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Taïm, the New York-based chain of fast-casual Israeli counters known for its well-engineered falafel, fried eggplant pitas, and fries served with harissa ketchup or saffron aioli, opens its second D.C. location today in Dupont Circle. From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9, a “pre-opening” event includes a $5 price tag for pitas, bowls, and salads at the new shop (1514 Connecticut Avenue NW). All proceeds from the first day will go to the farmers market that FRESHFARM hosts on 20th Street NW on Sundays. The shop will start running regular daily hours (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.) Thursday, with online ordering available for pickup or delivery.
Founded by Tel Aviv native Einat Admony and Stéfan Nafziger, the chef’s husband, Taïm now has two locations in the District. The couple introduced Georgetown to their pair of falafel flavors — there’s a green variety packed with parsley, cilantro, and mint, and a red option mixed with Tunisian harissa paste — in August 2019. In a Washington Post review, critic Tom Sietsema wrote that Taïm achieves “falafel nirvana.” Admony also likes to tout her sabich, a pita stuffed with crispy eggplant, hard-boiled eggs, Israeli salad, pickled cabbage, tahini, parsley, and a mango-based amba condiment.
When Taïm arrived in D.C., it created competition for Little Sesame and Shouk, a couple of local, Israeli-leaning companies that have capitalized on the rising popularity of hummus bowls. Other options for falafel near the new Taïm include the recently refreshed DC Cafe N Grill on P Street NW, Yafa Grille on 19th Street NW, and an outpost of the Halal Guys on Connecticut Avenue NW. Middle Eastern late-night go-to Muncheez also expanded from Georgetown to Dupont last year, and beloved local Persian chain Moby Dick has a Dupont Circle location that sells falafel, too.
