PHILOSOPHY
What makes us unique?
Chickpea is the namesake of our company and at the core of our recipes. We make all of our food with only the highest quality ingredients.
We insist on baking all of our signature dishes, giving us flavorful results without adding unnecessary fats.
By using wholesome ingredients and our signature spices, we have created better cuisine that is Always Baked and Never Fried!
על המקום:
Yum- I have a newfound appreciation for baked falafel!
I'm glad I didn't read the Yelp reviews for Chickpea before going here because if I had I might have been more skeptical. I have wanted to try this place since moving in across the street a few months ago and yesterday I finally decided to head in.
The place was empty which seemed like a bad sign, but it might've just been that people were still coming home from work (it was a busy Wednesday). I decided to order the falafel platter with baba ganoush and hummus. The platter came with rice, 6 baked falafel, hummus (different flavors to choose from!), up to (4?) toppings, and hot whole wheat pita. I added feta for extra because, well, it's feta. The platter also came with a free drink- either a bottle of water or a can of soda (I got a water). I paid under $10 for all of this, which, in the city, is a friggen' bargain.
I brought my meal to Chelsea Pier to eat while I watched an outdoor movie (which I also recommend doing, btw), and it was delicious! The falafel was filling and honestly, I thought it was better than fried falafel, contrary to what everyone else is saying. Even the hummus and baba were above average, which is hard to do. Combined with the tahini sauce, rice, and feta, the falafel was incredible and filled me right up. I even had 3 falafel leftover after I was done that I still haven't eaten.
Check this place out for a quick, cheap, and healthy meal!
I love this place!
Every chance I'm in the area i always stop by for lunch.
Yes it is like a mediterrean subway, but the quality is not comparable. I always go with the platter with hummus, chicken, rice/lettuce and toppings. It is always consistent and yummy. Served with warm pita and sauce on the side if you ask (hot sauce, white sauce.) the hummus is sooo good.
The manager is always realllly nice and there to make sure everything is okay.
I did try the chickpea in pen station and got the same thing. Sorry to say it was horrible. Not sure if this location is the only good one..
In penn i do pick up breakfast from there, oatmeal or a pita sandwich with hardboiled egggs, hummus and some veggies which is good.
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Welcome to Grill Point NY – A Glatt Kosher Grill restaurant, where the heavenly taste of Mediterranean food and the Israeli touch are combine to a mouth watering experience.
Grill Point NY is an establishment since 2003. It is well known for the one of a kind taste of Lamb & Turkey shuwarma, Baby chicken shuwarma shish kebobs, Kofta kebobs and so much more. All our product are 100% certified by Vadd Harabamim of Queens. We use the best quality of meats and vegetables, daily fresh cooked! We offer variety of salads and may kinds of dishes. Our grill cooking is made in an Israel style and taste like no other grill in NY.
Grill Point also offer catering services for all occasions and events such as Holidays, private parties, Shabbes Dinner, etc.
Check our catering menu and place our order now.
Contact us and let us know about the next event you are planning. we promise you a success and a food to rave about among your family and friends.
Click here to read review which our customers posted.
We take pride in our great food and our great service.
גלאט כשר בית יוסף בישול ישראל.
Came back to Grill Point after a year with an unstoppable craving for shawarma. I forgot what was better by this point, the baby chicken or lamb. Lamb. I copped out on a chicken shawarmizzle and my girlfriend got a lamb. After chowing down our food and trying each others, I came to the conclusion that the lamb is the way to go. The fries and salad on the side are great add ones, although I didn't have room to finish everything. The portions are just right, although, I wish I could just by a shawarma minus the fries :/ Anywho, I'll deff be back. This is my go-to shawarma spot for life!
Grill 212 offers delicious dining, carryout and delivery to New York, NY
Grill 212 is a cornerstone in the New York community and has been recognized for its outstanding Mediterranean cuisine, excellent service and friendly staff.
Our Mediterranean restaurant is known for its modern interpretation of classic dishes and its insistence on only using high quality fresh ingredients.
ביקורת:
This is a non-pretentious, very authentic, very teensy Mediterranean joint tucked semi-underground. The portions are enormous; you can definitely split an entree and both end up quite stuffed! This is doubly true if you go for the salad bar, which is magnificent – especially the eggplant dishes. Yum. It would be nice if the food had a bit more salt/herbs/spices, but if you're ordering for home use you can just drown it in your favorite hot sauce. It's supremely affordable.
very low key and delicious. Ive spent some time with yemenite folk and the chicken soup with koubanah bread and hilbeh at Grill 212 is like sitting down with them. Generous salad bar, great laffa, nice staff, moderate price….how could you go wrong?
