Pattternz

Metro Detroit is home to hundreds of middle eastern eateries, often featuring blends of Armenian, Turkish, Israeli, and Lebanese inspired dishes, attracting legions of foodie fans…including yours truly. But never in all of our metro Detroit exploits have we deigned to try expressly Syrian cuisine. Pattternz, so named for the geometric designs often prevalent in Islamic art, is one such devoted Syrian restaurant.

Admittedly, this humble little foodie wasn’t sure what to expect at Pattternz. While we are always up for vegan eats anywhere and at any time, Syrian dinning in a strip mall in Sterling Heights (not exactly a hotbed of vegan activity) left a bit to our imagination. Nevertheless we gladly accepted Ammar Zein and Nahed Lotf’s gracious invitation to check out all things vegan at their family-run diner, now in its third year.

Greeted with a warm smile and our choice of seating, any lingering apprehension simply melted away. Its décor, both simple and homey, paid tasteful homage to its name; the blues and neutrals of the tile work created a subtle yet artful essence. This vegan admittedly knows little about design, but we know a homey kitchen when we see one.  

While at first glance the menu seemed somewhat formulaic (think falafel, grape leaves, Fattoush), a closer review reveals uniquely Syrian dishes we hadn’t heard of (and simultaneously couldn’t wait to try).

Perhaps because of our extreme contemplation of each menu page, our benevolent host offered us a life line: a tasting menu! There’s nothing we like more than having the experts select our vegan eats. Not only does this allow us to sit back (and enjoy our dinner company), we also know we are getting the most beloved selections. Given our novice status related to the finer points of  Syrian cuisine, we were more than willing to learn, to trust.

As we waited for our Syrian smorgasbord, we harkened back to one of our time-honored tactics for getting to know the vibe of a location. You see, everywhere has certain tells. Subtle little observations that can reveal so very much about an eatery; often more than décor, prices, or location may disclose. Curiously, this particular restaurant's ‘tell’ requires neither your eyes nor your mouth, but rather your ears. In the patient moments before we feast, we simply listen. What did we hear while at Pattternz? The sound of many tongues, all speaking Middle Eastern languages. For us, this was nod to the authentic, quality international cuisine making its way to our table.   

Our vegan tasting (explained in every delicious detail below) featured classic middle eastern dishes, along with Syrian specialties. Spoiler alert: the Syrian eats were our favs! 

Horak Isbao: By far our most loved dish! This Syrian lentil and pasta dish has been in the family for over 100 years and we could taste every generation in its smooth, pleasing flavors. What really made this dish sing for us? The rich combination of tamarin and pomegranate molasses, along with generous toppings: fresh pomegranate seeds, pita chips, sautéed coriander and garlic, and caramelized onions. This palate pleasing stew, from the first bite to the last, is definitely a must order. 

Muhammara: Another house specialty which pairs red pepper paste with crushed walnuts and breadcrumbs to create a beautifully colored, mild yet flavorful, romesco-like dip. It’s a rare find when we can savor so many taste sensations, from sweet and spicey to savory and smoky, in a single dish. We enjoyed as a spread on the house baked pita, but even more solo. 

Pattternz Salad: Aptly named, this house special was a fresh and vibrant complement to our tasting. Although a bit heavily dressed, the simple lemon juice, balsamic, olive oil, and sumac vinaigrette made each bite a delight. Beets, tomato, and carrots offer color and texture to this simple yet satiating spinach salad.   

Falafel: While falafel is considered a middle eastern staple, not all falafel is created equal. Achieving ideal taste and texture can be elusive, even for a seasoned chef. Patternz’s take on this classic ground chickpea dish was spot on. Uniquely shaped and rolled in sesame seeds, we found the crispy outside and airy inside a masterclass in preparation. 

Vegetarian Grape Leaves: We’ve have the pleasure of hand-making our own grape leaves each June (with fresh leaves), so we are admittedly a bit spoiled when it comes to this dish. There’s nothing like being able to customize this classic middle eastern dish to suit your own palate; particularly as we are big fans of spice and lemon-forward dolmas. Regrettably, we found Pattternz’s version a bit too oily for our liking. 

Tabbouleh: Well prepared, this parsley, tomato, onion, combination proved to be every bit fresh and lemony. We added to house-blended hummus for the perfect light bite.  And at the risk of  sounding unsophisticated, we took liberties at the end of our meal and mixed dishes together. We challenge you to concoct a more delicious combination of flavors: freshly baked pita, tangy tabbouleh, creamy hummus, multidimensional complex muhammara, and texture-rich horak isbao.

Keep a sharp eye, friends, you never know where you may find your next authentic, tasty vegan meal. Certainly, if you find yourself in or around Macomb County, make your way to Pattternz. A rich world of flavor awaits.