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Balaboosta
Category: Restaurants Mediterranean Mediterranean [Edit]
214 Mulberry St(between Spring St & Prince St)
New York, NY 10012
Neighborhood: Nolita
(212) 966-7366
- Nearest Transit:
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Spring St (4, 6, 6X)
Bowery (J)
Prince St (N, R)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 5:30 pm - 11 pm
Tue-Fri 12 pm - 3 pm
Fri-Sat 5:30 pm - 11:30 pm
Sat-Sun 11 am - 4 pm
Sun 5:30 pm - 10 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
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$$$
- Parking:
- Garage, Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
147 reviews for Balaboosta
Review Highlights
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"LOVED the fried olives (best way to have them." In 23 reviews -
"personal fave - the crispy cauliflower." In 12 reviews -
"and 1 eggplant bruschetta (must have." In 11 reviews
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147 reviews in English
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Review from Scott L.
5/24/2012
It sucks when you can't agree on a place to eat with your travel partner. Using The New York Times and Time Out as a cross reference, Balaboosta was on my list.
Balaboosta sounds like ball buster, but it's a cozy bistro on the outskirts of tacky little Italy and served as a good lunch spot to rest in between The Jewish Museum and The New Museum.
Fried olives were good, even though I had better in Italy. The lamb burger rocked, and wine glasses went as cheap as $10. $50 a piece you'll need for an appetizer, drinks, entree and tip. It's a nice little place, nothing amazing, but a good European bistro for sure, better than it has to be.
XO -
Review from Cecilia Z.
New York, NY
Updated - 5/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
After revisiting Balaboosta for lunch very recently, I have to update my previous review. The service, plus food, this time around were leaps and bounds better than my first brunch experience.
I absolutely loved our waitress, who checked on us repeatedly and gave many congratulations to my graduating (because she took notice to the bouquets I came into the restaurant holding). She even sent out a complimentary chocolate hazelnut mousse dessert to congratulate me!
As a lover of Middle Eastern/Mediterranean cuisine, I have to admit that Balaboosta is really one of the better options in the city. I look forward to returning for dinner soon, as their blackboard specials always sound so interesting.Listed in: Brunchin' Around
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/25/2011
I had high hopes for Balaboosta. The food alone would have warranted 3-4 stars, but dammit, you… Read more »
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Review from Mickey M.
New York, NY
5/15/2012
Had an excellent lunch here today.
I had the grilled zucchini and goat cheese panini ($12). Very flavorful. Companion ordered the 'lamburger' ($15), which was also terrific.
Service was mostly attentive, and our waters were refilled with adequate regularity. Will return! -
Review from Peter L.
Manhattan, NY
5/21/2012 Seated via OpenTable
A great experience.
Partner has Coeliac Disease and they had no problems in meeting her dietary requirements.
Service was terrific and food great. Highly recommended -
Review from Lissa V.
2/29/2012
I had a lovely date here Monday night. Good company and good food, a perfect way to start the week.
Balaboosta strikes gold with it's great location in soho, but has a sort of tucked away, quiet neighborhood feel. The atmosphere is warm and quaint, the specials are written on a chalkboard on the side wall. Service is just as inviting and friendly.
I had a glass of the red sangria. I prefer when sangria comes in a wine glass not a cocktail glass but that's just personal preference, obviously doesn't make or break the drink. We shared the eggplant brushetta to start then I had the grilled lamb chops. Wow, the chops were fantastic, so much flavor. My date had the brick chicken, which I snagged a bite of and was also good.
All in all I really liked this cozy little Mediterranean spot. The food was quite tasty, it's a good thing my date listened to Mr. Platt, they're like BFFs... OK I'm lying, but it caught your attention didn't it? Put Balaboosta on your list.Listed in: Date Night Approved, Adam Platt's 101
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Review from Harper S.
Updated - 3/17/2012
I'm not sure what happened here in the past few months. There was a period where I could never get a reservation no matter what time or day. It boggled my mind, then shortly after it was TOO easy. It's like there was an amazing NY Times write-up and then it all died down. It all died down with the staffing as well. It took so much for our waitress to get the order correct (we didn't ask for anything more complicated than what was on the menu) or refill our water glasses etc. This happened twice.