Incredibly fresh food. Excellent shakshukah. Tiny, tiny dining area. Friendly service. Hummas is delicious and homemade. Baby chicken was succulent. Will certainly return. Great place to take out, as well. But you cannot beat the sizzling freshness of dining in.
A small place but with a big heart
Once you tested the food it will linger in your mind
I am proud to say that I am not authentic, but I am original .
I say so because I believe that the second generation should be
better then the first.
What I believe in fusion. Adding the goodness such as ginger, flax seed,
soy, oats, and the abundance of herbs and spices of other nation infused
with the flavor of Middl Eastern cuisine
I nominated Azuri to become a servant to the community, by showing
care and hoping that you will notice my intent.
Add .50C for take out orders
Taïm is the love child of husband and wife team, Chef Einat Admony and Stefan Nafziger. In 2005, homesick for the favorite street food of Tel Aviv, they heard of a tiny store front available on quiet Waverly place and decided to open their own falafel shop. Relying on her years of international cooking experience as well as her roots, Einat created a menu centered around street food with a gourmet twist. The freshness and quality of the ingredients coupled with Taïm’s spin on traditional falafel flavors give new meaning to the concept of fast food.
After a long day in which I worked through lunch, I stopped for a 9 pm dinner at the bar feeling worn out. I was greeted while walking in by a friendly hostess and immediately served by the bartender. They have added a TV to the bar area for watching sporting events like the World Series.
I got the duck spring rolls and rib eye. Both were cooked extremely well and served with sauces of choice. Everyone at the bar was friendly. Good times.
This place was great! The menu has something for everyone, and while modern, it retains classic flavors and dishes.
We enjoyed the restaurant's full bar, and we loved the steaks. The food is well-prepared and delicious. The starters were probably the best part of our meal, which, by no means minimizes the quality of the mains.
If you are not from the Philadelphia area, unless you head to the restaurant during rush hour, it is a quick 10 to 15 minutes from Center City, and even less from the University City area of West Philadelphia.
Though a bit pricey, it is worth it for a special treat! It would be nice, however, if the restaurant had more expanded hours.
Mon Closed
Tue Closed
Wed 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Thu 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm Closed now
Fri Closed
Sat Closed
Sun 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
"Simple & filling
Israeli eats…like excellent
falafel…and even
better hummus"
Zagat, 2013/14
Westchester Magazine
Readers’ Pick, June 2012:
Middle Eastern
Restaurant
Westchester Magazine
“$20 and Under” selection
Oct, 2011
“Taiim Falafel Shack
Serves Up Middle Eastern
Comfort Food”
Rivertowns Patch
Oct, 2011
“Falafel Sells Out in Nyack”
Nyack-Piermont Patch
Sept, 2011
Westchester Magazine
“50 Best Dishes”
July 2011
Best of Westchester
Food & Drink
Westchester Magazine
June, 2011
One of the “19 Hottest
New Restaurants…”
Westchester Magazine
June, 2011
“Israeli Soul Food” —The New York Times • Oct, 2010
Westchester Magazine
“Taiim Falafel Shack Hits Hastings… and the Best Thing That Ever Happened to
a Chickpea”
Westchester Magazine
Oct, 2010
Located in the West Village, Bar Bolonat is an exuberant celebration of modern Mediterranean and new Israeli cuisines. Bold flavors and spices are staples on Chef Einat Admony’s playful, seasonally-inspired menu and sharing is encouraged when selecting from small plates, appetizers, and entrees. Menu offerings change often, and we use local, seasonal, sustainably harvested produce where possible.
