Alas, although the openings of Vish on East 8th Street and Levantine chain Panorama this summer increased the amount of hummus among us, something had to offset this influx of chickpeas. It seems the trade-off is popular Lebanese fast-casual dining option Semsom Eatery. The previously lively storefront on Astor Place is now barren and empty, save for a ladder along with a sad McDonald’s cup and some rags resting on a counter by the door. Yelpers have reported the venue as closed down. It’s unclear when the closure occurred, but the eatery was active on social media as recently as August 2. While it’s possible that the Astor Place location of this chain may revive someday, for now, students will have to get their turmeric rice and cauliflower veggie bowls with unlimited toppings elsewhere.
Personally, although I never was a fan of this particular Lebanese franchise, it always seemed to be quite a hit among the NYU crowd, so it’s a bit of a surprise to see that it’s closed down. Then again, the Chipotle on St. Marks also shuttered for good in recent days. Anyway, maybe it’s all for the best. A Facebook review of Semsom, from May, reads: “I used to love their hummus, but they’ve changed the recipe and now it’s awful 🙁 ”