Yemen Cafe update

[JackS]

Yemen Cafe is one of those places I like in theory but for some reason don't make it to very often. I had lunch there this past week, and confirmed that I should like it in practice as well.

For an appetizer, I had the fattah - little strips of toasted bread flavored with butter and honey. You eat it with a fork. Delicious, although it feels like maybe it should be more for dessert than an appetizer.

I had an aseed as an entree. They call it a dumpling, but it's more like a West African mash, in a bowl some kind of tasty sauce around it. They also give two little dishes with a spicy sauce and a bitterish sauce that you're supposed to mix in as you eat to fit your taste, and then a big tasty hunk of lamb that you use to pick up the whole thing. It was tee-rific.

Yemen Cafe is on Atlantic Avenue between Court and Clinton.

[TomChowhound]

How many does it seat? What is the ambiance like? And ditto the prices?

[Pan]

Menu here: http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/...

I couldn't tell you how many it seats, but I guess there are maybe 12 or so tables, each of which could seat at least, 4 some of them more.

The ambiance is that of a welcoming Yemeni social club/community center, with beautiful posters of Yemen up on the walls. The restaurant is strictly halal - don't bring any alcohol, but do drink as much as you like of the spiced Yemeni tea; you get charged the same low price, however many times you refill your cup (I usually have two cups). You can relax and hang out for a long time; the ambiance is very relaxed, something like a trattoria in a relaxed part of Italy.

[jdf]

Now that the weather is getting cold, I'm craving the roast lamb amd foul at Yemen. I've been for dinner, but never lunch. I've always seen just the one meny outside, but menupages says they have lunch specials (seemed like most of the same stuff, but cheaper). Has anyone been for lunch who can advise? And how are the portions as compared to dinner (which are huge)?

[hcorson]

I used to frequent Yemen Cafe every Sat. morning for breakfast THE best place ever. In September when visiting, I headed over to my fav haunt only to find that IT HAS CLOSED!! Sad sad day. Now I stalk Yemeni restaurants in every city I visit. Actually thinking of planning a culinary trip to Yemen as a tribute to my old favorite eating establishment!!

[jen kalb]

Have you tried the other Yemeni place right around the corner on Court Street?(s of Atlantic on the e. side) I think its now called Yemen Cuisine.

[EJC]

Maybe it was closed for Ramadan? We were just there on Saturday and it's as good as ever...

[micheal]

Yes,it's open!!
Was shut down only because of RAMADAN.

[Pan]

I like this place very much. My only problem with it is that the portions are so humongous, it's hard to go there without taking someone with you and sharing things. Main dishes are two or three times too big for one person.

[EJC]

Agreed, the portions are enormous. I wish my girlfriend enjoyed roasted lamb, because I'd eat there every night. I've been meaning to finally try Sanaa across the street, which would allow me to eat Yemeni while allowing her to get falafel too.

[parkslopemama]

Please report if you try Sanaa! I liked it when I went there a couple of weeks ago, but I've never been to Yemen Cafe and would be interested to hear a comparison.

[lambretta76]

Sanaa is out of business and will soon be replaced by an Italian restaurant, reportedly run by the same Yemeni owners.

When Sanaa opened it was fantastic - amazing falafel sandwich served on homemade bread and an amazingly dense lentil soup. By the time it closed, it was generic falafel served on stale, store-bough pita served with lamb "water" or lentil "broth".

Oh, and yes, Yemen Cafe is still open - they were closed for Ramadan back in September.

[olavito]

I think the falafel at the Fountain Cafe is really good.