Finally made it over to Mimi's Hummus last night for a belated birthday dinner with my two friends. There was a wait for a table at 7:30 on a Friday, so the woman I thought was the hostess suggested we go two doors down and have a glass of wine. She'd come get us, she promised, when our table was ready. We walked over to what turned out to be the newly opened "Castello Plan" wine bar - no connection with Mimi's Hummus that we could tell, except they are new business neighbors. More about the wine bar in another review - it was lovely with friendly service - but we were impressed that the restaurant sent us over there to wait - especially because they have a tapas menu, and Mimi's has beer and wine.
Enjoying our wine, but before we got too cozy, the same lovely woman came over to tell us our table was ready. Mimi's is smallish but the high walls and ceilings without too much busy decor makes it feel NOT claustrophobic at all. The menu is short and straightforward, but our waitress left us with the "specials cheat-sheet" with 3 appetizer and 2 entree specials. I appreciated her reading the specials to us and letting us know the prices, as well.
Homemade pickles and some delicious green olives are complimentary (the refill would have been $2) and cold water is left in jugs on the table so you can refill your own glass after eating the pickles and olives. We shared the traditional hummus as an app. - fantastic! It's been way too long since I've had hummus that doesn't come from a tub in the supermarket, let alone the freshly made exquisite offering of some pureed and some whole chickpeas with, as has been written below, the perfect balance of flavors. The pita bread was amazing - thick and fluffy - I even liked the wheat, and I'm usually not a fan.
Between the three of us, we ordered one shakshuka, one meatball special, and one brisket special. Everyone was happy with her selection. I was happy with the Brisket - don't tell my mom - even better than hers!
The portions are just right (even though our American eyes saw them as on the small side when they arrived - trust me, they are just right!) Between the starter wine, the hummus, and our meals, we were stuffed to the gils without finishing our last bites - no room for dessert this time.
The prices are very reasonable - the brisket special, served with couscous, was the most expensive offering, at $14. Apps and small plates ran about 6-9 and entrees 10 to 14, I believe. Beer and wine selections on back of menu (I only glanced at them) I think were about 6 to 10. I liked how there were choices for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. And how you could get a couple of apps or small plates if you couldn't decide, or mix and match with an entree if you were feeling hungrier.
On the way out, the hostess bid us farewell. "Are you Mimi?" I asked her. She smiled and shook my hand. "Everything was SO delicious," I told her. "Thank you," she smiled, "that's very good to hear." I believe she is the owner and chef, so that she appears to be the hostess seems right - she was truly hosting dinner for us, and was very gratified that we enjoyed ourselves.
Will definitely go back with my husband, and this time I'll remember to get a take-out menu! read more