THE PLACE: I had a bit of post traumatic stress when I entered Buba Bureka in the former home of Manousheh. I loved that place and while they stuck it out in a very difficult neighborhood for a decade, Manousheh was forced to close last year. The Israeli-owned Buba Bureka (named for BUreka BAkery) did a quick turnaround, removed the seating and Lebanese touches, and serves food that is in a similar world to Manousheh. One thing that is definitely different are the long lines and the fact that Buba sells out every day often before noon.
THE MENU: Burekas, which are a Mediterranean savory pie, is the specialty here. In fact, this is the only spot in Manhattan (to my knowledge) that fully specializes in these puppies. Only four vegetarian fillings are on the regular menu: Potato, Cheese, Spinach Artichoke, and Corn. They are all served with a jammy egg, pickled veggies, and a colorful array of sauces (tomatoes, tahini, and bright green schug).
THE DISH: I was most intrigued by the Sweet Corn Bureka, which is not what I would expect to find on a menu in Israel, Turkey, Albania, or any of the other countries that traditionally make burekas. The guy behind the counter assured me this was the staff’s favorite. Enough said. The corn had a hint of sweetness and some nice texture – it was enlivened by some melted cheese. The filling in total was not too hefty and I found this to be a lighter snack that went down a bit too quickly. But it was super flavorful and served with so many delicious goodies. Crunchy and a bit spiced, the phyllo dough was tender and buttery without being overly rich. It was also studded with some seeds and garlic, not too far from everything seasoning. With the olives, pickles, and eggs, I felt like I had a to-go platter fit for a king. This first taste made me relax and know that the restaurant space I used to visit all the time is once again in very good hands. Price: $16
| BUBA BUREKA |
| 193 Bleecker Street (between Sixth Avenue and MacDougal Street), Greenwich Village |
| bubabureka.com |
