Latest news with #mezze
Forbes
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
New York Restaurants August 2025: Where To Go
mezze on the river Edible enlightenment from our eatery experts and colleagues Monie Begley, Richard Nalley and Randall Lane , as well as brothers Bob, Kip and Tim. le petit village If you're yearning for that perfect small country restaurant in the South of France where you can linger for hours, salvation has arrived in the center of the West Village. This place is devoted to the classics. Begin with bubbling escargot or a rich, creamy foie gras, but the showstopper is the seafood tower filled with tuna tartare, East Coast oysters, shrimp and lobster with mignonette sauce. Move on to the done-to-perfection steak au poivre, with the mandatory frites. For traditionalists there's a cheeseboard with three or five cheeses and a tempting charcuterie board. Or choose the authentic bouillabaisse filled with market fish and served with a rouille sauce and a baguette for 'sopping.' The sides of wild mushroom fricassée and haricots verts are a must. For dessert try the perfect profiteroles, the creamiest crème brûlée or the applause-stealing crêpes Suzette. This is the perfect place for dinner before catching a Broadway show. The décor is rustic and comfortable and the Italian fare straightforward and well-prepared. Pollo al limone and the prosciutto di San Daniele pizza are home runs and are closely followed by the penne al pomodoro with mozzarella. While the tiramisu and the panna cotta are very good, the torta di mele is a standout. Service is friendly, and they'll get you out in plenty of time to make your show. UNTABLE The moment you step into this casually elegant storefront Thai restaurant in Carroll Gardens, you are whisked into its lively, mood-shifting vibe. Chef Aun Kampimarn (known as Un, hence 'Untable') produces gorgeously plated, boldly flavored dishes based on his childhood memories of northeastern Thailand—but with his own spin. The What the Hell fried rice, with its 12 spicy chili symbols, grabs most reviewers' attention, but it's not at all representative of a menu full of sensationally orchestrated dishes with spiciness as a component, not an end in itself. Every dish is composed to let its ingredients shine, from the deeply meaty fermented pork sausage appetizer, to the minced-duck larb ped udon surrounded by roasted rice and add-yourself Thai spices, to the Kao-Soi—an instant favorite based on a turmeric-inflected, Chiang Mai-style dry curry featuring savory grass-fed beef tossed with egg noodles. Armani/Ristorante 760 Madison Ave., at 65th St. (Tel.: 212-207-1902) If you've got the money to shop on Madison Avenue, prices at the gorgeous new restaurant in Armani's flagship store won't come as a shock. The décor is handsome, comfortably restrained and acoustically satisfying. Executive chef Daniele Castellano's creations are as artistic as they are tasty. You'll leave feeling you've gotten your money's worth. White asparagus is splayed open and served with fava beans and ricotta—it's amazing. Even something as banal-sounding as a salad of orange and fennel with its inclusion of a variety of citrus tickles the tatste buds. The beef short ribs with a barbecue balsamic vinegar sauce and daikon radish slaw leaves you wanting to come back for more. In for a penny, in for a pound: Go for the coffee, mascarpone and sponge cake or the meringue with berries and whipped cream. mezze on the river Mezze on the River 375 South End Ave., Battery Park City (Tel.: 212-432-1451) Waterfront dining is on two outside terraces or inside, all with views across the Hudson of the Garden State. The cuisine is Mediterranean-inspired. Among the starters are a tasty watermelon and kale salad and a Greek salad. The main menu ranges from a roasted chicken that would be at home in any bistro to a spicy grilled lamb kebab that would do any restaurant in the Subcontinent proud, as well as steaks and burgers. There are also fish and seafood dishes as well as various pastas. There are four desserts, including baklava, but the warm chocolate molten cake with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce is the winner. Café Commerce Cafe Commerce 964 Lexington Ave., at 70th St. (Tel.: 212-390-8106) Talented chef/owner Harold Moore has taken up the Upper East Side's 'swells' mantle, with his restaurant instantly popular. His focus is on comfort food. Begin with circles of carpaccio served with capers, horseradish and hash browns, or the comforting chicken noodle soup with 'Grandma's' vegetables, or the 20-herb salad. More comfort offerings: rigatoni carbonara, the house cheeseburger or the perfectly crisp chicken schnitzel with salad on top. The most popular dish is the stuffed cabbage with beef, pork, veal, rice and mushrooms. Every night there's a featured special, one night Dover sole, another lamb chops—there are seven in all. Don't dream of leaving without ordering a gigantic slice of the coconut cake with cream cheese frosting—sinful and certainly comforting.
