Lavinia at Home

I was very excited to find out about a new location for Ali Baba’s restaurant – Ali Baba’s Terrace, located at 862 Second Avenue (Corner of 46th St), New York, tel.: 212-888-8622.

I have been going to Ali Baba’s for years and meals are always perfect, but I was very disappointed about food at Ali Baba’s Terrace; the dishes did not have the same rich flavors that usually are at Ali Baba’s and dessert was really bad; the rise pudding was with black burned top and had taste of burn and the baklava was all in syrup, very saggy. I will try one more time this place and hopefully the chef will have a better day!

Naya – a modern Lebanese-Mediterranean Mezze and Grill serving traditional Lebanese fare in a Midtown East. It’s located at 1057 2nd Avenue (between 55th and 56th Street) New York, tel.: 212.319.7777.

The white and silver design remind me some nightclub and it just does not look like place for good food, but I love it and I go back every few month for mezze dinner there. The mezze is my favorite; just order some 10 kind different appetizers (hummus, sujuk, baba ghannouj, stuffed grape leaves) and salads (tabbouleh), char-grilled meats (beef or lamb) and make the best meal.

‘New York has never had a Lebanese restaurant like Naya,’ claims The New York Times and I agree; this is the best Lebanese restaurant in NYC!