Welcome to Em & M: the first-ever meal critics of The Echo. Sparked by a love of chocolate and a play on words, we, Emily Dayton and Malini Jathavedam, are excited to take you along for our 3-year-long tour of the finest restaurants, cafes, and eateries near Tenafly, New Jersey. We call ourselves “meal critics” rather than “food critics” for one very particular reason: we review more than just food. We will be exploring other factors such as service, price, ambiance, vibes—everything it takes to create the perfect dining experience. As food connoisseurs, we sample foods from both vegetarian and meat-eating perspectives since we aim to share the best meals for all to try.
Our first destination is MaMi, a new restaurant located in Cresskill, New Jersey. MaMi opened in the spot of the beloved Farmhouse cafe, which poses the question, “Does MaMi live up to the legacy of Farmhouse?” Rather than a standard breakfast consisting of pancakes and French toast, MaMi takes a Mediterranean-Israeli spin on typical meals. Additionally, their lunch options range from pita pockets to hummus platters to fresh salads, offering a fresh new twist. At MaMi, there is an option for everyone, with a variety for different dietary restrictions.
At first glance, the restaurant seemed to have taken a modern approach to the building’s rustic vibe. We appreciated the windows and natural light coming in, which added to the casual, comforting feel. Inside, the closely packed tables give it a cozy feel, and the aesthetic is very creative. The music selection sparked controversy between us, with Emily enjoying it and Malini hoping they would switch the songs. Currently, MaMi opens from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. We were unable to experience the night ambiance of MaMi because of this, but we look forward to going back and experiencing it in the future.
For our first course, the appetizers we chose were the fried eggplant chips drizzled with Fresno pepper honey. The fried eggplant had a satisfying crunch, and the honey added a touch of sweetness to the meal. Addicting, yet somewhat healthy, the eggplant was a great appetizer to start off the meal, leaving us satisfied while waiting for our food. It is important to note that the bowl was large for two people (something we usually wouldn’t complain about); however, it did start to feel heavy after a few pieces. We would recommend sharing with a larger group or preparing to take some home. Additionally, we ordered the classic hummus as our other appetizer. The warm pita paired with the cool, creamy hummus was the perfect combination. Garnished with chickpeas and herbs, the hummus was pretty, yet also delicious. Although the dish itself was a 10/10, it is necessary to order a second pita, since the meal only comes with one piece. Therefore, it was not enough to soak up its chickpea goodness.
For our second course, we each chose an entrée. Emily chose the Chicken Shawarma Wrap: a thin flatbread, called lavash, carrying tahini, grilled chicken, cucumber, tomato, onion, amba (a tangy condiment made from pickled green mangoes), and zhoug (a hot harrissa-like sauce). The ingredients in the wrap complemented each other nicely, and there was a good ratio of sauce to the ingredients. However, the combination of both light and dark meat in the wrap did not pair well together, and we would have preferred it if it contained only light meat. Along with the wrap, we substituted the traditional fries for an Israeli salad for an extra two dollars. The salad offered a nice, refreshing bite and helped to break up the heaviness of the meal. While Emily came to the conclusion that the additional two dollars for the salad was not worth it, Malini felt as though it added the right amount of tangy vegetables to break up the meal.
As an entrée, Malini decided to try out MaMi’s take on the classic American dish: mac and cheese. Rather than macaroni noodles, couscous was submerged in smooth cheddar cheese sauce and sprinkled with breadcrumbs. While the dish was certainly creative, it could have used more breadcrumbs for a greater crunch factor. We also would have liked some more variety in flavor, because unlike the other dishes, there was no Mediterranean or Israeli flavor to complement the dish.
Overall, the food was delectable; however, our main criticism was the pricing. What should have been a casual lunch date took a dark turn once we received our bill. As two sophomores in high school, let us make it clear to you: MaMi is expensive. The main entrée portion sizes were small for the price tag, specifically for the chicken shawarma wrap. Additionally, the service was not very reliable, with us trying to contact our server multiple times but having no luck. The food was above expectations, but definitely not your day-to-day place for a meal.
