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Nestled among the faux bistros and precious bars of Nolita, Hoomoos Asli is a welcome, no-fuss spot offering quick and cheap Israeli cuisine. Ceiling fans whirl above small wooden tables and cheesy '90s trance music plays over the speakers. Lunch draws a large international crowd of 20-somethings and NYU students, who come to feast on falafel, which arrive tucked in homemade, ridiculously fluffy pitas overflowing with chopped tomatoes and cucumbers. Dinner boasts an equally laid-back scene as couples enjoy entrees like schnitzel, pan-fried chicken covered in breadcrumbs and spices, and the Jerusalem mixed grill, a succulent combination of lamb, chicken and beef served with caramelized onions over rice. Lingering over cups of Turkish coffee and talking politics is encouraged. And although Hoomoos Asli doesn't serve liquor, the bring-your-own-wine-and-beer policy adds to this hole-in-the-wall's casual charm. — Dakota Smith

Babaganoush, $4.75; Jerusalem mix grill, $18.45