At first glance, Wolfnights on the Lower East Side looks more like a late-night grub shop than a fine-dining establishment, but don’t let that deter you. The quick and efficient service at this gourmet wrap shop is definitely preferable to the 45-minute wait you’ll find at nearby eateries.
On to those wraps: the Beast ($10) is a delectable combination of grilled steak, crunchy BBQ bits, blue cheese, marinated green olives, cilantro and red chili mayonnaise wrapped in turmeric flatbread. The wrap itself is spicy enough to wake up your tastebuds, but not too intense. The steak arrives well done and chewy in consistency, but the flavor is appealing enough for you to take multiple bites anyway. If you’re craving seafood, try the Pink Moon ($10). A beet-chia dough gives the wrap its signature pink hue, and it's filled with grilled shrimp, bean sprout slaw, grilled asparagus, pickled jalapeño, fried pickles and coconut-vanilla sauce. It's just as spicy as the Beast, but the limited number of shrimp is slightly disappointing. Still, it's tasty, even more so when paired with a serving of sweet potato fries ($5) or the Wolf Attack ($7), an overloaded tater tot number made of sloppy joe mix, grilled onions, melted cheddar and jalapeños. Savory and full of kick, the Wolf Attack is hearty enough to act as a late night meal for those in the mood for spuds.
For dessert, try the chocolate-basil milkshake ($6) or the Wolfie dessert wrap ($6). Both desserts carry a lightness that the entrées severely lack. The fragrant milkshake, made with chocolate ice cream, cinnamon, basil and banana, makes for a surprisingly fruity drink you can’t find anywhere else. The Wolfie is a similarly unusual combination of walnut-maple balls wrapped in a Nutella dough and topped with fresh strawberries, sesame butter, vanilla cream and coconut flakes. Be forewarned: Both sweets could become addicting. Wolfnights might not become an everyday habit, but when you're craving a toasty wrap, it's worth heading downtown.
BY TIME OUT COMMUNITY REVIEWER: EMY RODRIGUEZ