π Galit β Chicago | One-Michelin-Star Middle Eastern Cuisine
A Michelin-starred spot with its own distinct flavor profile β¨ This time I tried their Restaurant Week menu β thanks to a good friendβs invitation, since scoring a reservation here is pretty tough! ποΈπ Some friends thought it was just okay, others liked it a lot β so I had to try it myself. The restaurant offers a curated selection of Middle Eastern wines, coffee, and tea β worth exploring if you're curious! βπ· Starters: π₯ Hummus & Salatim The hummus is made from Masabacha-style chickpeas mixed with tahini and Aleppo pepper β textured, rich, and flavorful. The cold salads included pickled radish, thick yogurt with fragrant olive oil, and a Turkish pepper-tomato sauce. We were also each served fresh pita bread β perfect for dipping into the hummus and salads. We were so hungry we finished it all! Light, refreshing, and great for those who enjoy Middle Eastern flavors. The pita alone filled us up halfway! π Small Plates: π§ Falafel & Chapeli Polo The falafel had a fun two-layer taste β crispy outside, herby and fresh inside. The Persian rice with beef (Chapeli Polo) was incredibly tender and fragrant β we both loved it! Personally preferred the falafel though. Mains: π Barramundi & Pastrami Both dishes felt more unique than delicious to us β maybe an acquired regional taste. The barramundi was nicely crispy, but the sweet-ish sauce wasnβt my preference (I like savory!). The pastrami was served with sauce, bread, and veggies to assemble into a sandwich β that way it tasted special and satisfying. On its own, the meat was a bit dry. Desserts: π₯§ Crispy Phyllo Pie & Malabi We loved both desserts! The phyllo pie was warm and flaky, especially good with the caramelized yogurt on the side. The malabi (Middle Eastern milk pudding) was cool, slightly sticky, and delicious β a real highlight! Every element on the plate felt intentional in Middle Eastern dining. Itβs definitely a love-it-or-not kind of place. The Michelin plaque is displayed near the open kitchen π¨π³β, and the interior is cozy, simple, and welcoming β great for catching up with friends. π° Our total came to about $85 per person after tax and tip (Restaurant Week menu, no drinks). They also have interesting drinks and coffee β would love to try those next time! Biggest plus: we left genuinely full and satisfied. β #ChicagoEats #MiddleEasternFood #GalitChicago #MichelinStar #RestaurantWeek #MichelinDining
