Taiim Falafel Shack Serves Up Middle Eastern Comfort Food

My Isabel used to question why, when I’d buy a new jacket, for instance, I’d let it rest in the closet a few weeks before wearing it. I’d tell her that I wanted it to first get comfortable in its environment.

I can be that way with restaurants, as well. Let them survive infancy before visiting. This would explain why I’ve just recently become a fan of (the)Taiim Falafel Shack in Hastings.

This Warburton Avenue eatery isn’t really a shack. It’s an attractive restaurant with food, service, tables and a rumored restroom. I sense “shack” underpromises but then delivers both a tasty gustatory and not-unpleasant visual experience.

Sean Carmody is the manager, clearly an Irishman happy in Israeli camouflage. He’s peppy and encyclopedic; ready, willing and able to ensure you’re as happy as he is.

Falafel is fun to say as well as eat. At Taiim it’s hot, crunchy, and comfortable inside the pita (I forgot to ask for wholewheat), prancing with tomato, cuke, green onion, parsley, turnips and tahini dressing.

They also feature nine different hummuses (hummi?), each with its own little twist. Having been to garlic prison on a prevous visit I stuck with the lime. Which reminds me, if you plan on kissing anyone in the near future, I simply suggest you bring him/her with you. It cuts down on the static.

What else? The chicken shawama sliced on the vertical rotisserie is snappy. Go easy on the garlic cream. And you’ll appreciate the extra large glass of water. They also have nectars which I’ll surely try one of these days when I’m more settled in.

Finally, the prices: you can eat a lot of food here for ten bucks. So when it comes time to pay, I overtip—not just for the peppiness but because I always suspect I’ve been undercharged.

Crowd:  Peeps who look comfortable not eating hamburgers

Think About:  One dish at a time unless you enjoy bring ‘em homes

Don’t Miss: Sean’s patter among the platters

Bring: A sweater. They like to keep the door open

The Essentials: 598 Warburton Ave., Hastings. (914) 478-0006.www.taiimfalafelshack.com