Lunch at Boulder's seven-month-old Arabesque is a delight. The tiny, sun-drenched cafe is home to Manal and Saib Jarrar's made-from-scratch Middle Eastern cuisine. Sip on rose water while you mull over the chalkboard menu. Order a bowl of the homespun lentil soup and the Med-East sampler. The big-enough-to-share platter arrives with smoky baba ghanoush, hummus garnished with chickpeas, tender, stuffed grape leaves, lemony tabbouleh, tangy pickles, and chicken shawarma that tastes of curry and vinegar. Rip off a piece of warm Arabic bread---essentially pita, but puffier, lighter, and better---to scoop up each bite. (Hint: Order extra bread before your serving runs out). Service can be distracted, but it's with an endearing, mom-and-pop charm---and the food more than makes up for it. Pay at the register, but not before grabbing a raspberry strip---a shortbread cookie smeared with raspberry preserves---for dessert. Bonus: Take home a tub of the fresh mozzarella balls marinated in olive oil and herbs. Slice for salads or sandwiches---or just eat them eat right out of the container. 1634 Walnut St., Boulder, 720-242-8623