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October 30,2007: Coral Springs Fl. :

With so many restaurants closing in Coral Springs due to lack of clientele, a diamond is found! The Falafel Bistro is a Mediterranean vegetarian kosher restaurant that has open its doors a few months ago. Run by husband and wife owners are Lauren and Elan Cohen, two Coral Springs residents that came down to Florida from New York. Amazingly, Lauren attended school here in Coral Springs back when there was only one High School and a lot of dirt roads. When she left many years ago she never thought she would return here with her young family. Back they came and this restaurant happens to be one of the best in Coral Springs.

Only a few tables and a sit-at bar occupies the Falafel Bistro located at 11570 Wiles Road on the south side of the street near Coral Ridge Drive. The falafel happens to be one of best I have ever eaten. With their home made hummus ( chick peas crushed into a paste) and Baba Ghanouj ( eggplant combined with tahina, oil and lemon) these mouth watering dishes leave you wanting to come back for more. As well, you will love their Bourikas a flaky cheese puff which melts in your mouth! Don't forget to try the Jachnoon, a Yemenite breakfast rolled pancake pastry dish that you will not find in any restaurant on this side of the planet.

Since this is a vegetarian restaurant, there is no 'Meaty' aftertaste that you get at other places. Like most people, after you finish their falafel sandwich or taste their Mediterranean plate, you will no doubt ask for a pint of hummus to take back home!

Also on the menu are some recognizable dishes like a Tuna Sandwich for the weak of mind, but you need to try the Moroccan Cous Cous and especially their Tilapia Moroccan style served only on Thursday and Friday. They serve only Lavazza, which is one of the world's best coffee, and their Latte is made with great care. I would suggest leaving room for their pastries, especially the chocolate filled croissant. This is a clean restaurant with pleasant decor: a place you can feel comfortable in while you dine or trust with take-out.

Now if all of the above dishes are a little strange to you and you are a little worried about this 'Kosher' thing let me give you a quick synopsis of what Kosher means. This way you will not have to worry. There are many myths about Kassrut ( Kosher) so let's dispel them immediately.

Kosher means "Fit" to eat. A person that is Kosher believes that their body is holy and as such only the best foods may go in it. Kosher dietary laws are based on cleanliness. Meat can only come from certain animals that are clean. You may have heard that no pork is eaten by someone who is kosher. This is because to many, Muslim and Jew, a pig is considered to be an unclean animal and as such should never be consumed. As well, shellfish are not considered to be kosher, and certain fishes cannot be eaten due to the same concern. There is also no mixing meat with milk. That is why at Falafel Bistro, you will find no meat dishes, only dairy and vegetarian.

However, every vegetable or fruit or seed can be Kosher. I use the word 'can' because in the case of a leafy vegetables like lettuce, cabbage or even califlower or broccoli, it needs to be properly prepared with each leaf removed and washed. Only then can the food be served. Makes sense? In a non kosher restaurant where they do not take this care, do you really know if the vegetables are clean or does it matter what is chopped up and handed to you?

Most people that are worried about the food supply, a la E- Coli in beef etc, will tell you that eating Kosher guarantees that you will never get these things. All food prepared in Falafel Bistro is also being supervised 100% of the time by someone responsible for make sure all Kashrut laws are followed.

Falafel Bistro's customers are people from all over our area that like good quality vegetarian dining, along with great tasting falafel. They make their way from as far north as Boca Raton and as far south Hollywood. Religion does not have to play a part in the dining experience of most that come in. So you don't have to be kosher to eat kosher. You just have to be smart :)

The restaurant is open from 9 am to 8 pm from Sunday to Thursday, and until a couple of hours before Friday sunset. All day Saturday and any Jewish holiday they are closed. ( rent the Gene Wilder movie Frisco Kid for more explanation ).

This is a restaurant that our local neighborhood should support. Well priced and great for lunch as well as early dining. They cater as well! When you go there tell them you saw the review on CoralSprings.com. Tell Elan and Lauren " Gimme some of dem der Kosher food!"