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.
The more I have Mamoun's the more I enjoy it. The pitas are always fresh, the falafel is always hot and crispy, and there's a good amount of veggies and sauce in it. At $3.50 it's also a great deal and I've never been disappointed. They're also fast and open late which makes it an excellent late night snack to soak up the booze. I really can't fault them for anything which is why I'm giving them 5 stars. This isn't to say there isn't better falafel in the city, I'd even argue I enjoy taim more on occasion, but for inexpensive non fancy falafel Mamoun's is nearly perfect.
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Imported coffee
Checkout our various tyes of imported coffee.
Great Music
Our DJs will entertain you like never before.
Finest Cuisine
From Italian to Tex-Mex, you will find all types of food
Nice Staff
You will never forget our smile and professional attitude.
When my husband and I were in the East Village to see an off, off Broadway show, we happened across this eclectic eatery called Spiegel. We both loved the choices of interesting international dishes. I had the fish tacos which were excellent, with two big pieces of Mahi. My husband had the Tunisian sandwich which is a creation of marinated tune, chick peas, potatoes and harissa. He described it as tuna with layers of flavors and textures. We will be coming back the next time we are in the neighborhood.
"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
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)
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
Olympic Pita offers a variety of authentic, delicious traditional Middle Eastern Dishes, such as Falafel, Shawarma, Kebabs, dips and fresh salads. Our menu also includes specialty platters such as morrocan cous cous, spicy morrocan fish and many more, using fresh, high quality ingredients . The beer and wine lists include a selection of Middle Eastern imports. Be sure to try one of the desserts for the perfect finish to your meal.
A Critic's Pick in the New York Magazine Restaurant Guide
In fact, New York Magazine rated us as one of the seven best falafel sources in New York. A quick search on google will show nothing but positive reviews of our restaurant.
f you know the original location on Brooklyn's Coney Island Avenue of this Israeli restaurant, you'll be amazed at the sumptuous decor of its garment center outpost, and that improvement extends to the food as well. Centerpiece of any meal is the outsized sesame-dotted pita that flies from the tandoor, deposited hot at your table and replenished whenever you finish the last one. The kebabs are splendid (pick baby chicken or Iraqi lamb instead of the unexciting schwarma). You are well advised to substitute unlimited visits to the salad bar for the choice of two sides on the menu. Open till midnight.
Hours:Sun-Thu 11am-11pm
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.
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.
Perfect Pita began as just as a kosher food take-out restaurant and expanded into a counter style sit in food eatery after their reputation for serving very good kosher food at reasonable prices. Perfect Pita is very popular kosher food restaurant for people who enjoy Middle Eastern dishes such as Moroccan pot roast and falafel as well as the Cholent which the traditional Sabbath stew of meat, beans, vegetables and potatoes.
About little over a year ago, the store front next door became available and Perfect Pita expanded into a sit down restaurant featuring a party room which can seat more people.
Perfect Pita's kosher counter staff is extremely friendly and our service dependable as well as fast to please our customers "on-the-go" lifestyles.
Today people of all backgrounds are enjoying the middle eastern taste that Perfect Pita has to offer. From Hummus with falafel, to Beef shish kebab, Perfect Pita Restaurant will satisfy your middle eastern taste bud as well as your wallet!
I have only had falafel here but wow, it is truly the best falafel I've ever had. I would eat this every day if I could. Each ball so full of flavor and the pita is fluffy and holds the falafel perfectly. Make sure you get hummus and tahini sauce on it. I usually get the Israeli salad and slaw mixed together as my side salads. I highly recommend perfect pita to all falafel lovers out there.
Just got a Falafel Platter and it was delicious! Huge portion of 5 large Falafel balls with eggplant salad, carrot salad, and cucumber salad. Also, half a dozen different little sauces and a really great fresh pita for $11.00. Great deal, will be back often. The place was being renovated, so it's not fair to judge how it looked, but suffice to say its basically a take out joint.
The best shwarma around – we just went to Golan Heights in Washington Hts today and while their shwarma is good, Perfect Pita blows theirs away – very fresh and juicy and generous amounts.
Hands down best schawarma I've ever had. I prefer it on pita with hummus and tahini. The service is excellent. Everyone is friendly and extremely hospitable. I am completely baffled by any less than perfect reviews on this page. I've been coming for lunch for over a month now, almost every day. Being from Fair Lawn my only regret is not discovering this place sooner.
Sababa Grill: The Flavor of Israel
Sababa Grill, located in the heart of Teaneck, NJ, has been serving quality Israeli cuisine since2005. Under strict RCBC supervision, all food is made fresh to order.
Come experience the authentic flavor of Israeli food! With dishes ranging from schwarma and schnitzel to delectable homemade salads, Sababa Grill provides mouthwatering choices you will crave to eat again. Stop by Sababa Grill today to enjoy friendly service and a tasty Middle Eastern meal in our newly-renovated dining room.
Stop by every friday and bring home delicacies from our shabbat menu to enjoy with family and friends.
We also provide catering for kiddushim, Luncheons, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Pidyoney HaBen, Yhartzeits and more…
Come experience the authentic flavor of Israeli and Middle Eastern cuisine! With dishes ranging from schwarma and schnitzel to delectable homemade salads, Sababa Grill provides mouthwatering choices you will crave to eat again. Stop by Sababa Grill today to enjoy friendly service and a tasty Middle Eastern meal in our newly-renovated dining room.
