oyster mushroom kebab, stinging nettle puree, sumac
The mushrooms were meaty like a soft tender abalone and i loved the charred almost crispy edges, but unfortunately, as @Chowseeker1999 reported, everything was overpowered by a lighter fluid taste as if these were grilled before they had a clean fire going.
butternut squash, feta, baharat, pepitas, fried sage, wildflower honey
If not for the feta and sage, this would have tasted exactly like a pumpkin pie. It was okay, wouldn’t order it again.
(new) almond blossom honey nougat glace, candied mandarinquat, pinenut nougatine, minted citrus salad
Highlight. My favorite out of all the desserts. The candied mint was brilliant.
I went last summer and didn’t understand the enthusiasm either.
I hated that licorice bonbon (which Jonathan Gold had also raved about), so I guess I’m an outlier on that one.
I didn’t have any zhoug when I went, but zhoug is one of my favorite things in the world and I would have been really miffed with a tiny portion. Maybe you can ask for more or would that be uncouth?
How was the zhoug by the way? Did I read that it was strawberry zhoug or something crazy like that? I like my zhoug strong and spicy, not sweet, although I guess a little sweetness could be okay if properly balanced.
I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as I enjoyed Bestia. The duck 'nduja hummus was nothing to write home about. The aged half duck was great as were the Middle Eastern cured meats. The lamb was so so. I agree that the licorice bon bon was too frozen, but I hate licorice and I loved it. Would much rather go to Bestia than return to Bavel.
I suspect the Bavel JB win comes from more than the food. They had a huge success with Bestia in an untried neighborhood. Then didn’t play it safe, and went in a completely different direction with their next project - middle eastern with an Israeli bent, no less. They cook from the heart, the food is really good and the place is a critics darling. Plus they’re natives, made their bones in L.A., and didn’t talk shit about the city… And I don’t care! Majordomo was robbed!
Bavel didn’t win the JB award. It went to Frenchette, another safe NYC French bistro (Le Coucou, Batard won the few years before). Any of the nominees (Bavel, Majordomo, Angler, Atomix) would have been more relevant winners.
Thanks! The only worry I think is their amazing fresh-made Pita. Do they give you Pitas that are partially baked and you finish them off in the oven for piping hot? Or are they pre-made already? Otherwise, looks delicious.
The only worry I think is their amazing fresh-made Pita. Do they give you Pitas that are partially baked and you finish them off in the oven for piping hot? Or are they pre-made already? Otherwise, looks delicious.