Le Mirage was on my list of places I knew I needed to check out in Worcester so I was excited when it was announced that it was our next Worcester Foodie destination. I have only heard good review and it didn’t disappoint. They are a family run restaurant surprisingly serving both middle eastern and italian dishes… and did I mention they are BYOB.
As it was still Worcester Restaurant week I decided to go with the 3 course dinner so I could get a good sample of different dishes. My first course was the Fattoush salad – a very traditional middle eastern dish. The alone could have been a meal given the size – good portions of romaine lettuce, diced tomatoes, cucumbers, parsley with toasted pita bread pieces all dressed with a dressing made of oil, vinegar, mint, sumac, parsley and a few other spices. Nothing was left on the plate.
The lebanese platter came next with a very large portion of kibbe, 3-4 homemade grape leaves and some rice pilaf. It was enough kibbe that I had enough to take home with me. I have had kibbe numerous times and it can vary in dryness. While we were ordering the waitress described it as more like a meatloaf and was very moist. I was pleasantly surprised that she was right it was very moist and tasty. Good flavoring of bulger wheat, lamb, allspice, cumin and a few other spices. To mix it up a bit I enjoyed it with the side of yogurt source which brought a little tang to it. Normally I have had grape leaves with meat but they only serve vegetarian grape leaves – meaning just rice and spices. Good but I still enjoy the ones with the meat/rice filling. To round the platter there was a large serving of rice pilaf but I was a tad disappointed in that the rice was just that rice pilaf and didn’t have tons of flavoring. But mix in the kibbe and yogurt sauce and the flavors blended.
They were very accommodating for the third course as I am lactose intolerant so could not get the dessert special but they offered up some homemade mango sorbet. Nice palate cleanser to the end of a great meal.
Overall, great service..great food.. byob.. need I say more? Be sure to check out this friendly family run establishment! You won’t be disappointed. -MM