(This venue is closed.) Syrian fatteh is a thick porridge of garlicky yogurt bolstered with bits of toasted pita.
The fatteh bil lahmeh (with lamb; $8.99) beckoned me back to Damascus Gate, but the version shown above, fatteh bil dijaj (with chicken; $8.99) may have surpassed it.
Also worthy: the flatbread called zaatar ($1.49); the triangular spinach pie that accompanies it ($1.89); stuffed baby eggplants called makdous (stuffings may vary; $5.99); the olive-topped "cheese salad" ($5.99); kibbah maklieh (not shown; $4.99) fried shells of cracked wheat around minced lamb and onions; and Syrian salad ($4.99), with tomatoes, cucumbers, parsley, onions, lettuce, lemon juice, and olive oil; The kebabs — like lahem meshwi, plated with the Syrian salad — are decent, but they never escape the shadow of the fatteh.
Damascus Gate
7224 Fifth Ave. (72nd-73rd Sts.), Brooklyn
718-680-8844
