Editor's note: This is a re-review of the Lansing eatery House of Kabobs. A review of the restaurant appeared in The State News' Sept. 23 edition, but we're re-reviewing to show more respect for the culture's dishes and the restaurant.
Some often refer to Lansing as a microcosm of Metro Detroit. Aside from the automotive industry's strong presence in both cities, both areas have scattered pockets of various ethnic communities.
House of Kabobs, 1825 E. Michigan Ave. in Lansing, specializes in Armenian cuisine and therefore is a reflection of Armenian culture.
For those who might not remember 10th grade geography, the country of Armenia is south of Russia, but north of Iran and Turkey. Its proximity to both Eastern Europe and the Middle East undoubtedly means a cultural mix of both cuisines. Baklava, grape leaves and, of course, kabob dishes can be found on the restaurant's menu.
The words "We are proud to serve you one of the healthiest and most well-balanced diets in the world" are written proudly on the menu. Almost all the entrees are served with vegetables, if not made with them. All the appetizers are made with cholesterol-free oil.
Although many of the meat-based dishes don't exactly scream "vegetarian friendly," there are a few choices available for herbivores, including the steamed vegetable wrap or some of the salads.
First-timers might want to try the kutabi as an appetizer. It's a light, crispy, fried tortilla stuffed with spinach, mustard greens (an interesting way to serve them if you're used to Southern-style greens), green onions, parsley, cilantro, rhubarb, lemon juice and olive oil. A bit heavy on the olive oil, but the lemon juice balances it out, and it's tasty nonetheless.
At first glance, the gourmet pita wraps might conjure images of the type of wraps served at The Pita Pit or La Shish, a chain of Middle Eastern restaurants in Metro Detroit. House of Kabobs' wraps, however, are served in a soft, warm pita — your choice of spinach, whole wheat or tomato — and loaded with vegetables.
The wraps are a bit floppy — the pita bread used is sort of similar to the ones in some of the cafeterias on campus — so it's hard to keep all the ingredients in.
The "Armenian" Shish Kabob Wrap is a good dish to complement the kutabi. It's filled with veggies and pork cubes and will definitely hit the spot, but perhaps more seasoning could have enhanced it. The wraps are dusted with a spicy seasoning — maybe a little of the same could have been used inside.
The basmati rice was moist with hints of lemon, which made for a tasty side dish. The rice is topped with peppers and onions, not only re-emphasizing the restaurant's healthy goals, but adding lots of flavor. Fries or a salad can serve as sides, too.
As far as dessert goes, a few things to try would be the baklava, nut siggarets or the Dadu Russian ice cream. The major disappointment is the lack of variety in beverages. Sure, Coke products are nice, but the only thing different is the Armenian tea served with fruit preserves.
Pricing might be an issue for college budgets. The average price for a gourmet pita wrap is about $6.50 — not including a side. Shish kabob plates range from $8.95-$10.65 (not including a $32.95 plate that serves four), and combination platters run from $21.95-$24.95.
Overall, House of Kabobs makes for a nice visit if one is feeling the need to escape East Lansing for a minute. If nothing else, it's a testament of the wide range of diverse cultures in the Lansing area.