I'm not sure what happened here but I hope it changes because I really enjoy the food here and the low-keyness.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/26/2011
I just love this place. It's so lowkey and neighborhood-ish. The service is good, not great. The… Read more »
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Review from Jay Z.
Manhattan, NY
3/27/2012
Why Come Here? Unique Middle Eastern inspired cuisine, rustic, relaxed atmosphere
On north Mulberry, a street once again rendered useful to food lovers thanks to the likes of Torrisi, Rubirosa, lies Balaboosta. The space itself is rustic and casual with a small open kitchen in the back. The best way to describe the food is Middle Eastern inspired. This leads to many interesting flavor combinations which means I can pretty much guarantee you'll experience a taste sensation you've never had before. And in case you need more convincing, it's from the team behind Taim, makers of the city's best falafel sandwich.
I've been here twice and there are lots of small plates on the menu, so I've narrowed the list below to my top picks. For more reviews and photos, please check DishEnvy.
Burrata and Herb Roasted Tomatoes: It's basically a big bruschetta, but it's hard to go wrong with burrata. There's also a nice smokey-sweetness to the dish.
Dr. Dave's Grilled Pizza: Goat cheese and caramelized onions is certainly not an exciting combination these days, but it works very well here with the sweet carrot puree on a crispy, spiced flatbread.
Spice Rubbed Skirt Steak: A very interesting blend of middle eastern spices unlike anything I've ad on a steak. The meat is tender, flavorful and perfectly cooked.
Crispy Cauliflower: I don't always love cauliflower but theirs is well cooked and has a great blend of spices. -
Review from Cherie L.
New York, NY
5/12/2012 1 photo
i fell in love with taim so when i found out she opened a restaurant, i was eager to give it a try. and i'm so glad it did because it did not disappoint! i had the goat cheese panini which had generous portion of the cheese with marinated zucchini, olives, and roasted red peppers on a crusty panini... the amagamation of the individual components created something magical. it came of a rocket salad which i did not care for, it was overly salty. i also ordered the sampler which came with some tzatziki, roasted red peppers, and hummus... and as expected, they were all excellent and served with fresh fluffy pita. can't wait to try some of the other refreshing things on the menu... especiall the corn flake crusted chicken and quinoa salad.
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Review from Alex R.
Jersey City, NJ
4/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
Fabulous find. Came in the other day for a quick bite, bordering on late brunch. My friend and I were seated right away, no wait. The menu reminded me of the ever popular Cafe Gitane, with less emphasis on sandwiches. We opted for the Mediterranean sampler, which was one of the best trios of roasted eggplant, roasted red peppers and hummus I have had in a long time. It came with piping hot duo of freshly baked pita, dusted in zatar. Heavenly and addictive. Also recommended is the in-house made merguez sausages, grilled and served with lemony aioli in a toasted chiabatta bread, with a side of equally piping hot patatas bravas, drizzled with more aioli. A freshly brewed pot of mint tea, which I later decided to refill and serve over ice, was delicious and soothing, fresh mint and all. I highly recommend Balaboosta and want to come back soon for dinner.
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Review from Jess K.
1/10/2012
For as much as I enjoy SoHo, sometimes I want a good bite to eat without the scene or crowds... Balaboosta is the perfect spot, nestled between SoHo/NoLiTa on a quiet patch of Mulberry Street. Balaboosta's interior is clean, modern, and chic... the tables and bar area highlight beautiful thick wooden surfaces with steel pipe accents. The ceiling is made from refurbished wood planks, but otherwise the walls are stark white with plants and shelving used simply in the small space.
We sat at the bar (of course), facing a mirror-paneled bar back splash with a nice array of wines and liquors.
That Sunday afternoon it was difficult for me to narrow down my selection, there were a few things on the menu that particularly piqued my interest: the poached eggs on challah, the Mediterranean platter, Arugla salad with grilled chicken, and Shakshuka, a traditional Israeli spicy baked egg dish. I ended up with the poached eggs on challah, the challah was freshly baked and thickly sliced and the roasted butternut squash was a nice addition to the dish.
