Middle Eastern And Continental Cuisine—

Sesame Seed Restaurant

For 27 years, fans of Middle Eastern cuisine have been flocking to Sesame Seed on West Wooster Street in Danbury. Situated in what looks like it was once a house, with a welcoming full-width porch and large picture windows, the casual eclectic interior on the entry level features shelves crammed with the collections of chef/owner Dimitri Chaber. Diners can cast their eyes on familiar old toys and games, radios, teapots and bowls, and old photos among other items, while they wait for the arrival of their food, and childhood memories often come flooding back.

The varied collections are placed and stacked on every available surface, from the window sills and fireplace mantel to a full wall of shelves and on the piano that occupies the center of the room, which has 18 two- and four-person tables. Customers would sometimes bring items to add to the décor, but rather than delete items to make way for new ones, Mr Chaber said he has stopped collecting.

There are more tables upstairs, grouped in five interconnecting rooms. Here the atmosphere is more Victorian, elegant, with antique tables and lamps, vividly patterned wallpaper in some of the rooms, and lace curtains on the windows.

But it is the food –– delicious Middle Eastern, vegetarian, and Continental dishes offered at very reasonable prices — that keeps people coming back. During a recent visit, two women were proud to say they have been coming regularly for 20 years. “The food is wonderful, the staff is excellent and friendly, and the prices are quite affordable; what more could you want?” said one.

The fixed menu for lunch and dinner is the same, with numerous specials offered daily. There are five appetizers: humus, baba ghanouj, a platter of half of each, tabuli, and falafel, priced from $2.50 to $4. Dinner platters, priced at $6.50 and $7.50, include Kibbee, ground lamb with cracked wheat; Kafta, ground lamb and spices; and lamb kabobs. All served with brown rice.

Well-known for its vegetarian entrees, Sesame Seed also offers a variety of seafood and meat dishes, prepared with fresh ingredients and artfully seasoned, none more than $14. Salad and rice are included, and most entrees also have a complementary vegetable.

Among the $14 seafood dishes on a recent daily specials menu were grilled trout, rainbow trout almondine, scallops Florentine or primavera, grilled mahi and mahi nouva (sautéed in butter with new red potatoes, snow peas, artichokes, carrots, and herbs in a delicate lemon sauce) and catfish Cajun. Salmon was also offered, prepared two ways: with leeks, sun dried tomatoes, and asparagus or roasted peppers, artichoke hearts, and asparagus.

Raviollete pasta was served “Billy” — stuffed with goat cheese, sautéed with onions, tomatoes, olives, and spinach — or “Frankie” — stuffed with smoked mozzarella and roasted chicken sautéed in butter with leeks, peas, asparagus, and romano cheese — each $9.95. That was also the price for Greek spinach pie, eggplant lasagna, or gnocchi sautéed in butter with vegetables.

Veal, $14, was offered marsala or sautéed in butter with portabella and crimini mushrooms, leeks and a “pinch” of cream and vermouth.

Mindful of health considerations, the menu notes that if requested, meals will be made with soybean oil rather than butter. And for those children who will only eat the familiar, an order of pasta with tomato sauce or butter and romano cheese is always available.

Diners can enjoy wine by the glass or bottle, as well as choose from a selection of beers. In addition to standard soda fare, Sesame Seed offers a wide selection of Blue Sky All Natural Sodas and After The Fall Natural Juices, as well as herbal teas.

The upstairs dining area is open for weekend dinner and special occasions. During the warm weather, tables and chairs are set on a patio out front amid flowers where patrons can relax while waiting for friends or a table.

Sesame Seed Restaurant, 68 West Wooster Street, Danbury, is open for lunch Monday–Saturday from 11:30 to 3 and dinner from 5 to 9:30 Monday–Thursday, 5 to 10:30 Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday. Upstairs dining room is open 6 to 10 on Friday and Saturday and for special occasions. Visa and MasterCard accepted; reservations only for parties of five or more; 743-9850.

Note: Wooster Street runs between Main Street (Route 53) and the airport exit off Route 7. At present, a nearby bridge on Wooster is closed for repair; if taking Wooster from Main Street, follow detour signs back to Wooster. Parking is on the street or behind the restaurant.