Serious Eats: New York
Sabih and Mediterranean Salad from Bite
After watching a movie near Union Square, my friends and I headed to Bite for a quick vegetarian and wallet-friendly dinner. Bite's main offerings of sandwiches (cold or pressed) and salads may not sound like a unique concept, but there are at least two items here that would make me want to come back for more.
The sabih sandwich is similar to Taim's sabich pita sandwich but sans falafel and on a soft, slightly chewy ciabatta roll instead of in a pita (besides that the sabih is less messy to eat). The sabih is layered with sautéed eggplant, sliced hard boiled egg, a cucumber and tomato-based Middle Eastern chopped salad, and hummus. You get creamy, crunchy, and fresh in every bite. The sandwich is just the right size, and filling without being too heavy.
When the Mediterranean salad appeared at our table, out initial response was, "Whoaaa." At least, it was my first time seeing a salad topped with what looked like a ladle-ful of hummus. Aside from hummus, the salad of baby greens is topped with sautéed eggplant, roasted pepper tapenade, Middle Eastern chopped salad, roasted almonds, and pine nuts. Two slices of soft, toasted pita bread provide the extra carbs, although the salad is filling enough on its own.
Bite
211 E 14th Street, New York NY 10003 (b/n 2nd and 3rd; map)
212-677-3123
Another location at 335 Lafayette Street, New York NY 10012 (at Bleecker; map)
212-431-0301
bitenyc.com