Chef Ana Sortun may hail from the West Coast, but it's the Middle East where she gets her inspiration. Her Boston restaurant Oleana combines modern techniques with Eastern Mediterranean traditions.

In 2006, she was awarded the Best Chef: Northeast honor by the James Beard Foundation, and her cookbook Spice: Flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean has become a best-seller.

We asked Chef Sortun for her five favorite places for Middle Eastern cuisine around the world:

BOSTON

Restaurant: SHAWARMA KING

Where: 1383 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA 02446, T: 617.731.6035, view map

Why: "For chicken shawarma and hummus."

NEW YORK

Restaurant: TABOON

Where: 773 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10019, T: 212.713.0271, view map

Why: "For the best hummus I've ever had."

PHILADELPHIA

Restaurant: ZAHAV

Where: 237 St. James Place, Philadelphia, PA 19106, T: 215.625.8800, view map

Why: "I love Zahav for its bread and chef Michael Solomonov's amazing, creative mind."

WASHINGTON, DC

Restaurant: ZAYTINYA

Where: 701 9th Street NW, Washington DC 20004, T: 202.638.0800, view map

Why: "For just about every single bite. It's a wonderful blend of Greek and Turkish cuisine."

ISTANBUL

Restaurant: CIYA SOFRASI

Where: Guneslibahce Sokak 43, Istanbul, Turkey, T: +90/(0)216.330.3190, view map

Why: "Order everything."

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