Five reasons to choose a Mediterranean lunch:

1.     You’ve had it with plastic fast food.

2.     Your neighborhood diner considers a grilled cheese sandwich a “vegetarian option,” but you’re not buying it.

3.     The thought of a plate of Kushari (brown lentils, rice, and onions) served with a marinated salad and (optional) grilled lamb is just irresistible.

4.     You’d like to experience an interesting new group of people at lunchtime.

5.     You figure it’s time to start exploring Chicago’s Loop.

Fans of Mediterranean cuisine consider it a natural, healthy diet; a system of cooking that emphasizes subtle seasoning and a foundation of substantial vegetables with savory meat options. It is a simple system in concept, but one that has been perfected over centuries. One of the best places to enjoy fresh, well-prepared Mediterranean food is just blocks north of DePaul’s Loop Campus, the Oasis Cafe, located in the back of the jewelry mall at 21 North Wabash.

Combining Middle Eastern with Greek, Italian and North African influences, the Oasis Cafe approach expands on the standards (Veggie Combo, Chicken Shawarma, Falafel) with eventful daily specials (oven-roasted Moroccan Chicken, grilled ground-meat Kafta, Napole Stuffed Chicken Breast, the above-mentioned Kushari, and Moroccan Couscous) to diversify the menu. Add a bowl of red lentil puree soup to your lunch, or top it off with fresh Baklava, a traditional dessert of filo pastry, nuts and honey. Ingredients are fresh, and food is cooked as you watch. Come after the lunch crowd dwindles and you’ll see cooks chopping huge piles of bright orange carrots or emerald green parsley.  Only real food is served here.

The crowd is hip, young and intellectual. Wildly popular with students and faculty of the nearby School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Oasis Cafe also attracts a techy crowd, decidedly international in scope. If you can, come just before noon to avoid the inevitable lunch line. And remember, it’s located at the back of a jewelry mall. If you have a weakness for diamonds, put the blinders on before you walk in.

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Oasis Cafe, 21 North Wabash,

Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.;

Saturday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

312-443-9534