Taste of Mediterranean in New Jersey

There is a hidden gem in the middle of downtown New Brunswick, NJ. This Mediterranean restaurant, Sahara, is located right at 165 Easton Avenue. It might be easy to miss, but trust me, you do not want to. Described by the owner, Sam Algar, as serving dishes from Greek to Egyptian, this is bound to please your taste buds.

Unlike many other places, the Sahara has its own wood-brick oven built by Nevil, who flies all the way from Italy to build it. It can reach 400 degrees. “Cooking food longer,” explains Algar, “creates a better taste.” Bricks naturally bring out the taste of food. From thin-crusted pizzas served with a number of toppings, to wood-fired oven buns, appetizers alone are tempting. Known for their hummus, Algar creates three differing types so well that it was rated the best hummus in central NJ by NJ Monthly Magazine. There are about 17-20 entrees to pick from, not including eight salad options together with soups and sandwiches. This is a wealth of variety that is bound to please every palate.

Make sure to leave room for the delicious, sizzling appetizers that will make your mouth water! 90% of the food is charbroiled which really sucks out the fat! Yummy AND healthy? You cannot beat that combo! Adana Kabob is probably the most popular dishes. It consists of diced lamb seasoned with fresh red peppers and paprika seasoning. Some other rich starters are Kafta (ground lamb) and Shawarma. The shawarma consists of layers of ground beef and lamb grilled and wrapped in a large vertical spit. It was so delicious I had to leave for a while!

With all this food, it seems unlikely that you’ll have room for dessert. However, how could one miss any of the eight options? I highly recommend the Panna Cotta, which is a light pudding with strawberries. It is to die for!

To complete the fine dining, together with the comfortable indoor décor and setting the mood, there are two outdoor terraces. One of them is located on the second floor facing the city center. And for those chilly nights, there’s an outdoor fireside to keep you even more snug. Not only is this a smart choice for an afternoon or evening out, but they also provide catering services and personal banquets.

Check out the Sahara the next chance you get. You will be more than pleased.