As we entered the restaurant we noticed the decoration. There were many paintings and decorations from Middle East, including our Blue Eye Beads (Nazar Boncugu). One corner was decorated solely as an "Orient Corner" with carpets, plates, and other stuff. The restaurant's ambience was of an expensive restaurant. The walls were painted peach in a Mexican style, the picture frames were a golden color, and the golden color was accentuated in the light, bright wood-colored chairs. Our table had a white tablecloth and fresh flowers. We were wary of the decoration at first--being students, we did not want to dine in an expensive establishment. So when we entered we asked for a menu and checked what kind of food they offered and their price. Seing familiar appetizers such as tabouleh, falafel, and hummus, and prices around $10 per entree, persuaded us to have our lunch in Z'ba.

We ordered Z'ba's Platter for $6.99, which included four types of appetizers: salad olivieh (chicken, potatoes, peas in mayonnaise), salad shirazi (a kind of mixed salad of tomotoes, raw onions, and peppers), dolmeh (cold stuffed grape leaves), and hummus (made with garbanzo beans and tahini). We also ordered an extra order of dolmeh, thinking this would be with ground beef as the menu said so, but we received the cold dolmeh with no beef. Three of us ordered koobideh kebab for $5.49, as it sounded like our own Turkish adana kebab, and one of us ordered a koobideh sandwich for $4.99 from the lunch menu. We asked the assistance of our waitress in choosing the food, but it seemed she didn't have any clue.

When our food arrived, we not only had a feast of the mouth but a feast for our eyes. The koobideh kebab was placed next to the basmati rice, which was white at the bottom and, like a painting, yellow and orange on top (saffron was used to achieve this nice presentation).

While we were eating, the owner of the restaurant came and talked to us. When he learned we were from Turkey, he put Turkish music on (The latest Tarkan CD). When we were done and ready to ask for the check, he offered us a taste of Z'ba's baklava. He brought it out himself and wanted our feedback. We were all used to Turkish baklava made with a fillo dough, so we didn't appreciate the Iranian version of baklava, which was solely made with walnuts, honey, coliander, and rose water. One order was enough for four of us and cost $6.95.

The restaurant advertises belly dancing on Friday and Saturday nights and live jazz music on Thursday nights. After 11pm on Friday and Saturday nights there is disco and salsa dancing. I believe this restaurant offers one of the best values for your money in the Lubbock area.