From authentic falafel to juicy, flavor-infused meats, we've perfected our cooking process to offer the best tasting, healthiest quick dining experience option out there. All of our dishes are made in-house using the highest-quality raw ingredients, Mediterranean spices, and classic cooking techniques. The experience truly begins at our salad bar crafted with fresh vegetables, because we know an apple a day is not enough to keep the doctor away. When you're craving a cold drink, our freshly pressed juices will quench your thirst with greens, fruits, or a combination of both.
More of the great taste, less of the guilt.
Join us in our restaurant where nutritious meets delicious.
בקורת:
In my time on this earth, I have done many things. Great things; painful things; things I have learned from. And in everything I have done, I have always looked for the positive outlook. The up-side. When I entered this eatery, I found myself reading a book by it's cover. The small space and confined environment led me to believe a heinous falsity. But when I purchased my falafel, and I took my first bite, my world changed. I felt the smooth hummus, perfectly complimented by the slight spice of the falafel run through my mouth like a child's toy train set when it perfectly fits on the tracks. I swallowed my first bite and I looked up to the man who served me, I mouthed the words to him, 'thank you'. He responded, 'That'll be $4.95." A small price to pay, for the most immaculate and delectable treat that has ever graced God's good earth. I exited the now ever growing plateau of amazement, and walked up the street, consuming my sandwich more and more with each step. I hadn't traveled but two blocks until I looked down and saw; my food had become exhausted. I felt a tear travel down my cheek. Not of depression. Not of loss. But of enlightenment. Thank you, Maoz Vegetarian, for showing me what good food really is.
Simple hole in the wall shop for a quick bite along the 7 train. I got a falafel sandwich which ended up being about $6. Unheard of for a meal in Manhattan that gets you stuffed… as long as you stuff your sandwich to brim. Love the unlimited side dish option. The side dishes are all healthy cold options. Onion + tomato, tabbouleh, chickpea salad, coleslaw, etc.
Granted this location doesn't have places to sit- only a small 2 person standing counter facing the street. But when you want a cheap, quick, healthy bite because you don't want to cook, Maoz is a great option.
Went here this past weekend for a quick dinner before seeing Phish at Madison Square Garden. Right when I walked in, I could tell Maoz was going to be a healthy and hearty dinner! I got the chicken shawarma hummus bowl, which is essentially some chicken shawarma served with a side of hummus. It is decent priced, as you get full access to the salad bar (only 1 time though) and can stock up on an array of ingredients on the side. I also got a fresh Arnold Palmer to drink (yum! I think they make these in-house?). The salad bar is full of so much variety– like broccoli, pickled carrots, pickled beets, chickpeas, etc. There's also a bunch of different sauces to toss on top (Tahini, garlic sauce, etc.).
Service was quick and the people working there were friendly. My meal and drink cost roughly $15… Not too bad for fresh food in NYC. A few tables were in the restaurant with stools to sit on.
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- ספרים למנויים
- לפני 8 שנים
Choose between a salad or a sandwich. (Add ons: premium topping, side, drink) The sweet potato fries are pretty delicious. Once you choose what you want, you get to fill your pita bread or salad with whatever toppings you want, like a salad bar. And it doesn't matter how much you throw in there either. Its all vegetarian and absolutely delicious. Definitely get at least two white garlic sauce to go, cuz one is just not enough. No seating inside, they do have a bench outside and a small counter inside if you want to enjoy your food there. Multiple locations throughout the city and a much healthier choice than other fast food places. -
- ספרים למנויים
- לפני 8 שנים
The do-it-yourself salad bar is what makes Maoz worth it. It includes everything from roasted cauliflower and broccoli to chickpeas. I got a falafel bowl with kale and then loaded up on toppings. My favorites are the beets and coleslaw. The falafel itself is fine, not Taim but tasty enough. Unfortunately, they don't allow refills on toppings, but my lunch meal still left me full for the rest of the day.
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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.
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.
