Marouch - PlaceBee :

Address: 4905 Santa Monica Blvd
Zipcode: 90029
Phone Number: 323-662-9325
Website: http://www.marouchrestaurant.com

Lebanese/Middle Eastern restaurant Marouch, tucked away in a seedy-looking strip mall with a launderette and a liquor store, may not look impressive at first glance, but the free parking will undoubtedly delight valet-weary visitors. Once inside, you’ll forget the surrounding unsightliness as you join Little Armenia residents, Silver Lake bohemians, and Hollywood hipsters in an intimate, rustic atmosphere enveloped in earth tones. Sink into cushions on one of the couches that flank metal tables (the few seats outside are best ignored) and enjoy a complimentary dish of mixed olives while you settle in. Don’t fret over details; the menu boasts an impressive selection of tea, coffee, wine, and beer (try the refreshing Lebanese beer Almaza), and a wood-burning oven creates perfect warm bread every time. Meanwhile, substantially sized main dishes, from shawarma to stuffed grape leaves, are always nicely prepared and presented. Early weeknights, you may find yourself nearly alone in the dining room, but a steady stream of takeout orders keeps the place fairly hopping. At the five-seat bar, learn about the fine art of working with phyllo dough as experienced workers churn out baklava with assembly-line automation. Once you bypass Marouch’s rough-and-tumble exterior, you’ll be rewarded with a variety of reliably tasty dishes, friendly service, and reasonable prices.