Good Eats: Nicholas Restaurant , Portland, Oregon

Nicholas Restaurant 318 SE Grand Ave., 503-235-5123. L-D daily; $. The first thing I noticed in this Lebanese-Middle Eastern venue is the gigantic round flatbreads hanging over the sides of a raised serving plate on each table. This bread is so good that just it plus several appetizers is the way to go--perhaps hummus, eggplant baba ghanoug, or yogurt-cucumber tahziki spreads as well as some falafels and stuffed grape leaves. The gyros sandwich is also very good and comes wrapped in this same bread. Entrée items, Lebanese pizza, and mezza platters are also options. Portions are generous, and vegan choices are available.

image c2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers