Kebaba Grand Opening?

I am not sure why this is considered a Grand Opening as I thought Kebaba has been open for quite a while. I'm not sure how this works but I wrote about my visit to Kebaba back in November of 06. Now I'll have to go back since they are now doing the Grand Opening. That's how they get ya!

This just in from the awesome Dave via "the awesome Dale Largent"...

"This Saturday: Kebaba is having their grand opening celebration (amazing Middle Eastern food). (Newport Avenue just a bit East of Newport Market - but on the other side of the road). I am performing there from 4:30 - 8:00 or so with Julie Southwell, David Bowers and the Bijou Project belly dance troupe. I will be dishing it out on doumbek, tar and riq...

Come on down for great food, music, dance, and join the celebration..."

DALE LARGENT - Handdrums, Percussion

After playing the piano from age 5, Dale began the study of western percussion in Illinois' public schools at age 7. He has been drumming ever since. Junior High brought Interlochen Music Academy where he received a full scholarship for his marimba and xylophone work. High School brought two years of performance with the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Greater Chicago and playing the traps for a Dixeland jazz band. Dale also performed with several Chicagoland community orchestras.


Kebaba
Modern Middle Eastern Food
541-318-6224
1004 NW Newport Avenue
Bend Oregon 97701
http://www.kebaba.com/

Kebaba - Middle Eastern Cuisine

Kebaba - Bend Oregon

Recently we made it to the new Modern Middle Eastern restaurant Kebaba on Newport across from Bend's only Sushi restaurant - Kanpai. Word on the street is that Kebaba is gooooood. Maybe I'm getting older and pickier. Maybe I'm a snob. Maybe I like my lamb kababs not to be as hard as a brick. Ok, that's a bit tough...like the Lamb was...hahaha.

I had the Lamb kebob and the wife had the Beef kebob.

One picture is good enough, they look the same. It's not even a good photo. I apologize. She said her's was ok...good. I agreed. Her's was ok. Nothing to call home about but no complaints. Mine was tough and quite dry. I was forced to dip every bite in the accompanying yogurt for some moisture. Being that Bend does not have a HUGE resource of international cuisine, I will be back and try it again. I want to like it. I really do.

Normally I don't comment on service and I try to keep my reviews to the dish that I have tried. I figure that staff comes and goes and restaurants go through make overs. But is it too hard to ask for the basics? Some of The Basics:

A clean table when you sit down. Our table was soaking wet like they forgot how to ring out the towel before applying it to the table. Our waitress noticed it just before she was about to place down the napkins and silverware. She was able to get some paper towels and wipe it off for us.

If you (the waiter/waitress) spills waters and or beverages on the table, please make an attempt to clean it up or at the very least, bring a couple extra napkins to replace the ones that we used cleaning up the spill.

Refills on water when your glass is empty. I noticed the water making it around to one section of the very tiny dining room but it didn't make it around to our even smaller section. I was asked if I wanted another beer to which of course I said "yes...and some more water please". Did I mention the lamb was dry?

When asked if you want another beverage...one comes out. These aren't crazy requests. I mean, you asked me if I wanted another beer but had to come back and verify since it had been so long and we had finished our meal.

There are other basics but I don't want you to think that Kebaba was not living up to them. Just the ones above were enough that I felt the need to mention them. Hopefully your experience will be a better one. I highly recommend the Babaganouj (even if it's just fun to say it out loud and do your best Owen Wilson from Wedding Crashers impression) and the hummus.

Both were very good and the fresh, warm pita was great. I could have sat there and eaten just that all evening...assuming I had some water or whatever to wash it down. I am probably being too harsh on Kebaba and you'll get a much happier review from anyone else. I'll try and make it back there again soon and post another review.

Kebaba (I don't know the address as of this posting, It's next to Kanpai)
NW Newport Ave
Bend, OR