If you like Middle Eastern food and live anywhere near West Roxbury, you'll want to try Al Wadi

Al Wadi, the replacement for the old Spring Blossom at 1249 VFW Parkway, opened last week. The kidlet and I stopped by for lunch today and concluded it looks to be perfect for those nights when you want somebody to serve you your Middle Eastern food (specifically, Lebanese) at a table, instead of just picking something up at the King.

For starters, anybody who remembers Spring Blossom will be amazed at the transformation inside: Who knew the place could look elegant? Two walls are lined with cushiony benches behind the tables (they've got throw pillows scattered about, for the extra tired). The place actually has windows now, with surprisingly pleasant views of trees (and, well, yeah, a Home Depot sign out of one of them). There's a sleek bar that's constantly changing colors (LEDs: Is there nothing they can't do?) - and which has a full liquor license. The waiter quickly brings over slices of pita and a tray with a couple of different types of olive-oil and some creamy cheese/yogurty thing (couldn't quit tell). Lebanese (I assume) music plays over the loudspeakers - but not too loudly.

The menu is split between mezzas (relatively small servings; think of them as sort of Lebanese tapas), which go for $4 to $7 apiece and more elaborate (and more expensive, of course), full-blown entrees.

Since it was lunch, we went with some of the smaller dishes: Chicken soup, hummus Al Wadi, sambossik and rice pilaf. Hummus al Wadi is hummus topped with ground beef and pine nuts; sambossik are these small, almost knish-like meat patty things (but way, way better than the things that pass for knishes at supermarkets around here).

All were delicious. It's probably a good thing they were small portions - if they were larger, we probably would have kept eating until we burst. At the end, the waiter brought over some complimentary baklava. Throw in a couple of sodas, and the whole thing cost about $26 before tip.

Al Wadi's phone number is 617-325-3254. Web site.