Our wine list is hand-chosen for flavor, uniqueness, and tradition, featuring an array of small productions from various Mediterranean countries, including Israel. We work to .ensure that our selections are organic and biodynamic whenever possible
Menus are subject to change. (V) Vegan | (GF) Gluten Free | * Can be V and/or GF
SMALL ZI’S
*Aunt Trippo’s Falafel 8
pickled cabbage, curry yogurt, charred onion, tomato salsa (GF)
Grilled Beets 7
feta, date honey, scallions (GF)
Black Cumin Cauliflower 8
cauliflower on tahini topped with tomato salsa and black cumin seeds (V/GF)
Grilled Veggies 7
grilled seasonal veggies, sumac, smoked paprika aioli (GF)
Crazy Baba 7
charred eggplant, feta and basil with grilled pita bread
Shishito Peppers 8
Spanish-style black eyed beans salad, smoked paprika aioli (GF)
Hummus 6
Any 3 Small Zi’s 20
Soup of the Day 7
SALATIM
Charred Beet & Lentil 13
finely chopped root veggies, raw tahini, date honey (GF/V)
*Fattoush 14
fresh and roasted veggies, feta, za’atar, pita croutons
*Grilled Artichoke & Cauliflower 12
cherry tomato, garlic confit, Greek yogurt or tahini (GF)
Labane Za’atar 13
labane cheese za’atar and fresh summer veggies (GF)
Mediterranean Ceviche 16
CLASSIC ZI’S
Zizi Hummus 15
grilled seasonal veggies, chickpeas
Hummus Masabacha 13
warm ground chickpeas, grilled tomato, tahini, preserved lemon, harissa (GF/V)
Shakshuka 14
two poached eggs, ‘matbucha’ sauce , chickpeas, harissa (GF)
Cowshuka 22
grilled skirt steak, poached eggs, ‘matbucha’ sauce , sautéed spinach, chickpeas, harissa (GF)
Shawarma 16
chicken, bits of lamb, charred onion and chickpeas served on hummus (GF)
BIG ZI’S
Lamb Kebab 17
black babaganoush, grilled onion, tomato salsa, served in a pita
The Fish 24
beets purée, Greek yogurt, grilled veggies salad
Chicken Tagine 19
bone-in, couscous, butternut squash, chestnut, apricot, ras el hanut, cranberries, and black garlic spread
Ribs de Berber 23
5 hours braised short ribs, risotto-style freekeh, assorted wild mushrooms
Grilled Wild Salmon 22
chickpea stew, grilled artichokes, kalamata, spinach, tomato salsa, yogurt (GF)
Rami & Mirav Cohen Owners
Rami and Mirav Cohen moved to Boston from Jerusalem to start a new life. Soon after arriving, they missed the taste of home as there was no authentic falafel available in the Boston area. Rami, being a third generation “Falafel-teer” realized that if he wanted a real Falafel he would have to make it himself, so he opened Rami’s in May of 1991 with his wife, Mirav. Being old-fashioned and traditional, Rami has kept his restaurant consistently producing the freshest food around, as everything is home-made on a daily basis.
Haim Cohen Manager
The son of Rami and Mirav, Haim is a fourth generation “Falafel-teer.” Haim has been managing Rami’s since 2004. He enjoys keeping consistent with the old school traditions that have made the establishment famous for over twenty years. Keeping up with the current demands of consumers, Haim has added corporate catering, online ordering, (links?) and new menu items. Haim speaks Hebrew & English.
Outside of the massive population centers which can support a wealth of highly-targeted ethnic eateries, the best kosher restaurants are the ones which transcend or outright obscure their religious peculiarities and sell themselves to the general public simply as quality eateries.
Tiny Rami's has mastered this dance and stood the test of time, seeing neighboring kosher eateries come and go, and surviving despite constant threat from nearby non-kosher shawarma "kings" and other, lesser vassals of falafeldom.
During a busy lunch hour, they run the cramped shop with exacting precision. ("We're here to work; we're not here to play!" I once overheard being said to a dawdling customer, to my impatient delight.) At calmer moments, they're happy to offer tastes and shoot the breeze.
Their shawarma is expertly cooked so the meat chunks remain juicy but slightly crisp at the edges, stuffed into the softest pita this side of Jerusalem, covered with freshly chopped veggies, and slathered with sauces — ranging from hot, green s'chug, to smooth, garlicky hummus, to sesame-laden techina, to the mysteriously spicy orange amba.
Kosher or not, you'll find that the thrill of delicious shawarma grease dripping down your arm as you try to tame your burgeoning sandwich is a spiritual experience.
All in the crunch of the falafel, creamy and incomparable hummus, and pillowy pita bread. Coolidge Corner's Rami's serves just this including other Middle Eastern staples like baba ghanoush (eggplant spread), kabob, and shawarma.
Falafel is smaller than some and usually made to order. Warm and fresh. The hummus and baba ghanoush, with a light pour of olive oil, are the perfect compliments to these hearty and crisp delights. Get a little hot sauce to dollop and mix.
