NYCReview
photo credit: Emily Schindler
Eyval
Included In
Despite having the second largest Persian population in the US, NYC doesn’t have as many Persian restaurants as we’d like. Which is to say, Eyval doesn’t need to be as cool as it is. We'd gladly shovel their quality kabobs and potato tahdig in our mouths within even the drabbest four walls, so getting to do so at a chic spot in Bushwick that feels like it’s frequented by the first ever person to french tuck is an added bonus.
Eyval comes from the team behind Sofreh, a Persian restaurant in Prospect Heights. It’s evident the two share some DNA, although this newer spot takes itself a little less seriously. It has a white-brick and brightly-lit aesthetic similar to that of its sister restaurant, but Eyval also has LED Farsi lettering on the walls and saffron ice cream sandwiches.
Starters and small plates are the move here, and you should order as many as your table can agree on. The fava bean borani topped with sprigs of dill and the potato tahdig sitting in a rich plum sauce are super flavorful for how simple they sound, and the deconstructed kashke bademjan is a clever way to make the mint and tangy yogurt pop. Some portion sizes feel small—a single kabob koobideh for $17 is almost as eye-roll-inducing as the $100 white tee on the model-off-duty we imagine sitting at the bar—but the food is unique, and it all tastes good.
Eyval is a good spot to have a casual date or catch-up with friends when you’re looking for a place that’s cool without trying too hard, and it's perfect for a dinner that goes with your outfit. Come here to eat stylish Persian food, then keep the night going at one of the über–Bushwick bars down the street.
Food Rundown
Fava Bean Borani
Fesenjan
Potato Tahdig
Kashke Bademjan
Saffron Martini
Saffron Ice Cream Sandwich