שעות פתיחה:
Sunday 11:30am – 9:00pm
Monday 11:30am – 9:00pm
Tuesday 11:30am – 9:00pm
Wednesday 11:30am – 9:00pm
Thursday 11:30am – 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am – 3:00pm
Saturday Closed
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
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 PROMISE
We specialize in crafting mouth-watering meals and providing superb customer service. Order online for delivery or pickup!
ORDER ONLINE NEW!
Place your order online for easiest ordering experience. To start, just click on any menu item to add it to your order.
שעות פתיחה:
DELIVERY
Monday 11:00 am – 8:30 pm
Tuesday 11:00 am – 8:30 pm
Wednesday 11:00 am – 8:30 pm
Thursday 11:00 am – 8:30 pm
Friday 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
VIEW DELIVERY MAP
TAKEOUT
Monday 11:00 am – 8:30 pm
Tuesday 11:00 am – 8:30 pm
Wednesday 11:00 am – 8:30 pm
Thursday 11:00 am – 8:30 pm
Friday 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
"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
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!
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.
Drawing on the cuisine we have become known for at our popular Taboon Restaurant…
we have created a clean comfortable space that captures the warmth of a rustic kitchen in a modern quick service sandwich shop. The emphasis here is on fresh articulated flavors and ingredients from our signature "Middleterranean" pallet, merging the kitchens of the Middle East and Mediterranean with some home-style recipes and our love for hospitality.
Salmon, Steak, Zucchini Cakes, Calamari, Pulled Pork and Brisket!… just some of the fresh homemade specialties offered up at breakfast, lunch and dinner… all in a Pita!
We are looking forward to the flexibility of being a sandwich shop so that we can experiment and have fun with our “Middleterranean Pocket Food” Concept… And although the inspiration is the pita pocket, you can also enjoy everything made at Taboonette in a Middle Eastern Laffa (a wrap) or as a rice/salad plate, all balanced by those great Taboon favorites of Labane, Tzaziki, Tahina and lemon with fresh herbs and spices.
We want to have fun with our customers and our food! Come in and enjoy a welcoming atmosphere in our kitchen with a little funky music to get you in the mood…
The Butcherie may not be perfect, may not have every item, but it is without question a true treasure for the Brookline Jewish community. Josh Gellerman is a true mensch and makes sure his customers are happy and find what they need.
First off the fresh deli is delicious. I highly recommend the knish! The store is larger than it…
The Butcherie is my favorite store in the boston area. This "little" store has so many great things to offer that you can't find anywhere else, including great prepared foods, handcut lox, deli, and the best kosher meat I've ever had. The store is much cleaner than when I started shopping here years ago, and the customer attention is better than any supermarket I've shopped at, they really take care of you…
thank you butcherie!!
Being a born-and-bred Brooklynite, and a Yankees fan, anything pertaining to Boston automatically carries a negative connotation to me. However, life has had an interesting way of bringing me into Boston at two occasions in my life, and both times in Boston, I had the opportunity to not only stop in here, but also to peruse all of the offerings at The Butcherie.
While we have dozens of kosher stores in Brooklyn, where one can find everything from parve cheese doodles, to cholov yisroel cappuccino beverages, kosher Dunkin Donuts and Krispy Kreme, to glatt kosher kibbeh and vegan dim sum, acheinu bnei yisrael living in New England lack these options. The Butcherie is their lifeline to Jewish observance, as it is the only kosher market in the region, and its selection and quality impress even this jaded New Yorker; deli, wines, cheeses, frozen foods, plenty of Israeli imports, and many other kosher specialties.
I find that the Butcherie's prepared foods are excellent and the quality is superb and prices not outrageous for an out-of-town establishment. My one and only complaint is that their hours are not friendly to tourists or night owls, but that seems to be a trend in Boston, regardless (the city is dead at 9 pm, whereas NYC is bustling 24/7).
I have had the opportunity to sample several of their specialties, including the New England favorite, American Chop Suey; this concoction of chopped meat, tomatoes, and elbow macaroni bears no resemblance to the Chinese original, but the Butcherie's version, I'm sure, presents this dish in its fullest simplicity and allows us kosher keepers to sample regional offerings we wouldn't otherwise have access to.
The parve cheese noodle kugel reminds me of my own version of this dish (one can tell that they've used quality parve sour cream, cream cheese, and margarine in making this dish as close to its dairy counterpart as possible), the chunky chicken soup is as heimish as can be (although it requires salt), and the knishes are all scrumptious, with a flaky dough; the beef knishes (both American and Jerusalem) and the spinach and cheese knish are excellent (At separate meals, of course!) and they rival many of the knishes we have in Brooklyn.
Likewise, their parve cheese blintzes are excellent, and the other prepared foods available are mind-boggling. The variety of prepared foods is astounding, and I've sampled the following: Parve tofu balls taste very close to their fleshig cousins, the beef pot pie is a true mechaye, treat, and the veal cutlets and patties are to die for.
Their Passover menu looks absolutely impressive, and perhaps a day trip to Boston may be in order before Pesach to sample these offerings, including chicken pot pie, chicken cacciatore, kreplach, couscous, veal patties, and other delights none of the Pesach stores in Brooklyn carry.
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.
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.
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