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!

This is my very favorite restaurant in NYC. I have been coming back for 5 + years since I discovered this place and like to take my relatives and friends whenever I have a chance.

First time I found this place it was the pizzeria. The tiny dining room was in the back of the restaurant with only few seats. I was amazed about quality of the food and very affordable prices; it was excellent for pizzeria. That was a several years ago. Few years later this place open all area for dining. Now this restaurant has an outdoor terrace in back and has moved to another location, just few doors down on the same block.

The food is excellent. I can have all my meal just from appetizers – Babaganush (smoked eggplant puree, olive oil, lemon juice and garlic), Cacik (cold yogurt mixed with cucumbers, garlic, herbs and spices), Humus (mashed chick peas blended with fresh garlic, tahini and herbs), Lebni (thick homemade yogurt with walnut garlic and dill), Tabuleh (wheat croutons with parsley, scallions and a touch of olive oil and lemon juice), Icli Kofte (wheat bulgur stuffed with seasoned ground lamb and pine nuts) and theirs homemade bread just from oven. My favorite for main course is Shish Kebab, marinated cubes of baby lamb grilled on skewers. They have also very good desserts, the baklava, kadayif and rice pudding.
This is not a fancy place, but the food alone is worth a trip! A real find for casual dining. I would suggest you make reservation before going. One more thing, this place is great for deliveries.

212 E 34th St (between 2nd & 3rd Avenue), New York, Phone: 212-683-9206