stopped by Casbah last night to check out the latest addition to the Max Mex empire, and based on our abbreviated visit, we will be back for more. Casbah calls itself a "Mediterranean restaurant and wine bar". the menu is grouped into appetizers (approximately $4-$7), soups and salads (approximately $4-$8), and entrees (approx $9-$19). didn't check out the dessert menu. there is a good selection of wines by the glass ($4-$8), as well as beer, including Max Mex's Skookum Ale on tap. the food is pan-mediterranean, giving a nod to just about every country in the region, particularly North Africa. the decor is very beautiful, especially in the bar. we weren't hungry enough to order entrees, so we sat at the bar and ordered some starters. I had an appetizer of goat cheese baked in filo with roasted peppers and greens, my husband had roasted garlic baked in cream, and we both had a portuguese soup of sausage, greens, and potatoes. these were all excellent - totally tasty, and beautifully presented. in comparison with Mad Mex and Kaya, this restaurant is a bit pricier than Kaya, and more sophisticated in feel. no kutsey names or spellings on the menu. the noise level was a lot better than MM or K, although the bar was not very crowded while we were there. based on first impressions, this is a really great new restaurant. check it out! cheers, Mitzi
Pittsburgh, PA