DoDiYo’s to expand menu, add brunch buffet

DoDiYo’s menu will look a little different come Mother’s Day. The Mediterranean restaurant is adding Persian and French dishes to its current selection of Greek and Italian cuisine. A Sunday brunch buffet and a jazz duet will also make its debut on Mother’s Day, May 10, and a new lunch buffet, which runs $18 for adults and $9 for kids under 12, will also begin that week.

In March, Alex Mims joined the restaurant as managing partner, bringing his experience at Ali Baba, a Persian restaurant on U.S. 31 on Hoover he owned from 1989 to 2005, to the table. Naseem Ajlouny, an original DoDiYo’s owner, bought out his original partner and brought Mims and chef Reza Bavali, who previously owned Italian and French restaurant Café Rez on U.S. 280, on board in March. DoDiYo’s other original investors included George Sarris, chef-owner of The Fish Market; Connie Kanakis, former owner of Connie Kanakis’ Cafe and Michael’s steakhouse; and Piggly Wiggly’s Andy Virciglio.

Menu mainstays such as Moussaka (a Greek lasagna) and Greek Chicken — along with the signature complimentary feta spread starter — will remain, while Persian favorites will be added, including Joo Jeh (Cornish hen) Kebabs, Tilapia Almondine, Abadanian Shrimp, Charbroiled Scaloppini of Tenderloin and a Glazed Lamb Shank. New starters on the menu will include Avocado Salad and Shirazi, a Persian salad of tomatoes, cucumbers and parsley. Prices will stay under $40 for entrees.

“We are excited about it,” Mims said. “The menu will have your head swinging.”

Along with the menu changes, Mims has also been remodeling the restaurant’s interior. New columns, sconces and chandeliers have been added, and the walls have been mudded and glazed to give them what Mims calls a “more authentic” look. Outside, he has added a new enclosure around the patio, which seats 128 people.

The restaurant continues to operate its meeting rooms. One seats up to 15 people, and the other up to 40.

DoDiYo’s new hours are Tuesday-Saturday lunch 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday dinner 5-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday dinner 5-10 p.m.; and Sunday brunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, visit dodiyos.com or call 453-9300.