Meal Plan: Shahrazad

In Meal Plan, The A.V. Club plays the part of your foodie friend, telling you what to order at area restaurants. This week, we plot out your meal at Shahrazad (2847 N. Oakland Ave., 414-964-5476).

To start off: Hommus ($4.95)
Though Shahrazad offers traditional Middle Eastern favorites like Falafel, Baba Ghanouj, and stuffed grape leaves (Yalenjee), the Hommus is simply too good to pass up. The creamy garbanzo bean puree is strategically dotted with beet and pickle chunks, and surrounds a pool of tahini. A platter with pita bread can provide a filling appetizer for two or three, so if you’re flying solo, opt for the hearty split lentil soup instead.

Main course: Shakshooka ($7.95)
Run the gamut during the restaurant’s $8.95 lunch buffet (11 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays), which features different menu items daily. The buffet is great for those who can swing it, but for those who can’t, Shahrazad has patrons covered from juicy chicken and beef kabobs to extensive lamb options to an array of seafood choices. (Swordfish, anyone?) But in its small-but-impressive list of vegetarian entrées exists versatile, delectable, and filling meatless meal options. One of which, Shakshooka, combines white rice and a tomato base (think Spanish rice) with sautéed mushrooms, green peppers, onion, and even the occasional pickle. Spice level varies from mild to “super-hot.” But for those gearing up for the super hot, get ready to tear up. It’s quite spicy.

Wash it down: Yogurt Drink (sweet) ($2.25)
The Yogurt Drink comes in both the sweet and sour varieties. The sweet Yogurt Drink blends yogurt and chopped fresh mint. If you can get past the lumpy iced milk aspect, it’s a rich, effervescent, and entirely traditional Middle Eastern beverage. If the occasional chunk or dry mint fleck are too much for you to take or if you seek alcoholic immunity from unfamiliar dairy, Shahrazad’s new Pomegranate wines from Armenia—in both ReVah Pomegranate Semi-Dry and ReVah Pomegranate Reserve—will help subside the Shakshooka spice.