text: Recently I received word that my favorite Middle Eastern restaurant Alladins Kitchen closed its doors This was at least for me the best place to get your Mediterranean fix including some of the tastiest stuffed grape leaves around I can go on and on about how much I loved Alladins but alas I have to pick myself up and rise above this terrible loss nnWhen a door closes a window opens and that window lead me right into the kitchen of Haji Baba Situated along Apache Blvd in Tempe this spot is half restaurant and half Middle Eastern market and bakery talk about a one stop shop Upon entering please feel free to seat yourself On my visit there were menus already at each empty table nnScanning the menu the first thing I noticed was the Abali Yogurt Soda Having never tried this I was quick to get a glass full though the waiter seemed hesitant to bring it Let us just say after the first sip yogurt soda is an acquired taste While I liked the yogurt sourness the saltiness of the soda was way too much Fortunately the waiter was observant and brought over a glass of iced water by his own accord I have to tell you that the service here is attentive and friendly nnThe occasional juvenile in me snickered when I read the first item on the menu Homos Tahini how appropriate Joking aside this was a beautiful puree of chickpeas tahini or sesame seed paste lemon juice and garlic Usually this is served super garlicky elsewhere I was delighted to find this version to be well balanced and flavorful Getting the same treatment as the homos the Babaghanooj contains roasted eggplant instead of chickpeas Both were dressed with olive oil and adorned with pickles and olives were wishing for a glass of wine to compliment the appetizers but they serve no liquor herennMade from a mixture of fava beans and chickpeas then pressed into patties and deep fried the filling of the Falafil Sandwich was crunchy on the outside creamy on the inside The warm pita bread and the fresh lettuce and tomato made for really good eats a mustnnKabob Koubideh sounds like quite a mouthful and let me tell you this it was Pounded ground meat marinated in onion juice and then grilled to a juicy smoky excellence The meat reminded me of a Middle Eastern take on chopped steak sublimely tender Along side was a huge pile of super light basmati rice fresh hot pita and creamy yogurt salad A sprinkling of sumac over the entire plate adds a slight sourness which melds incredibly well with this type of food nnDesserts are pretty much limited to Baklava but after such an amazing meal it was a real surprise that the sweet ending was a real disappointment The nuts in each all tasted old with a slightly bitter rancidity to them Selections ranged from pistachio cashew and walnut with the later being the best using the word best loosely nnWith meager prices generous portions and outstanding service Haji Baba will definitely begin to fill the void in my heart and my tummy