Welcome to the inner guts of a Nuba falafel

I admit that whenever I see the word "reduction" or the ingredient "bulgur" on a menu, I experience a wee pang of skepticism. Fancy food terms and ingredients do a good job at sex-ifying a restaurant's offerings, but I'll admit I'm not easy prey when it comes to these sex-ification tactics.

However, the tantalizing phrases work on me here at Gastown/Eastside Lebanese joint, Nuba, probably because the terms are employed with just cause. Let's hear it for good, cheap authentic Lebanese cuisine. Ahoy!

First things first: I am a huge fan of avocado, so I almost did a backflip when I discovered their special garden falafel would add the delicious fatty fruit to my pita roll. The sandwich itself was wrapped with love, just like how mama fashioned my bologna sandwich on my first day of school. The ingredients are crisp and fresh, and the menu prices even satisfy a cheapskate like me. And despite being in a slowly declining neighbourhood (see the recent demise of Discollection), it attracts a steady flow of customers every lunch hour.

Now, if there's anything I regret, it's not indulging in the fried cauliflower add-on: the item seemed to be a staple of every Nuba patron after me, and I felt incredibly left out. Just for that, I must return. After all, no need to deprive my stomach of the sexy treats again.

Nuba (322 West Hastings, 604-688-1655) is located on West Hastings between Homer and Hamilton. Those averse to travelling to the DTES fringe can relax. A new location at 1206 Seymour Street, just south of Davie, will be shovelling food into your gaping maws soon.