Editor’s Note: Each Monday, the Two College Foodies will share their secrets for easy yet delicious recipes to get you through the week, and on Friday’s they’ll get you ready for the weekend by scouting the best options in town for dining out with friends and family.
Hello friends! Both of your two college foodies are here with a review of one of our favorite restaurants in the Long Beach and Orange County area: Open Sesame Mediterranean Grill. Open Sesame is a truly delightful restaurant located on 2nd Street in Belmont Shores that offers goers a taste of Lebanese/Mediterranean cooking.
Open Sesame has been featured in various newspapers and web articles for it’s incredible dishes and exotic atmosphere. If you’ve ever walked down 2nd Street in Belmont Shores in Long Beach and wondered where that wonderful smell of garlic and Mediterranean spices is coming from, it is coming from Open Sesame Mediterranean Grill.
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Please believe us when we say that this restaurant is nothing short of divine. With it’s unbelievably delicious dishes and it’s almost-bohemian style, Open Sesame has grown in popularity over the last few years and has expanded in a unique way. Open Sesame is located in the center of a block on 2nd Street and needed to expand. Since there were no spaces available next to the restaurant, they took over the available space a few doors down on the corner. So, to many 2nd Street walkers it looks as though there are 2 Open Sesames, but it is really just one entity providing you with a really special dining experience. Additionally, the restaurant to opened a location in Manhattan Beach to accommodate the masses wishing to dine on their wonderful Lebanese recipes.
This has been one of Johnny’s favorite restaurants for a while. He has been coming here with his mom since he was about 13 and introduced Nicole and her family to it about a year ago. And of course, Nicole has fallen in love with it as well. We both love how exotic the dining rooms and patios are. You really feel as though you are in some kind or rustic, Middle Eastern lounge. It is very casual and comfortable, yet completely exciting.
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And the food, oh the food. This is definitely some of the greatest food in town, not only in Mediterranean cooking but in all cooking. All the spices on all their dishes are perfectly balanced, all the meat perfectly cooked, all the pita bread perfectly baked. Every meal at Open Sesame is a culinary wonder. And we couldn’t wait to share our latest Open Sesame dining experience with you in the hopes that you might check it out and enjoy it as well.
We went to Open Sesame this past weekend with our friends Alec, Kayleigh, and Hilary. We always like to go in a group because the portions are quite large, so it’s nice to pick out a few and have everyone share. We were seated on the heated patio and began our feast of traditional Lebanese cuisine.
We actually have to say something about the drinks here: yes, even the drinks are amazing. Most of us got the iced tea. We know you’re probably thinking, what’s so special about iced tea, right? Well, Open Sesame gives you freshly brewed iced tea with a few stems of mint leaves in it, which do wonders for the flavor. It takes it to a totally new level. It’s so refreshing and just ads a new kick to the experience. Alec had the Jalab, a very unique beverage consisting of rose water and grape syrup infused with incense and topped with pine nuts. It may sound crazy, but it is a true treat of a drink.
For an appetizer, you ABSOLUTELY MUST get the Fried Potatoes. Open Sesame is famous for these little babies, and these are what you smell when you walk by. These potatoes are cut into wedges and sautéed in olive oil with spices, roasted chili, lemon, and, of course, lots of garlic. We’ve never had potatoes like them anywhere. They are a true revelation that you can not go without when dining here.
Now, like we said, the portions are pretty large. For five people, we ordered three different entrees and shared so everyone got a little taste of each. This is always a fun way to sample a few things on the menu without overstuffing yourselves and without draining your wallet. There’s a diet and money saving tip for you right there.
Our first entrée, Johnny and Nicole’s favorite, is the Chicken Tawook. The Chicken Tawook has marinated pieces of chicken breast that is then charbroiled to a crispy, yet juicy perfection. The meat is so flavored with the spices of the Middle Eastern Mediterranean that it is a true wonder to taste. With every entrée you get a choice of hummus (the popular chick pea pureed dip) or baba ghannouj (which is a roasted eggplant dip). Both are sensational, but with this dish we always get the baba ghannouji to dip everything on the plate in. This meal also includes pita bread, rice, and your choice of salad, which are incredibly fresh and tasty as well. If you’re not sure what to order, go with the Chicken Tawook. You won’t be disappointed.
Our next entrée was the Kafta. Kafta is skewers of ground sirloin and lamb that have been mixed with parsley, onion, and spices (including cinnamon in the lamb which is very exciting) and then charbroiled. The meat is so perfectly tender and hits so many flavor notes that it is kind of hard to describe. So we just bestow the adjective ‘awesome’ upon it. We got this dish with the hummus and a different salad to change it up from the Chicken Tawook. For all you red meat lovers out there, this has a great Middle Eastern twist on it!
Our final entrée was the Grilled Tiger Shrimp. Tiger shrimp, marinated with garlic, olive oil, cilantro, and pepper, charbroiled to that orange-pink perfection, is served over rice with hummus and salad. This is a truly great Mediterranean seafood dinner. This is some of the best shrimp we have ever had. They are always done perfectly and with the subtlest and perfect amount of spices that don’t overpower the shrimp but enhance it. If you’re into seafood, get into this!
Everything on Open Sesame’s menu is fairly priced. There is nothing too expensive, and when you split with friends, it really isn’t anymore than any other casual dining restaurant. Only those other restaurants can’t offer you the atmosphere and cuisine that Open Sesame can.
Open Sesame Mediterranean Grill is a real treasure for the Long Beach/Orange County area. It’s got everything you could want: a unique, comfortable, and warm atmosphere, friendly workers, and nothing short of spectacular food. There is an energy to Open Sesame that seems to say come be close with your loved ones, relax, and feast at our tables. There is something about it that makes every dining experience memorable and satisfying. We hope you check out Open Sesame sometime for a great Lebanese/Mediterranean meal. See you there!
Open Sesame Mediterranean Grill
5215 East 2nd Street
Long Beach, CA 90803
OR
2640 Sepulveda Blvd.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
