Sultan’s Palace/Sultan Express
10171 109 St.
780-969-9998
Price range: Mid
Rating: ****

The best eastern Mediterranean cuisine comes in two forms: A quick pita wrap with falafel and drink, or multi-course banquet featuring hookah and tiny cups of industrial-grade coffee.

I could Lunch Rush Sultan Express for the former, but we chose Sultan’s Palace for the latter.
The DJ spun ’80s hits and ’90s club fare with recent rap as we played cards and powered our way through the chilly cream cheese of garlic labneh ($5.95), tiny makanek sausages ($7.95) and a tangy tabbouli salad ($7.49). Best of the appetizer plates was the hummus covered with tiny cubes of grilled beef ($8.95).

We shared the delicious, lightly-spiced Shish Kafta ($14.99) and relaxed over the strawberry shisha-loaded hookah ($12). We rolled out three hours later after a divine molten chocolate cake under scoops of vanilla ice cream ($5.99).

Sultan Express will deliver the excellent food faster for a lunchtime fix, but girlfriends or groups will savour the regal pleasures of the Palace.