Alina's Lebanese Cuisine, Ontario

Last September after recently moving to the local area, I found a listings for Alina's. I hadn't had Middle Eastern food since moving from the Valley so I decide to try it out. As I drove to the location I noticed that it was located adjacent to a warehouse/office building type area. While the overall decor might lead you to believe that it's just another fast food restaurant, don't let that fool you! As I entered the owner/cook Tony welcomed me, sat me at a table and handed me a menu. He asked me if I was familiar with Middle Eastern cuisine. I answered I was and he responded that if there was anything I wasn't sure to not hesitate to ask. I briefly looked at the menu to peruse the selections of specialty beverages. I noted that the restaurant served jallab and ordered one. Tony promptly returned with my drink and asked if I was ready to order. I responded yes and asked for an order of baba ghanouj as an appetizer. The jallab was very good. Tony returned with my order of baba ghanouj with pita bread less than 5 minutes later. He waited for me to sample it and asked how I like it. The baba ghanouj had a smokey flavor, but not overpowering; with just the right hint of smoked paprika; it was great and I told Tony so! Tony told me to let him know when I was ready to order an entree. I promptly responded that I would like the beef kebab plate. Tony asked how I wanted the meat cooked, I responded medium and Tony went promptly to prepare my order. While my order was cooking and otherwise being prepared Tony was attentive to ensure that I had freshly warmed pita bread to finish my order of baba ghanouj. Just as I finished my appetizer Tony presented my entree. It was about a half pound of beef fillet mignon, grilled on a skewer with onion and bell pepper; served on a bed of rice pilaf; along with hummus, fattoush, freshly prepared garlic spread and warmed pita bread on the side. The beef was cooked perfectly. The rice was the best pilaf I've ever had. The hummus was obviously fresh made, it was better than any I'd had before. The fattoush wash extremely fresh. The garlic spread was the best I ever had; there were no chunks in it and it didn't taste like it contained any potato starch, sour cream mayonnaise or egg; just garlic, oil and lemon juice. Tony confirmed my assessment. As I was dining Tony was ever watchful to ensure I always had adequate pita bread or if there was anything else I might desire. While I was eating Tony asked how I was enjoying the food. I responded honestly that while I had been to quite a few Armenian and Persian restaurants in the past, that this was the best Middle Eastern food I ever had. Tony thanked me for my favorable assessment of his cooking and told me that all of the food that he served was freshly prepared on site; that he didn't get prepared items out of cans, jars or other packages. After finishing dinner I asked Tony if he had baklava or other dessert since none were listed on the menu. Tony told me that he had baklava and namoura. I ordered a piece of each. The baklava wasn't thick and heavy, drenched in honey such as the Greek and Armenian types I've had before; it was extremely good and I prefer it to the honey based ones I've had previously! This was the first time I had namoura and I liked it very much! Tony told me that his wife, Alina; namesake of the restaurant, makes the baklava and namoura from scratch. I told Tony to tell Alina that the baklava was the best I ever had and that I enjoyed the namoura very much. Tony said he'd give Alina my compliments. Since then I've returned many a time, in fact now I regularly eat there about 3 or 4 times a week. I've tried almost all items on the menu (and even some that aren't) and everything has been extremely good! I also taken various members of my family to dine there multiple times and they've all had only good things to say about their experiences.