McKinney Avenue Gets a Dose of Late-Night Doner Kebab and Hummus

Major shakeups lately where Mediterranean food options are concerned: Beloved Lakewood staple Ali Baba closed last week, and as CultureMap Dallas reported yesterday the owners also shuttered their Preston Center fast-casual spot Grip at the same time. Meanwhile, though, a new option has popped up in Uptown: Pera Wine Bistro — or Pera Mediterranean Bistro, or maybe Pera Kebab, depending on who you ask — is now open in the strip center space just off McKinney Avenue that formerly housed Yutaka Sushi Bistro sibling Sharaku Sake Lounge. (In case it's not obvious from the name, this place is related to Pera Wine & Tapas and Pera Turkish Kitchen, both located in North Dallas.)

Mediterranean food fiends will fiind plenty to like here, not least of all the rotating spits of spiced chicken or lamb patiently waiting to be sliced into a sandwich and served up with a side of tzatziki for the Turkish specialty known as doner kebab. There's also luxuriously creamy, nutty hummus that comes with extra-fluffy pita for dipping, falafel, tabbouleh, and something called haydari, a yogurt dip with walnuts, garlic, and dill. Prices are very reasonable, especially for Uptown, with appetizers priced at $6, entree plates with rice, salad, and pita for $11, and sandwiches for $6.50, with the option to make it a combo with rice or fries and a drink for $8. Grab a seat on the banquette for table service, or belly up to the bar for a glass of wine and some baba ghanoush; the friendly guys manning the counter will also be happy to wrap your order up for takeout. Delivery is also available for those who live or work in the area.

Perhaps most importantly, Pera is presenting itself as a viable late-night food option, something this bar-laden stretch of Uptown could certainly use more of: They're open until 4 a.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, with service till 11 p.m.-ish most other nights.