For my review this week I decided to finally check out a restaurant that I’ve passed by a lot but never really thought twice about. Basil is a Mediterranean restaurant located just east of OCU on 23rd street near the State Capitol. I’ve heard some people say good things about the place, and I’m always down for some good Mediterranean food, so I decided to give it a try.
I walked in right in the middle of the lunch rush, and the restaurant was fairly busy, but not overcrowded.
The menus on the walls featured a variety of typical Mediterranean dishes such as gyros, shish kabobs, and hummus, alongside a selection of specialty teas. I greatly appreciated the wide variety of meatless options and that their vegetarian and vegan options were all clearly marked on the menu. At the counter, there were also many delicious looking desserts in a display case. The desserts were a huge temptation for me, but, nevertheless, I kept my lunch order relatively light as I selected a falafel sandwich and a lemon green tea.
When I ordered the tea, I was expecting just a simple cup of tea to enjoy with my meal. To my shock and delight, the waitress delivered an entire tea setup to my table. The setup included a full teapot, two glasses, a candle to keep the teapot warm, a fancy spoon, and a jar of saffron infused honey all balanced on a silver tray. As for the taste, the tea itself was very nice but nothing extraordinary.
However, when I added the honey to it, it took the entire setup to a whole different level. The sweetness and complexity it added complimented the tea perfectly, and that’s saying a lot, considering that I don’t typically like honey. Instantly, I could see why the woman in front of me at the counter was asking if she could purchase a bottle of the saffron honey.
By far, the tea was the highlight of my entire meal. I’m obsessed with tea in general, and this might just be my new favorite tea spot in OKC. Maybe the tea really was amazing, or maybe things just taste better when they’re served on silver trays. Either way, I don’t care. I still felt like a royal while I was sitting there sipping.
As for my sandwich, it really wasn’t what most people would consider a sandwich. Instead, it was falafel, tomato, lettuce, onions, and Tzatziki sauce stuffed into a pita. It was a nice size, and, overall, it was good. Honestly, it didn’t taste extremely different from the falafel pitas that I’ve had at other restaurants. It wasn’t bad by any means, and I ended up finishing the entire thing. It just wasn’t extraordinary or unique. And that’s probably my fault for not ordering one of the restaurant’s signature dishes. Overall though, I thought the food was good and satisfying.
When it came to prices, most of the lighter lunch options, such as their sandwiches and wraps, appeared to be about $5-6, while their bigger meals were around $9-13. I will note that I didn’t see a price for the tea listed anywhere on the menu, but I believe it added around $5 to my total bill. Typically, that’s a little more than I would be willing to pay for a drink, however, I feel that the fancy setup warranted the price. Additionally, I believe that the tea setup was meant for two people. So, at around $2.50 a person, I consider that to be an extremely reasonable price.
Honestly, if you’re looking for somewhere to relax and catch up with friends, then I would totally recommend Basil. The tea and the desserts seemed perfect for sharing, and the place seems like a nice little break from the typical coffee shops I drag my friends to. I would also totally recommend Basil to any of my vegetarian friends, since this is one of the very few spots near campus that actually has a decent selection of meatless meals.
Overall, if you’re looking for somewhere nice to sit back and spill the tea, I completely recommend Basil.
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