"Aladdin's and all the merchants at the Underground Station will be open regular business hours during the complete reconstruction of Bank St. in front of the Underground Station."

Previously we examined another in a series of oblivious Gahan street grid errors.

GREEN MOUSE SAYS: Main and Bank work to begin on Monday the 13th -- or was that Friday the 16th?

As usual, indie businesses bear the brunt as the Democratic Party's patronage imperatives enrich campaign donors.

Dear friends.

Aladdin's and all the merchants at the Underground Station will be open regular business hours during the complete reconstruction of Bank St. in front of the Underground Station. We appreciate everyone's patronage and understanding while this project is underway. And please keep in mind that all parking behind the Underground Station is open and all sidewalks are accessible as well.

SHANE'S EXCELLENT NEW WORDS: What's the difference between a Gyro and a Shawarma?

They're all Döner Kebap to me, but Mike Sajaja has a better answer.

People always ask what is the difference between a Gyro and a Shawarma?

Invented in Turkey in the 18th or 19th century, the doner kebab, meaning “rotating grilled meat.” came into existence. When the same concept was introduced to Greece, the locals named it “gyros,” the Greek word for “turning.” Likewise, when it spread through the Middle East, it was called “shawarma,” an Arabic word for “turning.”

So now you know. No matter what you call it, it is one of the best, and most popular, foods on the planet. Get yours at Aladdin's today.

For a tad more depth, visit Plated.

The gyro and the shawarma are two staples of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern cuisine that have gone mainstream in the United States. But even though some gyro-producing companies can make enough meat to crank out 600,000 sandwiches a day, we often don’t inquire about what goes into either of these dishes. However, we at Plated like to uncover every technique and mystery food has to offer, so we’re about to reveal what’s actually wrapped up in that pita.

Earlier in the year, longtime Louisville-based food writer Robin Garr stopped by Aladdin's and filed a favorable report in LEO.

I was still jonesing for labneh, so went for the full plate, an $8 appetizer. The thick, creamy white cheese reminded me of quality whole-milk ricotta in texture, but its yogurt base added a tangy high note to the sweet dairy flavor. It was spooned onto a shallow dish and generously topped with fruity greenish olive oil, with a single black olive for garnish,

I usually say ho-hum hummus, but Aladdin’s version ($7) may rank as the best I have ever had. Remarkably creamy and smooth, it boasts a rich tahini-to-chickpea ratio, and I’m fine with that. Both apps came with plenty of excellent, thick and fluffy pitas.

Finally, in the local chain newspaper, Danielle Grady explains Aladdin's recent addition of a store in the space next door.

Aladdin's new corner market stocked with homemade favorites

NEW ALBANY — Before Mike Sajaja and his family opened Aladdin’s Mediterranean & Middle Eastern Cuisine in New Albany five years ago, many residents in the area hadn’t heard of labneh or foule mudamas or kibbeh.

Now, they know what it is, Mike says with a pinch of pride in his voice. But with that, came a problem: His customers wanted their eastern favorites for themselves. In their cabinets.

Sajaja’s long-time-coming solution? A corner store and juice bar stocked with all the homemade, signature items that Aladdin’s fans love, located right next to the New Albany restaurant in its Underground Station, 37 Bank St., home.

The miniature/a> market opened last week, and the Sajajas are slowly stocking it with new items. The natural juice bar will open within the next couple weeks (if not before, Mike said) ...

Indie food & drink behind the booths: Aladdin's Cafe and Brooklyn and The Butcher.

Harvest Homecoming's annual occupation of downtown New Albany is almost here, and in 2016, "booth days" take place from October 6 - 9 (Thursday through Sunday). We're here to have a look at what's taking place behind the booths, where our independent local businesses operate throughout the year.

Having only recently moved into its new location at Underground Station, Aladdin's Cafe (37 Bank Street, Suite #2) is making the best of restricted access.

