4 days ago
Photograph: Courtesy Miss Ada
Tomer Blechman didn't set out to become a chef. Moving to San Francisco from Tel Aviv back in 2005, his intentions were of a holistic nature, looking for a career in acupuncture and massage. But once those didn't pan out, he decided to take his calling for healing in a different route, starting with what we eat. The aspiring chef sharpened his knives at Bar Bolonat and Gramercy Tavern before debuting with Miss Ada in 2017. Back in 2018, we praised the Fort Greene eatery for its "verdant platter of herb-dyed green falafel as crisp on the outside as it is tender on the inside." As for the hummus masabaha with a crown of lamb shawarma, we said it was "nothing short of a religious experience, especially when paired alongside their fluffy pita for scraping the plate clean."
Years later, we still sing the same praises, with verses dedicated to the late-night skewers such as the Kofte Kebab that spills out with pine nuts, lashed with a zippy habanero relish. AM specials follow suite in their greatness, like the flaky Malawach and the challah French Toast drizzled with dollops of an airy labne mousse that begs to be licked clean.
The vibe: Miss Ada is a cozy find with pinewood banquettes and round bulbs that glow over the marble bar. The back of the space houses a community table, made to encourage conversation over plates of pillowy pita.
The food: Blechman roots around the Middle East with all manner of mezze and dips and skewers, plus brunch specials that range from massive Bourekas and a warming Chocolate Babka.
The drinks: The drinks call out to Israel, most evident in the Dead Sea cocktail with a blend of guava, mezcal and mint and the arak-forward Thyme After Thyme, balanced with gin, egg, and, naturally, thyme.
