Sunnin - Review

I recently returned from a two-month stint of traveling throughout Europe and Africa. In these sixty days I managed to sample hummous in many of the nine total countries we visited. Growing up in a household where hummous was as much a staple as rice pilaf, I developed an ever-irking obsession with the garbanzo bean spread; enough to the point to where I recently dropped four hundred dollars on a high-grade blender specifically for the task of churning out my very own chick pea paste. And, not to mention scouring every possible cookbook and recipe site for different methods of preparation.

It was a treat to be able to have the opportunity to try what Europe and North Africa had to offer. Of all the many places (namely Holland, Belgium, France, Spain, Morroco, Italy, Germany, Czech Republic, and also New York and Philadelphia before we headed back to Los Angeles) I tried the dip - some highly recommended from locals of Eastern European decent - all were but bland, tasteless mush. Granted some of them had the consistency, the texture, and the presentation... they were lacking of the essential ingredients needed to rival the likes of my mother's and grandmother's divine and ancestral recipe.

This is where Sunnin steps in.

It pains me to admit this but Sunnin's hummous trumps my very own flesh and blood's creation (hi mom). And to this day when mom asks whose hummous is best.. I must always tell a lie.

A sampling of some of the favorites:

Hummous

Impeccable. Thick, smooth, creamy, garlic-rich hummous heaven.

Fried Cauliflower

Golden fried cauliflower served with a side of tangy tahini as dip.

Tabouleh

Lemony and fresh like my mom prepares it. Typically when I order tabouleh at a restaurant it's dry and characterless, but Sunnin serves it right.

Fried Red Snapper w/French Fries

Served only on Sundays, this fried fish comes with lemons and french fries atop a crispy, deep-fried pita. A side of tahini is also served on the side for dipping.

Rekakat

Hot, crispy, deep fried filo dough stuffed with feta cheese, onions and parsley.

Fatayer

Not excellent, but not bad either. These pastries of Sunnin's own homemade dough are filled with spinach, pine nuts and onions.

Falafel

Not my favorite falafel, but not bad either. I expect the world when it comes to Lebanese cuisine and these fried fava and garbanzo balls, though just passable, are not the cream of the crop.

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Service

They are generally friendly to me and company and the food seems like its served as soon as it is prepared.

Atmosphere

Cramped seating, fluorescent lighting, styrofoam plates and plastic utensils. All the qualities of a decor disaster, yet the place is relatively clean and the food makes up for it in every imaginable way.

Would I recommend it?
Definitely. This place is a staple that I must visit every so often. If it were closer to home I'd go almost every other day.
A very well-deserved five stars.