The East Village eatery, Tahini, has brought in Edna Itzhaki to offer the neighbourhood the freshest and most authentic falafel. Handmade from chickpeas, fresh parsley, cilantro, onion and a closely-guarded blend of spices, Edna's traditional falafel are 'green' rather than bland beige or tan.
Typically served in warm, homemade pita bread with a selection of fresh salads and their tahini sauce (with chilli sauce for those who like it spicy!) this is the real deal: authentic middle-eastern falafel.
Edna ran a falafel shop in Tel Aviv's Florentine area (a part of the city much like New York's East Village) between 1975 and 2007 where the locals routinely queued outside for Edna's cooking. She is replicating that experience for New Yorkers, introducing them to her cooking. She is tweaking the menu, giving the space a makeover to be a more comfortable and relaxed environment, making Tahini her kitchen-away-from-home.
"I was surprised that most middle-eastern restaurants here in New York serve beige falafel balls," says Edna. "I'd never seen that before. The falafel I know and enjoy is a bright green on the inside, bursting with herbs that give it authentic flavour and colour. It's a pleasure to bring this taste to such a fun, eclectic area, which reminds me of where I started my first shop so long ago in Tel Aviv."
Tahini, which will now be nicknamed "Edna's Falafel Shop," makes everything it serves on the premises to guarantee absolute freshness. Edna has added a range of salad toppings (including spicy carrot, red cabbage slaw, sweet corn & red peppers and a variety of pickled vegetables) to the menu, and flies in a special combination of over 28 spices from Israel to season the shawarma. Other dishes on Edna's menu include chicken kebabs and hummus, as well as baklava and brownies for those who want to finish with something sweet.
Tahini offers value as well as authenticity. With a lunch or dinner special of falafel, generous helpings of homemade salads and a drink (such as fresh lemonade) for $5.00, this is the place to come for delicious, healthful food at recession-friendly prices.
Tahini: Edna's Falafel Shop - is a neighbourhood eatery in the East Village of New York serving authentic falafel and other middle-eastern dishes made from traditional recipes in a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. Tahini: Edna's Falafel Shop is located at 23 3rd Avenue (north of St. Mark's Place) in New York City.
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