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)
In February of 2004, partners Danny and Ayala Hodak and Gadi and Sheila Ruham open the doors of Taboon Restaurant on a quiet corner in Hell's Kitchen where the star of the show is the blazing white domed oven that has been serving up its original wood fired "Middleterranean" cuisine ever since.
Inspired by the vibrant spices and flavors of the Middleast and the Mediterranean, with fresh hand made food from an ancient oven, bold and articulated flavors, and a driving passion for food and love for hospitality, Taboon quickly earned a loyal following and a well respected place in New York's culinary landscape.
בקורת:
Yes, the bread is delicious! The dips were fine. We went for brunch. We tried 3 different kinds of shakshuka. They were good, but not amazing. I actually liked the khassa salad best. It had pickled radishes, beets, feta, pomegranate seeds, greens and more.
Food is terrific. Service, by nice people, was very slow. I had read the reviews before going the first time (tonight) and the only knock on the restaurant was that on a cold night it would be best not to sit in the front room. That's where our reserved table was and when I protested got a real "attitude" from the large lady at the "front desk". I did an imitation of Donald Trump and we were very quickly showed to another table. She commented that I was being "feisty". Now why on earth was that necessary?
About TOP KOSHER GRILL NYC
Searching for great food at a reasonable price is a challenge even in a city as big as New York City.  Come visit a truly special place with tastes that will transport you to far off exotic lands. Everything is made fresh to order.  The environment is simple, but the traditional music, smells and words will provide you with a great experience. Whether you are looking for a Bureka, Gyro, Ghourmeh Sabsi,  KEBAB & GRILL
 & you will be surprised to find money still in your pocket.  TOP KOSHER GRILL NYC is family-owned and operated right here in Great Neck, NY. Since our company opened its doors in 2006, we’ve treated every customer like they were a part of our family. Other companies may offer similar services, but our services are the best, and come with a personal touch. TOP GRILL Best glatt Kosher GRILL SHAWARMA STEAK BBQ KEBAB BURGER STEAK CATERERS RESTAURANT > NYC GREAT NECK ny
We wanted to let you know that we offer the best services in Great Neck – you get special one-on-one attention. We have a lot of fun here, which means our employees are
happy. And we cost less than the other guys. Our customers are really important to us, and our friendly staff makes certain you are 100% satisfied. ur services and products include: (Hosting a party? Town Deli & Catering can cater in your home or hall – everything from a buffet to a full grill – we will even bring the waiters and full service! Let us make your event hassle free from beginning to the end – all you have to do is eat, enjoy and collect the compliments!
Town Deli and Catering is under strict supervision of the “Vaad Harabonim of Queens� with a steady Mashgiach from opening to close.
).Searching for great food at a reasonable price is a challenge even in a city as big as New York City.  Come visit a truly special place with tastes that will transport you to far off exotic lands. Everything is made fresh to order.  The environment is simple, but the traditional music, smells and words will provide you with a great experience. Whether you are looking for a Bureka, Gyro, Ghourmeh Sabsi,  KEBAB & you will be surprised to find money still in your pocket.  TOP GRILL Best glatt Kosher GRILL SHAWARMA STEAK BBQ KEBAB BURGER STEAK CATERERS RESTAURANT > NYC
Nestled among the faux bistros and precious bars of Nolita, Hoomoos Asli is a welcome, no-fuss spot offering quick and cheap Israeli cuisine. Ceiling fans whirl above small wooden tables and cheesy '90s trance music plays over the speakers. Lunch draws a large international crowd of 20-somethings and NYU students, who come to feast on falafel, which arrive tucked in homemade, ridiculously fluffy pitas overflowing with chopped tomatoes and cucumbers. Dinner boasts an equally laid-back scene as couples enjoy entrees like schnitzel, pan-fried chicken covered in breadcrumbs and spices, and the Jerusalem mixed grill, a succulent combination of lamb, chicken and beef served with caramelized onions over rice. Lingering over cups of Turkish coffee and talking politics is encouraged. And although Hoomoos Asli doesn't serve liquor, the bring-your-own-wine-and-beer policy adds to this hole-in-the-wall's casual charm. — Dakota Smith
Recommended Dishes
Babaganoush, $5.17; Jerusalem mix grill sandwich, $11.16
Maoz Vegetarian is a fast service restaurant serving authentic falafel and freshly made vegetarian food.