ABOUT US
NISH NUSH (Hebrew for snack) offers the opportunity to custom-blend your hummus with a variety of options.
Our hummus & Falafel are made FRESH daily with the best-quality ingredients. Our Falafel is GLUTEN FREE and made-to-order for the best flavor and freshness.
The chickpeas and tahini we use are top of the line and a good source of vegetarian protein and calcium.
על המסעדה:
This is a quick, yummy place to stop and grab a bite while shopping and/or working in the area.
I had the "Red Hot Chili" (whole wheat pita with falafel, spicy hummus, Israeli salad and pickles). It was DELISH!! Everything was served perfectly – not too sloppy or stuffed in or pieces falling out as you bite into it.
I also sampled the Cajun fries – now, as a person who LOVES spicy food, this was cute. If a dish doesn't have scotch bonnet peppers infused then it isn't hot at all in my opinion but for those of you who rarely eat spicy food, this maybe spark the palette a bit.
Beer always goes great but I also had the homemade mint iced tea – very refreshing. Everything came up to $23 (spicy pita, Cajun fries, blue moon beer and iced tea). That's a bit pricy but I guess that's the going rate for the area.
Delivery Hours
Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat: 12:00 PM – 10:15 PM
It's really, really delicious: well balanced, round, refreshing, flavorful with little redundancy in flavor from side dish to side dish. That being said, I've never successfully made it past the side dishes. Raised on meat and cheese you can guess what menu choices usually trump. At Black Iris, my fave delivery, I so rarely part with my precious $$$ on delivery (I'm a restaurant kinda' nom-nomer) that I put it all down on sides and some extra orders of pita. It's not knee bending amazing every single time (but when it's not it's obviously an extremely busy night for them) but this day, 08/21/2012 at 9PM I received the most perfect preparation. Whoever made the salads and sides sold at this time… I dedicated prose to you silently in my head for my entire meal. Plus, it's nice to completely gorge yourself on a meal—an lo! I feel peppy, hell, I'm ready to go dancing. I'm beautifully full!! Clearly this is the kinda' stuff we're intended to supply our bodies with. FAVES Spinch & Chickpea: It sounds humble but by god, try it. Rosy tomatoes with little acidity, crispy fried onions dressing the top—good gracious. Olive oil and lemon. YES. Labana: Yogurt with stuff on-top, but this yogurt isn't fucking around. It makes that $6 small container of whole fat yogurt from the grocery suddenly seem so mundane. I love this yogurt-stuff on bread, bits of everything in my fridge… hell, I'd put it on cheese. Beet Salad. BeetSaladBeetSaladBeetSalad! <3 <3 <3
This place is great. Delivery was exceptionally fast, food was delicious and very cheap for both the quality and quantity. The falafel sandwich is enormous and delicious and only $4.50, highly recommend. Everything tastes fresh, flavors are complex and just right. And again, a great bargain.
חוות דעת על המקום:
has a super whipped, creamy consistency to it that pairs well with the more well seasoned food. Had the chicken tabouleh and it was superb. The staff is high energy but down to schmooze when its not as busy. The owner, Ronnie, is super passionate about bringing good service and making you feel at home. Kosher/Halal friendly! Would recommend
Really calm and casual spot with charm.
Nice for a date or outing with small group of friends. Was there for early dinner Saturday post Broadway show. Small staff was very busy but managing to keep waits reasonable.
The hummus was great, and my date had soup for starters which she really enjoyed.
She had chicken and couscous and I had the Moroccan fish and couscous. Both dishes were in a stew type sauce. I asked for low spice version of the Fish, but it was still quite spicy yet tasty. The hot apple cider with brandy was a highlight for me. Desert choice limited but we still found something to share which we enjoyed, was similar to Turkish delight. Just to note, they have a very limited bar and the food is Kosher but no less cool or interesting. Overall we enjoyed it and would come back again.
Great restaurant in Hell's Kitchen with many vegetarian options– mostly vegetarian and vegan with some meat available. Really good & smooth hummus here! Tons of different types of hummus- plain, chickpea, tahini, mushroom etc (basically the same base hummus with different toppings). The hummus platter is great for sharing.
I love that they serve warm fluffy whole wheat pita as an option!! Much better than plain white pita. The whole wheat pita was very soft and yummy. They don't serve a lot at a time so you have to keep asking if you want more.
