Falafels has been around for a while now, but the all-new menu, featuring quite a selection of non-vegetarian dishes is designed to please carnivores. The iDiva team recently reviewed Falafels at High Street Phoenix and here’s what our evening looked like.
When we got to the first floor of Sky Zone where Falafels occupies a small but sufficient space right next to Marks & Spencer, the staff was friendly enough and joined two tables in order to accommodate eight of us. We then went about ordering from the menu, which frankly, I think is rather elaborate for a small joint like this one.
We started off with a Fiery Smoked Hummus, served with pita bread and pickles. The generous portion was enough to go around the table of eight once, getting rather mixed reviews. There was a slightly overpowering flavour of chilli powder, as opposed to the paprika that was promised; it made us wish we had played safe with a regular hummus. However, if you miss the spice in your Lebanese food, you might just enjoy this.
After our drinks – Mint Lime Coolers and Kashmiri Kawa Tea – arrived, we began to scan the non-vegetarian selection. We went with the Hummus with Chicken Shish Taouk – succulent chicken kebabs, cooked in a Middle-Eastern style and served in rich, creamy hummus. Definitely a must-try at Falafels. We also especially enjoyed the Turkish Tostada, a crispy tortilla with hummus, refried beans and salsa, topped with melted cheddar. Dig into this if you need a calorie-rich food fix, because I assure you, this one had rave reviews across the table.
We also tried the Turkish Pide Pizza (Tomato Cream Chicken), thanks to the tempting picture of the dish on the display board. Sadly, it was a bit of a let-down. The bread was soggy and the toppings were less than flavourful, unlike the other dishes on Falafels’ menu. We’d recommend you skip it.
If you’re in a group like we were, give the Chicken Shish Taouk Platter a shot. It includes the kebabs along with pita pockets, hummus, labneh, tabbouleh, pickled veggies, babaganoush and spicy schug sauce. But on a day when you’re super hungry, it could also work as a one-person meal.
All in all, Falafels didn’t disappoint. With so many palates to please, we think this little Lebanese eatery fared rather well, especially with its unique non-vegetarian offerings. Try it out when you’re shopping at Phoenix Mills in Lower Parel. It’s a great pit-stop for an early dinner.
