Dig It

719 Park Avenue
Rochester, NY 14607

Nestled in the quiet suburban neighborhood of Park Avenue, about a 20 minute drive from RIT, you’ll find Sinbad’s Mediterranean Cuisine. Specializing in foods made with natural ingredients, this restaurant is not one to pass up. After sampling far more items from the menu than should be consumed in one sitting, I left with a full stomach, a dent in my wallet, and the urge to return.

Although Park Avenue is lined with small shops, residential streets branch off of it at every block, making it seem as if Sinbad’s is situated in what was once someone’s home residence. Set back several feet from the street, the restaurant gives off a friendly appearance. After locating a parking spot (which took a good 10 minutes), it was a short walk to the restaurant.

Inside, I was immediately greeted with upbeat, yet traditional-sounding music. The seating area itself was small, and the walls were trimmed with mirrors; but the simple decor gave the whole place a welcoming feel. The wait staff was speedy and efficient, and the exposed kitchen area made the main dining room appear more open.

While all menu items are called by their native names, a description of each dish is provided so that one does not order blindly. Sinbad’s offers a nice variety of dishes including many vegetarian options and almost every type of stuffed pita imaginable. They also serve a wide variety of pizzas, salads and pastas. Items on the menu range from $3 up to $12, but entrees average at about $6. It’s the same price as many meals on campus but without the excessive grease and questionable content.

Their vegetarian chili wasn’t too spicy and was loaded with chunks of fresh veggies. For an appetizer, I ordered maza, (pita crisps stuffed with feta cheese, scallions, olive oil and spices) which was absolutely delicious. In fact, I wish I had ordered another plate. Their gyro pitas are about the size of a regular Quiznos sub and are packed with meat, veggies and a flavorful sauce. I also sampled the Sambusek (chicken, veggies, parmesan cheese and sauce packed in a pita), which was also mouthwateringly good. I wanted to order dessert, but I knew I couldn’t eat another bite.

Every item of food was fresh and full of flavor. The meats were tender and perfectly cooked. The service was fast and the waitresses were friendly. After over a month of mass-produced, greasy RIT food, Sinbad’s cuisine tasted like a tiny piece of heaven. I definitely plan on making a return trip in the near future.