Petra Grill too good for a food court

By MARY ANN KAUCHAK

For the News & Messenger

Tucked in the back corner of Potomac Mills' food court is an exceptional little restaurant that doesn't belong there. Petra Grill, named after an ancient rock city in present day Jordan, is owned by Palestinian-born Marwan Almasri, serves freshly made Lebanese food and is stylishly decorated in Moroccan tiles. "Being in a food court in the mall, people always presume you are a fast-food restaurant," says 46-year-old Almasri. "Not until they try the food to they realize the food is not cooked until they order."

Petra Grill opened December 2006. After 20 years of experience working in restaurants operated by other family members in Georgetown, D.C. and Tysons Corner, and armed with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from George Mason University, Almasri believed the Woodbridge area lacked the influence of Lebanese-style food. Offering traditional dishes as well as plenty of vegetarian options, his venue provides healthy choices prepared with natural ingredients and no preservatives.

The appetizer menu is a myriad of classic Lebanese fare including baba ghanoush (pureed eggplant seasoned with Tahini sauce, lemon and garlic), falafel (crispy chickpea cakes flavored with onions, parsley and spices), tabouli (herbaceous parsley salad made with onions, tomatoes, bulgur, mint and lemon), kibbeh (crunchy bulgur shells stuffed with seasoned ground meat and pine nuts), plus an assortment of flaky stuffed pastries filled with your choice of cheese (feta and mozzarella blend), spinach, or meat all for under $4. Petra Grill even makes their hummus in house using dried chickpeas that they soak, boil and cook to create the familiar appetizer.

Almasri won me over when I tasted his version of stuffed grape leaves, four for $3.79. Lightly packed with chickpeas, tomato, rice, mint and parsley, these vegetarian delights are much tastier than their Greek counterparts.

Appetizer platters that include three to six items are available for $6.99 to $7.49.

"Shawarma is the Lebanese version of gyro," Almasri informs me. Shawarma can be ordered with your choice of marinated top sirloin of beef, the same cut used in Petra Grill's beef kabobs, or marinated chicken breast. Only Halal (lawful) meats are used at this Mediterranean grill.

Chicken shawarma made with marinated chicken breast is slow roasted on a rotisserie before being sliced and served with rice, salad and homemade garlic sauce for $7.99. For the same price, you can order the chicken shawarma salad dressed in house special savory pomegranate molasses vinaigrette. A chicken shawarma sandwich made with Petra's signature thin and crispy pita bread costs $5.79; make it a combo with fries and a soda for an extra $1.99.

Grilled to order in eight to 10 minutes, beef, lamb, chicken or combination kabobs take the most time to prepare. Originally 50 percent of Petra Grill's clientele went for the savory meat kabobs. Now that Almasri has educated the public to shawarma, they are growing in popularity.

Most dishes are served with flavorful homemade sauces on the side. They include garlic, Tahini, yogurt and a spicy cilantro-based sauce. Indulge in these tasty accompaniments to enhance meat or vegetarian dishes, dress a salad, or simply dip into with crusts of warm pita bread. Fluffy garlic sauce looks like mayonnaise but contains no egg. Only garlic, oil and lemon juice are whipped to perfection for this tasty dip.

Like the owner of a fine dining venue, Almasri has established a rapport with his customers. Woodbridge residents Sidney and Rene Nance make regular visits to Petra Grill for the grilled salmon dinner special served only on Saturdays and Sundays. An eight-ounce portion of salmon marinated in lemon juice, olive oil and light spices is topped with a sauce of diced tomatoes and select seasonings and served with rice, salad and crispy pita bread for just $10.95.

"I am trying to establish myself as a local restaurant instead of a restaurant inside a food court," the congenial Almasri said of Petra Grill. The restaurant offers catering to small venues.

Two minutes or 10 minutes, it's certainly worth the wait to have fresh Mediterranean cuisine prepared and served to you from Almasri's healthy kitchen.

Reach Mary Ann Kauchak at makauchak@ comcast.net.