![\"\u2018LUNAtics\u2019](\"https:\/\/missionvalleynews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/luna-grill-exterior.jpg\")
<\/a>Based on visits to the Hillcrest and Mission Valley outlets, the workers pretty much knew what elements go into certain meat marinades (oregano, turmeric, onions and nearly a dozen others), and how the meats essentially cook from the inside out (on metal skewers that turn blistering hot when placed over low flames). Lately it seems that someone in the operation possesses a keen eye for capable, trainable employees of whom the company refers to on its website as \u201cLUNAtics.\u201d<\/p>\n
I also learned from them that the long-grain basmati rice undergoes extensive de-starching in a process that takes 24 hours to complete \u2014 hence its uber-fluffy consistency. And if you\u2019re wondering about those mini cupcakes and baklava bites sitting prettily in display cases at the order counter, they\u2019re sourced from The Cheesecake Factory and Baklava King.<\/p>\n
Arabic-style drop lighting aesthetically matches decorative red chairs that cry for seat cushions. Professional food photograph y adorns the walls, adding a sleek and modern feel to the design, assuring that what you\u2019re about to eat doesn\u2019t fall into the category of junk food. And that\u2019s the real comfort factor here \u2014 not to mention that the menu affords you calorie counts for every dish.<\/p>\n
Waves of mint, parsley and lemon spring forth in quinoa tabbouleh. It\u2019s a nourishing, wholesome belly filler that subdues your inner wolf toward whatever meat is about to come.<\/p>\n Ditto for velvety organic hummus (spicy or plain), lentil or lemon-chicken soup, or a variety of snazzy salads such as apple-walnut with pomegranate vinaigrette. In a recent visit, an organic spinach salad \u2014 easily shareable \u2014 came out with liberal measures of crumbled feta.<\/p>\n Red meat cravings are better sated by the Halal lamb or beef filet kebab. The latter was deeply charred, yet juicy and delicious. Skip the ground-sirloin option unless a train of densely packed ground meat with fewer seasonings is what you prefer.<\/p>\n All of the proteins are de-skewered moments before they\u2019re plated, including the bone-in Cornish game kebab, which in two separate encounters left me wishing for more. I\u2019m also a stickler for the chicken because the boneless, skinless breast meat offers above-normal succulence, herby undertones and decent bang for the buck.<\/p>\n The kebab plates come with small house salads, basmati rice, warm pita bread, cooling cucumber-yogurt dip, and sliced carrots or a grilled tomato. The latter never disappoints.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>