PrintAzuri Cafe, the Best Falafel in the City?
Harissa falafel from Taim
In his latest post, NYC Food Guy says Azuri Cafe in Hell's Kitchen makes the best falafel in the city and compares it to other top favorite Taim in the West Village. What does he say is wrong with Taim's falafel sandwich?
There’s no balance or complexity in construction or flavor. Azuri’s construction has a distinct purpose: providing a precise flavor adventure. Taim’s falafel sandwich is unbalanced, sometimes dominated by the neutrally flavored hummus. Hummus, as it is in Azuri’s falafel, should be a unifier of flavors, not the main component.
Taim is my favorite place to get a falafel in the city—one of those firm recommendations I make to anyone who visits from out of town—but then I have yet to go to Azuri Cafe. If their falafel is markedly better than Taim's, I need to get my butt there ASAP.
Related
Union Square Falafel Battle: Maoz, Pita Joe, Moshe's, and Rainbow
Best Falafel in New York
For One of the Best Falafels, Head to Ashkara in the Lower East Side
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
7 Comments:
Doesn't NYC Food Guy's every other post declare something "the best in the city"?
ChiefHDB at 10:45AM on 02/06/09
I concur that Azuri's falafel is rather complex. The ingredients are definitely put in a certain order for a reason. As you eat each part, there are different textures and flavors that you get. It's worth the trip to the west side.
Charlie Fogg at 11:01AM on 02/06/09
Taim is definitely better, but Azuri is a worthy contender.
ginsbera at 11:02AM on 02/06/09
I'm definitely checking out Azuri for lunch soon but I did read about this place in Brooklyn, Mazzat, http://www.yelp.com/biz/mazzat-brooklyn which is apparently delish as well. I'll let you know if it measures up.
nithya at hungrydesi at 11:12AM on 02/06/09
I have yet to try Taim, but Azuri does not disappoint.
sirbakesalot at 12:19PM on 02/06/09
@Robyn,
Thanks for the link. I hope I didn't come down too hard on Taim. I still haven't tired the cilantro falafel so maybe I've spoken too soon? Someone on my site said the cilantro is where the real flavor is at. We should get together for a long overdue meal at Azuri and we can try the fries too! Shoot me an email at lawrence@nycfoodguy.com if you're game.
@Charlie Fogg,
You're correct, when I spoke to Ezra Cohen, the owner, he was very closed mouth about the recipe he uses to create the flavor trip Azuri's falafel provides. He said it took him two years to perfect it and he's been doing it for 18 overall so he's doing something right.
@ChiefHDB,
You made me laugh. I know I'm generous with my superlatives but when it comes to food, I'd never steer you wrong. I could use your brand of wry commenting on my site. Something tells me you'd be well received among my usual commenters. Where do you love to eat in the city? Any "bests" you stand behind and would like to see put to the test?
NYC Food Guy at 1:58PM on 02/06/09
We went to Mazzat for dinner on Friday...the falafel was definitely worth it. Afterwards, we wished that we had just ordered a hummus, the fatoush and two orders of falafel. I was also sad to realize that I've apparently had take out from Azuri through Seamless Web. I thought the falafel was very subpar :( But I'm going to have to give it another shot in hopes that it's better in person and fresh.
nithya at hungrydesi at 11:27PM on 02/08/09