When it comes to falafel, we are world experts. For over 20 years, we have been continuously working on perfecting our product to offer the best tasting nutritious meals to our customers worldwide. And we keep on getting better. With more than 15 signature salads and sauces made with the finest ingredients from local farmers and purveyors, we are always on the lookout for the best quality ingredients available.
Why do we call it a vegolution? Well, we're the perfect combination of nutritious and delicious. But don’t take our word for it. Once you’ve tasted our food, you’ll get it. And you’re always welcome to come back for more…
Maoz Vegetarian is a fast service restaurant serving authentic falafel and freshly made vegetarian food.
When it comes to falafel, we are world experts. For over 20 years, we have been continuously working on perfecting our product to offer the best tasting nutritious meals to our customers worldwide. And we keep on getting better. With more than 15 signature salads and sauces made with the finest ingredients from local farmers and purveyors, we are always on the lookout for the best quality ingredients available.
Why do we call it a vegolution? Well, we're the perfect combination of nutritious and delicious. But don’t take our word for it. Once you’ve tasted our food, you’ll get it. And you’re always welcome to come back for more…
טעם מהשטח: The falafel are very fresh and the salads are very good.
Absolutely blown away by this place. Came here on a Sunday afternoon the place was empty. Very simple sleek black and white decor. I had no idea what to order, Gila was there, she helped us…
I feel compelled to write this review after eating what may possibly be the best falafel I've ever had. Freshly prepared, lightly fried, topped with cucumbers, tomatoes, hummus and a spicy sauce that…
My sister, friend and I stopped by Gila's for a quick lunch on our first day in the city. The food was awesome but the service alone made it worth the trip. Gila's warm, welcoming and quirky personality …
Chefs and owners Aaron Israel and Sawako Okochi share their unique culinary perspectives at Shalom Japan, a restaurant collaboration that highlights their individual cultures, diverse cooking backgrounds, and passions for food.
The menu is a playful and seasonal approach to New American cuisine, highlighting the chefs’ connections to their respective Jewish and Japanese roots, and taking advantage of the great resources New York City has to offer, such as the wonderful produce at its greenmarkets and the wide range of specialty products available from the city’s diverse population. Plates and meals are designed to be shared among diners in a casual and refined atmosphere, complemented by a beverage program designed by general manager Thierry Morpurgo that includes beer, wine, cocktails, and nonalcoholic drinks.
The restaurant is conveniently located just three blocks off the Williamsburg Bridge, a short walk from the J, M, Z, G, and L lines, and across from the Rodney Park Playground in the eclectically vibrant neighborhood of South Williamsburg. Come join us and let us take care of you.
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.
Hummus is one of the few foods that leaves you feeling satiated without spiking your blood glucose levels. It's tasty and nutritious, but also low in calories. Hummus is vegetarian dish, actually it's also vegan. Basically made up of 60 – 70% water, chick peas, Tahini (from sesame seeds) olive oil and lemon, it's considered a grain / legume, but if you eat it with bread it's actually a complete protein. A great source of dietary fiber, Hummus also packs the good monounsaturated fats like Omega 3 and is rich in vitamins C, E, K, and B6 to name a few, but it doesn't stop there. Minerals like Maganese, Copper and Sodium are accompanied by Iron, Folate, Thiamin, Calcium, Magnesium and Zinc.
