על המקום:
So I'm touring the LES with my wife and friends when someone says, "Let's get some waters so we don't die today." We look across the street, and as if out a vision, the Holyland Market appears. Fortune had smiled upon us, as only on my birthday would I enter my first Jewish bodega.
As luck would have it, the entire bodega was out of water! But never fear, as they had something even better. Giant challahs.
I'm used to secret bodega gems like Zaragoza, where you can unexpectedly find tacos. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect a bodega of my people.
As we walked around the LES sharing bread, dipped in the bowl of chocolate that my sister-in-law randomly had, I felt like a big birthday mensch.
Standouts include the hummus (best and creamiest on earth), the borekas (homemade flakiness), the babka (chocolate or cinnamon, both dense circles of breakfast joy), the packaged snacks (junk food, but unique junk food), the candy near the register, and that Nutella-esque chocolate spread. They also carry pita from Pita Express, which is a beautiful, beautiful thing.
Also, Hebrew-language women's magazines, which will explain how to lose all the weight you've gained by shopping here.
Best. Pita. Ever. The super fluffy thick kind. And all the Elite chocolate you could possibly want! I ended up getting chocolates, zaatar, pita and other things that I have to request from my parents when they go to Israel. Now I can just hop on the F, go to St. Marks Place and by all that stuff that I crave. Will definitely make the trek back!
The nice guy in the doorway trying to hand off something to a guy on the street and apologized for the delay, then explained the $6* challah was from a BK bakery 'delivered fresh'. Enjoyed it but won't be back here to procure another, but might for the "the well-dressed falafel or shawarma requires, including first-rate tahini, za'atar, and amba. Plus peanut-butter-flavored Bamba, the Cheez Doodle of the actual Holy Land."
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ABOUT
Glasserie is located in the former home of Greenpoint Glass Works. The building was erected in 1860 by Christian Dorflinger, an immigrant from Alsace, to house his expanding Glass Factory. The operation included kilns, docking facilities on Newtown Creek, and a production line. The factory itself also included housing for the employees in its wings. This cut glass was so highly regarded that special pieces were requested for the White House collection. In 1882 the factory came into the possession of the Elliot P. Gleason Manufacturing Co, and in 1902 was renamed The Gleason-Tiebout Glass Co. Gleason-Tiebout operated out of the building for years, employing around 300 people. The prints throughout the restaurant are from original glass fixture catalogues (kept safe by the Corning Glass Museum). We are told that divers in Newtown Creek have found some of these original glass fixtures. Gleason-Tiebout continued operations in the building until 1946 when it moved across Newtown Creek to Queens.
OUR FOOD PHILOSOPHY
Glasserie believes in good food. We do our best to find the freshest and most superior product from as close to us as possible. We then manipulate the product as little as possible to achieve the desired result and still honor the integrity of the plant or animal in its original form. We value old recipes from our grandmothers and great grand mothers and bring them to our neighborhood in an approachable way. Our roots are in the Mediterranean and focus is on Middle Eastern flavors and culture mixed in with contemporary techniques.
JOIN TEAM-G
Glasserie is growing quickly and often looking to fill new kitchen and front of house positions. We would love to hear from you !
Please email resume and cover letter to [email protected] to join Team-G.
Chef: Eldad Shem Tov
General Manager: Andrea Graugnard
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.
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.
Ben’s New York Kosher Delicatessen Restaurant & Caterers
We Cure Our Own Corned Beef, Our Chicken Soup Cures Everything Else!SM
Ben’s is a family-owned and operated restaurant & delicatessen that has been serving up the finest authentic New York Kosher delicatessen and eastern European comfort foods for more than 44 years. Customers love Ben’s homemade soups, hot pastrami, fresh-cut cole slaw, baked knishes and crunchy all you can eat pickles. All of Ben’s soups, salads, sandwiches and dinners are freshly prepared. Ben’s has seven convenient locations: Three on Long Island in Carle Place, Greenvale and Woodbury, and one each in Midtown Manhattan; Bayside, Queens; and Scarsdale, NY; and Boca Raton, Florida with free delivery service available to many communities near the stores.
בקורת:
It is not often they can make a fillet mignon skewer cooked to a perfect medium rare. It was juicy, tasted fresh and everything on the plate tasted great. We did the lunch special, 2 apps, one entree for $27. It was worth it, they give you a lot of food! Delicious food, really classy ambiance and service was great. I am definitely coming back to try more things on the menu!
Many people do not get middle eastern correct. It's either too much quantity but not enough flavor or good flavor but not enough quantity, This place got it down! Left a happy man!
I came here on a Sunday and it was very quiet, so the dishes came out quickly.
Hummus with Cauliflower: it's delicious with the fried cauliflower. I like the creamy hummus mixed with the crunchy cauliflower.
