We stopped by Ghenet Brooklyn, the new Ethiopian on 4th Avenue in Brooklyn last night. The space is tiny, and encircled with delicate metalwork screens. Since there were four of us, we got the Ghenet combination for four, which turned out to basically mean we got everything on the menu—all the vegetarian dishes, as well as doro watt (spiced chicken stew), and sega watt (spiced beef stew). The combo probably could have fed six—it arrived on an enormous plate, with injera layered below and also served on the side. The doro watt was wonderful—bone-in chicken cooked in a thick, darkly spiced sauce with a boiled egg alongside. And all the vegetarian dishes were equally good. We particularly liked the earthy, lemony collard greens, the stewed red lentils and the cabbage and potatoes. We ate until we couldn't. And the combo was only about $55—a good deal, a good meal, we're fans.
33 Crosby St. New York, NY
10013 Tribeca Phone:
212-219-8856
Spanish
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A (pronounced "enya"), is narrow as a pencil, with two copper-topped bars and little additional seating. After a steady diet of Spanish reds and headache-inducing sangria at most tapas joints, we welcomed the list of 24 sherr ... read on
164 W 75th St. New York, NY
10023 Upper West Phone:
212-787-1081
Italian
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Mounted by Ouest owner Tom Valenti, 'Cesca is a maze of plush banquettes and stony culs-de-sacs that feels like a hotel lobby. Other publications have suggested the food is creative southern Italian—a total lie. The sple ... read on
21 Bedford St. New York, NY
10014 West Village Phone:
212-989-5769
Italian
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A plague of panini is upon us! And 'Ino is to blame, inspired by the Milanese sandwich bar Quadronno and still my favorite. Groove to the Italian BLT, the olive bowl, the Nutella panino, and the truffled egg toast, and wash t ... read on
98 Rivington St. New York, NY
10002 Lower East Side (above
Canal) Phone: 212-614-0473
Italian
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Whether acquired cold from a panel truck at a rural corner, or hot from a village macelleria, porchetta is Italy's favorite sandwich meat. Though duplicating this fennel-stuffed roast with the copper crackling skin in this co ... read on
Though the automatic ordering contraption doesn't always work, the menu may seem a tad expensive, and the staff sometimes appears dispirited, 'Wichcraft turns out some of the best and more interesting sandwiches in town. A st ... read on
811 W 187th St. New York, NY
10033 Washington Heights Phone: 212-923-3311
Bistro
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Sided by mashed potatoes and buttermilk gravy, the fried chicken at 107 West (who knows where the name comes from) is nothing short of miraculous, with a very thin, crisp coating of what seems like corn flakes, done to a plea ... read on
56 MacDougal St. New York, NY
10012 Nolita Phone:
212-254-8640
Eclectic
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Not to be confused with the East Village joint 26 Seats, this below-Houston café offers the pleasing combination of all-day breakfasts, bistro-style sandwiches, Middle Eastern salads, and†... read on
145 Court St. Brooklyn, NY
11201 Brooklyn Phone:
718-624-9325
Middle Eastern
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Don't bother with the menu at 145 Luncheonette. Ask what kinds of meat (always halal) are workin' on the grill, then ask for a selection–often including lamb shank, lamb shish kebab, and chicken; sometimes kidney and l ... read on
60 Clinton St. New York, NY
10002 Lower East Side Phone: 646-654-1114
Spanish
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High ceilings, minimalist decor, music that won't leave you with a headache, and a beguiling list of Spanish wines set the scene for Manhattan's best tapas bar. The small savory plates, mainly around $5, include baby asparagu ... read on
213 Grand St. New York, NY
10013 Chinatown Phone:
212-226-4231
Chinese
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The minute you enter, your eye is drawn to the 4-foot framed shark's fin at the end of the room. You may have been lured in by the perfect display of Chinese barbecue in the window: pig, cuttlefish, chicken, duck, mixed gizza ... read on
