The decor at this Syrian/Lebanese restaurant is sparse, yet homey. A few shelves hang along the white walls, with brassy Turkish coffee pots, Moroccan drums and trays engraved with Arabic script.

The waterfall in the restaurant's name is really more like a dribbling stream from a fountain near the entrance. But the sounds of the water are soothing, as is the soft Middle Eastern music that continually plays in the background.

The menu at Waterfalls covers many dishes familiar to anyone who has eaten at Middle Eastern restaurants. However, there are a number of unusual offerings, several worth a try.

There are no appetizers as such, although every meal is presented with a complimentary dish of oil-cured olives, hot peppers and pickled carrots and beets. However, this opener can be supplemented with a variety of small dishes tagged here as "sides."

Fried cauliflower and zucchini are light and not greasy, and the hummos and baba ghanouj compare to any along Atlantic Ave.

Among the more intriguing offerings was mouhamarah. a paste made with sweet red peppers, cracked wheat, plenty of gariic and other spices. It was hot, sweet and nutty all at once, perfect with the warm pita that is constantly replenished.

In the entree side of the menu, there are also many standards and a few special treats. A couscous platter arrives with a thin tomatoey stew of lamb and vegetables on the side which could be mistaken for a soup. The meat is buttery, and the mixture of potatoes, carrots, garbanzo beans and other veggies makes for a huge repast over the fluffy grains.

Another dish worth a try is emjaddara with rice and lentils, a pilaf of sorts with crunchy rice, sweet sauteed onions, served with a tangy yogurt sauce.

Hospitality is key here, it seems. The wait staff is eager to help diners navigate the large menu. And when told that this was our first visit, staffers brought complimentary dessert - a small piece of almond-topped orange cake soaked in a sweet syrup.

No alcoholic beverages are available, but Moroccan-style mint tea - served hot or iced - makes for a good liquid accompaniment to any meal.