Saturday, May 23, 2009

Taim Falafel & Smoothie Bar 05-22-2009


Location: 222 Waverly Pl... where is that anyway?!
Time: 4pm
People: RB and myself

Feelings: Ever since I saw Taim on Throwdown with Bobby Flay, I have been dying to try their authentic and healthy Israeli falafel. This quaint little place is always crowded with just counters and no tables, so we were barely able to sit there and eat. It seems more of a takeout friendly joint.

We tried their three different falafel sandwiches: Green (parsley, cilantro and mint), Red (with roasted red pepper) and Harissa (with Tunisian spices). These are probably the priciest ($5.25!) and tastiest falafel sandwich I have tasted in my life! Each sandwich is incredibly overstuffed, so I understand why it's $5.25. You think you only get three tiny falafels in the sandwich, but NO, there are six of them in there. These six made to order delicious falafel balls have amazingly crispy texture on the outside and a soft and flavorful inside. I could eat them on their own. They were intensely flavorful without greasiness - Just the way I like it.

While my favorite was Green, all of them came with crisp and fresh diced vegetables that complimented the nutty flavor of the falafel. The hummus was so smooth and fresh I could probably eat it like ice cream.

Oh that whole wheat pita! The outside was gently crispy and lightly toasted, and the inside remained fluffy and chewy and never got soggy from hummus. The earthy flavor of whole wheat was also present, and it was made to perfection.

Taim really puts all the other falafel places in the city to shame. Everything I want from falafel was there: fresh, flavorful, healthy, natural and comfortably filling. I will definitely go back there except after 10 years in NYC, I still get lost in the West Village. I am not sure if I could ever find Taim again! Perhaps I will leave a trail of delicious fallafel balls to lead my path.

3 comments:

Gar said...

I also saw the Flay throwdown and was so surprised that Taim lost! I haven't had Taim for awhile. I think it's known more for its falafels than the hummus.

Unknown said...

I saw that episode too! Thurmon and I went there over the winter and I wasn't a huge fan. I loved their spiced pita bread and hummus though. But of the three red was the most tolerable for me. Thurmon liked it a lot and the staff was incredibly friendly so we'd go again if only for their specific drinks and hummus.

Yosh. O said...

I really want to try their mint ginger drink!!