Aside from the delicious food, Balaboosta had good service, great welcoming interior, and is in a fantastic location -- look forward to going back to try other things on the menu. -
Review from Valery C.
3/25/2012 9 photos
I have a soft spot for Middle Eastern cuisine (while conceding I have a great many soft spots) and I've patronized many a casual, hole-in-the-wall joint serving up their hearty, satisfying food. I was greatly interested in trying Balaboosta, which offers an upscale-ish take of this wonderful cuisine.
A perfect neighborhood restaurant with an easy-going vibe, Balaboosta has a warm, dark wood-panelled dining space, made more inviting with window views of a Nolita street from any seat in the dining room. A big chalkboard hangs above the windows, showing the day's specials. A small bar, semi-separated by wood and metal shelving filled with wine bottles, sits near the entrance. From outside the restaurant, there's even a view of the open kitchen. Seating at the wooden tables is cozy and a bit cramped. It feels casual and unpretentious, but with a polish. It can be noisy when the dining room is full.
We arrived with reservations, were promptly greeted and seated. Service was friendly and efficient throughout.
From their dinner menu are three sections: small plates, appetizers, and entrees. Typically, Middle Eastern fare excels at appetizers over entrees, and with none of the entrees gaining any proponents, our group went with a medley from the small categories. Served family style for us, the dishes arrived quickly, possibly just a bit too quick as we ran out of table space. One of the features of Middle Eastern cuisine I like is a characteristic sour tang from lemon and yogurt; I have many friends who don't like this cuisine for this very reason. Balaboosta uses it to good effect, and many dishes feature it.
No disappointments at all, I loved everything we tried. The bar snack-ish fried olives with labne had an assertive tang. Spiced, crispy cauliflower were a big hit at the table, addictively tasty. Very tender, grilled octopus was topped with a refreshing fennel salad. Two appetizers arrived atop big, rustic, toasted bread slices, one smeared with an excellent, smoky baba ghanoush and herbs, and another with fresh olive oil-drizzled burrata, grilled tomato, and scallion. The daily ceviche, fluke in this case, was tasty, tart, and pretty, but not quite as memorable. The half-done hummus arrived in a mortar, with pestle awaiting your labor for the final grinding, earthy and smooth, with big, herb-crusted pita to eat it on. Possibly the best dish were shrimp, cooked perfectly with a snap when you bite, wrapped in crunchy, tasty phyllo, and smothered in a fish roe sauce that adds a perfect saltiness and creaminess. What a combination of flavors and textures! If we hadn't already ordered so much (and this not being our only stop of the night), we'd have placed another order. Dishes were a great size for sharing among our group of four.
Balaboosta does not serve liquor, but they offer a small list of sustainable and/or organic wines, and cocktails made from wines. We opted for a pitcher of red sangria, but were not impressed by it, the flavor of wine too weak.
Overall, Balaboosta is highly recommended for a more refined take on Middle Eastern cuisine without compromising its rustic, hearty flavors and textures. A great neighborhood restaurant, I envy those who can stop by here more often. Then again, stopping by unplanned may not be realistic as its quite popular and reservations are recommended, aside from very early and very late.Listed in: Platt 101 (2012), Sifty Fifty (2011)
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Review from Peter C.
4/15/2012
My wife and I stumbled on this place while looking for a lunch spot; after being seated it occurred to me I had bookmarked it earlier. Pleasant surprise. Warm and professional service with a small varied menu for lunch. We shared the delicious lamb burger and shakshouka eggs. Both were well seasoned and flavorful, with a nice rustic homey plating style. Highly recommended.
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Review from Joyce H.
3/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
Delicious unique Mediterranean brunch in a cute spot in SoHo. Tastefully decorated and not in your face, this restaurant served up delectable dishes in just the right portion size. A friend and I shared the Shakshuka, eggs baked in tomatoes, and poached eggs on challah with diced butternut squash, mushrooms, and side salad. Both were really good - the challah was toasted well and all the flavors complemented each other in an interesting (but good!) way. The Shakshuka was a bit on the spicy side for me. Place is affordable too - $13 for each dish. Come before 12:30 to avoid the brunch rush!
