Comments (0) Best Balkan - 2012
Balkanika
The countries that lie along the eastern side of the Adriatic have a fascinating cuisine—centered on bread dips, salads, and grilled meats—but one that is rarely savored by outsiders. Younger sister of the Hell's Kitchen fave Kashkaval, Balkanika features not only cheeses, charcuterie, and dips that run from baba ghanoush to the red-pepper paste called ivar, but also Balkan main courses that originate in a half-dozen countries: cevapcici (skinless ground-beef sausages), moussaka (a meat casserole that treats potatoes like noodles), guvech (a red wine stew of beef and vegetables), and dolma (stuffed peppers). As an added bonus, the place doubles as a wine bar, showcasing bottles from Turkey and former Yugoslavian republics at bargain prices. 691 Ninth Avenue, 212-974-0300, balkanikanewyork.com (10036)
