A venture into eastern lands

I don't understand how people do it. And of course, by "it" I mean give up meat. I grew up as such a "steak and potatoes" kind of girl that I’m afraid I feel completely devoid of satisfaction if my meal is not overwrought with some sort of protein. Ask any of my friends. 

Well tonight we went to Cafe Agora, a Mediterranean restaurant in Buckhead. I probably drove around it for 10 minutes before I realized where it actually was but what a find! The picture you see is pretty much it. Imagine a small bar to the right of this photo and the kitchen is straight ahead, it's a narrow but quaint restaurant. When you walk in, it just smells.... well... yum. All night I tried to put my finger on what exactly was so aromatic but I never did figure it out. The lamb, shish-ka-bob, gyros, all of it was incredibly tempting. The menu is simple and they have a glass fridge case to showcase all their appetizers. I ordered a small meza platter which pretty much is fancy for "everything on the left side of the menu" but in smaller proportions. Add two cuts of spanokopita and I had a meal. There was hummus, babaganoush, Cacik, Ezme, Haydari, Piza and other things I can't pronounce with Eggplant mixed in. Their pita is home-made and toasted to order: fluffy and perfect bit size pieces to try each and every mixture on my plate. 

Now even after all that raving, I can't sit here and lie to you because as I was enjoying my mix plate -- my friends had a full plate of mixed meats which included thin marinated lamb, chicken and beef shish-ka-bob along with something else I couldn't place but it successfully taunted me from across the table. 

When all was said and done, though full... I can't admit to being satisfied. It just means I’ll have to go back and try some of the meat :) I think my favorite part about this experience is the fact that this hole in the wall is family run and one of those places where the owner will get up in your face and show you how to eat something if he felt you weren't doing it right. We merely looked at the baklava and they gave us four pieces to "try" free of charge! Call me Asian, but I do love me some free food. :)  


**photos courtesy of their web site