Review: Tulas Cafe
It’s Good To Go Greek
I can’t say I have ever been a big fan of feta, but since becoming a teacher, I have been surrounded by feta-fanatic Greek women. They cook and bake or bring in all kinds of feta-filled foods (even green olives!); every day is a Greek feast at my school. So feta and I went from uncomfortable acquaintances to friendly neighbors.
At Tulas, a Union City cafe that offers authentic Greek cuisine, feta, oregano and grilled meats are just some of the traditional ingredients used to create a truly appetizing menu. Some of the items listed include mousaka (a dish made with eggplant and ground beef), pastichio (actually my favorite Greek meal made with macaroni and ground beef), and souvlaki platters and gyros. Another great thing about its menu is that, unlike many other Greek restaurants I’ve frequented, Tulas offers descriptions for all their dishes, rather than letting the “rest of us” figure out what kolokithokeftedes* is, never mind its pronunciation.
On my first night experiencing their food, I tasted their Greek salad with grilled calamari, spanakopita (spinach pie), and Greek fries. I have to tell you - I have a new-found love for red wine vinegar; the salad dressing was so delicious I almost forgot I was eating a salad for dinner. The calamari was grilled just right, bringing out the natural flavor without overcooking it and turning into rubber.
I just had to try the Greek fries, described as fries seasoned with lemon and oregano since that seasoning is very traditional and something I had never had on fries before. The fries were not crispy in any way — quite floppy actually. I debated putting it in my oven to brown them a little but decided against heating up my little apartment. I couldn’t detect much of a lemon flavor, but the oregano was pronounced, in an enjoyable way. With a little ketchup, they were fine, even floppy. I would consider using these seasonings myself the next time I make fries or just baked potatoes.
Now, like feta, spinach was also never popular with my palate. Yet I knew this spinach pie was a very popular dish (my co-workers brag about theirs all the time and have brought them in to share), so I wanted to see how a restaurant might make it. Since it’s listed as an appetizer, I was expecting it to be fairly small, but it was bigger than my hand (from wrist to the tip of my middle finger is less than 6.5″) - definitely very filling. The philo was light and crusty as it’s supposed to be, and it was overflowing with spinach. I don’t know if it’s normally seasoned or not, but it simply tasted steamed. It made me think I was eating something healthy, despite being enjoyable. I ended up pulling some of the spinach out since it really was just too filling.
I know I often say I would be willing to order from or visit a place again, but I actually just can’t wait to eat Tulas’ Greek treats again.
(*It’s zucchini meatballs)
Tulas Cafe
4601 Park Ave
Union City, 07087
201-348-1300
(open 11AM to 10PM)
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