Cava Mezze Grill Does Hummus Right | Washington D.C.

Wherever you are in the DC area, good hummus isn't far from reach.

That's due in large part to the ambitious expansion plans of the people behind Cava. With their excellent Mediterranean restaurants and line of dips and spreads at local grocery stores, the restaurateurs turn your chickpea dreams into a silky reality at the new Cava Mezze Grill in Bethesda.

This latest venture now has you covered for quick on-the-go meals and lunch breaks.

Cava Mezze Grill lets diners mix fillings of slow-cooked meats or falafel with the group's signature hummus, harissa, tzatziki and other spreads, to create pita wraps, salads and even a basket of three slider-like filled pitas.

Stuff an order of miniature pitas with loukaniko ($7), a burly chorizo-like grilled sausage, which is excellent with jalapeño-infused "Crazy Feta" spread, or ground sirloin patties ($7), which taste like Greek burgers and are even better with zippy tzatziki.

The falafel ($7), which is crunchy on the outside, holds a finely ground blend of parsley and chickpeas, with a touch of whole chickpeas to add texture. We recommend adding the eggplant-and-red-pepper spread to brighten the falafel's flavors.

For the indecisive, the restaurant has assembled a short list of recommended combinations. Opt for a salad of chopped romaine with tender lamb, crunchy diced cucumbers and onions, but choose fiery harissa and tzatziki in place of dressing ($7.50).

Cava Mezze Grill, 4832 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda; 240-221-0887 or cavagrill.com