Recommendations below in order. In general, stick with the mezzes…read more
Recommended: Artichoke, cauliflower
Good: Skirt Steak, hummus, desserts
Wouldn't recommend: Pappardelle, tahdig, soup dumplings
I went to this pretty tasty and dimly lit Levant/Israeli spot a while back with a group. The service was friendly and gave good recommendations to those who wanted them, knowing the menu well as well as allergens. In general, I would recommend the mezze/small plates much more than the entrees. To drink, I had a Matos, with rye, rosemary Aperol, amaro Noveis, and lemon for $18. It was a creative and tasty cocktail with both the Noveis and rosemary adding a unique herbal flavor. Someone else enjoyed a mocktail, the $10 Yarok with cucumber, fresh ginger, and lime.
From the mezzes I sampled, the best was the Artichoke for $17, with pistachio labneh, preserved lemon relish, and dukkah. The portion was large, and the artichokes were well-cooked with a soft texture. Otherwise, there was some nuttiness from the labneh and dukkah, and some sourness from the relish. I would recommend it heavily.
Also very tasty was the $19 Cauliflower with chermoula, scallion, pickled raisins, and almonds. I much prefer spots that roast cauliflower enough to burn it slightly but not too much, and they did it perfectly here. Otherwise, there was a mild sourness from the chermoula, while the rest of the ingredients added crunch and a bit of sweetness.
The Hummus for $17, with green schug, chickpeas, and pita, was good. It was smooth and silky, but I wish the tahina flavor were a bit stronger. I liked the addition of the schug, which added an herbal heat to it.
The worst of the mezze and the worst dish overall were the Yemenite Soup Dumplings with beef and hilbeh for $19. This came with four large pieces, with the dumplings more resembling a Georgian khinkali in terms of thickness, which made them very doughy. While the soup was tasty, there wasn't that much of it. I wouldn't recommend this at all.
My main dish was the alright $34 Pappardelle with mushrooms, sweet onion tahini, and bread crumbs. The pasta was a bit soft for my liking, and I found it a bit too sweet overall. The mushrooms had some good earthiness, but I wouldn't recommend this much.
I also wouldn't recommend the Tahdig Rice, with saffron, pistachio, and barberries. The side is $16 and is listed for two, which is accurate based on size, but the flavor is lacking. The Persian rice side had a mix of textures, with some of it having the trademark crispiness, but there weren't that many toppings. Unless you're getting a dish with a sauce, I wouldn't bother.
I tried a bit of the much better Skirt Steak for $38, with adobo dry rub, leek puree, mashwi salad, and potato chip. This dish had a fun presentation, and the skirt steak was perfectly cooked medium rare with a nicely seasoned rub. The chip was a fun concept and added a bit of crunch. In terms of others, someone else enjoyed the $37 Brick Chicken
For dessert, some people ordered the Malawah Churros and the Almond Malabi. Both were $14 and were enjoyed. I was pretty full at that point, so I didn't have a bite of the former, while the latter had a pleasant rosewater flavor. They both seemed decent with a good enough portion.
If I had the artichoke and steak, I'd probably give this spot a 5. However, it's too inconsistent with a couple of dishes that both the group and I disliked.
