's dining room. This transformation is completed by the appearance of professional belly dancers, who appear on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, and entertain crowds with their gracefully undulating moves and shadow puppets.
To help evoke even more of a Middle Eastern spirit, Layali Miami features a hearty menu of Lebanese cuisine. Chefs flavor appetizers of housemade yogurt with a dose of olive oil and mint and sizzle racks of lamb, as well as skewers of shrimp kebab, over a charcoal grill. They also stuff pita sandwiches with everything from falafel and tahini sauce to spicy sausage, pickles, and tomato.
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