Listed in: New York Fattening, BRUUUUUNNNNCCCHHH
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Review from Lauren L.
Manhattan, NY
2/29/2012
Went here with my parents when they were visiting and it was a major highlight. I love the neighborhood Balaboosta is in, and we had a nice walk down Mulberry through Little Italy after dinner. You can see into the kitchen from the street, and the feel inside is homey and chic at the same time. It's like you're in someone's living room that you never want to leave. We ordered the hummus that comes with a mortar and pestle and is only half ground, and it was great. All of the entrees were amazing, but the chicken was the highlight. They all also came with great sides, and the cauliflower we got for the table was delicious.
One of my favorites! I want to come back and try brunch! -
Review from Samantha C.
Manhattan, NY
12/31/2011
Balaboosta means "good housewife" in yiddish. And this is exactly what you get, good, home cooking(?) Well, not exactly, more like etherial home cooking.
Bring a group of friends that don't mind sharing and go for the appetizers and small plates: hummus (airy, touch-the-sky pita bread), pizza (with a provocative carrot mash like you've never envisioned carrots before), shrimp (this is a must order), burrata (i.e. mozzarella - creamy and sensuous), and cauliflower (even non-vegetable eaters guffawed).
There was a special of short ribs last night. If you're a meat afficianado, get meat, if not, stick to the smaller plates and drink sangria and good conversation.
As for dessert: my boyfriend whose studying to be a pastry chef said: The Knafeh was inspired. Everything from the strawberry jam that it lay upon to the ineffable cheese inside (was it goat cheese? Ricotta? We are still guessing), to the "Persian cotton candy" - like melt-in-your mouth strings of halvah, and finally pistachio ice cream - thick and unctuous. A perfect end to a meal. Next time I would've gotten two of these middle eastern "Cheesecakes." -
Review from Patty T.
New York, NY
12/21/2011
I love this place! The decor is soo comforting like you are in someones dining room.
Great place for lunch..Fried olives and potato appetizer is fantastic! -
Review from Steven W.
Updated - 11/16/2011
4.5 Stars--Balaboosta is a Yiddish term meaning "perfect housewife." It should mean "FLAVOR BLAST!" That is how you feel with EVERY bite!
I can't stress enough how flavorful the food is here. At a recent brunch with my family, we had one of those experiences where every bite made you think "Holy S, I can't believe how good this is!"
Some of the items we ate:
Coconut Brioche French Toast stuffed with cream cheese, w/ blackberry coulis,
Poached Eggs On Grilled Challah with portobello, corn & fava bean fricassee, saffron aioli, and mixed green salad,
Grilled Breakfast Pizza with caramelized onions, spinach, zucchini, two sunny side eggs, feta and za'atar
Goat Cheese Panino pesto, roasted red peppers, grilled zucchini, kalamata olives, served with arugula salad
Minus a half star for indifferent service...1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/6/2011
If you've eaten at Einat Admony's other restaurant in NYC, Taim, you already know she has no problem… Read more »
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Review from Mary Cecilia M.
Manhattan, NY
3/10/2012
Tucked away on a busy but quintessential street in Nolita, Balaboosta provided for a pleasant late-morning brunch on an unseasonably warm winter day. I was impressed with not only the menu but also the fresh and healthy ingredients, the service and the beautiful interior decor. I highly recommend the green eggs and quinoa hash.
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Review from Heather F.
Brooklyn, NY
2/22/2012
This was delicious - and very vegetarian friendly. My favorite dishes were the cauliflower, squash and the ceviche of the day was also divine. This was great ambiance and a good date spot to keep in mind. The seating felt a tad cramped [we were two and there were two couples on either side - so it felt quite close] - other than that I loved.
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Review from Shorty D.
Huntington Beach, CA
3/6/2012
By far, Balaboosta is my favorite restaurant in NYC. Definitely order the crispy cauliflower and fried olives. I went in a group of 8 so it was somewhat difficult for them to accommodate to our large group; I'd recommend this as more of a date spot. Debating making a trip out to NYC again soon, just for the Balaboosta olives. =)
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Review from Guy J.
