Taboon, in NYC's Hell's Kitchen, has just been added to my list of restaurant favorites! With a menu that combines Middle Eastern and Mediterranean classics with unique twists, their cuisine is "Middleterranean." After eating here, I'm in love with their dishes' savory spices, ingredient mixtures and tasty preparations.
While staying in NYC for my annual sister's birthday weekend, I did a search for local eateries for one of our girls' nights out. I was not terribly familiar with this section of the city, but since my hotel for the week was located on 11th and 48th, I decided to stay local and embrace the neighborhood.
Good thing I did! Finding this gem on 10th Avenue and 52nd Street made for a dining experience to remember for me, Danielle and our childhood friend, Cheryl. The three of us have a long history of loving and eating food! I had previewed the menu, but they hadn't, so it was fun to see their excitement at all the wonderful offerings from which to choose.
In the spirit of variety, we ordered a great many appetizers, which we pretty much, polished off!
Now, considering that I'm a "mostly" vegetarian, I was in heaven with the scrumptious choices of non-meat dishes and specialties.
While staying in NYC for my annual sister's birthday weekend, I did a search for local eateries for one of our girls' nights out. I was not terribly familiar with this section of the city, but since my hotel for the week was located on 11th and 48th, I decided to stay local and embrace the neighborhood.
Good thing I did! Finding this gem on 10th Avenue and 52nd Street made for a dining experience to remember for me, Danielle and our childhood friend, Cheryl. The three of us have a long history of loving and eating food! I had previewed the menu, but they hadn't, so it was fun to see their excitement at all the wonderful offerings from which to choose.
In the spirit of variety, we ordered a great many appetizers, which we pretty much, polished off!
Now, considering that I'm a "mostly" vegetarian, I was in heaven with the scrumptious choices of non-meat dishes and specialties.
 Taboon's Trio of Spreads |  Falafel with roasted potatoes |
My other two partners in food crime have a more expansive palette and partook in their creative meat and seafood dishes.
So, we started off with the most delectable trio of spreads, which included Olive Tapenade, Hummus and Red Pepper spread. The bread was similar to a focaccia but more dense. So good!! It was hard to stop eating it!
Speaking of bread, one of Taboon's signature dishes is their Sambusak which is a bread stuffed with Feta Cheese, Jalapeños and Onions. It was a total taste bud tantalizer combining creaminess and a kick surrounded by crispy doughy goodness! I had read some reviews from other diners who repeatedly commented on the Sambusak - it's a must try!
So, we started off with the most delectable trio of spreads, which included Olive Tapenade, Hummus and Red Pepper spread. The bread was similar to a focaccia but more dense. So good!! It was hard to stop eating it!
Speaking of bread, one of Taboon's signature dishes is their Sambusak which is a bread stuffed with Feta Cheese, Jalapeños and Onions. It was a total taste bud tantalizer combining creaminess and a kick surrounded by crispy doughy goodness! I had read some reviews from other diners who repeatedly commented on the Sambusak - it's a must try!
Onward and upward - next arrived our Pita Falafel with roasted golden potatoes and herbed salad. I'm a falafel freak and these were some of the best I've eaten - crispy, yet moist and not at all greasy. The girls were very happy with their Sauteed Calamari with caspian pink tomatoes Danielle is a "Calamari" connoisseur and was quite pleased.
Now, while I'm not a red meager AT ALL, the presentation was absolutely gorgeous for the Kubenette, which was skirt steak with sautéed onions, bulgur wheat, eggplant, mixed herbs, topped with an eggplant-yogurt sauce and pine nuts served in a pastry puff. They reported it was equally dee-lish!
Now, while I'm not a red meager AT ALL, the presentation was absolutely gorgeous for the Kubenette, which was skirt steak with sautéed onions, bulgur wheat, eggplant, mixed herbs, topped with an eggplant-yogurt sauce and pine nuts served in a pastry puff. They reported it was equally dee-lish!
 Baby Beet and Asian Pear Salad  Grilled Octopus |  Pear and Arugula Salad  Kubenette - Skirt Steak with Sauteed onions |
The food fest didn't end there - Knowing full well we were going to get dessert, after all the bread, we decided to indulge in some healthy salads. We ordered two: Roasted Baby Beet Salad with Asian Pear and Arugula with Shaved Fennel. Both outstanding.
By this point, we were pretty stuffed, but managed to save some room for dessert.
By this point, we were pretty stuffed, but managed to save some room for dessert.
 |  |
Thank goodness none of us were worried about our waistline on this evening! We didn't blink to order three very different sweet treat and share! These included a refreshing assortment of sorbets, Silan - vanilla ice cream layered with puffed rice and date honey sprinkled with caramelized pistachios and topped with shredded halva and last but certainly not least, Date Sponge Cake, warm date sponge soaked in a Meyer’s rum sauce, topped with date and pecan compote, and served with double English Cream and fig reduction.
We were ready to roll home after the final course!
The atmosphere of Taboon is fun and festive with a seasonal harvest feel. I'd say Taboon is perfect for a girls' night out or a fun couple's dinner of sharing and tasting!
-Elisa
We were ready to roll home after the final course!
The atmosphere of Taboon is fun and festive with a seasonal harvest feel. I'd say Taboon is perfect for a girls' night out or a fun couple's dinner of sharing and tasting!
-Elisa
For Your Reference
Taboon
773 10th Avenue
(at 52nd Street)
New York, NY
www.taboononline.com
212-713-0271
Taboon
773 10th Avenue
(at 52nd Street)
New York, NY
www.taboononline.com
212-713-0271
RSS Feed