There is a variety of salads, entrees and a "tapas-like" options where you can pick three different items. Really good selection of clearly-market vegan options! I had the falafel, cauliflower (AMAZING) and tomato/cucumber salad.
I would recommend hummus kitchen for a healthy plant-based meal. The restaurant was nice with a good atmosphere. Not overly crowded either. Service and prices both acceptable.
I used to eat in this area more. Unfortunately, a number of places have closed down. I loved Diamond Dairy, which made wonderful latkes and pierogies, and I really miss it. A few years back, a friend of mine introduced me to a Kosher Uzbek restaurant, which has also closed down. Last week, I had lunch with a friend who keeps Kosher. On a lark, I did a Yelp search for Kosher Uzbek, and I found this place. I'm glad I did.
We started out with samsas, which are pastries filled with meat and onions. The meat inside was juicy and tasted wonderful. My friend and I then shared an Uzbek rice pilaf, with beef and veggies. The dish was large and easily shared by two people, and very filling. We also ordered a side of bread, which was freshly baked and wonderful.
The only bad thing I can say is that we really loaded up on the carbs. I was so full that I skipped dinner, which isn't a complaint.
We finished off with a Turkish coffee and a pareve (no dairy) cake. I'm used to Turkish coffee being more "muddy," but this was pretty good. The cake was nice as well.
I saw lagman, an Uzbek meat soup, on the menu. I've had this soup before at the previous restaurant, and it is wonderful. One day I have to try the lagman at this place.
One note: since this place is Kosher and serves meat, there is no dairy here.
I noticed that they also served Chinese food here. I didn't try it, so I don't know if it is good or bad.
All-in-all, my friend and I had a great experience here. If you are curious about what Uzbek cuisine is like, and you don't want to go out to Queens (I have read that there are some great Kosher Uzbek restaurants in Queens), this is a great place to visit.
זמני פתיחה:
Hours
Mon 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tue 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Wed 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Thu 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Fri 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Sat Closed
Sun Closed
“Blame it on love. And his mother.”
When most of the tots his age were making messes in the sandbox, pastry genius Ron Ben-Israel preferred to observe his Viennese mother’s culinary magic as she whipped egg whites into frothy meringue or transformed flaky crust into ethereal apple strudel. “I was enchanted,” he gushes. “Watching a fruit reduction become a gelée was fascinating. But I certainly wouldn’t have guessed that the art and science of baking would become my life’s passion.”
Passion, indeed. Ron is fervent when he talks about baking and creating his extraordinary confections. His dedication to his art is both reverent and joyful at once: Each time he fashions a cake—and he’s designed thousands of stunning, one-of-a-kind gateaux in his career—he’s as thrilled as he would be if it were his first masterpiece. As Ron cheerily observes, “Each cake is like a performance—my team and I feel like we are attending countless opening nights every weekend.”
Ron certainly knows about opening nights: A former dancer, he fell in love with a chocolate-maker while on tour in Canada, and with typical resolve, he traded in his ballet slippers for a whisk and a spatula. Fortunately, the discipline he had acquired during years of scrupulous training and a rigorous performance schedule—and during his military service in the Israeli army—helped him as he pursued his new vocation. Like many aspiring chefs, he traveled to France and apprenticed in Cannes, Beaujolais, and Lyons.
Ultimately, New York provided Ron with the most exhilarating and challenging stage for his culinary visions. His artistry has become legendary and he has truly become America’s cake maestro, the wizard and darling of the industry. “I had originally gone to fine art school to study set design, but then dance took over. And now it’s fondant and cake. I am so pleased that the kitchen and I found each other. I’m where I was meant to be.”
And so today, the master confectioner choreographs in sugar. His specialty and wedding creations are consistently featured in national periodicals, including Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides Magazine and New York Magazine and are also prominently highlighted in books, such as Vera Wang on Weddings. Curtain up!”
Gazala's Story: Gazala’s Restaurant is the creation of Chef/Owner Gazala Halabi, who celebrates her culinary heritage as an Israeli Druze. Hospitality is a Druze hallmark—guests are embraced and welcomed with a flavorful meal. Says Gazala, “I want my restaurant to be a place to eat Druze food, to sample Druze culture and be treated like family. It is a little slice of my village on Columbus Avenue."
Our cozy little coffee shop offers a variety of gourmet desserts and beverages. Founded in 2004, Effy’s Cafe is the best kept secret on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Come and enjoy the unique homemade flavors combined with a warm and inviting atmosphere.