New York, NY
3/10/2012 1 photo
A great spot in Nolita, the owner won the Chopped Show twice. For brunch order the shashouka eggs. Great ambiance at a great brunch price
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Review from Gianni G.
New York, NY
10/18/2011
When you walk into Balaboosta you feel like your going to be spending the evening not in New York City, but at a relatives house in the countryside. The entire restaurant feels like you are are eating in someone's dining room and is very welcoming.
We started with three small plates: the House Pickles- which I felt bad even eating because it was one of the best looking plates of food I've ever seen. The Hummus- a very large serving for a small plate and is nice to be able to mix to your own consistency. Then the Crispy Cauliflower- this is one of the best appetizers I have ever had, ever.
Chicken Under a Brick- this was recommended to me and I'm glad I got it, very interesting flavors, and the chicken is cooked perfectly. Familiar couscous but still great tasting.
Seared Bass- a nice refreshing dish, only had a bite but it looked great.
The wine list is well priced and offers something for everyone. If you are looking to have a nice dinner where you can have a conversation and feel at home, this is a great place to be. -
Review from Lee X.
New York, NY
2/28/2012
I came here for brunch on a sunday and was surprised to find a table waiting for us. I did read that this place doesn't have lines so i guess i shouldn't have been surprised. Anyway, the place is quite small and the tables are literally right next to each other. If you want to hear all about your neighbors rough weekend, please come here. I ordered the french toast which was satisfactory. It was somewhat off tasting like there was too much cream cheese on it or something. Other than the fact that i didn't eat my dish, the place was nice. My friends all enjoyed their meals. I would not come back.
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Review from Brion R.
10/17/2011
"Enjoyable Medi in the 'Lita"
Went here on work dinner (of course I chose it) after reading about its accolades from Eater.....and of course my fellow Yelpers.
This is a really nice space that is complemented by the sensible layout that doesn't cramp you like a Dishes line at noon in Midtown. Both the hostess and server were very pleasant, so atypical for this type of establishment in this neighbourhood. Everyone enjoyed their meals, which included the Branzino and the Lamb. Cooked to the right temperature, thoroughness and spiced well.
This place is great if you need to "crowd please" a diverse and picky bunch.
Pros: Perfect noise level -- you can speak to everyone at your table, but it still has a lively ambience. The food is elegant yet accessible, and technically, just well just strong!
Cons: Vegetarians won't starve, but not the perfect place for them
Random: Sole picture of an ugly, scary woman on the wall
Bonus: Cool and enjoyable bottled sparkling water! -
Review from Kaye O.
Manhattan, NY
4/12/2012
I really loved this place. The extremely knowledgeable bartender recommended an interesting and delicious wine from the extensive list that paired well with the vegetarian meal I was anticipating. The small plates were fantastic--interesting, thoughtful, and carefully prepared without being precious. I had the fried olives, the cauliflower, the mortar and pestle hummus, and the eggplant. The pasta I ordered as an entree was fresh, creative, and tasty. There are many options for vegans here and the food is clearly of a very high quality. I also enjoyed the boxes of recipes and cookbooks on the shelves; it was fun to browse them while waiting for the food. An additional bonus is that the prices are very reasonable.
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Review from Michelle K.
Manhattan, NY
4/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
always worth trying something new, the menu is rich, the food is great and the stuff is wounderful considering the place is packed!! reserve your table.
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Review from Makenna C.
Portland, OR
9/30/2011
Came here after seeing it listed on Eater.com's 38 places to eat and taking a gander at the menu. I'm a little conflicted - the space was cute and homey and our initial greeting was friendly. Unfortunately our server - a very skinny, very effeminate gentleman - seemed as if we were intruding on his home and demanding he serve us. He seemed very put out by even the smallest extra task. Not very endearing.
I thought that the food was very good but the marinated octopus seemed like a little bit of a cop-out for the money ($14 for "marinated octopus" which apparently means one, just ONE, rather small tentacle). While delicious, I wish our server would have told us it was so small since we were making it obvious we were sharing as a table. The cauliflower, the whole fish, and the pasta dish were probably my favorites of the evening.
