At Hasalon, If You Come for dinner, You Stay Until Closing

You know you’ve been somewhere too many times when even the waiters start to recognize you. This is what happened to me at Hasalon. Arguably the most eccentric and energetic restaurant in NYC, Hasalon is consistently a good time. Around 10:30 pm, the music gets louder, the lights go darker, and the blinds shut to the rest of Hell’s Kitchen. As the crowd (and even the waiters) get rowdier, the napkins start waving, and you’re actually encouraged to dance on the tables.

This Israeli restaurant has two seatings per night, though you should completely disregard the earlier one, and only come after 8pm. Open only Thursday-Saturday, Hasalon is where you go for an experience and serves mainly bigger groups, since you’re unable to make a table reservation under four people. Parties smaller than four can either sit at the kitchen counter or the bar, both being completely filled after 8pm.  

Going to Hasalon is less for the food, and more for the party, but the food is actually pretty good, despite the pretty high price tag. Everything about Hasalon is gimmicky and unconventional, such as the fact that the menu changes daily, with some staples.

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Let's Dig In

Living Ocean Treasures

The “Living Ocean Treasures” comes with 12 pieces of salmon, tuna, and yellowtail sashimi on a big stone block, alongside a hefty scoop of caviar and bright salmon roe. The sashimi is fresh and tender, melting in your mouth after taking a bite. Although, the steep price of this dish is very difficult to look past, it can serve up enough for over three people.

Baby Potatoes Nobody Cared About

Obviously spending $59 on six potatoes topped with caviar is ridiculous and over-the-top, but that’s what Hasalon is. This price makes you want to hate it, but unfortunately these potatoes, bathed in a golden, buttery sauce are soft, rich, and salty enough to balance.

House Bread

The complementary house bread will make singing “Dancing Queen ” 10 times with 100 strangers on a Friday night okay. The warm, soft focaccia topped with tomatoes and a side of creme fraiche is probably the only thing you aren’t paying for at Hasalon, so we suggest you take advantage of it and order more than one.