RESTAURANT WEEK: Peak summer cool at Pasha Grill

Want to go?

WHAT: Pasha Grill

WHERE: The Greene, 72 Plum St., Dayton

RESTAURANT WEEK: Special three-course meal served through Sunday, July 31 for $25.16

HOURS: Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Friday & Saturday 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.

INFO: (937) 429-9000 or pashagrill.com

They had me at homemade hummus.

I took a quick jaunt over to Pasha Grill at the Greene for dinner during Summer Restaurant Week for my first-ever visit to the eatery. I'll come clean right out of the gate -- I went alone, while my kids were at football and cheer practice, so I didn't get to luxuriate as much as I should have. However, the service at Pasha made it possible for me to feel completely at ease despite being on a limited schedule, without taking away from an enjoyable experience.

The restaurant week menu, which included an appetizer, a main dish, and a desert for $20.16. My choices included the homemade hummus because I love life, the chicked kebabs, and the milk custard.

First, the server brought warm bread and a dipping sauce to the table, quickly followed by a plate of the hummus. This appetizer certianly could have fed two people, and the freshness of the blend couldn't be beat. With just the smallest bit of zing at the end, I purposely made myself stop eating it so that I could save it for a midnight snack later.

The chicken kebabs arrived quickly after. Being pretty novice to traditional Turkish food, I anticipated the Americanized version of skewers with meat and vegetables on a wooden dowel, grilled to perfection. I was surprised to find eight or so large chunks of seasoned and charbroiled chicken carefully laid out with rice and steamed veggies. I'm naturally fairly accident prone, so this deconstructed yet beautiful plate of food had me thanking my lucky stars to not be prying my dinner off of potential weapons.

The chicken itself was incredibly moist, and it carried a distinct smoky grilled flavor that made me think of summer cookouts. The vegetables combined carrots, snap peas, broccoli, and zucchini with a lightly seasoned rice to create the perfect combination of summer fare to leave you satisfied without being overfull.

When I asked my server what wine he'd suggest to go with the meal I chose, he brought the most delightful Turkish white wine that paired so flawlessly with my meal it felt like kismet.

Lastly, the milk custard, which immediately stole my heart as it was set in front of me. Drizzled in a light chocolate sauce and sprinkled with cinnamon and other delectable spices (and garnished with a small swirl of whipped cream), not even my best efforts at saving part of this treat for later proved fruitful. I had to refrain from licking the plate once I devoured its former occupant.

Again, I was on a fairly rigid schedule, but I was in and out of Pasha in roughly 45 minutes, without feeling an ounce of that crunched time. The waitstaff was excellent and super accomodating, the patio felt perfect even on this sweltering summer day, and the meal was above and beyond my expectations.

You still have until the 31st to get out and enjoy Restaurant Week, so make sure to add Pasha Grill to your list of must-trys this weekend!