Best of Boston

2008 Best Middle Eastern Restaurant, Affordable

Saray

The mousselike hummus at this miniscule Turkish joint sealed the deal: Halfway through the bowl, we’d used up every last scrap of the allotted sesame-topped pita bread and started digging in with spoons. Then came the crisp zucchini fritters with yogurt sauce, succulent marinated lamb kebabs, and milk and almond pudding. Even if Saray’s service hadn’t been as warm and friendly, and the white tablecloths such an unexpectedly gracious note, we still would have pegged this place as being award-worthy.

1098 Commonwealth Ave., Allston, 617-383-6651,