Moutabbal Almayass: mashed beetroot, fresh lemon, sesame paste, garlic. It's very citrusy, the lemon juice seems to overpower the sweetness of the beetroot.
Spicy Potatoes: fried potato cubes, fresh garlic, cilantro. The potatoes had a nice flavor from the fried garlic.
Garlic Paste: it's has the texture of a buttery garlic puree. It's quite sour, like it has a lot of lemon juice in it.
I enjoyed the hummus and the potatoes contrasting to the tangy flavors of the moutabbal and the garlic paste. The dining room is beautiful, it has a classic decor and ambiance.
Pardon my ignorance, but the name sounds like where I end up after slipping on black ice. Arrived at this Lebanese spot to pick up their excellent Moutabbal Almayass $10.00 (Mashed beetroot, fresh lemon, sesame paste, garlic.) with just enough pita for the dip. Shame they didn't think the bright pink beet spread warranted napkins.
This is probably going to be one of my favorite Lebanese restaurants in the city. I came here tonight (Friday night) and we had a reservation. It wasn't too busy but there were a good amount of people in the restaurant. It is a pretty high class fancy place. Dishes range from $24-$40 and the appetizers go from $6-20.
We had the hummus amalayass which was delicious. They gave us pita bread both soft and hard and it was an amazing mix with the hummus.
For the entree, we had the chicken toufta, sweet and sour, and the filet mignon cubed.
The chicken toufta was great, the sweet and sour had I believe cranberries or raisin of some sort that blended in very well with the meat. I have got to say my favorite was the filet mignon. There was a spicy kick to it.
The owner of the restaurant came to us at the end and asked us how we thought the meal was. I liked that he came to us because it showed that our input is valuable to him. Everything there was amazing and I would definitely come back again.
Hummus Elite was founded on the idea of comfortable prices for healthy dishes without compromising quality, freshness, and service for its customers. Based on the typical Israeli style with a modern twist, Hummus Elite holds strong ties to its Mediterranean origin. With a growing demand for greater selections, Hummus Elite has decided to expand its variety of dishes while still retaining its original concept. In addition to dine-in service, we provide delivery, pick-up orders, and catering.
At Hummus Elite we use only the best ingredients, including organic produce and eggs. Our Hummus is freshly made several times a day with the highest quality imported spices, with no preservatives added. Freshness and quality are of great importance, and our chef creates dishes that revolve around the produce that is in season. Our menu offers many vegetarian dishes as well as some vegan ones. Low in calories and cholesterol, and suitable for people with diabetes, our Hummus is a great option for those looking for a tasty yet healthy meal. Whether you’re looking for a quick business lunch or a nice relaxing dinner, Hummus Elite will be glad to accommodate you.
Giyora Malka
Owner and Executive Chef Giyora Malka was raised in a small Israeli village on the Mediterranean coast, where he was exposed to a rich variety of cooking traditions including French and Moroccan influences. From an early age, Chef Malka was surrounded by food and the love of cooking, and always enjoyed creating food for the pleasure of his friends and family. While visiting New York during a break from Business School, his then close friend and now wife, knowing his true passion, registered him to the French Culinary Institute in New York. After graduating he worked in two of New York’s finest restaurants – Union Pacific and Sushi Samba Park, where he eventually became a Sous-Chef. He later taught cooking classes and assisted in recipe development for restaurants. Chef Malka brings to his restaurant a refreshing style of cooking that is influenced by Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine.
Shlomo Cohen
Owner and manager Shlomo Cohen has always been passionate about opening his own restaurant. While he owned his own business for 20 years, he always wanted to be a part of the food industry. Meeting Gioyra Malka 15 years ago, not only resulted in a close friendship, but also planted the seed for making his dream become reality. Familiar with Englewood’s demand for more Kosher restaurants, Shlomo came up with the idea of opening a restaurant that suits not only the needs of the local community, but also the growing need for healthier and affordable cuisine.
Is Kosher Food Better?
In recent years, consumption of kosher food by non-Jews in the United States has risen. The reason is health consciousness and a general perception among the American public that kosher is healthier and is in some way "better" than non-kosher food. This movement is helped by the recent trends toward greener, cleaner eating among Americans
Eating Kosher for Health Reasons
Recent trends show that many Americans are going kosher. The switch, however, is not religiously motivated. Instead, many people are finding their way to kosher eating because of the health consciousness that it promotes. According to a survey done in 2008, of those who buy kosher regularly, 62% buy kosher for its quality, and 51% do so out of a desire to purchase healthier food
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!
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?
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
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).
Kulushkät is some of the best advice we've ever gotten. It literally means 'shut up and eat,' but that's just Grandma's way of saying 'food first.'
