Unlike Martin Short’s character on Only Murders in the Building, I have never been someone who could make a meal out of dips.
It does make sense though – how are dips and bread much different than pizza or a deconstructed sandwich? I get it, but it’s just never seem to be my thing.
That brings me to Zou Zou’s, a Midtown hot spot that has been on my list since they opened in 2021. I finally stopped by for lunch and since I was dining solo on a budget and wanted to taste some of their signatures, I surrendered.
I couldn’t bring myself to order a salad or the lobster kebab (at $51), so all of a sudden, the trio of dips didn’t seem so crazy.
There are five different dips to order, but I thought, on my own, that three would be sufficient. They come with either vegetable crudite or grilled Turkish flatbread called bazlama. I treated myself to both. Sandwich and salad!
My unimpressive photo does not do the platter justice, as it was lavishly served. The fresh crisp vegetables and buttery bread were supported by three very different dips, that were all delicious and unique.
The chickpea dip (aka hummus) was rich and nutty – enhanced by a drizzle of complex black garlic oil.
Not so different from baba ganoush, the ember-roasted eggplant was deeply smoky with a hint of sweetness and topped with spicy, tangy piquillo peppers.
And finally, the beautiful tangy green tahini hid under a cloud of aquafaba (chickpea water) foam and cilantro threads which was playful and added a nice pop to the snappy crisp vegetables.
After consuming all three dips, along with the irresistible bread and fresh veggies, I may be a dip convert. I was pleasantly full and satisfied. Price: $25/$35
| ZOU ZOU’S |
| 385 Ninth Avenue (between West 33rd and 34th Street), At Manhattan West Midtown West (212) 380-8585 |
| zouzousnyc.com |
