Alfanoose

Downtown workers were crestfallen when the original Alfanoose on Fulton Street closed. There was much speculation about the cause of the closing; had the rents gone up or had the business gone down?

Fortunately, those in search of a falafel fix need not waste any more time in idle speculation! Such time would be better spent enjoying the mouthwatering Middle Eastern cuisine at the new, improved Alfanoose. Now with plenty of room and an expanded menu, this beloved restaurant is a destination even for those who have no other reason to visit the Financial District.

All of the traditional sandwiches such as falafel, hummus, and baba ganoush are offered, as well as luscious charcoal-grilled lamb shawarma. For a side dish, there are not just one but *three* versions of mojadara, the traditional lentil pilaf topped with a heap of crisp fried onions. The tangy, tahini-yogurt foul mudamas is excellent as well. (For more food than you know what to do with, order a meat platter: your choice of lamb, chicken, or meat kibbeh comes with your choice of pilaf or green salad, a choice of hummus, baba ganoush or foul mudamas, and best of all, a homemade rolled-up pita bread!

Alfanoose Middle Eastern Cuisine: 8 Maiden Lane, (212) 528-4669.