Tanoreen
"Chef-owner Rawia Bishara benevolently reigns over a modestly appointed dining room and open kitchen, supplementing exceptional renditions of traditional Middle Eastern cuisine with her own creative riffs on a Mediterranean-flavored theme," says New York magazine, which named Tanoreen the city's #1 cheap eats spot in 2006.
Tanoreen's extensive menu can be hard to navigate, but Edible Brooklyn's Laura Stanley shares a few recommendations: "Instead of the usual tabbouleh or baba ghanouj, start with smoked frekeh (green durum wheat kernels) tossed with pine nuts, slivered almonds, and spiced chicken, a mhammara dip of roasted red pepper, ground walnuts and pomegranate molasses, and a pizza-like version of the classic musakhan—sumac-reddened ground chicken on Arab taboon flatbread, topped with sweet caramelized onion."
Chowhound Steve R adds: "The food's 'big portion' style and it's best shared so you can get some variety... my favorite main is the Baked Mediterranean Eggplant or one of the fresh stuffed squash entrees. All with lamb, pine nuts & on a bed of rice." Fellow 'Hound Reynold describes Tanoreen's highly regarded lamb shank (look for it on the specials menu) as "moist, tender, and flavorful as it could be." What's your take on Tanoreen?
Reviews (15)
rubytoday wrote a review on November 10, 2008 12:27 PM
glad for the tip on Tanoreen, but I can see from the pic they are moving. anyone know where to?
Prodigal_Son wrote a review on November 10, 2008 12:30 PM
Aside from the New York rating of "Best Cheap Eats" ( which is odd as its hardly cheap) its also recently rated Zagat's best Middle Eastern spot in all of NYC. For those of you that think you know Middle Eastern food from your visits to Zaytoons and an occasional sandwich at Bereket in the city you owe yourself the favor of going here.
It is the real deal. HUGE portions, unique and different Middle Eastern faire and authenticity abounds. BYOB.
Get on the R train, its worth the trip.
lambretta76 wrote a review on November 10, 2008 12:32 PM
The best middle eastern restaurant in Brooklyn. It's not that cheap, though - an appetizer, entree, and dessert can easily approach $40. BYOB makes it a little bit better, but be warned that the closest liquor store is pretty weak; make sure you bring one from home or buy one elsewhere.
bayridgegirl wrote a review on November 10, 2008 12:42 PM
I rated it even though, I haven't been there in a while or often enough, but the food is great!!! There are now plenty of Mid East Joints in the nabe, but this is one of the best. The decor is nothing fancy, but that's my type of place. where you walk into an unpretentious atmosphere and enjoy great food.
Give it up for my nabe and my food!!!
goldie wrote a review on November 10, 2008 12:55 PM
authentic and very well prepared. seasoning/flavors were quite right, no fake mideast food for the masses there.
NsPx wrote a review on November 10, 2008 1:12 PM
The menu is appealingly diverse, but we had as many mediocre dishes as we did good ones - I would hesitate to call it the "best" Middle Eastern in Brooklyn. After all the superlative praise we'd heard, we were slightly underwhelmed.
jwald wrote a review on November 10, 2008 1:24 PM
Tanoreen is one of two things I miss about Bay Ridge (the other being Shore Road). Great lamb dishes and pitas.
Prodigal_Son wrote a review on November 10, 2008 1:33 PM
NsPx-
If its not the best ME food in Brooklyn PLEASE fill us in where is!!! I've had worse food in Cairo.
talknerdytome wrote a review on November 10, 2008 1:57 PM
My husband and I have eaten at Tanoreen three times in the last year, and our meals have always been delicious. We'd probably eat there every week if we were a little closer. The owner is gracious, and her staff is great.
tinarina wrote a review on November 10, 2008 2:01 PM
This is such a great restaurant. Prices aren't low, but portions are huge, so you can share virtually everything.
Go with as many people as you can to try as many items as you can. I'm still dreaming of their eggplant napoleon appetizer....
treehouse wrote a review on November 10, 2008 3:11 PM
can't wait to try this place!
southslope wrote a review on November 10, 2008 3:51 PM
Everything on the menu is a winner (I've tried it all) . Ask for the homemade pepper sauce (har or haritsa) on the side.
Ray wrote a review on November 10, 2008 4:17 PM
Delicious. Every single item of the menu I've tried was just delicious.
MR wrote a review on November 11, 2008 7:22 AM
Best Middle Eastern restaurant in Brooklyn? How about best restaurant in Brooklyn of any kind? Could be my personal fave. Everybody I've ever taken there absolutely loves it. I hope the move to the larger space doesn't change things.
Kara wrote a review on November 11, 2008 12:28 PM
rubytoday - Tanoreen is moving just a few blocks away to a larger space at 7523 3rd Avenue. We'll update this listing when they move.
Essential Info
Tanoreen
- Address:
- 7704 3rd Avenue
- Phone:
- (718) 748-5600
- Nabe:
- Bay Ridge
- Cuisine:
- Middle Eastern, Mediterranean
- Median Entree:
- $15
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