Zaatar, The Pearl's New Fine-Dining Lebanese Spot

Andre Karam is still putting the finishing touches on his new Lebanese Pearl District eatery Zaatar, but it's now open for lunch and dinner. The 52-seat space (64, if you count the six outdoor sidewalk two-tops) starts out each day as a casual lunch spot, but when the sun starts setting, the table lanterns are lit and the white tablecloths are spread for a more formal fine dining experience.

Expect traditional Lebanese eats like hummus, tabouli, fatoush salads, kabobs, falafel, kafta, shwarma lebneh-veggie plates and sandwiches, and deli case sweets. Cocktails are also available, as well as bottles of Almaza beer and Château Ksara wines.

Karam, who hails from the same family that runs Beaverton's Karam Lebanese Deli & Catering, says he's also got a couple of big projects in the works. The first is the launch of his Lebanese pizza menu (the flatbreads will sauced with zaatar and topped with fresh seasonal vegetables). The second is the launch of prix fixe Sunday brunches, although, since the kitchen will be offering Lebanese family-style meals and not omelets and pancakes, Karam's hesitant to use the dreaded B-word. He also expects his kitchen will continue perfecting more dishes, so keep your eyes peeled for a more fleshed out menu in the near future.
—Chad Walsh
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