Author: GCS

Layaly, update lunch, October 2010
(previous review appended below)

We really enjoyed lunch with some friends at Layaly in February 2010. When our first choice for lunch in San Francisco fell through, we instantly decided to come back here.

Sadly, they have changed hands. Although the service is excellent, the food is not quite as on point as it was before. The mezza platter was a little less generous. The tabouli is good but not as exciting as it was the first time we had it, and the borek is just average. The baba ghanoush, kefir cheese, and hummus are as good as before.

Three of us opted for kebabs, and Carlos ordered a cup of chicken soup and the beef and okra special over rice. The kebabs were large, but just a tad overcooked this time which made them dry, although the yoghurt dip moistened everything nicely. Carlos’ soup and beef were both oversalted.

The sweet Turkish coffee with cardamon was as good as ever.

Layaly has slipped a little, although I didn’t try the lamb chops which I enjoyed so much the first time. Still, it’s well done food with excellent service in a comfortable, clean dining room. Oasis in Pleasanton now takes first place in our hearts, with Layaly slipping down to second place.

Had I opted for the lamb chops, that’s a dinner entrée that would have added $26 to the price. As it was, the kebabs and special were $10/ea. Lunch for four: the mezza platter, four lunch specials, one cup of soup, two beverages, with tip came to $82.

Layaly Mediterranean Grill and Hookah(!) Bar
2435 Clement (between 25th Ave & 26th Ave), San Francisco
February 2010
http://layalysf.com/

We lived in this area for twenty years before moving to Oakland. I wish Layaly had been here when we were just around the corner. This is one of the finest Mediterranean restaurants we've ever been in, and incredibly reasonable in price.

Took Yelpers' advice on the Mezza Plate, and had the kitchen add extra borek (filo pastries) and falafel as we had 5 people at lunch. Those additions cost $3 extra each and ensured all of us got several bites of each item. The baba ghanoush (pureed eggplant) was sensational, even eggplant-hating Carlos loved it. The hummus is extra creamy and the kefir cheese dip is delicious. 

But the real winner is the tabouli - the freshness of flat-leaf parsley and mint mixed with a little bulgar, absolutely perfect with the other spreads when eaten with the very fresh, warm pita triangles served alongside. A few nicely salty olives (great with the kefir cheese) were a lovely touch.

You can order dinner- or lunch-sized plates. Both comes with a nice molded cup of pilaf cooked in chicken broth. Lunch plates are smaller on the meat portions and add a modest-sized mixed green salad.

We tried:
•	Shrimp kebab
•	Lamb kebab
•	Stuffed eggplant (eggplant, onions, tomatoes and feta in a full half of a globe eggplant)
•	Mixed grill (dinner entree)
•	Rack of Lamb (dinner entree)

All of them were good, although the eggplant was very mild and bland. Winner was the rack of lamb - four full lamb chops, seasoned and grilled to wonderful crisp crustiness without overcooking them (they do medium unless you request otherwise)! $24 and worth every penny - I have gone to expensive bistros who give you portions half this size.

DH had the Turkish coffee, which he requested sweet and was delightful - we both love cardamon over cinnamon, and the coffee was beautifully infused with the former. The iced tea is a black tea but served sweetened, just so you know.

We didn’t try the hookah bar, which is in the back (and show a lot of soccer videos, according to Yelpers) – maybe next time!

Excellent service (they were empty on a Sat morning), friendly and casual. If you're in a hurry to go somewhere, you should tell them ahead of time so they can pace things accordingly.

Those who live in the Richmond neighborhood are fortunate to have Aziza on the top end and Layaly in the mid-price range. This lunch was a sensational bargain for five people stuffing themselves for lunch (remember two of us had dinner entrees). The appetizer platter with extra items added, a cup of soup (which Carlos said was very good although I didn’t try any), three lunch entrees, two dinner entrees, three beverages with tip cost a modest $133