La Meena Mediterranean Grill Opens in Brighton, Michigan

Local Community Welcomes First Mideastern Restaurant


BRIGHTON, MI--(Marketwire - November 17, 2008) - Brighton residents and commuters along I-96 no longer have far to drive to enjoy excellent Mideastern fare. The La Meena Mediterranean Grill, a new 140-seat fine dining restaurant, has opened at 101 Brookside Lane in Brighton, Michigan.

Peter Mankouche, general manager and one of three owners of La Meena, has spent long hours personally supervising and attending to all the details of constructing and opening a new restaurant.

Mankouche, a native of Lebanon, has more than 20 years experience in restaurant management in the United States, including Michigan and California. He recalls how Californians would drive more than an hour to visit the restaurant he managed in southern California.

Despite today's challenging economy, Mankouche is excited about opening Brighton's first Mideastern restaurant.

"We're delighted to be here," said Mankouche. "The community has been very welcoming, and we know that lots of people have been watching our progress and preparing their taste buds. We promise not to disappoint them."

Along with providing patrons a fine dining experience at moderate prices, La Meena offers catering and delivery services for individuals to large groups and businesses. Menu items and the ability to place orders online are available on the restaurant web site at www.LaMeena.com.

The restaurant's extensive dining, catering and delivery menus include a wide variety of traditional Mideastern dishes such as baked kibbeh and grape leaves along with charbroiled chicken, lamb or beef, sandwiches, pan sautés and seafood, desserts and more. La Meena also offers a complete juice bar and will have a full service bar available within the next few months.

According to Mankouche, menu specialties include a zesty tilapia, lamb chops, grape leaves and a signature kabob.

"If customers have a favorite Mideastern dish that isn't on our menu, we want to know about it," added Mankouche. "Our goal is to provide the best quality food and service available to keep customers coming back time after time."

Conveniently located in the Brookside Shopping Center off of West Grand River Avenue in Brighton, near the 145 interchange for I-96, La Meena is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.

To make reservations, place an order or for more information, call 810-227-4400 or visit www.LaMeena.com.

Contact Information: Media Contacts: Peter Mankouche La Meena 313-485-9595 (cell) Margaret Blohm, APR Margaux & Associates, LLC 313-406-3467