Arab News
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Layali Al Iraq' in Jeddah
Layali Al Iraq restaurant in Jeddah offers authentic Iraqi cuisine in a traditional setting. The restaurant's spacious interiors feature classic Iraqi elements including mashrabiya woodwork, stone walls, murals, and a central fountain. Soft Iraqi music adds to the calm atmosphere. While browsing the menu, guests are offered complimentary lentil soup, lemon slices, and saj bread — a nice touch. I tried the tabbouleh, Mosuli-style kibbeh, and a cold mezze platter. The tabbouleh was large — enough for several people — and all the ingredients were fresh and flavorsome. Layali Al Iraq has an enclosed grilling room where the signature grilled carp (shabout) is cooked upright over a fire. I ordered a 1 kg carp, which arrived nicely crisped and served with fresh vegetables. The lamb shoulder came with both plain and tomato-based rice, plus pistachio-stuffed kebabs — hearty and well-seasoned. To finish, traditional Iraqi tea istikanah is served in authentic cups by staff in traditional dress. Service was quick, and prices are reasonable given the portion sizes. Visit @layali_al.iraq_restaurant on Instagram for more information.
CNA
30-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- CNA
Turkish Delight: 6 fantastic food stops in Istanbul
Türkiye's largest city, once known as Constantinople and famous for straddling both Europe and Asia, also marks a culinary crossroads. The remarkable diversity of influences and people who have called it home ensure that it is one of the world's most thrilling places to dine out. Such a metropolis – more than 15 million people call it home – offers an extraordinary array of eating options, from roadside stalls to elegant dining rooms, local smoky grills to cutting-edge neo-Turkish bistros. Here are six spots for guaranteed deliciousness, authentic hospitality and windows on Turkey's remarkable, multi-layered culinary culture. KARAKOY CAFE Taking up the ground floor of a modest Novotel hotel, Karakoy Cafe is an unassuming spot but a surefire winner for those seeking real-deal Turkish cuisine. Bookings are essential as it fills up quickly with local families and larger groups enjoying impeccable plates, while the interiors and design are elevated and elegant, the service warm and the prices distinctly fair. The eyes are immediately drawn to a long, refrigerated counter, not unlike those in tapas bars, filled with a tempting array of mezze which are also listed on a long menu. Muhammara has long been a personal favourite, a sweet and spicy paste of peppers, walnuts and herbs, but the version at Karakoy is also cut through with fresh parsley for added freshness. A roasted aubergine salad, patlican salatasi, is another notch above the normal thanks to the smoky char on the vegetables, slowly blistered on the restaurant's vast grill. Oven-baked sheep's cheese with spices marked the final mezze, a simple but excellent addition, especially with their addictive breads hot from the oven. An extensive wine and raki list accompany the food, along with plenty of no-alcohol choices. GALLADA AT THE PENINSULA ISTANBUL Fatih Tutak is arguably Türkiye's most famous celebrity chef, a regular sight on TV and someone who proudly flies the flag for his country's cuisine. He boasts a distinguished resume which includes Türkiye's only two Michelin-starred restaurant, Turk Fatih Tutak, as well as the highly acclaimed Gallada at The Peninsula Istanbul. The hotel is an absolute beauty, sweeping along The Bosporus riverfront, featuring three separate buildings, including an Art Deco pearl which was once a ticket office for a ferry company. Another is crowned by Gallada with its vast terrace, incredible views over Hagia Sofia mosque and generous tables decked in pristine white linen. Every seat is taken, and the room buzzes with energy and a United Nations of accents. As the plates begin to arrive, it's clear why. Perfect batons of pickles are joined by Sichuan peanuts and a Turkish pinot noir, before the first course of lamb's liver with Kesan pepper and crispy potato, to be wrapped in gossamer-thin bread. Surely Istanbul's most elegant lamb shashlik kebab comes next, with vinegary onion, cumin and paprika, then Black Sea turbot with superior soy and morel mushrooms reflecting chef Fatih's years spent in Asia, in cities including Hong Kong and Bangkok. Frozen chocolate mousse with Madagascar vanilla rounds out a spectacular a la carte dinner. SERICA It's probably unsurprising that Istanbul's Bank Hotel was once a bank, one where sublime original interiors and architecture have been highlighted and restored with true style. One of its restaurants sits up on the sixth floor, with romantic views over the mosques of Sultanahmet and beyond. Serica's cuisine is neo-Turkish, namely rooted in tradition but unafraid to experiment and innovate. It also reflects regions including Anatolia, the Black Sea coast and Cappadocia. Dinner started with bread from a tandoor style oven, served volcanically hot with basil and herb butter. A crunchy rectangle of bread was then topped with anchovies, bottarga and aioli, a trio of powerful ingredients which nonetheless complimented one another well. The tandoor came to the fore again with fall-apart tender lamb shoulder, slow cooked and served with stuffed onion and apricot puree. More excellent Turkish wines paired perfectly. ADANA OCKABASI Open-fire grills called mangal proudly define Turkish cuisine more than any other. Always smoke-filled, invariably involving a wait to get a table, their friendly, communal atmosphere celebrates kebabs beautifully kissed by charcoal-fuelled fire in a tradition known as Ockabsi. There are thousands of them across Istanbul, but one of the best we encountered was Adana Ockabsi in the Osmanbey neighbourhood. Taking inspiration from the culinary traditions of Adana on Türkiye's Mediterranean coast, go with as many people as possible to