Equipped with a stage, dance floor and many different seating arrangements, Mijana is the perfect place for a party, special event, or even a simple night out. Hookah is also available during particular hours of operation. (Dagan Sassarini/The State Press)From the rich abundance of a Middle Eastern culture enveloped by ancient, vibrant tradition is born an equally rich culinary experience.
Lebanese cuisine is laden with poignant spices and hearty flavors, and locally-owned Mijana does an exceptional job of maintaining these qualities in their dishes. The meaning of the word “mijana” as a representation of love and morals in Lebanese poetry and music adequately reflects the passion created in this restaurant’s service and atmosphere. Mijana goes beyond providing quality food and strives to engage the community as a whole through various events it hosts.
Mijana at 1:30 p.m. on a Thursday is a notably different atmosphere than Mijana at 10 p.m. on a Friday. It is both a prime lunch spot for the casual, corporate epicurean and a vivacious late night venue for the dance-lover looking for an alternative to the local club scene. However, its diverse customer base at any hour attests to the quality of service and atmosphere that Mijana provides.
The menu is full of options for all palettes, even vegetarians. Although even the lunch prices are a little bit more than comparable eateries such as Haji Baba, the portions are still very generous and should allow diners with an average appetite to take a decent amount home with them.
Mijana’s chicken shawarma lunch plate consists of spiced, marinated chicken on a bed of seasoned rice with a side salad and a garlic cream. (Dagan Sassarini/The State Press)The restaurant's shawarma plates are some of its most popular dishes, and they do not disappoint. The chicken shawarma lunch plate consists of spiced, marinated chicken on a bed of seasoned rice with a side salad and a garlic cream. The meat is tender and the combination of spices in the rice and the chicken come together to form a rich experience for the taste buds. Another noteworthy dish is the lamb shank, which is tender to the point that it falls off the bone.
Even the complimentary pita bread and dipping sauce are delicious and offer a fresh, simple addition to any platter (if you don’t scarf down the whole basket minutes after receiving it). Mijana also serves a variety of traditional hot or cold appetizers traditionally known as mezza to introduce your palette to the diversity of flavor that is present in all well-prepared Middle Eastern cuisine.
The service as a whole is neither exceptionally fast nor irritatingly slow; it’s quite average. The staff, however, is kind and patient, and they seem committed to maintaining the quality of the food without sacrificing the vivacity of the cultural atmosphere.
Were Mijana a basic restaurant, it would be above average, but not as exceptional as it is now. It would get high marks for its food and would provide a unique cultural environment, but probably wouldn’t stand out too much among the other family-owned ethnic restaurants in the area. What truly differentiates Mijana is its commitment to providing energetic diversity in experience.
Nightlife at Mijana is certainly not something to be overlooked. Visitors over 21 can tango on Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. until February 12 or salsa on Fridays at 9:30 p.m. Salsa at Mijana is an exceptionally popular event, attracting dancers of many ages and all dance backgrounds. Occasionally the venue will spice up the night by inviting professional solo performers or dance teams to keep the energy flowing until the wee hours of the morning (2 a.m.).
Equipped with a stage, dance floor and many different seating arrangements, Mijana is the perfect place for a party, special event, or even a simple night out — Lebanese style. (Dagan Sassarini/The State Press)For those looking for entertainment that doesn't necessitate moving, you can watch Mijana's belly dancers perform on Fridays and Saturdays. Also on Saturday nights is an event called "Hafla Arabia" at 10 p.m., which consists of various cultural performances, including belly dancing and live music. Yet another highly diverse entertainment option at Mijana is its "Reggae Sunday" at 9:30 p.m., which features music by Fresh Pressed Sound.
Those who are looking for a much more easygoing way to unwind can register for Mijana's weekly cooking classes with Chef Vivianne Saady, which take place on Saturday afternoons from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
As a whole, Mijana offers a noteworthy atmosphere of vibrant culture for everyone, from the energetic 20-something seeking fresh entertainment to the small family looking for a new dining experience.
Mijana is located at 1290 N. Scottsdale Rd. and is open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., dinner Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and dinner Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Tell the reporter your favorite salsa moves at celina.jimenez@asu.edu or on twitter @lina_lauren.
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