There’s lots to love about Turkey: the baths, the towels, the rugs. (the prisons, not so much.)
Lucky for us, we’ve found one more Turkish thing to love: the food at leVant Grille in Englewood.
Newly opened on Palisade Avenue, leVant Grille is the collaboration of husband-and-wife team Mehrnoush and Prashanth Rayapudi who after years of skill-honing in the hotel and restaurant management business, gave birth to their long-awaited brainchild: a 57 seat eatery serving “authentic Mediterranean cuisine”.
Housed in the old Sol & Sol space and updated with a luxurious redesign, the Grille is casual enough to wear jeans, but upscale enough that it’s worth booking a babysitter for. Take refuge in the wood-paneled, earth-toned dining room while you canoodle on upholstered banquettes (bonus if you snag a corner). Or grab a patio table if you’re in the mood to see and be seen.
Dutiful servers suggest sharing plates from the meze-filled menu. Stand-outs include the Mast-o Khiar (Persian inspired creamy yogurt dip), Fried Calamari, and Kofte (minced lamb meatballs mixed with a special spice blend). For your main course, look for grill items including kebobs, branzino and filet mignon, or nibble on the special salmon salad for a light lunch. The wine selection is up to you, literally, as it’s BYOB.
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So grab a bottle and head over to leVant Grille. With food so authentic, you’ll feel like you flew to Istanbul for the evening. It’ll be love at first bite.
leVant Grille
34 E. Palisade Avenue, Englewood
201-503-1200
(Open for Lunch and Dinner Monday through Sunday, Brunch Saturday and Sunday 11am to 3pm)
