WinnieTheKhwai Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 So, I went to Sahara as the hamburger came highly recommended. However, seeing all the Middle Eastern food on offer I found that the much more tempting thing to try; after all a reasonable burger can be had anywhere, but Middle East food options are more limited. Wouldn't it be great if Chiang Mai had an area like Sukhumvit Soi 3-5 in Bangkok for authentic Middle Eastern fare. I'll make a long story short: Sahara is 'okay' but in no way great. Yes, Jerusalem at Thapae is BETTER. I was at Sahara with my wife who brought up the comparison to Jerusalem herself.. she didn't remember the name, but very much remembers 'the funny grumpy lady', remembers their washroom facilities, and remembers that said lady owns a poodle (or whatever similar sized canine) who she allows in the restaurant. All clear negatives, (to which I could also add that there's no parking) but she followed it up with (and I agree) that her food is better, tastier and feels fresher. Maybe I'll go back to Sahara to try the burger, but when it comes to Middle Eastern fare, I really think I need to visit Jerusalem again. I'd recommend it, and there's a certain authenticity to having a loud Jewish lady presiding over things. Sahara Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulysses G. Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 Thanks for that. I was not that interested in the burger, but more in the Middle Eastern food. As you said, Jerusalem Falafel is good, medium priced and both of the owners have always been nice to me. There is also another good place very close to Butter is Better (on Chang Klan road just as you go past the Sri Don Chai road intersection) and the prices are cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elektrified Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 Thanks for that. I was not that interested in the burger, but more in the Middle Eastern food. Ditto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doppa Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 we did it over songran, looked good, tasted average. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarangBha Posted April 29, 2011 Share Posted April 29, 2011 (edited) oops. Edited April 29, 2011 by FarangBha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shepsel Posted April 29, 2011 Share Posted April 29, 2011 I tried Sahara soon after it opened. The western food was okay, but the middle eastern food was not to my liking at all. As with most ethnic dishes served in many restaurants in Thailand, they are fair to midland, andlack authenticity and flavour of the real thing. The hummous was dry, lacked techena and garlic seasoning, and was mundane. Ditto for the eggplant salad (babaganouse). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkfkr Posted April 29, 2011 Share Posted April 29, 2011 Zoe in Yellow has a newish corner bar that serves food. Both the times I've been there, the hummus in particular has been excellent. The falafels were also good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sao Jiang Mai Posted April 29, 2011 Share Posted April 29, 2011 Sahara is a lovely setting, haven't tried the upstairs bar yet, though pictures do look nice. Would be a nice place to sit for a nice glass of something in the evenings watching the trendies do their thing along Nim road. Prices are definitely cheap, but range of Middle Easter food not anywhere near what Jerusalem Falafel offers. As to mama falafel, what a character! Love her. She shouts at me, pouts at me, sulks at me and regales me with unsolicited advice every time I see her. Grumpy indeed but with a huge heart. Love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raindancer Posted April 29, 2011 Share Posted April 29, 2011 Sahara is a lovely setting, haven't tried the upstairs bar yet, though pictures do look nice. Would be a nice place to sit for a nice glass of something in the evenings watching the trendies do their thing along Nim road. Prices are definitely cheap, but range of Middle Easter food not anywhere near what Jerusalem Falafel offers. As to mama falafel, what a character! Love her. She shouts at me, pouts at me, sulks at me and regales me with unsolicited advice every time I see her. Grumpy indeed but with a huge heart. Love it! Where is Jerusalem establishment (falafel) please? Been down Thapai road so many times over the years, but cannot place the restaurant. Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinnieTheKhwai Posted April 29, 2011 Author Share Posted April 29, 2011 Jerusalem is on Moon Muang Road, just South of Thapae Gate. Small shop house restaurant. You see it here on the left: http://www.mapjack.com/?y7YyU9ZeacmF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raindancer Posted April 29, 2011 Share Posted April 29, 2011 Jerusalem is on Moon Muang Road, just South of Thapae Gate. Small shop house restaurant. You see it here on the left: http://www.mapjack.com/?y7YyU9ZeacmF many thanks Winnie...I was looking along Thapai Gat e road. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james24 Posted April 29, 2011 Share Posted April 29, 2011 Personally I think Jerusalem is a bit too pricy plus Sahara is much more fun. Both are good though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctrunfree Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Tried Sahara last night and thought it good. I had an excellent, full flavoured chicken and eggplant stew from the Middle Eastern menu and the other half had a hankering for a burger, which she declared excellent. Nice fresh fruit frappes for 65 baht, and the wine by the glass for 90 baht wasn't too bad either by Thai standards. While it might seem a bit odd to have a menu spread across Western, Middle Eastern and Thai cuisine I guess it means most people can find something they like. Pizzas at the next table looked OK too. I'd be happy to go back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james24 Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 In my opinion Sahara is miles ahead of Jerusalem. Jerusalem is way over priced and is so bloody boring. The upstairs of Sahara is good for food and also having a drink. I think Jerusalem is utter rubbish to be honest, they may have a Jewish lady but the food is not very good at all. If you want a burger however Pinkys is bloody good!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thakkar Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 I've tried only the Middle Eastern dishes at Sahara. Most of them, though surprisingly inexpensive, were disappointing. The exception was the succulent chicken kebab served with nice, fluffy yellow rice. Fruit drinks were served in exceedingly tall glasses, necessitating an uncomfortable stretching of the neck to get to the mouth of the straw. I will next time bring a phone book to sit on. Ample parking, lovely, relaxing decor, good service. If only this place and Jerusalem Falafel would exchange chefs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikster Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 I found Sahara pretty good for middle eastern food. Just took forever to get what I ordered for some reason... (on 3 occasions)...I had some sort of chicken in very heavy broth, the kind of thing they cook forever, was excellent. The western food was ... ok but nothing to come back for. Gorgeous place, for sure. Never tried Jerusalem so can't compare. Zoe in Yellow is awesome but very small menu. Best tomato salad outside Greece there... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yelly Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 (edited) We live near Sahara and go mainly for the cheap pizza. The pizza is GREAT and is only 99 baht for a large-ish cheese pizza. There is no falafel on the menu....so vegetarian options are limited. The vegetarian panini is good. The fries are VERY hit and miss (we've eaten here at least ten times in the past two months). The lentil soup is good. The hummus is okay but they only give you one small pita to eat it with. Husband enjoying his pizza: Edited August 15, 2011 by Yelly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulysses G. Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 In my opinion Sahara is miles ahead of Jerusalem. Jerusalem Falafel has falafels and I do not think that Sahara sells them. Most people go to Jerusalem Falafel for falafels and they are pretty good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikis Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 jerusalem is way more expensive than sahara, which is why i don't go there, eventhough the food is excellent. some chicken sandwich was very good in sahara, but there is some weird taste in their pizzas. it has to be some spice or something that doesn't belong in pizza. wish they stop using that, because their pizzas are very good value for money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRS1 Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Went to Jerusalem once, gave me reflux. Didn't go back. Food tasted good though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naboo Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Went to Sahara last night. Thought it was very good, girlfriend enjoyed the food as well. Was going to have a pizza or cheeseburger, but changed my mind and had the Sahara Salad, Lentil soup and Spaghetti with Paneng Curry thing (gf's choice). All tasted fantastic and the roof top seating area makes for fantastic people watching on the street below. Traffic on Nimanhaemin was a nightmare though. Tough work getting through on the scooter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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