Beechmont Avenue has long been a franchise stronghold—Anderson Towne Center is home to Carrabba’s, IHOP, and Pieology Pizzeria, just to name a few. Fortunately, it’s also home to Leyla Mediterranean, a tiny Turkish restaurant dishing up scratch-made classics.
Photograph by Amy Elisabeth Spasoff
As most Mediterranean food fans know, rule number one is to come with your crew. Start with the cold appetizer platter. Staple spreads include an extra silky hummus, smoky baba ghanoush, and creamy lebne cheese sprinkled with ground sumac; also on board are rice stuffed grape leaves and ezme—a fiery mixture of minced vegetables (especially peppers) and walnuts. The platter is garnished with oil-cured olives and plenty of carrot wedges for dipping.
Photograph by Amy Elisabeth Spasoff
If communal noshing isn’t your bag, opt for flaky spinach-and-cheese-filled borek pastries or falafel croquettes—extra crispy on the outside with a tender center—served with dill-tahini sauce. Grilled entrées are ideal for heartier appetites. The heat of the chicken adana—ground chicken mixed with powdered pepper and plenty of spice molded around a skewer—is tempered by a house yogurt sauce and a mixed salad of romaine, cucumber, and tomato. Grilled whole fish—typically branzino—is dressed simply with olive oil and lemon and served with an arugula salad. Finish with a syrupy sweet Turkish coffee or opt for their American brew. It’s honestly one of the best roasts in town—truly a delight.
Leyla Mediterranean, 7418 Beechmont Ave., Suite 106, Anderson Twp., (513) 231-2888, leylamediterranean.com
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