ChikChak Food Truck takes authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, and brings it right into your neighborhood. We’ve got the same Kosher menu you’ve come to love, but with double – no, triple – the convenience.
We’ve scouted some of the best locations in the city to set up shop, and you can track our progress online through your smartphone, computer, or other device. But it gets even easier to dig in: ChikChak Food Truck offers catering for events of any size. You’ll never be without your falafel fix again.
Follow along on social media as we post location updates, action shots, and tales from the mean streets of Boston. We’re on a noble mission to spread ChikChak across the city – won’t you join us?
I was hesitant to try Rami's because of the other Yelp reviews, but my brother and I gave them a shot today.
Let me just say, the kebabs and falafel are mind blowing. So, so, so good! It's as good as any falafel that we've had in Israel, if not better. The kebabs are moist and flavorful.
We ordered Rami's special, so we got a sampling of falafel, kebabs, shawarma, humus, pita and Israeli salad. The pita was hot and fresh, the humus was delicious and the shawarma was well seasoned. We also tried the Moroccan cigars which had a crisp exterior and moist, spicy beef filling. I could probably eat those three times a day. The salad provided a nice cool balance to the mix.
After ordering and eating our meal, we went back to try the baklava and were not disappointed!
The line was long, which should be expected with a good food truck. It seemed pretty clear that everybody knew where to find the best food. The wait after ordering was average. If you're planning to just pop over and grab something quick to go, it's not going to work out for you. It was probably about 20 min. from the time we got in line to when we had our food handed to us.
The prices were reasonable. This isn't McDonalds, it's authentic Israeli cuisine. Expect to pay a little more, but expect to get your money's worth. Anybody who's eaten at a kosher restaurant knows that Rami's pricing is very reasonable.
If you go to the Powder House Square location, there's plenty of space to lay out a picnic blanket or sit on park benches.
Overall it was a great food experience. If we're ever in Boston again, I know that we'll be visiting Rami's.
Enjoyed a variety of items from this food truck at the SoWa Food Truck Court. Shawarma in a pita, Moroccan cigars, and falafel balls with hummus. All were delicious and well made. Reminded me of the cuisine from my recent trip to Israel. Everyone should definitely try and track down this food truck wherever it may be in greater Boston!
אין חוויה ישראלית יותר מלשבת במסעדת "12 כסאות" המעולה ולאכול ג'חנון, פלאפל, מג'דרה או קוסקוס ביום שבת בבוקר עם חברים. בדרך כלל זמן ההמתנה ארוך, אבל ככה זם עם מסעדות טובות, אבל ההמתנה בהחלט משתלמת. מומלץ !
תגובות מהמקום:
Best pizza and falafel!!!! Whenever I'm around I take a trip to naomis. I've tried almost everything they serve and I have a few favorites.
The pizza is absolutely fantastic. They also make a really good cheese borekas. The falafel is like no other. Crispy, flavorful and absolutely satisfying. My mouth waters just thinking about it.
The atmosphere makes it feel like a family gathering and there is a regular following that I see when I'm in there.
This place knows how to do it right!
Highly recommended!
I have been coming here for years. I LOVE falafel. For me, it is the ultimate comfort food. Great falafel, great tahina sauce… I want one now.At times,the lettuce seems a bit wilted. Yet, I will return and return and return. Friendly service too. My only other criticism is that the place could use a sprucing up. However, it's all about the falafel.
This well-beloved eatery had been sitting quietly in my bookmarks for a few months since the moment I discovered it sits scant minutes from my house. I finally decided to pay them a visit today, figuring I'd drop in, grab a few falafels to go, and be on my merry way. To assume I'd be in and out within a few minutes was, I later realized, a gross underestimation of this restaurant's popularity. I was both amused and slightly dismayed to see that this small pizza and falafel joint was solely responsible for a gaggle of double-parked cars and a line that practically stretched out the door. Lines like these always pique my interest because if you find New Yorkers on a queue, you're sure as hell going to find something worth waiting for at the front of it. Sighing resignedly, I got on the back of the line and proceeded to watch the tightly controlled chaos behind the counter – servers took orders and ran expertly around each other to fulfill each one. All the while, one guy stayed planted at the fryer. It would seem that his sole role was to shape, fry, and prep fresh falafel balls. Just watching him made my mouth water with anticipation, so that fifteen minutes later, when it was finally my turn, I ended up ordering WAY more than I originally intended: six falafel balls, a half falafel (meaning three falafel balls with veggies and a smattering of tahini sauce), and – on a truly gluttonous whim – an order of french fries.
