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1. Taboon
773 10th Ave, between 52nd & 53rd St, New York, NY 10019 · 212-713-0271
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HELL'S KITCHEN. Once, folks wouldn't have dreamed of venturing into Hell's Kitchen for a night out. How times change! These days, the neighborhood is called Clinton, and it's a hip scene with a full roster of cool restaurants like Taboon (Arabic for "oven"). Ever friendly and always aromatic, this spot is known city-wide for its awesome, house-baked flatbread. Of course, that merely touches the surface a lesson no doubt learned once you've sat down and sampled a dish (or three, or four) of meze. Main courses include the requisite kebabs as well as a few fish dishes. TRAIN: C, E to 50th St
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GRAMERCY. Offers a variety of Turkish dining delights, including calamari, lamb kebobs and grilled eggplant salad. Ambience is exotic and service is good. Appetizers are a must. Be prepared for the full and varied menu where each dish sounds as good as the one before. If you're looking for a good deal, try the all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch, which is a steal at just under $22. TRAIN: 6 to 28th St
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3. Ali Baba
212 E 34th St, between 2nd & 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10016 · 212-683-9206
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MURRAY HILL. Hummus-hued walls, hardwood floors and colorfully upholstered banquettes characterize this intimate Murray Hill spot, an enterprise that began life as a Turkish-style pizza joint. The pizzas are still there (and as delish as ever), but the menu has expanded greatly from those early days. The usual suspects of hot and cold mezes highlight the array of opening dishes, and the always formidable chef's suggestions include pepper steak, homemade manti and lahana dolmasi (cabbage stuffed with lamb, rice and fresh dill). Stop by on Tuesdays around 9pm, and you'll be able to catch the belly dancers. TRAIN: 6 to 33rd St
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4. Mamlouk
211 E 4th St, New York, NY 10009 · 212-529-3477
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EAST VILLAGE. Once popular with hookah aficionados, Mamouk survived the citywide smoking ban and now holds sway as one of the Village's top Middle Eastern restaurants. The space combines traditional Arabic aesthetics with a cool, hip attitude that perfectly suits its East Village address. A word to the wise: If you just can't decide what to order (Don't scoff this can be a daunting task!), turn things over to the chef, whose six-course prix fixe (around $40) is a rewarding experience to be sure. Belly dancing on Fridays and Saturdays beginning at 9pm. TRAIN: F, V to 2nd Ave
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5. Akdeniz
19 W 46th St, between 5th & 6th Ave, New York, NY 10036 · 212-575-2307
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MIDTOWN WEST. For Turkish cuisine just a few strides from Time Square, this stylishly appointed dining room is hard to beat. Indeed, folks pack the long, narrow space nightly. The mezes include superb renditions of zucchini pancakes, whipped red caviar, eggplant salad and stuffed vine leaves; meanwhile, mains run from traditional Turkish gyro to grilled trout with arugula and carrots. As to dessert, few things cap a night like Turkish coffee and rice pudding. At just under $20, their three-course prix fixe option allows diners to feast on dishes like barbequed meatballs, falafel and baby okra. TRAIN: B, D, F, V to 47th-50th St-Rockefeller Center; E, V to Fifth Ave-53rd St
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7. Beyoglu
1431 3rd Ave, at 81st St, New York, NY 10028 · 212-650-0850
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UPPER EAST SIDE. Regulars consider this meze joint in the East 80s one of the neighborhood's best deals, and rightly so. The hot and cold mezes are perfectly sharable for groups of all sizes, and each dish offered is its own unique brand of flavorful sensation. While hummus and tabbouleh comprise the more familiar choices, adventurous palates chomp at the bit to try the sardines wrapped in grape leaves. Main courses include a variety of tasty dφner kebabs, including chicken, lamb, striped bass and swordfish. TRAIN: 4, 5, 6 to 86th St; 6 to 77th St
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8. Azuri Cafe
465 W 51st St, between 9th & 10th Ave, New York, NY 10019 · 212-262-2920
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HELL'S KITCHEN. Small and simple, this Israeli eatery draws rave reviews from those who've been here. Tasty sandwiches and scrumptious kebabs please the palate while prices please the pocketbook. Try the great tasting falafel, hummus or salads. Top your meal off with a piece of rich baklava. TRAIN: C, E to 50th St
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EAST VILLAGE. Located between First Avenue and Alphabet City, this fun little eatery packs a big punch. Diners return again and again to delve into the fresh, Mediterranean-style salads and interesting "pitzas" that is, pizzas made from pita bread. Satisfying and enjoyable. TRAIN: L to 1st Ave; 6 to Astor Pl
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10. Tanoreen
7704 Third Ave, Bay Ridge, NY 11209 · 718-748-5600
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BROOKLYN. Across the bridge in Bay Ridge, Chef Rawia Bishara has consistently enjoyed rave reviews since she opened her Tanoreen back in 1999. Specializing in an amalgamation of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines, Bishara created her own, unique spice mix (called Tanoreen Spices) that she uses to flavor most of her dishes. And what flavor it all has, whether it's baked eggplant, okra stewed in tomato sauce, shepherd's pie or baked red snapper. Be sure to stick around for a bite of knafeh or baklava unless you go home and sit in your favorite chair, you'd be hard pressed find a more comfortable place. TRAIN: R to 77th St
Looking for a restaurant? We've explored the options, checked with critics, and pounded the pavement to offer only the best. Recommendations come complete with contact information and a brief description highlighting the important features of the restaurant. Fit our choices to your mood, or let us guide your tastes. You'll likely find a few places that not even locals know about.
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