Evanston Lunch Group™ Tue Jan 5 12:30pm @ Manghal

Yeah, you're up to your ears in holiday madness, and you can barely think a few days ahead, much less plan for 2010. Get over it. Because you won't want to miss the culinary adventure and sparkling company that will happen Tuesday, January 5 at Manghal. It's among Evanston's newest restaurants, and a chance to sample Kosher Israeli BBQ. See you there.

Manghal
1805 Howard St, Evanston, IL
(847) 859-2681‎

I'll be there.

I plan to attend. See you there!

I will not be able to attend but I ate there tonoght and have to say I think you will be in for a treat - the schwarma was excellent especially on a laffa - which I found out are made fresh on the premises - enjoy!

Mike Sula recently posted a good review of Manghal in the Reader.

http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/ma ... id=1231913

See you there.

We will see you there tomorrow,
Robert and Catherine

Cabbagehead and I will join you. See you tomorrow.

So... how was lunch? Sorry I couldn't make it.

In a former Kwikee-Mart, and across the street from a seriously over-decorated pizzeria, Manghal is an unexpectedly nice place, considering the location. In their words, "We will take you on a tour of the finest and most luscious gourmets of the Mediterranean and Middle East."

In summary, the ingredients seemed especially fresh and well chosen. It was a good Evanston lunch.

We started with several appetizers.

The Falafel Plate with green tahini featured house-made falafel - good, but maybe a bit on the bland side compared to some I've had on Kedzie.


Hummos, with house-made Laffa, a pillowy flatbread studded with black sesame seeds


Moroccan Eggplant


Matboucha was a spicy tomato spread.


The House Kebab - "ground beef induced with spices" was a bit salty for my tastes. We ordered it with roast tomatoes and rice.


I particularly liked the Dark Meat Chicken Skewer, which we had with green beans and more Laffa.


The Seasonal Vegetable Skewer came with average, thick-cut French Fries.


We had Chicken Shawarma with roast tomates and mashed potatoes.


When we arrived, we were greeted with complimentary pickled beets and pickled cabbage. Later in the meal, we were also comped two types of cole slaw, beans, and pickled lemons, as well as a pitcher of their house-made Lemonana - a zesty lemonade with fresh mint.

Despite the offbeat location, the ingredients were high quality, although maybe a bit underseasoned. Might be worth a return trip.

I felt that the appetizers were the high point of the meal. As nr said, the main courses were underseasoned, but the same could not be said for the starters.

I found the falafel were excellent, richly flavorful and crisp. The hummos and eggplant were also impressive, but I especially enjoyed the fiery matboucha, which would make any diner sit up and take notice. The laffa with black sesame seeds, when warm, was a nice addition.

I started a thread on Manghal in Eating Out...