Middle Eastern Cuisine

The Green Lettuce Restaurant, Greenville, SC is a quaint place on the West End of downtown. Greenville has been cited as one of the best examples of urban renewal in the USA, and it has a large variety of very good restaurants. The Green Lettuce is run by an Iranian chef , or I should say a “Magician of Flavors”. My palette has been spoiled to the point of comparing many other cuisines to his and is unfair to other cuisines for sure. The picture above is three entrees of Chicken, Steak and Lamb served family style. In many mid eastern countries, serving the food on plates, family style, is customary. My son, a Marine Corps Officer stationed in Eastern Afghanistan was required to visit the Mullah’s with other government employees, to buy their guns, and ask them to disarm. This always involved a welcome meal, put on by the Mullah, typically slaughtering a goat on a rock, roasting it on an open flame, then putting the meat and side items on a rug (acting as a table), and all sitting around finger eating the fare until full. So this is Middle Eastern food, or I like to say Mediterranean style. Lots of fresh herbs and unique flavors. The Green Lettuce is one of my favorites.

This is four entrees Family style.. more food than four people can eat!

Lentil soup – See the fresh herbs, and avocado he added to the soup as a garnish. Very creative and tasty !

Stuffed bell pepper. Meat, rice, veggies mixed with wonderful herbs. Chef sent to table as complimentary app. Nice touch. Very similar to my mother’s Italian style stuffed peppers. I have to say this one was much lighter and delicate, but full of flavor. (Please don’t tell my mother I said that !)