Balaboosta

The original Balaboosta was a popular Middle Eastern spot in Nolita, and it recently reopened in the old Bar Bolonat space in the West Village. We like some of the modern Israeli dishes here - like the creamy hummus and the cauliflower with peanut tahini - a lot, but we’ve found other things to be disappointing and overpriced (like octopus with overly salty lamb belly and chicken with too much pomegranate, which together will run you $50). If you stick to the small plates rather than the expensive entrees, then this place works well for groups or dates.