NYC is a foodie’s paradise and the diversity of choices is staggering. There are numerous food neighborhoods to select from including Chinatown, Little Italy, Curry Hill, Korea Town, etc….but there are also quite a number of gems sprinkled throughout the city. This cultural tour takes you out of the famous food hoods and all across the city to five unique New York restaurants that offer the best in their cuisine.
Gazala Place
Gazala Halabi, owner and chef, shares her Druse heritage and recipes with New York. The Druse live mainly in Lebanon, Syria and Israel and the owner’s origins are from Israel where her family owns a restaurant and her grandmother a spice shop, luckily the spices find their way into Gazala’s dishes. The cuisine is Middle Eastern with a Druse influence such as the pita, which is very thin, pizza sized breads served with everything and hand made on premise using a Druse pan called a sagg. Other Druse inspired menu items include Osh, pancakes with sweet cheese, honey, pistachios and raspberries and the boreka, phyllo stuffed with goat cheese and spinach (goat cheese is heavily used in Druse dishes). It’s a lovely albeit small space, they’re so friendly and the owner’s love of labor shines through making the experience that much richer. It’s BYOB. Location: Hell’s Kitchen, 709 9th Avenue
Oliva
Oliva’s is always fun and the locals that frequent it can’t contain themselves when the music starts…dancing breaks out in the aisles and beckons you to join in. There’s live music almost every night ranging from Salsa, Bossanova, Flameco to Latin Pop. Their full menu of Basque dishes incorporates Spanish imported ingredients and spices. I particularly love the tapas; their renditions of my favorites including Tortilla Espanola, ham croquettes, asparagus and fried stuffed olives are so yummy. Latin and Spanish choices from the bar include mojitos and sangria. On Monday and Tuesday tapas are half price from 5:30 to 8PM. Location: LES, 161 East Houston Street
Loreley
German at its best and inspired by the owner’s upbringing, down to the wood tables made by a carpenter who outfits pubs in Cologne. 12 imported beers on tap and more offerings by the bottle. 100% German menu with small plates and entrees; do NOT skip the delish soft, oven-hot pretzels! It’s a relaxed, fun atmosphere great for meeting friends and there’s a large biergarten in the back perfect for summer drinks. Location: LES, 7 Rivington Street; Williamsburg location coming soon
Café Noir
Café Noir is in itself a diverse place, Moroccan in décor and ambiance with ceiling fans, arched doorways, stucco walls and jungle prints, yet diverse Mediterranean food and bar menus with Spanish, French and Moroccan offerings. The bar in front is spacious as is the restaurant in the back with cozy alcove tables and cushioned seating. It’s a perfect spot for relaxing at the bar and soaking in the French music, lingering after Sunday brunch with friends, for a romantic date, or for the dj that spins most nights. Location: SOHO, 32 Grand Street (FYI cash or Amex only)
Café Habana
THE place for Cuban in NYC and the locals know it and pack in, particularly in the summer when the party spills outside and onto the sidewalk. The staff is very friendly and the space is tiny but worth the shoulder to shoulder for some of the best and most authentic Cuban cuisine in the city. Locals rave about the Cuban sandwich and grilled corn for good reason. Location: Nolita, 17 Prince Street
flickr: edenpictures, snowpeabokchoi
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