12 Chairs: Where You Need Energy Just to Get Through Dinner

If you have walked down Macdougal Street at night, you have probably heard the rattling sound of tambourines and singing emanating tiny 12 Chairs. Despite having such a small space, 12 Chairs is by no means forgotten, since it is fully-booked on Friday and Saturday nights from 6-10pm, weeks, if not months, in advance.

The music is blaring, basically stopping any possibilities of having a conversation. After arriving, you will already be tired from the repeated standing on (the slightly more than 12) chairs and napkin waving that occurs every time an ABBA or Taylor Swift song plays, which is almost too often. Regardless, you will find that most people who arrive after 8pm will end up staying there, tambourine swinging, for over two hours. However, if you choose to go for brunch, it is much quieter and more casual, leaving more room for the conversation that was missed at dinner. 

12 Chairs offers Israeli and Mediterranean cuisine, with slight Eastern European notes. With over 70 items on the menu, it has everything from breakfast (that’s served until 4pm everyday) to a specific hummus section.

A standout was the seemingly simple hummus (which was everything but) topped with pools of olive oil and speckles of paprika, as well as a mountain of soft chickpeas. This dish was creamy and nutty, while also being tangy and slightly acidic (probably from lemon in the hummus).

The arayes (traditionally Lebanese sandwichs) came with the four palm-sized, grilled pitas filled with juicy minced lamb that soaked through the parchment surrounding them. However, the earthy, slightly bitter tahini and acidic tomato salad that sat beside them cut right through the greasiness, creating a satisfying contrast. These arayes had a crispy bite on the outside and a pillowy interior.