Ima Restaurant

With all the controversy that existed when Ima’s first opened (kashrut, fights with mashgiach etc) I’m surprised I didn’t go sooner. Frankly I see no need for another Israeli style place. Mabat is hands down a slam-dunk meal after meal year after year (if you like being the only person that’s not from Monsey in the place) and Royal Persian Grill is one of Teaneck’s hidden treasures (if you never tried Zatar pita I suggest you go tonight). There is also talk, and visible construction, of a Hamsah opening next to EJs Pizza (why people?).

The place was very clean (including the bathrooms, the telltale sign of a clean store- if unsure what I mean go to Pizza Crave) and the service was by far one of the best in Teaneck (poached from Mocha Bleu).

The menu was a little different from Royal Persian and Mabat- for starters they had specials. The also had a much better line of soups (beef dumplings- AKA Kubeh Matfunie, Chamusta and Shwanderia) but they were lacking in a choice of skewers (none).

Appies were mostly salads, but who needs fried cigars and pastels anyways.

Most importantly, there was no schwarma. Nothing beats a mixed grill plate in chumus with schwarma, followed by a visit to your cardiologist.

Lastly, like its competitors, the dessert offerings were lacking- who wants to eat Baklava or some other dried cement. I’ve been to Israel plenty, yet all three Teaneck stores have the same crap dessert. There are more choices in that country. Bring it over people.

To summarize, it was very different from Royal Persian and Mabat, but with no Zatar bread or Schwarma, I probably wouldn’t go back.

445 Cedar Lane, Teaneck- 201-357-5789- www.imarestaurant.com