The next time you find yourself pondering where to go for lunch, don't rule out the Seventh Street staple, Vida's Italian Steakhouse.

It's long been known for homemade pastas and an upscale atmosphere but the restaurant's owner, Hussein Elsharkawy, has reopened for lunch and unveiled a new menu filled with affordable Mediterranean delights.

"Mediterranean is very healthy and it's something new," he said. "This town needs this kind of food because you can only get it in Visalia or Fresno."

Whether you're feeling peckish and want to try several dishes or famished for a full entree -- there is plenty to choose from.

Appetizers begin at $4 and include a smoky roasted eggplant dip called baba ganoush and fresh hummus made from blended garbanzo beans, sesame seed paste called tahani, lemon juice and garlic. Both are served with warm, fresh pita bread.

These dips are also served as sides with several of the entrees along with rice pilaf and salad. Entrees begin at $12 and range from a classic shish kabob to thinly sliced beef or chicken shawarma to the loulou kebab or kofta, made from ground beef and lamb blended with a combination of herbs and spices.

If you're in the mood to try a little bit of everything the "Vegetarian Delight" may be more your speed. For $10 you'll be served a plateful of falafel, dolmas, hummus, baba ganoush, pita bread and salad.

For those unfamiliar with Mediterranean cuisine, dolmas are rolled grape leaves filled with vegetables, rice and seasoning -- and if you've never had them, you don't know what you're missing.

Falafel may look a bit unappetizing initially but you may be hooked after your first bite. They are patties made from spiced chickpeas that are fried to a golden brown.

Arianne Wing of Hanford stopped by Vida's last week to try some of the new dishes and was pleasantly surprised.

"It's something unique for Hanford ... and I love this type of food," she said. "It was great to get my mouth on some hummus."

The menu also boasts several $8 pita sandwiches. The gyro sandwich is filled with ground beef, lamb, tomatoes and onions served with a traditional cucumber yogurt sauce on the side.

When Elsharkawy compiled the Mediterranean menu he didn't forget the details right down to the sliced Armenian cucumbers and Egyptian feta cheese that top the salads.

Everything on the menu is available for delivery or carry-out and those dining in should be prepared to stay their full lunch hour. But those in a time crunch are encouraged to call ahead so your meal will be ready when you arrive.

Elsharkawy said that he does realize adding Mediterranean to the restaurant's traditional Italian menu is a bit risky but by the taste of things it should pay off.

"It's only for lunch time now," he said. "But so far everybody loves it."

(Oct. 2, 2009)