Dear Friends, Fiesta Rides are on and working today, and every day till the end of Harvest Homecoming. Beat the crowd and come down to this area and have some fun with the kids. Don't forget to stop by and get your Gyro & Fries, or Humus, Shawarma, Steak Sandwich, Falafel, Cold Drinks, etc....

One and a half blocks north, Brooklyn and The Butcher (148 E. Market Street) also is being adaptive, with a small menu card and drink specials.

Harvest Homecoming is a time to relax, eat some good food, and have a cold one. Join us for our first Harvest. Our patio will have a great beer garden with live music, our speakeasy will be open, and the bar will be a great spot to see and be seen.

As listings are posted, we'll add and update here.

For officially sanctioned activities, go here: 2016 Harvest Homecoming Festival Guide.

Eat, drink and repeat: Six updates about downtown New Albany food and dining.

When there is time, it's always good to gather various news items and social media postings into one place -- and today there is time. You may have seen them already, but if not, let's begin with Aladdin's Cafe, now rocking its new location at Underground Station.

GOING UNDERGROUND: New Albany's Underground Station fills its last storefront; Station contains 11 businesses and three apartments, by Danielle Grady (News and Tribune)

On Aug. 23, Aladdin’s Cafe closed the doors on its West Market Street location of three years.

There weren’t any public displays of grief for New Albany’s long time-Middle Eastern favorite. That’s because the restaurant would reopen one day later — just at a new location. A shiny, new place at 37 Bank St., with 10 other New Albany businesses and a peaceful, well-paved courtyard.

The mandated monthly local Alcohol & Tobacco Commission hearing took place on September 6, and Aladdin's Cafe passed with flying colors. Final regulatory approval should come in about two weeks,and then adult libations will return to Aladdin's accompany the area's finest Baba Ganoush (among other delicacies).

Taco Steve appeared at the very same hearing on the 6th, garnering approval to serve beer, and subject to the same two-week wait. In the meantime, an Internet list has touted ten places to get tacos in Indiana, and Taco Steve is one of them. As the young folks say, "Woot."

Lunch is now being served at Brooklyn and The Butcher, which also scored an excellent review by Robin Garr in LEO Weekly.

The other night, as we rolled across the Sherman Minton Bridge to New Albany for an evening at Brooklyn and the Butcher, it crossed my mind that New Albany is actually a little bit like Brooklyn.

New Albany, like Brooklyn, is a city across a river from a larger city, long ignored by its neighbors, but suddenly awash with excellent new places to dine, drink and have a good time. And as with Brooklyn, crowds are starting to make their way over to check it out.

River City Winery has long-awaited expansion news.

River City Winery is growing ... next week RCW will begin a long awaited expansion in the old Preston Art Center.

The beginning remodel phase will start with our kitchen expansion. We are excited about this opportunity for growth, but, in the process we do have to make some TEMPORARY changes.

Beginning Tuesday 9.13.16 we will have a new Fall / Winter menu. A few of our well known favorites will not be available during the kitchen remodel ... STARTING MONDAY SEPTEMBER 12 WE WILL BE OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK.

Breweries aren't built in a day. During our New England trip, we visited four breweries that are at least two decades old. These traditions begin, are nurtured and then grow. The investments are made not by political parties and chambers of commerce, but by real people leveraging their own finite resources. As such, congratulations to Floyd County Brewing Company on its first anniversary, and making it past the first "one year" hurdle.

That's six, including Underground Station. I'm intent on making these updates a recurring feature at NAC, so let me know what's up and what I may have missed.

Aladdin's Cafe is up and running at its new Underground Station location.

Aladdin's Cafe's page at Facebook has the story.

Good News Aladdin's friends and fans. The move is complete, and we will be open Wed. at 12:00 in the Underground Station. Come enjoy our brand new location and beautiful courtyard seating. In the following few days, we will also be introducing delicious additions to our menu.

Aladdin's Cafe, 37 Bank St. Suite #2, New Albany, Indiana ... (502) 489-7969