Monday, April 12, 2010

Olympic Pita for Olympic Appetites

Had lunch today at Olympic Pita, great midtown spot off Bryant Park (address, glatt kosher).  Everything looked great, and had plenty of seating avaialble at 1 PM.  I chose to take out, and ordered the falafel in laffa, the freshly made Indian nan-like flat bread ($7.50).  You can also order in regular pita or platter.  They load it up from the salad bar with your choice of items, and include a nice sized (.5 lb) container to pack some extra side salads as well.  Unique items include beet salad (cut like french fries), real Israeli pickles, red cabage slaw, home made harif (hot sauce), and what appeared ot be a curried cauliflower.  The balls are nicely browned, crisp on the outside and moist and chunky on the inside.    I took my falafel "torpedo" and ate in Bryant Park nearby and found it overall a good experince, but a bit too much to eat.  This is partially due to the big bread that gets wrapped tightly around the filling, which I find its quantity and chewy consistancy overwhelm the flavor of the core.  I'm told by my one of my fellow falafelers (brother-in-law) that the shwarma is quite good.  Planned to bring my unopened side salad home for diner, but forgot it in the fridge at work.  Should make a fine Israeli breakfast tomorrow.  You guys like this place?

Monday, November 10, 2008

NYC List - Please Add and Comment

In no particular order, here is the list I carry around in my PDA so I can find it when I need it:
Taim - 222 Waverly Place (just west of Seventh Avenue)
Azuri Cafe - 51st between 9th & 10th
Rainbow falafel - 17th btwn Broadway and 5th
Pick-A-Pita (north side) 247 w. 38th (7th&8th)
Olympic - 12th Street near University Place
- also 38th w of 5th
Gazala Place - 709 9th Ave (48/49th)
Hoomos -
Chickpea -

For Falafel Lovers Only

I'm no expert - but I'm a fanatic for great falafel. I've tried them all over the world, I've gone far out of my way to get my fix, and I do occasionally find myself with a deep unsatiable craving for one. Falafels are one of those foods that everyone has a different favorite place, and they magically cross borders without conflict in the Middle East. I've assembled a starting list of good spots in NYC, but with the power of the internet it would be great to get a list of good spots around the globe, and views on what makes it so good.