enjoy as wide a spread of dishes as your table can hold. Wood-fired breads are dangerously addictive, especially swept through rich and creamy meze dips. Fragrant hand-chopped kebabs are moulded around huge sword-like skewers, while some offer kokorec, made from lamb or goat intestines wrapped around seasoned offal such as sweetbreads, hearts or lungs. To drink, the aniseed flavours of the strong national liquor raki are an acquired taste but an important communal toasting tradition. Just be warned that after a few shots you may find yourself wanting to hit another bar to carry on well into the night. KUMPIR Kumpir – a unique Turkish take on baked potatoes – is seen all over Istanbul, but the riverside district of Ortakoy is particularly famed for them, with lanes dotted with dozens of vendors trying to outdo one another with eye-catching displays of dozens of toppings. There's no science or culinary wizardry at work, just huge fluffy spuds, cleaved open and spread with liberal amounts of butter. The only challenge comes in choosing what to fill them with. Red cabbage, chopped olives, sweetcorn, pickled vegetables, chopped eggs, sausage, pepper, tuna, cheeses like kasar or mozzarella – the only limit is your imagination and appetite. The best bit? They're more than enough for a meal, perfect eaten al fresco in the gardens around Ortakoy Bridge – and run no more than US$3 (S$3.85) to US$4. At weekends, you can expect large crowds as the treat is understandably popular with families wandering the pedestrianised streets. Just look for a street known as Kumpir Sokak by the Ortakoy mosque and get stuck in. MARKETS Incredible produce is piled high on low tables across Istanbul's hundreds of neighbourhood food markets. The freshest fish and seafood, incredible fruit and vegetables and fascinating local characters make for a great culinary cocktail. Have a look online to see what's on and don't be afraid to jump on a ferry to head out into the depths of the city, away from the tourist traps. I found artichoke hearts floating in red buckets of water, ruby-red beetroot, massive mountains of aubergines, carefully arranged pyramids of tomatoes and beautifully fragrant herbs as just some of the tempting ingredients. Dried fruit and nuts are another specialty, with tables covered in walnuts that are carefully picked through by discerning local grandmothers. Simply follow your nose for something delicious to chew on as you wander. Simit are the ubiquitous sesame-flecked rings of bread, sold from portable carts. Stalls sell all manner of homemade borek, the addictive layered pastry with salty white cheese, while whorls of pastry are stuffed with nettles, spinach, herbs and more cheese to be washed down with a glass of strong and sweet Turkish tea.
Irish Times
10-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Irish Times
Two summer salads using outstanding ingredients that are a meal in themselves
This week we are looking at summer salads. As you can see from the photographs, the focus is on colour, flavours and seasoning. These recipes are great standalone dishes that can also double as simple side salads for a larger spread or a barbecue if the weather allows. Salads offer a world of possibility but so often we revert to the tried and tested staples. There's nothing wrong with this, of course, but there's plenty of flavour to be found beyond a bag of mixed leaves. Aside from all of this, the summer season also allows us to support as many local producers as possible. I look to the Dublin-based McNally's Family Farm or The Happy Pear farm for beautiful ingredients that bring our cooking to the next level. First up I have chosen a Middle East-inspired mezze. These are flavours I always return to when the weather is decent; it feels like really clean eating without compromising on flavour. While I'm using lamb shoulder here, this can be substituted for any grilled meat, or omitted completely. The secret is in the cooking of the couscous. READ MORE Spiced cous cous with crispy lamb shoulder and mint. Photograph: Harry weir This is a must-have store cupboard ingredient for bulking up dinners. It is cost effective, a great sponge for flavours, sauces and juices and cooks in less than five minutes. There are a few key points to cooking it properly. The ratio of liquid to grain is about two to one. Here you'll see I have also added the juices and fat from the lamb shoulder to pump up the flavour. For 400g of grain, I'll always add a teaspoon of sea salt to ensure perfect seasoning. Turmeric adds the golden colour while ras el hanout spice provides the kick. This is a great Arabic blend with its origins in north Africa. It translates as 'head of the shop' and would traditionally incorporate the best-quality ingredients available: the spice equivalent of 'catch of the day'. It commonly blends cardamom, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, chilli, pepper, dried rose petal and coriander. These work wonders alongside lamb. Pay attention to scraping the couscous with the back of a fork to achieve that really light texture. Feta cheese, pomegranate and mint leaves bring everything together. This is a salad I could eat forever. The second recipe uses another beautiful but often overlooked ingredient. Chicory or endive comes in yellow (grown in darkness) or red. Both are crisp with a bitter-sweet flavour and pair nicely with citrus and sugar. I've served them here with a really simple dressing. As such, the ingredients need to be of high quality so I'll spend a little more on olive oil and wholegrain mustard. Some crumbled goat's cheese ties everything together while the croutons add texture. I regularly have stale bread left over in the house, and this is a great way of turning it back into something useable and delicious. I've used focaccia here. Simple food is often the best. Recipe: Spiced couscous with crispy lamb shoulder and mint Recipe: Chicory salad with goat's cheese, croutons and mustard
