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Balaboosta

(Now Closed)

Mediterranean Restaurant and Israeli Restaurant$$$$

NoLita, New York

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Balaboosta

The experts at The New York Times and Serious Eats recommend this place

198 Tips and reviews

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Rodrigo Narciso G da SilvaJanuary 9, 2016
I came for brunch. The food was perfect and the service also good and fast. I had scrumble eggs with a mini quinoa burger. I wish they had put more eggs on it. Anyway it was delicious!
YuliaSeptember 5, 2015
Great place to go for brunch! Delicious shakshuka as well as the cold appetizer plate (the madbucha was absolutely great!) but skip the banana bread pudding for dessert - it's not worth it.
Houssine B.October 16, 2014
The 'spice rubbed skirt steak' has got to be the most flavorful piece of meat I've ever had. Ask for extra sauce on the side, because that sauce is everything. Also, rose water Knafeh is otherworldly.
GothamistApril 11, 2017
Chef Einat Admony may offer one of the most virtuous versions of shakshouka in the city, stuffing a cornucopia of vegetables into a fiery tomato sauce for maximum ruffage and flavor. Read more
Ashley ChanJune 12, 2017
The lamb burger stuffed with goat cheese is unreal. Probably one of the best gourmet burgers I've had. The fried olives are juicy and worth getting as well! Skip the street fair platter.
Joel PlascoMay 5, 2016
The small plate starters are the best. Humus, eggplant, fried cauliflower, the Israeli street food plate, all amazing. Mains also great and the knafeh (middle eastern cheesecake) is incredible.
Meredith BlechmanJuly 13, 2015
Cozy spot in soho. For dinner, the cauliflower appetizer and the Israeli street fair are a must, as is extra za'tar pita. Branzino is delicious. For brunch, I dream about the shakshuka.
J CrowleyMay 28, 2014
Order the corn flake crusted chicken schnitzel - pounded super thin and perfectly crispy. Ask for an extra side of that magical yellow sauce that I want to bathe in.
Ashley KaufmanMarch 16, 2013
So we went crazy on starters, each one better than the next. Calamari a la plancha, fried olives, patatas bravas (woah garlic sauce!), and burrata. Then brick chicken with lush green sauce. Amazing!
Noah WeissJune 21, 2013
The lamb burger stuffed with goat cheese with caramelized onions on top is the perfect way to send yourself into a delightful post-lunch food coma.
Denis SosnovtsevMay 17, 2014
The lamb burger, stuffed with goat cheese, is massive and delicious but falls apart in your hands. Hummus plate was great too, with fresh pita bread.
Victoria U.January 24, 2015
I highly recommend the Shakshouka and the Cauliflower! Both are vegetarian friendly but you can also add Merguez sausage.
Serious EatsNovember 3, 2011
The Goat Cheese Panino: A really good split ciabatta gets stuffed with goat cheese, sweet roasted red peppers, grilled planks of zucchini, and kalamata olives with a tasteful smear of pesto. Read more
Ray LinAugust 7, 2014
From the fine folks who brought you Taim is this sit-down location around the corner. Cauliflower app is a must, and for lunch, the Corn Flake Crusted Chicken Schnitzel is delicious.
Crystal ZhengSeptember 26, 2013
Everything here is delicious. But if you really need suggestions - appetizer: fried cauliflower, friend olives, grilled octopus, & ceviche. Entry: short ribs, chicken, steak, & red snapper.
Christina ChinMarch 3, 2015
Excellent service and great date spot. I'm not a huge eggplant fan but the eggplant crostini was great. Got the israeli street food, also a tasty app
Elvis RodricksDecember 6, 2015
The pita bread is as original as can be. Hummus was delicious- creamy. Also serve Lebanese beer which we must try especially the wheat!
Omer ZachAugust 16, 2013
The chocolate hazelnut mousse is everything I dreamed of as an Israeli 7 year old: Milky (pudding with whipped cream on top—mix it together!) on top of Pesek Zman, roughly Israeli hazelnut Kit-Kat.
Rory ParnessOctober 18, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Imagine a stick of butter, beautifully seasoned and grilled to perfection. That's the skirt steak. Order it. Medium rare.
Halstead PropertyJuly 10, 2013
At last a place that brings authenticity to New York - The Israeli Street Fair’s chicken has just the right tenderness and quality merguez with a great flavor blast from its amba yogurt and pickles.
Maxine EdwardsNovember 11, 2012
The crispy cauliflower was outstanding, as were the pakora. Don't make my mistake of filling up on small plates and having to pass on dessert - they looked fantastic. Definitely returning soon.
