Balaboosta — Restaurant in New York

It'd be 3.5 stars if I could, but I'll round up.

Came here on a Friday evening for a 7pm reservation with a girlfriend. The place is tiny, super cozy feeling, and exactly what I was hoping for on a rainy evening. We settled in and ordered some cocktails.

Nicole - Super light and refreshing. Titos vodka, St. Germain, grapefruit juice, lemon, and a basil leaf. Not quite a rainy evening cocktail but super enjoyable.

Lily - A much boozier, cozy evening kind of cocktail. Za'atar infused tequila, mezcal, orange syrup, lemon, and grapefruit. Yum and yum.

We shared a couple of small plates before going for individual orders:

Hummus "mortar and pestle" - 4- stars. Served literally with mortar and pestle, a generous serving of creamy hummus, full of tahini, with whole roasted garlic, chickpeas, and za'atar pita. The hummus was good but not super special to me, definitely on the creamier side, though grinding up the additional chickpeas and garlic was a fun experience. The pita, however, was AWESOME. Star of the dish. Pillowy, soft, topped with za'atar and sesame. Perfect.

Crispy cauliflower - 5 stars. My favorite part of the evening. Perfectly crispy cauliflower that had a nice crunch going on but didn't taste or feel battered, with flavors of lemon and accompanied by currants and pine nuts. A bit of parsley, but not overwhelming. A great mix of textures and flavors. Don't leave without ordering this.

Grilled octopus - 4 stars. Tender octopus served with carrot chirchi, cipollini onion salad, and black breadcrumbs. Perfectly cooked but a single tentacle of octopus, a tiny portion for the price attached to it.

Israeli street fair - 4 stars. A lot of food... chicken and merguez in a pita with amba yogurt, the same delicious pita from before filled with tender meat, caramelized onions, and lots of flavor. Served with pickles and sweet potato fries. The pickles were served in a plastic bag, which was weird, and I would have liked more of them... a slice of pickle, a couple of pieces of cauliflower, and a pepper. The sweet potato fries weren't crispy, and while they weren't mushy, I would have liked them a bit more well done. They were topped with garlic and parsley, but despite that, I found them somewhat flavorless, and I wanted to dip them in hummus to give them a little extra something.

Overall, I wanted to be blown away, and I wasn't. I had heard such great things about this place, and I found it to be a very solid, but not super special, offering. Especially for the price at the end of the evening, $74 a piece, I didn't feel that I got what I paid for. I'm glad I came, but I likely won't go out of my...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Balaboosta, and I must say it was an outstanding experience from start to finish. This restaurant truly deserves a five-star rating for its exceptional food, impeccable service, and inviting atmosphere.

From the moment I stepped inside, I was greeted with warm smiles and a cozy ambiance that made me feel right at home. The staff at Balaboosta went above and beyond to ensure that every aspect of my dining experience was memorable. Their attentiveness and genuine care for their customers truly stood out.

Now, let's talk about the food. Balaboosta's menu is a culinary delight, offering a fantastic range of flavors and unique combinations. Each dish I tried was meticulously prepared, bursting with freshness and exquisite taste. The chef's attention to detail and the quality of ingredients used truly elevated the entire dining experience.

I highly recommend starting with the mezze platter, which offers a delightful assortment of small plates that showcase the restaurant's expertise in Middle Eastern cuisine. The mains, such as the lamb tagine and the roasted cauliflower, were cooked to perfection, leaving me craving more with every bite. The presentation of each dish was also visually stunning, adding to the overall dining pleasure.

What truly sets Balaboosta apart is their exceptional service. The staff was knowledgeable about the menu, providing excellent recommendations and catering to dietary restrictions. They were attentive without being intrusive, ensuring that my dining companions and I had everything we needed throughout the evening.

In addition to the phenomenal food and service, the atmosphere at Balaboosta is warm and inviting. The restaurant's charming decor and cozy seating arrangements create a relaxed and intimate setting, perfect for a memorable evening with loved ones or a special celebration.

Overall, Balaboosta exceeded my expectations in every way. The combination of delectable food, attentive service, and inviting atmosphere makes it a true gem among restaurants. Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner or a place to indulge in exceptional cuisine, Balaboosta is the perfect choice. I can't wait to return and experience their culinary...

Absolutely wonderful Birthday dinner at Balaboosta in the West Village on Hudson and 12th. Extremely chill interior -great chill playlist for the music - and friendly greeting from the Hostess as soon as we walked in . All staff were really nice . Started with a couple cocktails, the Yalla and the Matos which was a tasty rye drink, get that . Started with Hummus and warm bread with that delicious green hot salsa on it and what tasted like good quality tahini. Get this. Delicious. Also tried the Shrimp Kataif which was 3 shrimp wrapped in crunchy kataifi with cucumber salad and a great sauce, absolutely delicious. Recommended. I asked for more bread too and that was brought out . I ordered a glass of the Sicilian white wine with my main which was the Salmon. It had a tangy green sauce and is fine but next time I'd try the Branzino. My friend got the Adobo steak and loved that. Got Potato Sabzi side dish which is spiced fried thick potato wedges with a white sauce and green onion, I really liked this too. Get it . For dessert we got the Baklava ice cream with a candle in it but next time I'd try the chocolate mousse or the churros. This is an awesome place with great food and service, also has seating at the bar but FYI they don't open til 5.30pm for dinner. Go...