Authentic fare from Italy, China, Mexico and New York has been imbuing Hillsborough Street with foreign culinary favorites and savoir faire atmospheres for years.
And students don’t even have to dig deep into their pockets to afford it.
Though Hillsborough Street is in no way bland — from the hookah bar to Pi Bar, from time-honored Mitch’s Tavern to avant-garde Porter’s, it caters to both early birds eager for organic coffee and night owls craving an eight-inch sub — it was missing something.
That something — Jasmin — arrived a few weeks ago, settling down into the corner of Hillsborough and Horne streets and serving up dishes of falafel, hummus, pita and olives.
Although orders are placed over-the-counter style, the vegetables and sides aren’t suffering from spending long hours in containers. Everything is vibrant, fresh and, overall, savory.
The falafel wrap, an item Hillsborough Street has completely neglected until now, is especially marvelous. Order a side of hummus, topped with paprika and a “signature” olive, a slice of pita bread and a sweet tea, and you’ve got the perfect blend of Greek specialties and Southern comfort.
Even the atmosphere is relaxing. Tables fill the restaurant — which is neither too small nor overly large — and on one side, a long bench, covered with cushions, invites customers to take their seats.
Splashes of color coat the walls. Paintings depicting scenes from the Middle East extend the length of a wall. A brightly-hued tapestry hangs near the windows.
It’s the perfect place to go when you’re tired of the same slice of midnight pizza, the same boxes of sesame chicken or the same order of the vegetarian combo number six.
Once you go, it’s very likely Jasmin will transform from a change of pace to a weekly staple.
And they’re open late — until 10 p.m. during the week and until 2 a.m. on weekends. So if you’re craving a late-night falafel fix or hungry for hummus, head over to Jasmin Mediterranean Bistro. You’ll come back full without feeling the physical repercussions of one too many oversized slices of pizza.
