ABOVE: The lamb kabob platter at Tabouli Grill Mediterranean Cuisine
10/15/2009
We headed over to the Tabouli Grill, one of the new restaurants in Bull’s Head after the mayoral debate today.
Tabouli replaced the Margot Café & Wine Bar in the strip mall which will soon also feature Coalhouse Pizza. The setup is pretty similar to Margot, with a casual atmosphere and colorful photography and decor.
Between the two of us, we figured we’d split the lamb kabob platter and also ordered a soup and the spinach and feta pie.
The lamb itself was very good, well seasoned and tender, and the salad was fresh and tasty but the portions fell below our expectations. For an $18 plate –at lunch, in Bull’s Head – I would have expected much more than the two candy bar sized kabobs with one side (in our case soggy-ish, though hand-cut French fries), a Mediterranean salad and half a piece of pita. The meal was preceded by a trio of pickled vegetables.
A similar dish at Layla’s Falafel downtown is not only less expensive but the portions are much larger – a dish you really must split.
BELOW: The spinach and feta pie.
–CP
Streets of Stamford and I are heading there tonight to add our two or three cents…
Several friends and I have eaten at Tabouli Grill and thorougly enjoyed the meals. The lamb is quality, and the grilling enhances the overall flavor. The pita breads are a cut above the others in town; overall we all enjoyed our meals, and felt the prices were not out of line for the area.
Thanks for reviewing, Chris! I have GOT to get over to Tabouli Grill, as it is just around the corner from me! I adore Layla’s but really want to get another takeout place in my repertoire.
This has been argued in our newsroom on several occasions because roughly 1/3 of our reporting staff lives in New York City.
“Falafel should cost four bucks.”
I don’t know about that, but the problem is that it’s a category of food that many people are used to paying a lot less for. The same could be said for the hamburger and I’ve dropped upwards of $20 burgers before.
Judith, as someone who often finds it difficult to compromise on quality – just last week I was talking about a $5 cup of black coffee – I understand where you are coming from.
Speaking of coffee, Tabouli offers locally roasted Zumbachs.
–CP
This is why I feel blessed to work in Midtown a few days a week where I’m only a short 7-train ride to phenomenal middle eastern food in Queens that is 1/2 (or less) the price. Of course, they can pull it off because of the volume, but I’m all the happier for it.
Hi Chris- I am glad you gave my new restaurant a try and am sorry to hear you felt the portions were too small. We believe in using the best quality ingredients where it really counts as in the lamb and this does not come cheap. The lamb entree is the most expensive item on the menu. I specifically designed my menu to be sensitive to the current economy and am a person who values value. There are many very reasonably priced items that are fresh, tasty and wholesome.
I appreciate your constructive criticism and hope you will continue to dine at Tabouli Grill.
Best,
Judith Roll
owner, Tabouli Grill
PS. Great photos!!! Can you send them to me?