Sometimes it can be difficult to find a restaurant for a lead review. I actually considered four different restaurants for this week’s review based on recommendation from friends, readers and other media. I didn’t really fall hard for any of them, but the deadline was looming, and I had to make a choice.

I eventually decided to go with Sinbad’s Feast when I realized what a godsend it was to people who observe Muslim dietary laws. The food is fine, if not on par with my favorite Persian restaurants around town. But all of the meats (pictured above) are halal. When I returned for a second visit, I saw a huge party of (I think) Somalis, dressed to the nines and having a great time.

I really try to think about where readers live, what they’re interested in, and what matters most to them. Sometimes those considerations go beyond simple criteria.