So many ups and downs, three stars it is. -
Review from elise h.
New York, NY
7/18/2011
We came here on a Saturday night (had reservations) and PIGGED OUT. All of the food was so good, we just couldn't help it! I had never heard of this place before my visit, but it's definitely one of the many cute, trendy places in SoHo with delicious food that is worth a try.
The appetizers are where it's at with this place. Fried olives to dip in cold lebne, crispy cauliflower, to-die-for hummus with pita . . . but the king of our smorgasbord of appetizers was the pita pizza. Instead of tomato sauce, they spread a carrot puree on top of crispy pita bread as a sauce base, then dab it with a couple of huge slices of warm goat cheese and some caramelized onions. Mmmm MMMM mmm, we liked this pizza so much we decided to try to make it at home one night.
I was very happy with the vegetarian entree, a delicious pasta that had asparagus and lots of other green vegetables and was buttery, salty, and delicately flavored. It was such hearty, simple, fresh and satisfying food -- with a unique twist -- and I really wish I could have tried everything on the menu! The place was hopping with customers but I found our service to be spot on. Drinks came quickly and appetizers and entrees came when they were supposed to. We took our time with our food and got our check when we needed it. The atmosphere is a bit busy and loud, so I wouldn't call it romantic, but it's still a pleasant dining room. Good to go to with a steady boyfriend or girlfriend, family or friends.
If you haven't tried this place I'd highly recommend making a reservation and arriving hungry. I hope to go back soon! -
Review from Nina R.
New York, NY
9/19/2011
I live nearby this place and never really noticed it. The exterior is extremely unassuming, but I've heard great things about the food.
Upon a friend's recommendation (incidentally...this friend is an Executive Chef), a few of us went to dinner here on Wednesday of last week. We sampled several tapas: Fried Olives, Smoked Eggplant Bruschetta, Crispy Cauliflower, Grilled Marinated Octopus & Shrimp "Kataïf". For entrees, we shared the Spice Rubbed Skirt Steak & Half Chicken.
As for the tapas, none were disappointing. who doesn't love fried things? That takes care of the olives, shrimp, and cauliflower. The eggplant bruschetta and octopus were also perfectly seasoned and cooked. If I had a pick a favorite? The shrimp...by a hair.
Both the steak and the chicken were also amazing. I never, ever order chicken from the menu...but this is one time that I made an exception and was delighted by how tender and juicy the meat was. A must order, I think.
I've heard such great things about the Burrata and Branzino...I will return again soon to try both. -
Review from Serena T.
7/25/2011 7 photos
I had been eager to dine at Mediterranean restaurant Balaboosta for a while now, and an eating buddy was recently able to get our party of four a reservation. Considering the rezzie had to be made a few weeks out (for a Thursday night, no less), I was looking forward to seeing if the food lived up to its hype. Would I be pleasantly satisfied, sorely disappointed or fall somewhere in between?
As there were four of us, we decided to order a variety of starters before delving into our entrees. We first started with a traditional dish - the hummus "mortar and pestle" with tahini, lemon and roasted garlic.
Served with warm seasoned pita, the hummus was well seasoned, garlicky and hearty. We quickly made history of this dish - yum! The only thing that was roundly agreed by the table was the temperature at which this dish was served - the hummus was cold, and it is traditionally served at room temperature. With this one small adjustment, this appy would have been perfect.
We also ordered the fried olives & organic labne with harissa oil. I'm usually not the biggest fan of olives (ok, I tend to avoid them entirely), but I'm always willing to give food a second, third or fourth try. I was so glad that I did because these fried olives were warm, crispy and pleasantly tangy, while the labne with harissa oil added a cool and creamy contrast. I totally would have licked this dish clean if I were eating alone. Ha!
Our third appetizer was crispy cauliflower with currants and pine nuts. My picture of this dish is a tad blurry, a common side effect when I get excited about food. I never thought I'd be excited about cauliflower, but I really loved this preparation (errrrm, I'm sure the battered and fried-ness didn't hurt, haha). As expected, the cauliflower was served hot and crispy, and was extremely scrumptious. If all veggies could taste like this I would be ALL over that.
