Walking aimlessly around the edge of two cities one day where Union City and Weehawken meet on Park Ave., I spot an inconspicuous ambience for a seemingly inviting homey restaurant.
GARBANZO.
"Babe, that place looks cute!"
I peak in from across the street on Union City ground, carefully cross the street now on Weehawken to grab their menu from their lowly gated outdoor seating area for a rapid glance. The inside and decor reminds me of a Starbucks. I sort of see minimalist chic pea decorations intricately stuffed in small clear vases/glasses on white table runners of small brown tables (at that time). I skim the menu, and shove it in my bag for later detailed choosing, along with later storing it in my boyfriend's top drawer of other menus for quick access to our stack of emergency-places-to-call-for-munchies. We walk back to the edge of U.C. again then to my car.
I remember finally ordering in one existential Sunday afternoon. Got a rice bowl and some pita chips with salsa. Passed by taste test but testing out a new restaurant, at least for a introverted homebody, probably was not the best idea. At the time, it worked, especially for a dreadful day such as Pre-Monday.
Fast forward to weeks later, again walking aimlessly to recover from the regular drudgery of work in the same area, the mood was right with a mellow dusky atmosphere, a goldilocks weather kinda day, inspiring, comfortable. We saunter inside.
We are met with Aradhna, (please forgive my spelling!) the co-owner of what we later found out after many successful repeated visits of two other restaurants in the neighborhood. I purchase my now ultimate favorite dish during their lunch hour ($1 off regular menu + complimentary bottled drink) the Falafel Platter. Absolutely delicious! I wish I had a photo but I also wanted to devour my meal after splitting and spreading out the falafel pieces all over my dish. And it felt so instagrammy; maybe next time. [Edit: 1/21/16 added photos]
The Falafel Platter comes with fresh shepard salad (cucumbers, mixed romaine lettuce?, diced tomatoes, and light translucent dressing), a side of grilled vegetables (such as a slice of red bell pepper, zucchini, etc.), rice of your choice (they had vermicelli but I substituted it for brown rice - so well done, too!), 4 warm pita bread halves, a dressing of choice (take the garlic one, so light!), and 6 meatball sized fried falafel pieces. I always ask for a bottle of their succulent Red Wine Vinegar for added dressing; I had this included in a rice bowl in my delivery last time and my boyfriend's order was another rice bowl so I stole some of his the first time we dined in. I am telling you - the red wine vinegar added SO MUCH FLAVOR with practically no added salt. (I have to get the ingredients though).
You are also greeted with a glass bottle of water the shape of a single 750mL wine bottle to pour refills into your clear mason jar-coffee-like matching cups while you await your order. As a restaurant that participates in BYOB (yaaas), they also immediately prepare an ice bucket upon spotting your byob.
I don't want to be superfluous on information to this post, but I have to say, I've been meaning to share my experience with this restaurant for the longest. We have been visiting for over a year now since our lucky discovery. The owner has a son that pops by every now and then after school to grab a dollar or so from the register to, of course, buy some munchies nearby. We've seen her husband in passing, too, whom I believe manages the second of their three restaurants very few blocks down the same intersecting road off of Park Ave on 38th st. near Union City's City Hall called the Burrito Joint. Plain YUM. I am obsessed with Mexican cuisine.
So much for a rapid review, hah! I wanted to emulate a similar experience via text as I had in person. It truly is such a lovely place and has been slightly updated/altered every now and then, such as the adorable back faux bar area and their banner outside. Oh! They also have outdoor seating through the back behind their kitchen! Has a lovely summer bbq feel with another faux bar area to greet you!
I truly recommend you take a visit especially if you enjoy vegan or vegetarian dishes, and a fairly intimate atmosphere. I have yet to try their other meals, it is how much I truly love their falafel platter. I've also mused the idea of going vegan for health reasons, not so much for its now trendiness, and this spot just might make than transition actually happen - and with impeccable taste!
Thanks for reading, guys! Enjoy!!
