My search for the best falafel in New York continues….
The hippest new food trend in New York is taking two seemingly unrelated dishes and smashing them together. It’s more than just fusion food – it’s crazy culinary experimentation.
When these are successful, the food establishment in question often ends up with a line out the door (see the cronut or the ramen burger). Of course, media plays a big part in the hysteria. Aside from a mention in NY Magazine, Eastwood’s entry into the hybrid genre hasn’t gotten much attention. And so sadly (for them), no line outside the door.
Perhaps this review will change all that and the next time I try to get a hard boiled egg wrapped in a falafel at the Lower East Side take-out spot, I’ll be fighting my way to the front. That’s right. I said hard boiled egg wrapped in falafel. Who wants a cronut now?
It’s called an Israeli scotch egg and might be the perfect drunk food ever, with a super crunchy shell revealing lots of spice-flecked flavor and rich, yolk decadence. The side of tahini sauce is perfect for messy dipping.
If people can handle the out-of the-way location (Eastwood lies deep, deep in the Lower East Side), I think this will be the dish that puts them on the map. But I was ultimately brought here for their more traditional falafel sandwich.
The menu is a surprising conglomeration of salads and things you fry (like fish, chips and falafel). This food is served both in this super tiny makeshift dining room and in the larger bar next door.
I sat with my falafel pita and enjoyed it immensely. It overflowed with nicely salted french fries that must have been hand-cut from real potatoes. Points for quality and freshness.
Other signs at quality included a refreshing and modern spin on the usual tired ingredients that accompany the falafel. Here we had large colorful tomatoes (was that a chocolate variety?) and a lightly mayo-ed tangy cole slaw.
The falafel had a strong, persistent crunch and was loaded with lots of bright herbs and seeds on the inside. It was crumbly and tender – just the way falafel should be.
Once they perfected the falafel, these guys were smart to start experimenting. Now that the word is out (thanks to this very influential blog), it’s only a matter of time before the Israeli scotch egg will be the new food accessory of choice. Try it now before it’s too late!
Does Eastwood have the best falafel in NY? For a bar doing trendy hybrid concoctions, they have a surprisingly delicious falafel. The sandwich gets a 9 out of 10 since it is loaded with fresh and refreshing ingredients that complement the well-textured and flavored fritters.
| EASTWOOD |
| 200 Clinton Street (at East Broadway), Lower East Side (212) 233-0124 |