Alexis BendjouiaJanuary 18, 2015
Everything was epic. Service, hummus, grilled calamari special was life changing, crispy cauliflower, and branzino. And date banana bread pudding. I can die now
Dina RughaniNovember 30, 2014
Brunch is great: try shakshouka with merger sausage, lamb burger, the French toast, and fresh pita/trio sampler. Can't beat homemade pitas.
Olivia SlutskyApril 4, 2018
The Mediterranean sampler was SO good. Comes with fresh zatar pita, labneh, hummus and spicy tomato sauce. Shakshuka was delightful and came with fresh bread as well 🤤
Paige CNovember 27, 2017
Get a bunch of dishes and share them with your party! Loved every single appetizer.
ISNovember 24, 2012
Have been to this place twice it's awesome , this is skirt steak!! It's so delicious.
Kate FurmanFebruary 5, 2015
Definitely get the lamb burger, stuffed with goat cheese.
Julianna EspositoOctober 27, 2017
The lamb burger is unreal. Enough for two people with some sides or one very hungry human!
Ernesto GutierrezAugust 13, 2015
Just close your eyes and order away. Everything is great here. The steak and lamb chop entree were delicious. If you lift weights you will probably walk out hungry. ALL dishes are small.
Vineet ShahOctober 13, 2014
Amazing brunch spot. Don't stick to one dish, order a few for the table and share. Highlights: shakshouka with merguez, brioche French toast, and the lamb burger.
Emil JoubertJune 19, 2012
Been here 10+ times
The best of the best , great amazing food, awesome service and very affordable . Try the hummus and the skirt steak ...they are to die for
Brittany GoodwynMay 25, 2015
Delicious food all around. The atmosphere is ideal for a small gathering or a date.
DavDecember 10, 2015
Went for brunch. Everything is supper yummy. Went with a group of friends and shared everything.
Kelsey LeeJune 20, 2014
The mini pizza with pureed carrots and cilantro was amazing - three flavors I wouldn't have thought to put together, but they complement each other so well. Get it!
The Corcoran GroupOctober 15, 2010
Come here for lunch, or make reservations for dinner. Try the Roasted Cauliflower, the Half Chicken and the Mergues Sausage.
Ms HeleneOctober 14, 2013
Four herb egg scramble ($14) had no herbs but came with quinoa hash being a hash brown with a crunchy quinoa topping - star of the dish! Also came with arugula salad. No soy milk for coffee here, FYI.
Village VoiceNovember 14, 2011
Winner of Best Use of Za'atar in the Village Voice 2011 Best Of issue! Usually used on meat and fish, the spice blend goes great on the potatoes here.
Jeffrey GlueckMarch 2, 2018
Enjoyed the Mediterranean fried cauliflower, hummus and pita, and quiet atmosphere for a lunch conversation
Ashley ReinerNovember 24, 2015
Burrata w/pesto toast, Patatas bravas, the charred broccoli, the Carmelized cauliflower, and the hummus were the real winners. Man I'm so full
Bond StreetMarch 7, 2017
"One of my favorite neighborhood spots by Israeli chef Einat Admony. Her Shakshuka is out of this world!" - Alexa Mehraban, founder - @eatingnyc
SavoredMarch 1, 2011
Chef Einat Admony brings her great culinary skill and Mediterranean flare to the table. Try the roasted cauliflower appetizer, fried olives an you can't for get about the falafel!
LinaAugust 30, 2011
Love the space! Wood ceiling, shelves filled w/wine+books. Food is Mediterranean: pita, labneh, hummus, zaatar & merguez. Can't wait to try
Peter GastonDecember 30, 2012
The brunch is excellent, especially the shakshouka with merguez. On the lighter side, the cabbage salad is refreshing.
Caitlin LOctober 5, 2017
Best Mediterranean in soho. Get something with hummus!
Han YuSeptember 9, 2011
Presents couscous in a perfect round patty topped with microgreens. Nice clean and fit feeling about all the plates, even the greasier ones like fried cauliflower and olives. Liked the brick chicken.
Serious EatsOctober 6, 2013
The goat cheese-stuffed lamburger, made with 8 ounces of Pat LaFrieda lamb, is a great choice.
Carmen RodriguezJune 19, 2016
The hanger steak, the lamb shoulder, and the shrimp appetizer is amazing! Their wine selection is short and sweet but all great.
aanwarSeptember 15, 2016
Hummus, grilled octopus, Burrata, Steak, and the Chocolate Mousse cake are the best!
Elyse EstradaMarch 17, 2011
The skirt steak is awesome. Great flavor with a kick. Get it medium rare. Can't go wrong. Also the hummus was awesome as was the cauliflower and the falafel meatballs.
Trae FApril 13, 2018
The cauliflower and lamb burger are great. Everything is so flavorful. Too bad the place is closing at the end of May :-(

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Balaboosta

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