JACKSONVILLE MOST AUTHENTIC MIDDLE EASTERN CUISINE

ERICA BURKS, Special to the Times-Union:

Built into a loft-style space in the Historical San Marco on Hendricks Avenue. The open Hooka and Cigar patio atmoshphere brings you to the fine middle eastern decor. Once inside, however, it is quite an oasis: stained glass lanterns, indoor wall-plants, exposed bar and elegant red oak tables make this place feel more like a comfortable rainforest than a desert.

Close to Downtown Jacksonville , this restaurant is a favoured hangout for lunch and dinner refreshment with Laylas' renowned imported beers/frangelico combination. Happy hours are Mondays trough Fridays from 5:00pm-7:00pm. All draft beer import & Domestic.

"Walls are painted a deep and vibrant raspberry color, and the floors are made of Syrian marble and covered with mosaics and other intriguing details. Peaked arches set off the edges of the room, and cool blue lights hit the bar along the back wall. It can be a bit noisy, but I personally enjoyed the music and thought the belly dancer was fun. At one point, she led a parade of little girls around the room, all of them shaking their little booties in time to the beat.