"I was living here for eighteen years, waiting for someone to open a place like this," says Moshe Harizy, a fifth-generation Yemenite Israeli and Upper West Sider. Evidently sick of waiting, he converted his stationery store into Alibaba, a eight-seat glatt kosher restaurant and takeout shop specializing in Yemenite-Israeli cuisine—with a macrobiotic twist. "Six years ago, my father was ill," says Harizy, who helped conquer his dad's heart problem by amending his diet and along the way changed his own. That accounts for the presence of brown rice and black beans on Alibaba's menu, a compendium of Middle Eastern fare like koufta kebabs, baba ghanoush, bourekas, and melawah (lightly fried dough with crushed tomatoes and a hard-boiled egg). He imports spices, fava beans, and fruit nectars from Israel and bakes his own lafah. — Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld
Every dish on Nargila Grill's Mediterranean-influenced menu is kosher, whether it’s a rack of short ribs, a grilled salmon steak, or a lamb kebab. But that’s not the only way to feed a family: a Shabbat to Go menu lends dinner hosts a hand on Friday nights with meals that take all the performance pressure off the stove. Inside Nargila’s dining room, guests may look up to find lacy glass sconces illuminating the varying brick and coral walls that add the feel of home. Woven rugs, hookahs, and mosaic tiles fill out the decor and provide a warm touch inspired by the East. Some guests even bring along a treasure of their own—a chuppah—if they're getting married at the restaurant.
The creation of husband-and-wife team Chef Einat Admony and Stefan Nafziger, this “Mediterranean meets Middle East” restaurant has a diverse and playful menu that draws inspiration from Chef/Owner Einat Admony's Israeli roots. Weekly specials based on local seasonal ingredients and an extensive list of organic wines from that region demonstrate the personal touch that has made Taïm a critically acclaimed success. Chef Admony’s newest project, Bar Bolonat, is now open at 611 Hudson Street!
The Balaboosta cookbook is now available at your favorite bookseller – or pick up a signed copy at the restaurant!
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
על המקום:
This place is fantastic. The best food and the best value for money in Greenpoint. The shwarmas were extraordinarily delicious. The food is great quality and the deserts are amazing. Best rice pudding that tastes of pistachio and rosewater. Best baklava ever. And the food comes fast. Also, I was in the restaurant one day too, and the staff were very warm and friendly. Eat in or take out – you won't be sorry.
Really good! And pretty fast. Everything was very tasty and fresh, and the portion sizes were huge: we ordered a mixed vegetarian starter platter (which also comes with falafel as a surprise!), a falafel plate, and a chicken shawarma plate, and there was enough food for 4 meals. And we're BIG eaters. Everything came with loads of fresh pickles, salads, and side additions, and they sent PLENTY of sauces: Very happy, will definitely order from here again.
זמני פתיחה:
Delivery Hours
Mon
6:45PM – 4:30AM
Tue
6:45PM – 4:30AM
Wed
6:45PM – 4:30AM
Thu
6:45PM – 4:30AM
Fri
6:45PM – 4:30AM
Sat
6:45PM – 4:30AM
Sun
6:45PM – 4:30AM
Pickup Hours
Mon
6:45PM – 4:30AM
Tue
6:45PM – 4:30AM
Wed
6:45PM – 4:30AM
Thu
6:45PM – 4:30AM
Fri
6:45PM – 4:30AM
Sat
6:45PM – 4:30AM
Sun
6:45PM – 4:30AM
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.
Chef & Owner Rafael Hasid
Rafael Hasid (better known as "Rafi" to his friends and regulars at Miriam) is a native of Tel Aviv, Israel and opened up Miriam Restaurant in 2005 after graduating from the French Culinary Institute in 2001 and working as a chef in Le Pere Pinard and Yamamoto's in NYC.
Rafi named his restaurant after his mother, who still resides in Israel but makes the trip out to Brooklyn every year to spend time in the restaurant. Every year Rafi hosts a "Biblical Feast" menu where he celebrates the back-to-earth philosophy of eating simple, and uses quotes from the bible in the specific instances where the foods were mentioned.
Israeli Cuisine
At Miriam Restaurant the cuisine is uniquely, distinctly Israeli. Our menu is seasonal, and all of our beef is grass-fed, and many of our ingredients come straight from Israel. Yet what exactly is Israeli cuisine? Truthfully, to enter the subject is not unlike entering a sea by foot and feeling a sudden deepening. Unlike French food, Chinese food, Italian food, one does not unfold the menu at Miriam with a set of associations firmly in the mind. In truth, there exists no single dish, no single style of preparation that one might call uniquely Israeli. And yet this lack of identity is its identity, its beauty.
