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A humble establishment with takeout options as well as a spacious heated tent in the backyard for a taste of traditonal hospitality, Olive Vine exerts a strong pull on the locals by infusing familiar Middle Eastern dishes with rustic character. A fluffy spinach pie (enough for an entrée by itself), thin, flavorful lentil soup, and freshly baked pita open up most meals. While the hummus is hyper-puréed, and the falafel, a bit fragile, both have a pleasant balance of seasonings that don't seethe with garlic. Meanwhile, the amped-up grilled chicken excites with a biting, earthy blend of spices. Despite its imperfections, the quirks at this friendly spot make the dishes taste that much more homemade, successfully endearing it to the neighborhood. — Jonathan Dixon

Spinach pie, $4.50; chicken platter, $9.50