NAYA — Restaurant in Montvale

Originating in New York City 13 years ago and situated in Montvale, this fast-casual establishment opened at 330 Market St on Nov. 17, marking their 20th location. NAYA offers their guests to experience the “world of Lebanese flavors”. Thank you to Sara and the Yelp team. My partner and I came tonight to this Elite event. Upon entering, the interior space felt brand new, fresh and clean, with numerous tables spread out with patrons enjoying their meals. The eatery offers a well-balanced and varied selection of rolls, bowls, and salads that can be customized with chicken shawarma, chicken shish taouk, beef shawarma, kaftan lamb kebab, falafel, and cauliflower. For our visit, each guest was offered one custom bowl or roll, two hot appetizers, and a drink. As a starter, we started out with fresh falafels just out of the fryer, kibbé (fried beef dumplings stuffed with minced beef and pine nuts), and fatayer sabenegh (mini pies with spinach, lemon, and sumac). For our entree, we decided on the chicken shawarma on a thin white pita roll, and the chicken shish taouk bowl, accompanied by brown rice, lettuce, tomato, black olives, and cucumbers with tahini sauce on the side. It was definitely a big option, with large portions and all ingredients fresh. The sauces incredibly tasty and had excellent taste and texture. The service was good, as the staff assisted in providing information on the ingredients along with their manager, Abou. Thank you for giving great excellence to the Naya name, and we can...

I have eaten Naya in NYC many times for work lunches and was THRILLED when I found out there was a new location in the suburbs!! It is honestly the best Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food I've ever tried! the hummus, babaganoush (sp?), falafel and meats are SO DELICIOUS! and the pita - I challenge you to find a better, softer more delicious pita on the planet - you will not find it. The value for money should also be noted - no extra charge to pile on all the toppings/dressings to your bowl. Upon pickup, I was honestly was told to 'hold the bottom of the bag' because my order for 2 people was so heavy! Part of me is hesitant to share this new location because once people find out it will become crowded, and the parking was already a bit tight in the North Market when I picked up. But it wouldn't be fair to Naya for me not to spread the word ; ) and I selfishly need them to stay in business-lol Please go and try it if you haven't yet - you will not regret it!

oh and did I mention the GARLIC WHIP? ...

Service off the bat, 5/5. The people were awesome, met the day manager and she explained a bit of the menu to me.

Food wise? Some describe this place as the Middle Eastern Version of Chipotle, and there spot-on. I got both rice varieties for my base, and did half/half beef shawarma and chicken shish taouk. The rice portion --- generous, great ---- the meat portion? No shade, but a bit "stingy" with it.

Ordered some yummy toppings, but the lady making it really should have explained some things to me because many of these items were a novelty to me. I want to understand middle-eastern food, and she's simply passive.

The ambiance was exquisite. Inside is clean and spacious. Utensils are on the left side of the restaurant, near a display of some items you could buy if you'd like.

To reiterate, food=good, portions = eh, manager=active, employee=passive.

Overall impression? 3/5

Enjoy the photos I took. I'm still open to give them...