Carousel

In a city filled with Middle Eastern restaurants, this is arguably Glendale's best and certainly the most flamboyant. While the original Carousel in Hollywood is a tiny, unassuming place, this branch is big and glitzy, with sculpted Moorish frescos, ornate Persian chandeliers and burbling fountains. Walls are lined with silver antiques, ceremonial swords and other exotic artifacts from throughout the Middle East. Entertainment is provided on weekends and this is a popular place to celebrate a birthday, which the staff always makes special.

The menu offers a wide range of mezze, from which one could construct an entire meal. Consider, for example, hummus topped with pinenuts, sarma (stuffed grape leaves), delicious fatayer (pan-fried phyllo turnovers filled with cheese), garlicky sautéed lamb's brain that rewards the adventurous, and muhammara, a dip made from crushed walnuts, red pepper paste and pomegranate juice, which is not to be missed. Entrées include a wide range of kebabs, shawarma and various Mediterranean fish, pan-fried whole. A respectable little wine list includes several selections from Lebanon.