Those Arabian Nights are Calling...

Cafe Byblos

6134 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77057
http://cafebybloshouston.com/

Burpette writes:

Cafe Byblos is located just west of the Galleria on Richmond Ave., in an area that Big Burp and I rarely venture out to because of its distance from our cozy little nook along the Washington Corridor.  The occasion of friend's birthday party brought us out last night, and since we really dig on Mediterranean cuisine, why not?

Long tables dominate the seating area, proving that this is a restaurant for big families and large parties to come eat Mediterranean food, hang out, and smoke hookah.  Hookah pipes punctuate the tables, and sweetly scented smoke hangs in the air above.  

Around 10:00 pm, the lights dim and the band starts to play mesmerizing Middle Eastern music, guaranteed to make you shimmy your shoulders and gyrate your hips.  A singer, accompanied by a drum kit and two synthesizers, belts out comely tunes with lyrics that I can only guess at (Hey, it's all Greek to me!).  The dance floor opens up, and women rush out to shake their money makers with no hint of embarrassment, or of who might be watching.  I'm told there is a belly-dancer, but as of midnight (when we left), there had been no sign of her shaking it on the floor.

This is truly a place that comes alive with the night.  We arrived a little after 9:30, and the restaurant was mostly empty; our large party was the only one seated at the very back of the restaurant.  By the time that we left, however, around midnight, the joint was jumping with late night revelers, eating, clapping and smoking.  Shamefully expensive cars roll up to the valet, and scantily clad beauties with skirts cut up their booties exit the posh rides to join the party inside.  Make no mistake, this is a place to see and be seen.

Oh, and the food...most people go there for the party, but the food is fun as well.  While it's not the best Mediterranean fare that I've tasted, it certainly has its appeal.

Burp ordered the Kafta Mishwiyeh, minced lamb cooked with parsley, pine nuts and spices, served with light, fluffy rice and grilled vegetables.  

Kafta Mishwiyeh

 

Falafel Sandwich with Fries

I opted for the Falafel sandwich, which did not disappoint.  The highpoint of the evening for us was the hummus, served with sexy, yes I said sexy, pita bread.  I couldn't stop myself from tearing off tender pieces of the warm, inviting pita, and dunking it in the rich, creamy hummus that is so smooth, it will make you slap your "Ommy".  Ok, maybe not, but it is good.

If you're looking for an ethnic venue with good food and good music, this may be the place for you.  If you don't like crowds, hookah smoke, hoochie mamas, or loud music, you might opt for one of the other Mediterranean inspired restaurants along the Richmond Strip.

Big Burp writes:

Decent food, just not a late night person.

Burp Factor: Medium burp, mostly due to the hour of the evening.