I found this little restaurant one Friday, when a friend of mine and I were in desperate search of sustenance. Never in the mood for food that is fast, but always open to food that is cheap -- 12 Chairs was the perfect Middle Eastern mixture of both. A mix of French, German and Arabic dialects livened up the quaint café nestled between W. Houston and Prince Street. We would have probably walked past it, but the nonchalant décor, simple wood tables and chairs, seemed too inviting to refuse. The service was delightful, even when the waiter told me that hummus was not apart of traditional Israeli cuisine – a simple truth, that meant little to me. Additionally, their guacamole, which I am positive is also not native to Israel, was just one of the many snacks they offer that go over well. Good small food and sandwiches, breakfast all day, an adequate collection of wines -- 12 Chairs seems like the perfect spot to dine with friends or alone. I never counted if there were only 12 chairs in the restaurant (seemed to me that there were more), but I think the overall metaphor of the café’s name is intimacy.
Hummus:
Got to love foods with ancient folklores and Arabic mysteries attached to it roots. Here is the recipe I prefer, when I am so inclined to digging out the ole blender and making it myself.
1 cup chickpeas (can)
3 cloves of garlic
3 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup water
3 tbsp tahini
2 tbsp vinegar
1 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp cumin
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp salt
* Directions: Very important, add all ingredients into a blender, and blend until smooth. Drizzle a very good olive oil on top for garnish.
12 Chairs
56 MacDougal Street
New York City
(212)254-8640
Labels: Sweet
