Levant is a Syrian restaurant located in the Central West End, claiming to serve food that a Syrian mother would make for her children. The restaurant is a nice space, positioned along Euclid Avenue in the heart of the Central West End, with large windows overlooking the patio area and the rest of the street. Inside, there are two rooms. One features a large bar and intimate seating. The other room is still intimate, but a bit more casual, with larger tables and couches for guests. Throughout Levant the lighting is dim and the restaurant clean, with a few accents highlighting the region from which the food comes. Overall, the restaurant space is nice and romantic, making it a perfect place for a date.

While the ambience of Levant is good, the food is even better. The menu is large, focusing on grilled meats, stews, and grain dishes. We began our meal with a serving of hummus and pita. This was a bit different than other hummus and pita we have had–the hummus was more earthy and the pita much thinner. However, it was quite delightful and fresh. We also enjoyed some freshly squeezed mango juice and a cocktail with our appetizer, both of which were bursting with flavor. For the main course, we ordered the Kibbeh Labaneh–balls of bulgur, meat, and spices in a yogurt sauce–and the Shish Tawuk–grilled chicken with a garlic sauce. Both of these dishes were cooked to perfection. They were full of flavor and tender. Each of the dishes also came with an assortment of rice and veggies, which complemented the main courses. We had intended to get dessert, but we were so full from our meals that we decided we would have to come again another time.

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Levant was a perfect night out. The service and atmosphere were good, and the food was excellent. We plan on going to Levant again to try some of the other dishes at this lovely restaurant.