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Chicken Kabob

Chicken Kabob from Wexford House on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA

Chicken Kabob from Wexford House on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA

I would describe Wexford House atmosphere as cute, welcoming, and laid-back. I like that they bring you a bowl of popcorn (or two) while you are looking over the menu. The menu was diverse and had a wide selection of typical dishes you may expect, to some deliciously sounding comfort food options you do not always see – such as meatloaf. I have to be honest I was pleasantly surprised with how fantastic the food was. My neighbors were so kind to share their plate of hummus, feta, olives, and baba ganoush. The baba ganoush was out of this world! I loved it. Just enough smoky flavor, not overpowered with garlic and the pita bread was fresh. Simply scrumptious.

For my meal, I chose the chicken kabob with rice and a vegetable. The chicken was slightly dry but had great flavor, marinated in ginger. The rice was flavorful and the butternut squash was delicious, not too sweet but just enough. I have to say that all the meals that came to the table looked so appetizing; I think most of us ordered off the Middle Eastern section, which is what I am told Wexford House does best. I will go back, as I have some friends that really enjoy it and the baba ganoush is calling my name.

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Baked Kibbie

Baked Kibbe from Le Mirage in Worcester

Baked Kibbe from Le Mirage in Worcester

Having never been to a restaurant specializing in middle eastern cuisine like Le Mirage, I was determined to order a dish that I, perhaps embarrassingly, had never heard of.  I selected the Baked Kibbie, which the menu informed me came with housemade rice pilaf, fresh vegetables, and a side salad.  The side salad, full of fresh greens, came with a balsamic vinaigrette with sweet flavors and a delightfully thicker consistency than I had expected.  I appreciated this, as the dressing stayed on my vegetables!  I chose the butternut squash as my side, which was pureed with a sugary sweetness. The Baked Kibbie turned out to be a square shaped meatloaf-like mixture of bulgur wheat, meat, and spices, giving it a crumbly texture with sweet flavors. There was a tangy yogurt sauce offered to spread over it, but the kibbie was delicious on its own and on a spoon mixed with the squash and rice pilaf.  The pilaf was rather plain, but buttery and added some moisture to mouthfuls of kibbie.  The meal from Le Mirage was filling and had a comfort food feel that left me content and full. -AC