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Korean and Mexican Falafel on the Menu at New Flatiron Plaza Kiosk

By Heather Holland | September 18, 2013 2:22pm
 Ilili Box opened at the Flatiron public plaza for the first time on Wednesday morning.
Ilili Box Opens in Flatiron Plaza
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FLATIRON — A new outdoor kiosk serving Korean, Mexican and classic falafel sandwiches opened at the Flatiron Plaza Wednesday morning.

Ilili, a Mediterranean restaurant based in Flatiron, opened the outdoor kiosk called Ilili Box in the public space along Fifth Avenue between 23rd and 24th streets.

“Chef Philippe Massoud hopes that Ilili Box will bring authentic, creative Mediterranean grab-and-go food in a convenient way to the neighborhood,” said Sophie Latapie, a spokeswoman for the restaurant.

The kiosk serves interpretations of Ilili’s normal cuisine, including lamb and duck shawarma, lamb pastrami sandwiches with eggplant wasabi mayo, and hummus, Brussels sprouts and fries as sides.

The Korean falafel sandwich is made with cucumber kimchee, scallion and basil, while the Mexican version is garnished with olive garlic whip, tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeno and onions.

Ilili Box also offers a small menu of desserts, including coconut rice pudding and butterscotch panna cotta. Beer and wine options include Lagunitas IPA and Paumanok.

In addition to the seats and tables already on the plaza, the kiosk has a bar and a handful of stools for extra seating.

Ilili won the exclusive right to open the kiosk through a 2010 competition by the Flatiron BID and the Department of Transportation.

"The new Ilili box food kiosk will further enhance the north plaza and transform the district into a more appealing and enjoyable destination for the people who live in, work in and visit the area," said Jennifer Brown, executive director of the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership Business Improvement District.