We finished our appetizer selection with a special - the calamari salad on a bed of frisee (first photo). Frisee is one of my least favorite greens (seriously, I pick out all traces of frisee from my lunch salad), despite my best attempts to like it. I didn't change my mind this night, but that had nothing to do with the dish itself - the calamari, grape tomatoes and tangy vinaigrette tasted fresh and light. I give this dish two thumbs up.
For our entrees, my three eating buddies all ordered the grilled lamb chops with Persian lime sauce, roasted sunchokes and pearl onions.
Mmm, did they choose well. I snuck a little bite off a buddy's dish, and the lamb chops were tender and flavorful without being gamey, and the Persian lime sauce was at once cool and rich. The roasted sunchoke mash was mild and absorbed the flavors of the dish beautifully. I would definitely order this dish if I dined here again!
I decided to live on the edge a bit and ordered something a little different - for my entree, I chose the grilled whole branzino with baby root vegetable salad, roasted potatoes, and lemon-dill sauce. Mmmmm - I love whole fish! The outside of the branzino was satisfyingly crispy, while the meat was tender and juicy. The accompanying lemon-dill sauce perfectly complemented this fish, while the roasted asparagus was perfect for a warm summer evening.
We finished off the evening with the banana-date pread pudding with yogurt ice cream. There was a reason that 3 tables around us all ordered the bread pudding - it was lusciously decadent, with a crispy exterior and satisfyingly chewy middle. The tang of the yogurt ice cream prevented this dessert from becoming cloyingly sweet, while the heartiness of the pudding itself made for a solid end to this meal.
My dining experience at Balaboosta was highly satisfying, with excellent food, lively decor, and knowledgeable service. If you ever find yourself in SoHo with a hankering for Mediterranean fare, give a Balaboosta a try - you won't regret it!
Fresh and well-prepared Mediterranean fare in a lively atmosphere. -
Review from Ali P.
College Point, NY
1/22/2012
I liked this place. The ambiance is cool, and warm, the service was good. I didn't think it was one of the most amazing places in the Nolita area. I liked the dishes we ordered. They were good, but very forgettable. I love love TAIM, the best falafel in NYC. Will I come back? Maybe, but I wouldn't say that I must. Overall, I would say good.
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Review from Noah G.
New York, NY
5/11/2011
I love Taiim in the West Village! This one (by the same woman) is very nice too, but totally overpriced! The space is very cozy and true to it's Nolita location, and it's always full which makes it fun.
We ordered fried olives in labna (meh), an eggplant (babaganoush) bruschetta (which was fantastic, however $11 for one piece of bread with eggplant on it is unacceptable) and falafel-wrapped meatballs (utterly pointless because you could barely taste the meat).
The main courses were good but again overpriced. The chicken was cooked perfectly and incredibly rich in flavor. The sauce it went with was tangy and mixed well with all of the dishes we ordered. We also had the sea-bass, which was cooked nicely, but totally overpriced! For $28, you can go elsewhere (like abc kitchen) and have a fantastic fish dish much better than what they served here.
Overall, the meal is good, but I wouldn't return unless someone else was going to cover the bill!! -
Review from Lily T.
San Francisco, CA
4/2/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Amazing service and great food.
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Review from Aliza A.
New York, NY
10/11/2011
Excellent first courses (including really good hummus)
vegetarian main courses where not that exciting but still tasty -
Review from Suzie Q.
Brooklyn, NY
10/25/2011
Even though they were closing shortly after we arrived the service was friendly and efficient which I always appreciate.
There is something about their hummus that is to die for; plenty of roasted garlic and perfectly nutty and smooth chickpeas purreed into creamy perfection.
The atmosphere felt very warm and cozy, which made me feel at home. There was a recipe box next to our table with old cut out newspaper recipes.
Charming and delicious. -
Review from Michelle L.
Cincinnati, OH
7/11/2011
The atmosphere and decor are lovely - good for a small group of girlfriends for cocktails or a date.
The drinks I had at the bar (the Hana, which had a great incorporation of basil, and a normal but pretty tasty sangria) were the most delightful of the evening. I'd go back for drinks and appetizers alone easily.
Overall, the treatment of veggies are innovative and interesting - fried cauliflower and eggplant bruschetta were both delicious (but in my opinion, slightly overpriced). My entree of the monkfish was not the best monkfish I've had - not sure how the other meat/non-veggie dishes are.
Overall, i think this restaurant has real potential as a dedicated tapas & drinks place - did not wow me as a multi-course meal destination. -
Review from Chris H.
Fake meat is murder. Or at the very least, an offense to one's culinary sensibilities. On my soapbox, I've decried the contemptible existence of fake meat products that some less enlightened restaurants serve for their vegetarian punters. To wit; tofurkey, textured vegetable protein made to vaguely resemble bacon or sausage, soy scrambled 'eggs'? Balaboosta save us.
Balaboosta serves as a reliable denotation that vegetarian food *CAN* be exciting. Sexy even.
We'd unconsciously ordered an almost completely vegetarian meal, not because of any inclination towards healthier or wealthier goals, but because these were the most appealing dishes on the menu. Fried cauliflower with a sprinkle of currants and pine nuts was addictive-ly good. So was the za'atar flecked patatas bravas, which arrived screaming hot and crispy with a luxurious side of garlic aioli.
Course after course arrived, with nary the animal protein component that one comes to expect from the New York dining experience. A smoked eggplant bruschetta, with a baby soft puree of eggplant topped with a wonderfully refreshing parsley salad was so good, that we talked of canceling our main course in lieu of another order of bruschetta. Similar talk followed after a course of dreamy sunchoke and chestnut soup, topped with a finicky dallop of crème fraiche and sprinkle of nigela seeds.
To further drive home the point of this review, our main course of Balaboosta's famous preparation of half chicken cooked 'under a brick', the lone source of animal protein of the meal, was the least exciting dish of the evening. Oh sure, the chicken was deftly cooked - the innards moist and the exterior pleasantly crispy. But the conceptualizer of this dish had lost their nerve with the seasoning, and the brilliance of the previous parade of vegetarian dishes faded to a weak after-glow. -
Review from Alyssa Y.
New York, NY
8/11/2011
Flavorful, creative, and homey. Love this place because it's casual and a residential fav despite the hype and craze that often takes over nolita/soho.
My party originally just ordered a number of tapas, but when I still had some room left over, we decided to share an entree, a pasta special which was only so-so. I suggest getting a pitcher of sangria and staying the night ordering tapas until you're full. The watermelon and feta salad was delicious, the pickled vegetables perfectly pickled, and the kataif shrimp and falafal perfectly seasoned/cooked. Totally worth the dent in your wallets.
Service was lovely-- when my mother somewhat rudely told the waiter "This sangria tastes like juice" he promptly returned with two carafes or rose and poured it into the pitcher, on the house. That's what I call good service. -
Review from Anna D.
Brooklyn, NY
12/30/2011
Every single thing we ordered was fantastic. You don't get that often in NYC restaurants, even at those that have great reviews. The burrata on grilled bread is the best! Also I really loved that the restaurant wasn't pork-centric like so many other NYC restaurants. Lots of veggies, fish, and many options that are vegetarian friendly.
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Review from Daphne H.
4/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Decided to come here since Spring Natural was packed. It was a Saturday afternoon and my friend Catherine S. and I were hungry. Balaboosta's mediterranean fare seemed appealing.
I went for the Poached Organic Eggs which i think was a good choice. It was fresh and delicious. I think they might have been short handed because there were only 2 servers and 1 hostess and by the time our coffees needed refills, it was difficult to get anyone's attention. But the ambience was cute, the couple next to us seemed like they were on a date and to the other side of us was a family of 3.
I'd be back to give it another chance when it isn't so understaffed. But the food was delicious, at least my meal was. My friend Catherine's Green eggs were kinda lukewarm...but the quinoa hashbrown was yummy. Next time I guess?? :)
