Hi friends. It’s been a while, no? Perhaps that is because the Internet decided to be a little annoying and not work! After 20 minutes of trying to send an email, blogging seems just not worth it.
However, it’s time to blog about my favorite topic – FOOD! I know I’ve written before about my favorite meals, but now were gonna talk about my favorite restaurants!
Hashem’s- Situated in a dirty alley in downtown Amman, Hashem’s is known for cheap and good food. It’s hard to find from the outside, only one simple metal sign marks the spot, but ask any taxi driver, and they’ll know the place. The lines that form at all hours are proof that tourists and locals alike covet this place. Plastic tables are set up along a narrow alley between a cart that is making plates of falafel and a man running a cash register.
After being seated, pieces of paper are set down as your “plate,” towers of pita are put in the middle surrounded by bowls of hummus and fuul (bean spread). A man carrying a large mixing bowl comes around shouting “Falafel?” Flag him down and you will not be disappointed. This is the best falafel EVER. Hot and crispy on the outside, warm and gooey in the middle.
It’s a no frills place, not the cleanest, but its been around since Attaturk himself. When a meal costs you only 1 JD, you know you’ve found the right place.
5/5 Bowls of Hummus.
“Mataam” – Ok I don’t really know the actual name of this place, mataam is just the word for restaurant, but Mataams has become quite popular with the CIEE crowd. Located just outside the gate of the university, its tucked away in a small corner, and according to the sign specialized is Iraqi cuisine. Whatever it is, it’s cheap and delicious. Walk in to this tiny shop and simply tell the man “sandwich falafel” and let your taste buds be amazed.
The cook—if you can call him that—take pita cuts it in half the long way and spreads down a generous helping of hummus. He takes 3 falafel and smushes them down so they are flat. Then is placed the ubiquitous cucumber and tomato salad. After being rolled up it is ready for consumption.
It’s simple, delicious and authentic. Nothing wrong with a .25 cent pita.
4.5/5 Bowls of Hummus
Noodasia
Whaaaa? What’s an Asian place doing on the list of my favorite restaurants?! Well too bad, because I missed Asian food enough to go seek it out. This place is uber swanky. Located in the upscale Abdoun neighborhood, Noodasia oozes urban luxe. Lacquered wood and modern lighting give this place an air of downtown Chicago or New York City. And none of the workers speak Arabic. It’s English, Chinese or no dice. I’ve been there a few times and each time have been surprised by the food.
The first time I ordered Vietnamese spring rolls and Sweet and Sour Chicken. The spring rolls were delicious and covered in a peanut satay sauce. Add the best seaweed salad I’ve ever had, and it was a pretty damn good appetizer. Now, the entrée was unexpected. I was ready for deep fried chicken coated in pink goo. Instead I got a classier version served with pineapple. The second time I had the absolutely fantastic Green Tea Noodles in soy sauce and peanut satay, served chilled. I could eat that all day, every day. Probably one of the best entrees I’ve had one either side of the pond. For the excellent service and delicious food, the prices actually not bad. I spent 5 JD the first time and 10 JD the second.
4.5/5 Bowls of Hummus
“That one shwerma place”
“That one shwerma place” is located behind the CIEE office. The workers don’t speak English and your only choices are Shwerma: chicken or lamb, big or small. (That I can actually say in Arabic). Walking into the shop, which is the size of a small office, you will be hit by a blast of heat that is emanating from the giant rotating slabs of meat. Shwerma is basically meat that has been mixed with spices and made into a cone shape and placed vertically over heat. When someone orders, they shave off the meat and put it into a pita along with tahini and a pickle. Now, I love tahini, but oh god I hate pickles. And they LOVE pickles. They pickle everything here.
With the exception for that pesky pickle, this place is delish.
4/5 Bowls of Hummus
Lebnani Snack – Jordan’s fast food restaurant. It’s local, it’s across from the university and offers staples like pizza, shwerma and fish. What they are really known for, however, is their “cocktails.” They are delicious. Now, of course they are not cocktail-cocktails, that’s just what Jordanians call their smoothies. Originally, Lebnani was just smoothies, so that is why it makes sense they are so darn good.
My favorite is just the original with fruit. I’m pretty sure its strawberry, banana and kiwi. What is so unique is that they will have half of the smoothie be liquid and then chop up pineapple, grapes, apples and banana to fill the rest of the cup. In a country where fruit with meals is hard to come by, this more than makes up for it.
The rest of the food is so-so. Overly greasy, not enough salt on the fries (no place salts the fries). But for a smoothie job well done:
3/5 Bowls of Hummus
No comments:
Post a Comment