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Located one avenue away from Bay Ridge’s main drag of Middle Eastern cuisine, this casual Syrian restaurant serves dishes that eclipse the typical falafel platter or lamb kebab. Ouzi is a visually arresting and savory domed pie, with a flaky phyllo exterior that reveals a steaming encasement of lamb, rice, nuts, raisins and vegetables. A Syrian specialty of kebbeh balls looks like oversize falafel, but the nutty, cracked-wheat crust reveals a dry, mild center of ground beef and onions that benefits from a dollop of the accompanying hummus or baba ghanoush. Sesame seed-coated falafel feature the textural knockout combination of a truly crispy exterior and a dense, moist interior. A generous portion of light, garlicky hummus comes dusted with herbs and, if you wish, topped with tender hunks of crispy-skinned lamb that may very well be the most delicious item on the menu. In the background, an endless loop of Arabic music videos plays on a widescreen TV. — Michael Alan Connelly

Humus deluxe, $9.50; falafel, $5.75; lamb ouzi, $16.50