by Stefanie Gans, Dining Editor
FOR: HUMMUS, OF COURSE
5216 Wilson Blvd, Arlington; 703-525-1170
If you need a new association for the currently war-torn state of Syria, head to Layalina.
The space is serene and comfortable with pops of color and tapestries hanging in loose waves from the ceiling.
Plain pita becomes mesmerizing after a blended film of sun dried peppers, walnuts and pomegranates bakes on top. Manaeesh bel m’hammarah offers a complex, but mild heat and somehow coats your mouth like only American cheese can. This is much more pleasant.
Layalina offers enough to make this an easy meatless meal, the labneh is fresh and slightly tangy, much tighter than Greek yogurt, but better for it. Hummus with pomegranate brings a fruity sweetness to the classic creamy dip. Shredded beets arrive in too much cream, voiding its natural sweetness and the falafel could use more salt, but most is good here. In fact, the table across the room applauded the host while she cleared plates.
(June 2013)
