Here’s why you need to try Pasha Grill at The Greene

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Here’s what you need to know before you eat at Pasha.

THE MENU

The menu may look intimidating to the unfamiliar, but knowing that the restaurant’s grilled meats (lamb, beef and chicken) are marinated with vegetable oil, oregano mints, plain yogurt, black peppers, tomato paste, Turkish pepper paste, lemon, paprika salt, garlic and onions and cooked until tender is the No. 1 reason to venture into new territory.

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As a bonus, it’s a reasonably priced adventure with dinners including traditional kebabs made with lamb, beef, chicken, fish and shrimp ranging in price from $14-27.

The enticing menu is vegetarian and food allergy friendly and everything seems to be served up in generous portions.

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MUST-TRY DISHES

Standout items include Doner (Gyro) a vertical rotisserie grilled beef/lamb mix that is hand-carved ($15), Lahana Sarma (stuffed cabbage rolls, $16), the swordfish kebab ($19), a grilled Mediterranean sea bass served whole ($22) and a delicious Mousakka ($15), which is like a Turkish lasagna with tender minced beef and lamb layered between thinly sliced eggplant and topped with Béchamel sauce and mozzarella cheese.

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Many of the traditional dishes served are made with eggplant. Highlights include Karniyarik ($15), a stuffed eggplant stuffed with seasoned ground beef, ground lamb, chopped tomatoes, green peppers and herbs and Turlu ($14), a delicious and heart healthy vegetable stew made with eggplant, zucchini, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, peppers, celery, mushrooms, garlic and green beans. Almost all the food is prepared from scratch daily including the restaurants homemade bread.

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The Mercimek Corba (lentil soup, $5) is a refreshing, healthy treat that is a rare encounter on restaurant menus locally.

The Keskul almond pudding dessert topped with pistachios and cream ($6) is a confection worthy of finishing off this wonderful meal. Order up a Turkish coffee to go along with it and savor the finish.

BEST VALUES

The restaurant’s lunch served Monday through Friday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. is one of the best values around. For $10 you get a starter, an entree and a dessert.

Several dishes at dinner are large enough to share for an exciting culinary adventure including the cold appetizer sampler, a combination of hummus (puréed chickpeas mixed with garlic, Tahini, fresh lemon juice and olive oil), Ezme (chopped tomatoes, onions and hot peppers mixed in olive oil and herbs), Baba Ganoush (smoked eggplant flavored with Tahini, olive oil and garlic), Haydari (yogurt with dill, mint and garlic), Tabuli (cracked wheat mixed with tomatoes, sweet onions, fresh peppers, olive oil and parsley), eggplant with tomato sauce, stuffed grape leaves and pinto bean salad, ($18 for the small serving for 1-3 people or large serving for 3-5 people for $25). The generous Mixed Grill Kebab ($27) features half portions of succulent chicken, donor, adana and shish kebabs and could easily feed two or three with the addition of some appetizers.

THE ATMOSPHERE

The enchanting and charming Pasha Grill has ambiance in spades. Massive old-world-esque chandeliers greet you as you walk through the doorway with a dining room flanked by arches leading to semi-private seating areas that are tucked away decorated with Turkish rugs, wall plates and scenes of Turkey.

The knowledgeable wait staff is happy to guide everyone from the uninitiated to the familiar making the experience accessible to anyone willing to venture in and try something new.

Check out the 50-person patio.

HOW TO GO

What: Pasha Grill

Where: 72 Plum St., Beavercreek @ The Greene

Hours: Open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays.

More information: (937) 429-9000 or www.pashagrill.com

Seating: The restaurant seats 100 inside and 50 on the patio.

Happy hour: Specialty drinks and food are available from 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday at the bar.

Wine and beer: Pasha Grill offers 12 red wines (including two Turkish selections), 14 white wines (including two Turkish selections). Fifteen bottled beers including 2 Turkish imports and 2 eastern Mediterranean choices and four rotational draft beers.