NYC Tastes

The block of East 20th Street between Park Avenue and Broadway has always been a favorite of mine.  The beautiful Gramercy Tavern has been there for ages and newer restaurants like Barbounia, Fusco and ever crowded Sugarfish have really made this block a culinary Disneyland. The newest restaurant to pop up on this street is Middle Eastern gem Nur.  A place so tiny its easy to miss just walking by but quite possibly the best restaurant on the entire block. Nur was opened by Gadi Peleg of  Breads Bakery  and Israli star Chef Meir Andoni.  When I first saw the menu online I knew I absolutely had to come and try out one of my favorite dishes from our last London trip the Jerusalem Bagel. This warm pretzel like roll was very similar to the one we had at The Barbary  but with a fluffier texture studded with sesame seeds and served with a delicious za'atar and lima bean messbaha.  I love this bagel; it puts all other regular NYC bagels to sh...

Mr. T and I had some errands to do in Bayridge this weekend so I used it as an excuse to finally try out  Tanoreen.  My Brooklyn coworkers have been telling me for years about this Middle Eastern gem. I specifically remember mention of the Eggplant Napoleon during several  discussions... Two thick slices of crispy breaded eggplant layered with creamy baba ghanouge and tomato basil salata.  Somehow the eggplant stayed completely intact, not a slimy veggie in sight.  It was really a work of art that we completely devoured in about 5 minutes flat. Crispy Hallumi Cheese is a must order for me when it's on the menu.  This could have been served a bit warmer but the flavor and consistency was still spot on. The hummus we used mainly as a garnish for stuffing into our pitas when the Mixed Grill arrived. This was just a massive platter filled with ground lamb kabob, marinated lamb and a smoky chicken kabob that had an excellent char to the o...