It was hugely gratifying to watch everything come fresh out of the fryer, which was why I was slightly confused that my first bite of Naomi's falafel should be curiously soft and even dense, not crunchy. Slightly oversalted and surprisingly white in color (both inside and outside), these were far from the best falafels I've ever had because I personally prefer mine verdant, hinting at the use of greens and herbs in the mix. However, these were also light years away from the dark-chocolate hues of overfried falafels you find at the random halal carts – these are clearly fresh and extremely tasty. The fries were just as one might expect – scaldingly hot, crispy, and totally unsalted, which I appreciated after several saline bites of the falafels. Unlike the vast majority of yelpers before me, I found the 'half falafel' to be just all right, for the taste, proportions, and general fussiness of eating. The falafels were buried deep into the pita pocket, with the salad and tahini thrown on top, so that the top bites were all salad while the bottom bites were naked falafels. Everything became disassembled as I ate, leaving me with a bit of a mess on my lap and my face by the end of it all. Still, I'm no dainty eater and I was generally happy with my meal, as must have been nearly half of Queens (or so it seemed) as they crowded the narrow restaurant with their appetites.
If you decide to make a visit, give yourself ample time to wait on line and for heaven's sake, don't make the line worse by not ignoring the clear and ample "CASH ONLY" signs like one woman did today by insisting "But you took my card just last week!" On behalf of everyone else waiting behind you, I beg of you – Don't be that idiot. Go to the bank first.
PURE COLD PRESS IS A VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT LOCATED IN COOLIDGE CORNER IN BROOKLINE MASSACHUSETTS.
We believe that eating seasonal locally grown food is the best way to achieve a healthy lifestyle. All our food is prepared fresh everday and our menu is constantly changing to give you the best the area has to offer.
Since I wrote my first review just a month ago, I've fallen in love with Pure Cold Press.
Their custom salads are pricey – at least 10 dollars – but worth every penny. The ingredients are fresh, creative and delicious. Options include less common items such as lentils, cauliflower, black sesame seeds, pickled onions… I could go on and on. The many salad dressings are also very unique and you can opt for fresh squeezed lemon juice for a lighter salad. Plus, the portion sizes are generous – they really pack the greens into those containers. This is my go-to for a pre or post-workout meal now.
The service has also significantly improved – it seems like they have more staff and it's paying off. The place is often packed, (awesome to see), and they keep the line moving along with fast yet friendly service.
My only remaining suggestion is that they offer salads in real dishes in order to reduce the waste. I saw that they were serving food on plates – why not salads too?
I was so glad to discover Pure Cold Press! Unlike most of the other juice places in the Boston area, Pure Cold Press has an expansive food selection (salads, sandwiches, oatmeal, pancakes, acai bowls, even Belgian waffles). Also, they actually have space, which is a rarity among Boston juice joints. Owner is extremely friendly and really cares about making his customers happy. Definitely returning soon!
Just stumbled on Cold Press as we were doing some shopping in the area. I would definitely recommend grabbing one of there Cold Pressed Juices. I tried "Blue Dream" on a recommendation and I'm glad I did, wow what a delicious cold pressed juice. I even paid for a less inexpensive bottle "NRG" ($7.99) and the owner swapped me out for free to the "Blue Dream" ($9.99) because he was looking to satisfy the customer. The vegetarian options for food made my wife's mouth water. She ordered the Red Lentil and Cauliflower soup and slurped it down within seconds, and enjoyed a Hot Coco to go. Their price point is just on par with other juice bars and places that sell Cold Pressed, except I was blown away how delicious the blend I had was. I would come back again, and again
Even though they are not officially open they are selling juice, some salads in jars, coconuts, and bowls. I've gone to the shop twice and both times the owner(s) were very nice and let me sample some of the juices available .
Grass Roots (all organic) is my current favorite raw juice they offer. I'm drinking for health and taste. I liked all of them I tried. I love raw juice and I'm excited for some healthy options in Coolidge Corner.
They have been slow to open but that's business and I'm not holding it against them. The labels are hard to read on the bottles and I have great vision (I hope the considered this). The interior is what I expected –modern rustic. They will officially open June 22nd (they say). Their hours will be 7am-9pm. I'm looking forward to every thing once they settle in.