Restaurant Review: Lincoln Park’s Galit ranks high for genuine Mediterranean cuisine

When someone asks where they can find authentic Middle Eastern cusine in Lincoln Park, Galit is at the top of the list.

Owned and operated by Andrés Clavero and James Beard Award-winning chef Zachary Engel, the restaurant is not just a fine place to dine; the owners see it as “a space for community: hospitality professionals, guests and suppliers will come together and celebrate food and drink in a respectful, friendly and caring manner.”

Clavero and Engel have designed a unique twist to the menu:   it’s s a four-course, choose-your-own adventure…with a “rotating wine accompaniment,” available on request.

The Resy website notes that Galit has won acclaim for its uniquely Midwestern takes on Middle Eastern cuisine, drawing on Engel’s experience as a Jewish American, and on Clavero’s Palestinian background. Since Galit opened in 2019, they have earned a Michelin-star, and were named 2023’s Jean Banchet Restaurant of the Year.

The adventure begins with Hummus with condiments such as tehina (toasted ground sesame) and sumac nana mint, or Bubbe’s Brisket, a mix of smoky cinnamon tomatoes, braised carrots, and Masabacha, which arechickpeas, herby tehina and aleppo.

Next up is Salatin, which includes Labneh with hyssop, sumac, and sesame, and Ezme, which are Turkish peppers and tomato walnuts with hot garlic. 

Mezze includes Falafel, withafunky mango labneh, pickled turnips, Carrots with a cuminy-orange Bulgarian glaze, feta and  hazelnut duqqa, and Iraqi Kubbeh Halab, a crispy, saffron crust lamb with golden raisins and almonds. Yum!

Over Coal entrees include Smoked Turkey Shawarma,  a unique mix of rhubarb, urfa bieber, vanilla and broccoli, and their own Pastrami, described as “Armenia meets the Lower East Side,” with urfa Caesar, radicchio, and malawach. For Dessert, don’t miss their Kataifi Cigar, rolled in pistachio, rhubarb, and hibiscus. 

As one Google reviewer said, “Food was amazing. Life changing hummus. Every dish was incredible and well composed. Cocktail selection is excellent. The course pacing was perfect. The atmosphere was nice and the service good but didn’t feel special. Food makes it worth it for the price.”

Galit is located at 2429 N. Lincoln Avenue. They are open Tuesday – Thursday,  5pm-9pm, and Friday – Saturday, 5:00pm to 9:30pm. They are closed Sunday and Monday. Reservations are recommended and available by clicking here.

 Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago