Afghan Kebab House II

1345 2nd Ave, between 70th & 71st St, New York, NY 10021 212-517-2776

Description: UPPER EAST SIDE. Break away from ordinary dinner fare at this well-received restaurant, which tantalizes taste buds with fragrant, earthy spices and terrific, charcoal-broiled dishes. Start with bolanee kadu (a fried pumpkin turnover) before digging into classics like tandoori chicken or chicken korma. Shrimp, lamb, cod, and beef kebabs also get a spicy rubdown before they're broiled to juicy perfection. Vegetarians have much to applaud as well, thanks to zesty dishes of eggplant, okra, spinach, and zucchini. Affordable prices. TRAIN: 6 to 77th St
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Akdeniz

19 W 46th St, between 5th & 6th Ave, New York, NY 10036 212-575-2307

Description: 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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Al Bustan

827 3rd Ave, between 50th & 51st Sts, New York, NY 10022 212-759-5933

Description: MIDTOWN EAST. This Mid-Eastern restaurant, whose name translates as simply "the orchard," is popular with locals, who appreciate Al Bustan's homey atmosphere and peach-hued interior. If you are very hungry, begin your meal with one of the mezes (appetizers); for example, try the stuffed grape leaves or smoked eggplant salad. Next, move straight to one of the excellent entrées like makanek (lamb), shish taouk (chicken), hummus served with sautéed lamb and pignoli or samboussek (stuffed dumplings). If you still have room left, Al Bustan's dessert offerings include a sampler, baklava and their ever-popular butter cookies. TRAIN: 4, 5, 6 to 51st St
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Ali Baba

212 E 34th St, between 2nd & 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10016 212-683-9206

Description: 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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Azuri Cafe

465 W 51st St, between 9th & 10th Ave, New York, NY 10019 212-262-2920

Description: 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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Bereket

187 E Houston St, at Orchard St, New York, NY 10002 212-475-7700

Description: LOWER EAST SIDE. Most thank the stars that this Little Italy dive is open 24 hours a day! Serving a variety of Turkish dishes, Bereket is a favorite of everybody from cabbies to East Village hipsters. First-timers will probably want to try the lamb or chicken kebabs and falafels. Seasoned veterans, though, will opt for the patlican kizartma (fried eggplant and peppers), Turkish pizza or leek stew. Make sure you check out the daily specials. You wouldn't want to miss something like Wednesday's moussaka, now, would you? Reservations are not accepted. Save room for the baklava or rice pudding ­ they're always fresh. TRAIN: F to 2nd Ave
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Beyoglu

1431 3rd Ave, at 81st St, New York, NY 10028 212-650-0850

Description: 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 döner kebabs, including chicken, lamb, striped bass and swordfish. TRAIN: 4, 5, 6 to 86th St; 6 to 77th St
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Casimir

103-105 Ave B, New York, NY 10009 212-358-9683

Description: EAST VILLAGE. Located in the old Hotel Galvez site, this quaint French bistro offers brasserie favorites. Try the filet mignon or steak frites and save room for one of the delectable desserts. European style and attitude abound in this cozy French delight. Enjoy a drink or dinner in the intimate lounge populated by chic Village denizens. Business Casual. Reservations recommended. TRAIN: F to Second Avenue; 6 to Astor Place.
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Hoomoos Asli

100 Kenmare St, off Lafayette between Broome & Spring St, New York, NY 10012 212-966-0022

Description: LITTLE ITALY. Located just off Bowery, Hoomos Asli is an oasis for those looking for good Mid-Eastern cuisine on this side of town. The restaurant doesn't offer much in the way of fancy décor or flashy service, they do serve up a cornucopia of reasonably priced traditional Israeli dishes like pitas and falafels. The stars, however, are their vegetarian plates, particularly the tasty carrot salad. TRAIN: 6 to Spring St
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Mamlouk

211 E 4th St, New York, NY 10009 212-529-3477

Description: 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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Moustache ­ East

265 E 10th St, at 1st St, New York, NY 10009 212-228-2022

Description: 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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Moustache ­ West Village

90 Bedford St, New York, NY 10014 212-229-2220

Description: WEST VILLAGE. Nestled between Barrow and Grove Streets, this fun little eatery packs a big punch. Diners return again and again to delve into the fresh, Mediterranean-style salads and interesting pitzas ­ pizzas made from pita bread. Satisfying and enjoyable. Reservations not accepted. TRAIN: 1, 9 to Christopher St-Sheridan Sq
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Pasha

70 W 71st St, between Columbus Ave and CPW, New York, NY 10023 212-579-8751

Description: UPPER WEST SIDE. Friendly and charming, this restaurant offers up traditional Turkish cuisine. Guests can enjoy dishes made up of eggplant, lamb, quail, chicken and a variety of cheeses. TRAIN: B, C to 72nd St
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Taboon

773 10th Ave, between 52nd & 53rd St, New York, NY 10019 212-713-0271

Description: 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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Tanoreen

7704 Third Ave, Bay Ridge, NY 11209 718-748-5600

Description: 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
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Turkish Kitchen

386 3rd Ave, between 27th & 28th St, New York, NY 10016 212-679-1810

Description: 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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Üsküdar

1405 2nd Ave, between 73rd and 74th Sts, New York, NY 10021 212-988-2641

Description: UPPER EAST SIDE. A great place to visit for a late lunch or early dinner, this Second Avenue restaurant has grown in popularity with neighborhood folks since opening its doors. Tried-and-true standbys include hummus or lamb, chicken, and shrimp kebabs. More adventurous options include zucchini pancakes and the mixed grill, which includes a flavorful variety of mixed vegetables. Dinner reservations are required. TRAIN: 6 to 77th St
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