Housed in a circa late-1800s gothic structure downtown, Al-Amir Lebanese Restaurant is just as exotic as it looks, due to a well-prepared menu of Middle Eastern specialties. After walking through an elaborate and ornate Islamic arch, you'll see a small bar before stepping into the darkened dining room, which displays paintings, drawings and Persian rugs. Starters include lentil vegetable soup; feta and black olives served with lettuce, tomato and cucumber; khudar, which is sautéed cauliflower, zucchini, carrots and potatoes topped with garlic and tahini sauce; or grilled lamb sausage. Or order a sampler plate big enough for two containing hummus, baba ganoush, stuffed grape leaves, tabouli and falafel. For entrées, try the signature Kharouf Muhammar, which is slow-roasted lamb with a tangy yogurt sauce. Or cabbage leaves filled with seasoned ground beef and basmati rice cooked with lemon, garlic and herbs. An extensive vegetarian selection offers vegetable kabobs, grape leaves, and baked eggplant, potato and tomato chunks served with basmati rice and tomato sauce. Lunch offers an abbreviated menu and features sandwiches such as beef shawarma. For dessert, try baklava or mohallabiyé, which is a traditional Lebanese pudding flavored with syrup and orange blossom. From the full bar, try a Lebanese Margarita or Al-Amir's unique Snake Shake, a drink of vodka, Kahlua, Bailey's, amaretto and butterscotch schnapps topped with whipped cream. Live music and belly dancing on Fri and Sat. Serving lunch Mon–Fri, dinner nightly. Closed between meals.