I stopped by Luna Grill in Carmel Valley (in the Albertson’s shopping center off the 56) for lunch one day without even knowing that my childhood friend Maria owns it. But, there’s no favoritism involved in my review today. I was attracted to the place all on its own because it’s close to my house and there aren’t many non-chain restaurants nearby. Also, I love Mediterranean food.

Maria and I attended junior high, high school, and UCLA together. She has a strong background in restaurants because her parents are the long-time owners of Troy’s Greek Restaurant on Friars Road. I remember spending afternoons at Maria’s house hanging out after school and when her mom came home from work, she brought food from the restaurant for us! It seemed so luxurious to me that Maria got to eat free restaurant food at home on an almost daily basis.

Anyway, back to Luna Grill… as I was filling up my soda cup with my favorite Coca-Cola, Maria approached me and she explained that she owned the place. It was great to see her and I looked forward to trying her food. She told me that she lived around the corner from the Albertson’s shopping center and she felt frustrated with the lack of ethnic food in the area. So she went and started her own place!

Luna Grill is descibed on its brochure as being a “Neighborhood Kabobery.” So it’s a Persian/Mediterranean/Middle Eastern/Near East- inspired place. I’ve always gotten my food from Luna Grill to-go, but the decor inside is really cute and they do have a few tables along with a wine and beer selection.

Every time I go to Luna Grill, I get their Luna Salad. It’s almost exactly like the kind of salad I make at home, but it’s great to be able to grab a yummy salad on the run. Also, I love the dressing! It’s a relatively simple red wine vinaigrette, but somehow I’ve been unable to exactly duplicate it’s yumminess at home. Maybe I’ll have to ask Maria next time I see her. The salad comes with fresh spinach, dried cranberries, almonds, feta, red onions, tomato, and cucumbers.

I’ve gotten the Veggie Wrap a few times. In the wrap, you get grilled seasonal vegetables and tofu, along with lettuce, tomato, onions, and Luna’s homemade cucumber yogurt dip, along with fries or salad. You can order any of the wraps in wheat lavash or pita. Their fries are delicious, especially the French Fry Crumble appetizer which is a heaping mound of fries topped with feta, lemon, and oregano. They’re cooked perfectly - crispy and not soggy.

Other menu items include a world of kabobs, a salmon plate, spanokopita, gyros, hummus, burgers, falafel, and several other intersting salads.

So I’m not playing favorites with this review. If I hadn’t like the food, I just wouldn’t have mentioned the place here on my blog. But I’m happy to report that Luna Grill is a consistent and delicious addition to the North County food scene. It’s always great to have healthy and interesting alternatives to the ubiquitous fast food places.

Luna Grill
7825 Highlands Village Pl. Ste. E105
San Diego, CA 92129
858.538.4555
fax 858.538.0777