Ocean and Lincoln, Carmel

622-7766,

www.dametracafe.com

Known for their infectious Mediterranean music and dancing, as well as their authentic cuisine and hospitality, owners Faisal Nimri and Bashar Sneeh bring Carmel’s food scene to life. Starters like the great stuffed grape leaves or super spanikopita—which bakes feta cheese, spinach and Greek olive oil wrapped in phyllo dough—would be a shame to miss. But skipping on to one of Demetra’s delicious main courses is understandable. Pizza, pasta and sandwiches are all available, but Mediterranean mains are the real deal. Dive into the gyros plate with roasted lamb and beef seasoned with Greek spices over rice pilaf and a Greek salad or the combination platter loaded with chicken kebab, hummus, yogurt sauce, pita bread, rice and Greek salad. If the mood is right, you might even get Bashar to play a little oud while you enjoy the food.