Israeli Breakfast or Shakshuka? No need to decide! Come try both! We are OPEN for Brunch at our Prospect Lefferts location @ 11am today! 1137 Washington Ave.
Mile End is a Jewish delicatessen in New York City committed to breathing new life into old-world traditions. With locations in Boerum Hill Brooklyn, and NoHo Manhattan, Mile End redefines delicatessen classics by fusing the spirit and craftsmanship of the past with a thoroughly modern sensibility and aesthetic.
What began as rooftop experiments, Mile End was conceived throughout the summer of 2009 by Noah Bernamoff, his wife, Rae, and close friend, Max Levine. Mile End Delicatessen opened January 2010, in a tiny converted garage in Brooklyn with the simple mission of producing and serving the Jewish comfort foods of Noah’s Montreal youth. Word of Mile End Delicatessen’s opening spread quickly and before long, hungry New Yorkers lined snowy Hoyt Street in search of hand-sliced smoked meat, steaming bowls of Nana’s chicken soup and warm, neighborhood service.
Since those early days, Mile End Delicatessen has grown from a quirky startup into a real family business. With a team of over 60 talented men and women, Mile End creates and produces a wide variety of cured and smoked meats and fish, pickled goods, and freshly baked bagels, breads, rolls, and pastries along the historic Red Hook waterfront. From James Beard House dinners to Chinese food on Christmas, Mile End is proud to participate in New York City’s finest food festivals and markets and to actively contribute to esteemed organizations within our community.
Mile End Sandwich opened May 2012, in a former hardware store on gritty Bond Street serving the heart of the delicatessen playbook, replete with a newfound enthusiasm for the sandwiches of yore. Released in September 2012 by Clarkson Potter, The Mile End Cookbook looks back at the past three years of working and cooking and a lifetime of dreaming to spread the philosophy of good, homemade Jewish food. And finally, a home online, mileenddeli.com, brings up-to-date musings, techniques and hand-crafted products from our kitchen straight to yours.
– See more at: http://mileenddeli.com/about/our-story/#sthash.1SJCvJ2C.dpuf
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."
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
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.
Situated in the heart of Greenwich Village in New York City, Mamoun’s Falafel has been serving high quality Middle Eastern Food since it first opened its doors to the public in 1971. It is the oldest falafel restaurant in New York and one of the first Middle Eastern establishments in the United States.
Family owned and operated since the beginning, the restaurant is now part of the history and culture of the Village. Its tradition extends to serving the likes of many famous musicians, actors, and other celebrities. There is an energy and flare to the place that cannot be captured in words. Whether it’s the tiny “hole in the wall” charm, the high paced/ high volume energy, or the dynamic clientele, going to Mamoun’s for a falafel can transform a meal into a unique dining experience. Through the years, we’ve been featured on the food network, travel guide channel, and many newspapers, magazines and books.
What sets us apart from other Falafel restaurants is our rich tradition and history as well as our commitment to excellence. Our philosophy is simple: authentic Middle Eastern Cuisine served in a traditional environment. Everything we serve is made from scratch using only the freshest natural ingredients, the finest imported spices, and our signature recipes.
So come down and visit one of our locations. Whether it’s our flagship restaurant in Greenwich Village, our East Village location, our New Haven “sit-down” restaurant, or our newest spots in Hoboken, New Jersey, and New Brunswick, New Jersey, you are sure to get the same high quality food, fast service and budget prices.
And remember, accept no substitutes. Although many have tried to imitate us, there is only one Mamoun’s Falafel.
If it doesn't say Mamoun's, then it's not Mamoun's!
Falafel sandwich with hummus. It's worth the extra dollar, even though you might be thinking "Why would I load up on more chickpeas?" You can tell they don't skimp on the tahini, and it has the perfect level of saltiness. Their hot sauce also makes a great gift for those loved one who really love their eggs spicy. We're talking lip-chapping, tear-inducing levels of harissa. It's heavenly.
Some buds may have heard of Aroma before because it is one of the biggest and most successful espresso bars in Israel. They opened up in 1994 and have about 25 locations in Israel and have recently opened up a couple of locations in NYC and in Florida. They pride themselves on their coffee and they have their arabic beans imported from Africa. They are currently expanding to more international cities and I foresee a lot more success in their future. The menu is influenced by Israeli culture as well as various Mediterranean and Middle Easter flavors.
Aroma sits in the upper west side on 72nd between Amsterdam and Columbus, but they also have additional locations in the lower east side and in Soho. The decor is modern with lots of red and blacks, comfy chairs and long tables for communal dining. The location in the UWS has both downstairs and upstairs seating and with wall length windows, the espresso bar has tons of natural light coming in. The upper level actually has an outdoor deck so they get major bonus points for that feature.
