The Grove Arcade has begun legal procedings to evict a Middle Eastern restaurant whose cooking smells have prompted complaints from other tenants.

Ali Baba, which has leased a small space on the interior of the historic arcade for the past 2 1/2 years, received notice late last month that the owners would have to vacate their space by last Wednesday.

Now Amro Ali, who operates the restaurant with his parents, Fahti and Reda Ali, says the arcade would not accept their rent check for this month.

The arcadeís owners claim that the restaurant did not have permission to cook there.

However, the Alis dispute this claim and say that their lease clearly stipulates that the restaurant is allowed to cook food.

Ruth Summers, the arcadeís executive director, said that she does not intend to have the family immediately evicted. Rather, she said, the lease termination was the first step toward bringing the matter before a judge.

Meanwhile, the Alisí lawyer, William Loose, said he is working with the arcadeís attorney, Douglas Tate, to find a solution in court. Loose said he will soon file a declaratory judgment action to get a case before a judge.