Tucked among a row of outdoor eateries along North Park Square is a seemingly unassuming mediterranean grille also know as Efe’s. The menu posted outside features dishes in a foreign language, but recognizable to anyone familiar with some of the region’s more popular cuisinal offerings, such as kebabs and falafal. However, to capture the true essence of this establishment, you must venture inside, past the front of the house and down a small corridor. The end of the little hall spills into a more vast opening than you might expect with continous sofa-like seating that wraps around three sides of the room. The fabrics that dress the tables, seats, pillows, and walls boast the rich hues of gold and burgundy.

As you take a comfortable seat, you’ll need a few minutes to peruse the extensive offerings of mediterranean fare and Turkish dishes. Though, you shouldn’t begin your main course without a sampling of the Cacik or Falafel. Whether you opt for the Kebabs or one of the traditional Turkish dishes as the main entree, your portions will be generous, but if you want more flavor, go for the Kebabs.

After you order and have time to look around the room, you may notice that the seating does not extend past the tables along the wall. And if you are there on a Friday or Saturday night, you’ll quickly understand why. At 7:00 the quiet atmosphere instantly transforms as sounds of middle eastern melodies reverberate through the room. The gentle clanging of finger symbals introduces the feature entertainment for the evening: a belly dancer.

The décor, dining, and dancing culminates into a melting pot of a middle eastern experience. Though it doesn’t rank among the likings of Atlanta’s Imperial Fez, it is a great spot in our neighborhood for a dinner and a show with a foreign flare.