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| MIDDLE EAST/ AFRICAN Gazala’s: Middle East. 380 Columbus Av @ 78th; 23/10/$22; 873-8880; Druse style cooking; Homemade Pitas- best in city; Amazing Hummas platters; BYO- rare for NYC; Storefront setting- more like a Diner in their 9th Av/49th location; This location is roomier; Lamb & Chicken Kabab platters. Lamb, chicken and hummus options throughout the inexpensive menu.
Epices du Traiteur: Tunisian. 103 W 70th @ Columbus; 21/16/$42; 579-5904; Mediterranean & Moroccan influenced; Unique and different types of food selections; Popular spot; Best place to sit is the large back Garden. Wondrous fish selections; Pre-Lincoln Center option; Lamb Stew and a glass of wine; Let the friendly staff guide your selections. Taboon: Middle Eastern. 773 10th Av @ 52nd; 25/20/$48; 713-0271; Middle Eastern; Flat out awesome place; To die for Fresh bread; Festive atmosphere; Oasis; Relaxed setting. Stone oven prepared foods; Tsatsiki & hummus unreal. Braai: South African. 329 W 51st @ 8th-9th; 21/21/$45; 315-3315; Any place with Ostrich on the menu gets my attention; BBQ specialist; Setting is an upscale hut and a welcoming feel; Must try: The bottomless Passionfruit Mimosa brunch for $12 with entrée; Other food choices: Oxtail Stew, Seafood casserole, and pork ribs; Awesome cocktail list; What a fun and refreshing place. Meske: Ethiopian. 468 47th @ 9-10th Av; 22/12/23; 664-0520; Flat Breads and incredible Stews; Eat with your hands; Authentic African. Perfectly Spiced. Dirt cheap lunch specials under $10; Vegetarian combo is good enough for a carnivore; BYOB allowed; There is also a Village location at: 124 MacDougal @ Bleecker. Queen of Sheba: Ethiopian. 650 10th Av @ 45-6th; 23/16/$28; 397-0610; Great portions of flavorful dishes to share of the classic Ethiopian bread; Iffy service made up for by top quality cuisine; Trendy scene. Mamoun’s Falafel: Middle East. 119 MacDougal @ Minetta; 24/8/$17; 674-8685; The best damn falafel in the city; Known as a late-night haunt; Perfect for lunch or walking with on the street; Tasty beyond belief. Wildly popular. Nomad: African. 78 2nd Av @ 4th St; 21/20/$33; 253-5410; Cool, almost spiritual décor inside; North African, French cuisine; Great spices; Tasty – unique food to try. Bargain- try couscous royale entrée. Most dishes served in Tapas style – small plates; Features a pretty back garden and recent menu improvements add Spanish entrees as well. Grilled Calamari salad; Lots of expensive meat entrees under $20. Zerza: Moroccan. 304 E 6th @ 1-2nd Av; 22/20/$38; 529-8250; Authentic food, attentive service; Meticulous care put into the cuisine & served beautifully. Lamb & chicken tanginess. Belly Dancers on Saturday; Small plates of Moroccan food. Awash: Ethiopian. 338 E 6th @ 1st-2nd Av; 22/12/$24; 982-9589; Tasty platters of flavorful food combined with the traditional Bread; Eat with your hands; Extremely cheap and a great experience. Easily the best genre of African food and they nail it here. Great to share. Food richly spiced. Injera bread is light and flavorful. Kafana: Serbian. 116 Ave C @ 7th-8th; 23/18/$29; 353-8000; Wildly popular and probably the best Balkan restaurant in the city; Tasty regional pork dishes stand out; One of only a few Serbian places in area; Try 2-person mixed grill; Balkan cuisine has arrived at last; Small, cozy living room setting; Get the Sopska salad; Cheese and Spinach pies; Cash only; Meat-centric menu – dirt cheap. Cafe Mogador: Moroccan. 101 St. Mark’s @ Av A-1st; 22/17/$30; 677-2226; Neighborhood mainstay; Young, hip scene; Garlic-laded entrees; Mussels with shallots & olive oil; Dirt cheap as well; Cous-cous and lamb tagine (long simmered stew) stand out; Simply put: incredibly well prepared & authentic Moroccan cuisine at Rabat level prices; Been around nearly 30 years. Ponty Bistro: Senegalese. 218 3rd Av @ 18th-19th; 23/17/$39; 777-1616; French inspired northern African cuisine; Value prices and extremely unique cuisine; Two for 1 house Martinis including Lychee martinis; Breakfast & Brunch also served; $25 prix fixe menu; Very friendly service and certainly worth a try to have a cuisine rarely found in NYC. Bamiyan: Afgan; 358 3rd Av @ 26th; 19/18/$38; 481-3232; Best you’ll get in this cuisine; Chicken dishes are excellent; Pumpkin turnovers; Inspired rice dishes; Classic fare from part of the world few of us know. Cuisine is known for basmati rice-based dishes, chicken and lamb dishes; New experience – maybe best saved for lunch. Ilili: Lebanese. 236 5th Ave @ 27th; 25/23/$47; 683-2322; One of the better restaurants of its genre offering small and large plates best designed for sharing; Date-friendly, sexy décor; Lounge feel; Huge menu of truly authentic preparations; Prix-fixe available for lunch or dinner; Lamb Makloubeh and Duck Shawarma are a must as are Brussels Sprouts. Trendy, date friendly décor. Barbes: Moroccan. 21 E 36th @ 5th Av-Madison; 21/18/$43; 684-0215; French-inspired Moroccan fair (both cuisines on menu); Complicated dishes that show care and effort- and great flavor; Coolio date scene- sexy décor; Lots of Tangines, Brouchettes and Couscous dishes on menu; Lunch and Brunch also available; NYC’s melting pot witnessed again. Naya: Lebanese. 1057 2nd Av @ 55th-56th; 23/21/$41; 319-7777; Fresh, modern design and good service; All white interior – mini booths; Wine $9-$12; About 30 appetizers, mostly a variety of “Mezze” and there is such a mouthwatering assortment to choose from; See website; Lamb, beef, chicken and fish entrees including Striped Bass and incredible mixed grills. | |
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