Need recos for ethnic food for long weekend

[Mia415]

We will be in NY for a long weekend next month and need help with our food itinerary for lunch and dinner. We'd love to eat good North African, Middle Eastern and/or Ethiopian food and would also love at least one Indian lunch buffet. We'd also be interested in Georgian food since we love khachapuri but I can't seem to find any in Manhattan that are highly recommended. Good Hungarian food would be wonderful too or, for that matter, any restaurant that serves flavorful stews (doesn't have to be goulash).

We don't yet know where we'll be staying...

Thanks in advance for your recommendations!

[Mia415]

We'll be going to a play at the SoHo Playhouse in the South Village one evening. Any recommendations in that area?

[thegforceny]

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/875288

[Motosport]

For authentic Syrian/Lebanese try:
Al Bustan or Byblos as both have genuine Syrian/Lebanese without the American overtones.

[melpy]

You should add Persian to the mix.

[Mia415]

Yes, we'd love to! Any favorites?

[Pan]

In Manhattan? What place do you like?

[BuildingMyBento]

Have you been to Shalezeh? I thought it was alright, and liked the nuanced starter of pita and tahini. I told my friend to add sugar to the tahini, to remind him of halvah's humble origins.

[JungMann]

I thought Shalezeh was rather poor. And anyhow, afaik they've closed. Persian is not one of the cuisines done very well in Manhattan.

[rose water]

They have closed, but Persepolis (owned by the same folks) is still open.

My favorite place for Iranian flavors is (Iraqi owned) Moustache. Casual Middle Eastern with wonderful meze and fresh pita breads. The chicken "pitza" with marinated chicken, barberries and scallions, and the green pizza with fragrant mixed herbs taste like great Iranian food.

[Motosport]

Persepolis is very good.
Moustache excellent. We love the fresh baked pita.

[melpy]

I second Persepolis. I have also been to Ravagh which I also liked.

[comiendosiempre]

Are you willing to go to queens?

[Mia415]

No, I'm afraid not. We'd rather stay in Manhattan.

[JungMann]

I don't think you'll be able to find yourself a khachapuri unless you head out to Brooklyn. Middle Eastern is better done there as well, though you wouldn't go wrong visiting Gazala's, Al Bustan or ilili. For Ethiopian try Zoma or Lalibela. Indian lunch buffet, try Darbar Grill. Most of New York's Hungarian establishments are long gone but Cafe Katja or Korzo Haus might be able to satisfy your taste for Mitteleuropa.

[Mia415]

Thanks so much!

[arepo]

Foe some tasty Greek Seafood try Molyvos across from Carnegie Hall.

[AubWah]

For Indian buffet go to Dhaba. I've eaten so much there a few times they had to roll me out in a wheel barrow.

[Pan]

Cafe Katja is a good place. I haven't been to Korzo Haus. On the Upper East Side, there's also Cafe Sabarsky.

[Mia415]

Thanks for mentioning Korzo Haus! I hadn't heard of it but after reading this review http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/782651 , am adding it to our itinerary.

[tex.s.toast]

if it remotely appeals to you i highly recommend the pork meatball sandwich. it lacks some of the novelty of the langos-wrapped burgers but man is it good.

[Scott_C]

I recommend Almayass for Lebanese-Armenian food.
http://almayassnyc.com/

[LeahBaila]

I prefer ilili to Almayass. What do you like there?