The cafe is definitely busy but despite the continual bustling crowd, the noise level never gets unbearable. Because of the various communal dining tables throughout, it definitely has the feel of a place that if you came every day for a few months, you would be easily able to make friends with someone else who came everyday for a few months. It has a good mix of both locals and tourists which sometimes is difficult to find. The major drawback of Aroma is their lack of free WIFI. The city that never sleeps has also become the city that is always connected; therefore, it only makes logical sense that any establishment that markets themselves as a “espresso bar” which in layman’s terms is just a coffee house, there should be free internet. I understand that this is to limit the individuals who will come and sit for the entire day, order one coffee and get refills, but if that is the case, they just need to password protect and it and put a time limit on it. However, not having free WIFI just makes people angry and not want to visit your establishment regardless of how good the food is and how awesome your upstairs outdoor deck is.
Onto the food. Aroma serves up both breakfast and lunch with various hot options for both. For breakfast, they have the standard egg sandwiches, omelettes and also french toast (which looked delicious), and they serve breakfast all day. They also have your typical collection of pastries but those give a sort of starbucks pre-made feel (though they are baked fresh daily) and judging from other reviews that I have read, there is nothing spectacular about them. For lunch, they offer numerous types of sandwiches and salads ranging from an avocado sandwich with avocado spread, red onions, parsley, jalapeños, lettuce, tomatoes to a vegan portabello with grilled mushrooms,pesto, tomatoes, arugula, red onions to a steak sandwich with steak, mayo, jalapeño, sauteed onions & red peppers, and swiss cheese. They really cover their bases by having a little bit of everything for everyone because they also have a grilled chicken sandwich, a turkey sandwich and a salmon sandwich, so essentially no dietary constrictions are not considered. They also have numerous different and fun salads which I was extremely happy to see because my biggest pet peeve is when places have a caesar salad, a house salad and some salad with some pre-frozen grilled chicken strips thrown on top. Really? Come on. For example, Aroma has a quinoa salad with organic quinoa, tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, mint leaves, and red onions (I know, right!), a mozzarella beet salad with mozzarella cheese, beets, tomatoes, red onions, homemade garlic croutons and arugula, and a warm garbanzo bean salad with garbanzo beans, hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, homemade garlic croutons, and a tahini sauce. You must be wondering how I made my choice. Let me tell you, it was extremely difficult and I had to let a couple people go ahead of me before I finally came to my conclusion
I ended up opting for a salad because I knew that I would be having authentic Italian that evening, so I had the Sweet Potato lentil salad which had arugula, red onions, lentils, sweet potatoes, granola, goat cheese, olive oil and a lemon dressing. Yes, it was delicious. Everything was fresh, yummy and came together extremely well. Although I know that they were trying to keep the dressing simple, I did feel that the dressing could of at least used a little bit of seasoning because it really added nothing to the salad. However, the ingredients of the salad itself featured a little bit of sweet, a little bit of pungency, a little bit of sharpness and a whole lot of flavor.
Oddly enough, despite my being in an espresso bar I did not opt for any coffee on that day (really, this is a major shocker), however, as previously discussed they really pride themselves on their coffee and judging by the many people who just came in for a quick cup to go, I am certain that it is good. The prices are not cheap but wont break the bank (around $10.00 for a full meal with drink), so it is definitely comparable to other similar style restaurants and cafes.
All in all, I did enjoy my lunch and I would be inclined to make a weekly stop in. I think they should definitely reconsider their stance on WIFI and continue to expand to other cities because their inventive sandwiches and salads are definitely a huge draw.
Best shawarma in town. The meat is always tender, they don't put any fat in the mix unless u ask for it. The spices are just right.
If you don't Luke shawarma you can get other things as well so they offer a variety.
But aside from the shawarma that brings me back all the time is the salad bar where you can get to taste so many different Israeli goodness.
Always fresh, clean and consistantly tasety
I work around the corner so I'm here about once a week. I always get a shawarma in a laffa because it is really good.
Outstanding shawarma. I didn't give it 5 stars because there were a few menu items that weren't available. My son wanted the soup or a hot dog but neither were apparently available. Other than that, it was excellent. Lafas were soft, the shawarma had a nice spice, and the people who worked there were very nice.
You want Israel? Here, you got Israel. Try the chetz-chetzi (half-half) shawarama and schnitzel in a laffa. you got the fresh salads and sit down and eat a-la-kefak in this nice look fast-food joint.
They're great! Simple, good, and good service. And they don't skimp on the goods. My only complaint is that the fried eggplant gets eaten up so quick they need to be more on top of replacing it. Also, a few more salad choices would really set me above any other schawarma joint.
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.
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.