Nabeel's Cafe
1706 Oxmoor Road, Homewood (near Homewood park)
879-9292
www.birminghammenus.com/nabeels
European-style, family-oriented neighborhood restaurant and market featuring Greek and Middle Eastern specialties such as Homos (hummus) dip, Taramasalata Dip (red caviar spread), Bulgarian roasted peppers with feta cheese, stuffed grape leaves, avgolemono soup, pasta fagioli, Greek salad, tabouli salad, chicken souvlaki, gyros, falafel, moussaka, pastitsio, eggplant parmesan, Greek style baked chicken, grilled lamb chops and Greek style grouper. Check out the ethnic specialties at the adjacent market.
Posted on Monday, June 18, 2007 at 04:48PM
by
Deborah Lockridge
in Birmingham Restaurants: Homewood
|
3 Comments
Deborah Lockridge
in Birmingham Restaurants: Homewood
|
3 Comments
Reader Comments (3)
It's my favorite place to eat in Birmingham. Although the food is often precooked and rewarmed in the microwave before serving, it is cheap and there is a good variety of Greek and Italian dishes, including many desserts. My favorites are the eggplant parmesan and the moussaka. The atmosphere is really what keeps me coming back; it reminds me of being in a neighborhood cafe in Europe.
Serving Italian and Middle Eastern cuisine at lunch and dinner, this small, inexpensive Homewood restaurant is a common sight on "best of Birmingham" lists. Beer and wine served, smoking allowed, carryout available.
Charming neighborhood restaurant with an Old World feel. Delicious, interesting, Mideast,Italian,and Greek cuisine. Dynamite sandwiches,salads,and entrees. Fabulous desserts! Ask for Maria.
(March 2006)
After a morning meeting in Homewood, I could not resist Nabeel's for lunch. This Greek/Italian owned bustling Mediterranean restaurant, market, and coffee house transports my heart back to Italy (I haven't yet had the pleasure of experiencing Greece). The simple dark wood booths, aroma of basil and tomatoes cooking, and the chit chat of happy patrons and servers welcomes you to sit down for a while and actually enjoy eating. The prices are extremely modest with most sandwiches and entrees in the $5.95 - $10.95 range. Though I make it myself, I had to try the Moussaka. The bottom layer of sweet eggplant with skins on was followed with a savory ground meat mixture. The bechamel topping was almost cake like and golden brown on top, truely melted in my mouth. On the side was a pungent tomato "fondue" to run your fork through. My guest ordered the eggplant parmesian. Nabeel's has achieved greatness with the not fried stack of 8 - 10 thin slices of melanzane nestled in an oval casserole, smothered in the freshest marinara, and topped with Parmegiano Reggiano. The total for 3 for lunch was $22. With my change, I stepped down to the market for some dill and basil (only $1 a bag compared to $4 in stores), a baguette, Italian olives, and some Parmesian cheese to take home. Nabeel's also sells some ready to cook items such as Spanakopita for those who like to fake bake. For those with Italian or Greek roots, or those who are heartsick for the Mediterranean, Nabeel's will fill your heart and your stomach.
(July 2006)