GALIT: IS THIS MICHELIN-STARRED MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT IN LINCOLN PARK WORTH A VISIT?
The Cost - $85 per person (prix fixe menu).
The Atmosphere – Located in Chicago’s affluent Lincoln Park neighborhood, this restaurant’s unassuming exterior belies its Michelin star status. Inside the decor is rustic yet chic, with wooden tables and exposed brick walls dotted with framed photographs. A large open-plan kitchen floods the room with delicious aromas and creates a relaxed, lively atmosphere. The down-to-earth feel is a far cry from many people’s perceptions of a stuffy fine dining restaurant and it’s clear that warm hospitality is a priority here. Advance reservations are highly recommended.
Galit’s executive chef and owner is Zach Engel, who celebrates Middle Eastern food whilst keeping the focus on seasonal and local produce. His experience growing up in a Jewish household and his frequent trips to Israel have inspired his modern take on Middle Eastern cooking. The carefully thought out prix-fixe menu allows diners to pick dishes from each category to (slightly) customize their experience. There is also an excellent selection of wines and a short but highly creative cocktail list.
The Order – Bubbe’s Brisket Hummus, Salatim, Iraqi Kubbeh Halab, Foie Gras Blintzes, Lamb Kebab el Babor, Pastrami, and a Chocolate Tahini Mousse.
The Great - Hummus is a staple on any Middle Eastern menu and there were three different types to choose from. We opted for Bubbe’s Brisket Hummus which was served as a generous portion with two big fluffy pita breads. In the center of the dip were tender brisket pieces, cooked with smoky cinnamon, tomatoes and braised carrots. The hummus was creamy and the brisket added a wonderful savory flavor to the typically meatless dish. It came out with Salatim, a selection of salads and dips which are often served at the beginning of a meal and which are included in every prix fixe menu at Galit. The salatim included the popular Turkish dishes Piyaz (a paprika spiced white bean salad) and Ezme (a spicy red pepper and tomato dip), along with a creamy yogurt labneh and a selection of pickles. Together, the hummus and salatim made a delicious start to the meal.
From the Mezze section we chose the Iraqi Kubbeh Halab and the Foie Gras Blintzes. The kubbeh (also known as kibbeh) were like meat balls made up mostly of minced lamb. They were served two to an order and were shaped like footballs with a delicious crispy saffron crust. The kubbeh were nestled on top of a romesco sauce, flavored with sweet golden raisins and almonds, and topped with a generous handful of fresh dill. These proved to be a refreshing complement to the deep-fried dumpling-like treats and the dish was absolutely delicious.
The Foie Gras Blintzes were also excellent. Blintzes are an Israeli specialty made from thin crepe-like pancakes. They are usually stuffed with cheese or fruit, but in this rather indulgent version they were filled with foie gras instead. If there had been more foie gras inside, this dish would have easily earned our ‘Fantastic’ rating. The blintzes were accompanied by a fruity, jelly-like sauce made from Thomcord grapes and orchid root and were topped with scattered with almond slivers and mint leaves. It was quite possibly the best dish of the evening.
The better of the two main courses was the Lamb Kebab el Babor. This was served in a metal cooking pot which was sealed with a giant ‘lid’ of homemade bread which was seasoned with za’atar, though not enough of it. When the bread was peeled back it revealed two succulent pieces of lamb swimming in rich juices, perfect for dipping the bread into. The meat was cooked with shiitake mushrooms, buttery fava beans and mint. It was also flavored with a dried Turkish chili pepper known as urfa bieber. The dish had smoky, spicy, and slightly sour notes which gave it quite a unique taste.
The Good - The other main we ordered was the Pastrami, beautifully sliced beef which was cooked medium rare. It was served with a flaky rolled flatbread and a Middle Eastern version of a Caesar salad. The pastrami was inspired by the many different versions found around the world, from Armenia to New York, where Jewish immigrants turned pastrami into a much-loved local delicacy. Though it wasn’t the best pastrami I’ve ever had, it was a solid version – I’d just order something else on the menu the next time around.
The other menu item that received our Good rating was the dessert, the Chocolate Tahini Mousse. This cake-like dish consisted of a chewy brownie with chocolate on top, tahini, a toasty meringue and a caramel whip. It was fairly decadent but I wasn’t a big fan of the tahini and chocolate combination as the strong sesame flavor didn’t combine well with the chocolate.
The Verdict - Overall, the meal at Galit was excellent. There wasn’t a specific dish that blew my mind but it was a really enjoyable experience from beginning to end. The prix-fixe menu represented a solid value, and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Galit is deserving of its Michelin Star and should be considered as a possible option for dinner if you like Middle Eastern food and find yourself in Chicago.