![\"\u2018LUNAtics\u2019](\"https:\/\/sduptownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Luna-Grill-chicken-kabab-plate-copy.jpg\")
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).<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n 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 photography 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.<\/p>\n 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 Other dishes include stuffed grape leaves; gyros, salmon or vegetable kebabs; various wraps; a grass-fed burger; and two different bowls: beet or gyros, layered with feta and veggies.<\/p>\n Luna Grill recently reinstated happy hour after discontinuing it a few years back. It\u2019s held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Monday through Friday. Beer and wine by the glass are $5, and appetizers are $1 off.<\/p>\n![\"\u2018LUNAtics\u2019](\"https:\/\/sduptownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Luna-Grill-quinoa-tabouleh-copy.jpg\")
![\"\u2018LUNAtics\u2019](\"https:\/\/sduptownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Luna-Grill-organic-spinach-salad-copy.jpg\")
![\"\u2018LUNAtics\u2019](\"https:\/\/sduptownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Luna-Grill-beef-kabab-copy.jpg\")
![\"\u2018LUNAtics\u2019](\"https:\/\/sduptownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Untitled-1-copy-2.jpg\")
Super-strength garlic dip is free for the asking. It\u2019s similar to the Turkish versions I\u2019ve had in Europe that almost burn your tongue if you dab more than a bead of it onto your food.<\/p>\n