It was rainy and I was cold and cranky. Then I ducked into Taim on Waverly, mostly to get someplace warm.

Wow! I should duck into places more often. Taim, a falafel and smoothie bar, serves simply the best falafel I’ve eaten outside Israel. First, the pita. It’s impossibly fresh, and, according to the owner, hails from Brooklyn. The falafel comes green, with herbs; red, with peppers; or with harissa.

I got the green one and with one bite, I was in falafel heaven. They were crunchy on the outside, light as a feather on the inside, and perfectly seasoned.

The piece de resistance was the date, lime, and banana smoothie. Concerned that it might be too sweet, the owner reassured me it was delicious. Apparently, Israelis inhale these all the time. One sip and I was convinced. The bananas and dates make for an impossibly rich combo and since I can’t drink milk and milkshakes are therefore off limits, this was a special treat. You can order the smoothie with skim, whole or soy milk or just with crushed ice and water.

The pitas are a steal at $5.00 and the smoothies at $4.50 are similarly well-priced. Other items on the menu include sabich, slices of fried eggplant, layered with an organic boiled egg and served with hummus, Israeli salad, green cabbage, tahini and amba sauce; Israeli and other salads, and sides like fries and fried eggplant.

This is mostly a take out plate although there are some stools to pull up to a small counter.

Taim
222 Waverly Place
New York, NY
212 691 1287

Related posts:

1. Two New Food Trucks: Van Leeuwen Ice Cream on Upper West Side; Taim Launches Truck
2. Upper West Side Restaurants: Falafel, Druze Restaurants Turn Neighborhood Into a Middle Eastern Mecca
3. West Village Restaurant: Cafe Condesa