A bi-product of the cross-pollination that accompanied the gathering together of Jewish people from around the globe, one might say that, in itself, Israeli cuisine is as close to a true world cuisine as exists. When citizens arrived after World War II, each group brought a tradition of culture and cuisine as set in its ways and one of a kind as a river. And yet suddenly something different was happening around these peoples. They were breathing different air. There was a new climate and a new terrain. Things like figs, thyme, marjoram, and pomegranates were growing in their outlying fields.
Bound by a new common ground and also by a tradition of kosher, foods from Eastern Europe and North Africa began rubbing shoulders, mingling, conversing. Interactions occurred with traditional Middle Eastern dishes. As might be expected, friction was produced. We might say that there were two competing impulses: the new Israeli people felt a desire to preserve their particular identities and also a desire to forge an entirely new one. It is from this dual parentage that evolved and continues to evolve what we must call contemporary Israeli cuisine. It is from this heritage that Miriam Restaurant springs.
בקורת:
I have been to several restaurants that serves hummus and this is by far my favorite place in town for it.
Hommus: chick pea puree, tahini, lemon, olive oil. I believe their hommus is made to order, because it's served at room temperature. It's just more pleasant to eat than cold ones. It's also drenched in good olive oil.
Warm Eggplant: tomato, scallions, tamarind molasses. It's more interesting than the baba ghannouj because the eggplants are warm and the molasses makes it a sweet dish.
Phoenician Fries: sumac, parsley, garlic whip. I really like these fries with the aioli! They came out piping hot.
Whenever I want some fresh made hommus, I like to come to this place. I don't need the bread, I simply like to order 3 plates of mezza and eat them by the spoon.
Definitely coming back here for brunch! I trekked through the winter storm Jonas to eat with a friend who was visiting– despite the horrible weather conditions, the waitstaff were incredibly polite and courteous.
The brunch prix fixe menu lets you have two drinks, a main dish, and a side. For $28 in NYC, I think this has one of the better brunch values. The lamb burger is definitely amazing- the melted feta and pickles take the cake.
I'm a huge fan of the roasted beet side dish- the Aleppo honey butter just made it perfect. The sausages were a tad too salty, but they give you a basket of pita, so you can dip it in the grease and use it to balance the saltiness of the meats.
My first restaurant week menu coming into the new year. Picked Ilili because I do not have to worry about eating unhealthily even if I go wild during the night (cannot go too wild anyway given the limited amount of RW course set up).
At Ilili, you first choose from two appetizers (as opposed to one), followed by a main dish, and eventually the dessert. My friend and I were basically sharing everything – hummus, garlic eggplant, falafel and the marinated chicken liver. Like the eggplant the most as it was refreshing; chicken liver was a bit disappointing…Both the chicken and lamb chop were fantastic, juicy! I opted for the vanilla panna cotta for dessert. Thanks to the sour raspberry on top, it was not too sweet.
Service was for sure a minus point here – cannot blame them as we all sort of understand how RW could mess up the whole thing. My suggestion would be to visit Ilili during a normal hour and see how well it goes. Took away one star here and look forward to adding it back.
פתוח 7 ימים בשבוע.
על המקום:
The latest entrant in Yorkville's fast/casual/healthy category is a winner. While the food is delicious and the decor is stylish, the real beauty of Abaleh is the people, who are helpful, cheerful, and genuine.
I got lured in by the smiling guy who's regularly stationed outside with a tray of samples: soup one day, smoothies the next. The strategy worked, and our resulting meal did not disappoint. My falafel was maybe a bit overdone, but the pita was absolutely stuffed with veggies and pickles. The chicken shwarma was fabulous: moist, flavorful, and also gigantic. Hummus: smoooooth. The smoothie we shared (dates, bananas, tahina) was a little bland, but a good counterpoint to varying degrees of spice.
It's a bit pricey but I think totally worth it for a meal that's so fresh, tasty, customizable, and generous.
BTW: The name is an affectionate way of saying Dad in Hebrew (if you've ever referred to anyone as "Pops" you've got the idea).