Few will disagree that American cuisine does not present the most intriguing selections to its population, but an expansive selection of international meals satisfies the needs of anyone interested. Aside from the very popular Chinese, Italian, and French kitchens, Americans have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with ethnic food from the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern sects of the world. With plenty of restaurants to choose from in the Baltimore area, finding the most delicious yet authentic meals can be overwhelming for food enthusiasts.
 The first restaurant visited, Mimi's Mediterranean Grille, offers a variety of Mediterranean meals, with hints of Egyptian influence, attempts at simple Italian dishes, and classic American creations. Located in the Greenspring Shopping Center on Smith Avenue, the cafe competes with other small restaurants like Millers Delicatessen and Accents. With only about twenty tables, the cafe, interestingly decorated with palm trees and  tropical colors, caters to a small crowd. A server welcomes customers that enter to seat them, but very few people enter the grille around lunch time, most coming in for dinner. However, the small place and warm colors induce a friendly environment.
 The menu lists a large variety of appetizers and sandwiches, all for relatively low cost. The vast majority of appetizers average at under $10 and include both Mediterranean and American dishes. The most expensive appetizer, the Middle Eastern Combination Platter costs $11.95 and includes grape leaves, hummus, babaganush, feta cheese, foul, tahina sauce, and falafel, all served within fifteen minutes of placing the order. The name of the platter does not exactly match the dishes, but the grape leaves are cooked to perfection, not too dry or too moist, and the falafel has an exceptionally complex but delicious flavor. Although the hummus  has a chicken-like taste, the other appetizers should please lovers of Mediterranean food. For those less daring, the inexpensive mozzarella stick and crispy curly fries can serve as a substitute.
 Although the menu includes pizzas, pastas, sandwiches and calzones which are based off of an Italian cuisine with only the pizzas showing Mediterranean influence, the entrees offer an authentic Mediterranean taste. With schwarma, kabobs, and lamb chop options all for under $16, meat lovers can enjoy these options for a relatively low price. However, the chicken kabob, although the meat was well done and soft, had an excess of fat on it which may not suite those who prefer lean meat. The tahina sauce and pita bread that comes with the entree tastes very good together, and the salad was simple but refreshing, including lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, and cheese. Even though the entrees offer a true taste of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes, the menu lacks a large selection of traditional foods from these regions.
 Despite its humble and unfortunately boring external appearance, the second restaurant visited, the Choyhona Silk Road Bistro, located on Reisterstown Road in Pikesville, lets customers chose from a surprisingly wide array of true Middle Eastern dishes for a low cost. Because it is located on such a busy road, the Bistro can be hard to turn into, and finding a parking spot in the small lot can also prove to be challenging. However, despite the initial difficulties and the uninviting, bare appearance on the outside, customers can await a pleasantly decorated little restaurant furnished with small two-person tables, a fish tank, and painted plates hanging on the walls.
 Business seemed very slow on a week day around lunch time, but staff members were ready with menus as customers entered. The menu, written in three different languages including English, listed a variety of relatively unknown Middle Eastern foods, all with a description under the title. Even though the different languages may discourage particular customers, all waiters speak fluent English so there is no need for alarm.
The bistro offers most basic Uzbek dish, Plov, which consists of rice, chunks of roasted beef, and carrot, all served on a very large bowl, suitable for two or even three people, for under $7. The meat looked dry, however it tasted great and was very soft on the inside. Another traditional dish, Dolma, which includes lamb and rice wrapped in grape leaves and served with sour cream, was prepared equally as well. The only problem with the dish, the dryness of the lamb, was fixed with the side of sour cream. However, the wait time for both dishes was over 30 minutes, even though the restaurant was practically empty.
The menu also dedicates an entire subsection to kabobs, making it clear that the bistro specializes in meats. Each order includes only a single kabob with about eight small chunks of meat, but each one averages at only $4, an inexpensive price. Although the kabobs have no vegetables included, vegetarian customers can order the vegetable kabob instead. The meat is seasoned perfectly, not too salty, not too spicy, and the seasoning smells different than any American steak rubs. For those who prefer spicy meat, the waiters also serve a side of red, spicy sauce for them on the side. Fortunately, the meat lacks an excess of grease, which can be problematic at other restaurants. The kabob was also cooked to perfection, the meat perfectly soft and succulent.
For an authentic Middle Eastern dining experience, diners should visit the Silk Road Bistro, where anything they chose provides them with a real taste of the food and spices that the region specializes in. However, for those in search of a more eclectic selection of dishes, or perhaps those less willing to experiment with different tasting foods, Mimi's Mediterranean Grille offers Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Italian, and American meal choices. Because both restaurants provide customers with great tasting food for a low price, the decision of where to done should be decided by the individual's willingness to try new things.