Baba Ghanouj Near the Bridge

Joey Ghazal, a 2001 graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, has been selling his own brand of hummus to specialty stores in New York City for two years. In January, he opened a small cafe with his mother, Samira, selling all-natural Mediterranean foods to take out. There are two tables - one inside, one out - for those who want to eat on the spot.

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Realizing that many patrons are unfamiliar with Lebanese food, Mr. Ghazal and his mother explain ingredients and offer samples, determined to help diners discover something they will enjoy, which isn't difficult.

Fresh-made pita sandwiches include falafel with tahini (.95), grilled chicken kebabs (.50) and grilled kafta, seasoned ground beef with parsley and onions (.50). Platters of falafel, kebabs, kafta or a combination of all three, including lettuce, pickled cucumbers and tomatoes, are .50 to .50.

The cafe, Joeyness All Natural Gourmet Mediterranean Foods and Organic Cafe, not far from the George Washington Bridge, sells prepacked spreads under the Joeyness brand, including three flavors of hummus, baba ghanouj and tabbouleh salad. Prices are to .75.

Mrs. Ghazal's specialties include baked kibbe, a ground beef variation, with yogurt mint sauce (.95 for an individual portion), Mediterranean string beans sautéed with diced tomatoes and olive oil (.75), and lentil salad with cracked wheat and caramelized onions (.50).

Desserts, to be sampled perhaps with Equal Exchange free trade organic tea or French roast coffee, latte, espresso or cappuccino, include Mr. Ghazal's own triple-chunk chocolate cookies or, from Sweet Sam's Baking Company in the Bronx, crumb cakes, walnut brownies and pound cake. But you really shouldn't leave without baklava, from Shatila, a bakery in Michigan.

Joeyness, 515 Main Street, Fort Lee; (201) 461-2700; Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. www.joeyness.com.

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