The usual suspects-hummus, tabbouleh, baba ghanouj-are tasty and generous, but what puts Alexandrya's veggie mezza platter ($6.75) over the top is the just-right falafel, crunchy on the outside and steamy-soft on the inside. This easily overlooked slip on Portland State's eastern edge makes its mark in the details: the toasted wrapper on the marinated-beef shawarma sandwich ($4.50), or the baklava's judicious rosewatery moistness, which gives equal time to the dessert's nutty flavor rather than drowning it in cloying syrup. For a beverage adventure on the side, try mixing mango juice into the date-rosewater potion jallab. (IG)
WWeek 2015