Bustan — Restaurant in New York

During my much-awaited visit to New York City, I had the joyous opportunity to reunite with my family who resides just a stone's throw away from 487 Amsterdam Ave. It was a heartwarming moment for all of us, and we decided to make the most of our time together by exploring the neighborhood and indulging in some good food.

Upon my family's recommendation, we decided to dine at a nearby restaurant located right on Amsterdam Avenue, aptly nestled at 487 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024. The charming exterior and the promise of a memorable culinary experience lured us in, and we were not disappointed in the least.

As we entered the restaurant, we were immediately enveloped in a welcoming ambiance, filled with the chatter of contented diners and the tantalizing aroma of delectable dishes. The cheerful staff made us feel right at home, and the place resonated with a sense of warmth and togetherness, perfect for our long-awaited family get-together.

Our attentive server, who seemed genuinely pleased to have us there, guided us through the menu, sharing personal favorites and recommendations. It was evident that this place was more than just a restaurant; it was a community of food enthusiasts, eager to share their passion for culinary delights with others.

After much contemplation, we settled on an array of dishes that appealed to every member of our diverse family. From savory appetizers to mouthwatering entrees, each plate was a testament to the chef's skill and dedication to culinary excellence. We relished every bite and shared the joy of tasting something truly extraordinary.

But the sweetest part of the entire experience was, undoubtedly, the dessert selection. Our server seemed to pick up on our excitement and mentioned that the desserts here were not to be missed. And, oh boy, were they right! From the first spoonful to the last, we were captivated by the heavenly flavors that danced on our tongues. It felt as if the desserts were specially crafted to bring families closer together, savoring the joys of each other's company and indulging in the pleasure of a...

Ate here with my daughter early on a Friday night. Staff were attentive and friendly, food came quickly and was good. The sound track was easy listening pop , not too loud, that made the staff very happy and they were singing along.The atmosphere is warm and clean, with a slightly odd decor that sampled kitschy acrylic paintings of Marilyn Monroe , Charlie Chaplin and the like, as well as a sophisticated and interesting modern light fixture, interesting upholstery fabric on the banquettes, and gentle, dim lighting. Our meal was overpriced as each dish we had needed just a little something before I would give it more than 3 stars. The broccoli raab side dish with garlic and orange zest was nicely cooked but needed some lemon juice and salt to brighten the flavors and make it possible to taste the orange zest. When we asked for lemon, the waitress brought several wedges very quickly and we ended up putting it on a number of dishes. (Lest you think we are obsessed with acid, this is not something we ordinarily do). The flat bread with butternut squash and lamb merguez was likewise improved with a squeeze of lemon and would have been better with far more arugula cooked in, as well as the few leaves sprinkled as a garnish on top. I was unable to see or taste the butternut squash. The fiore di late cheese was too mild and heavy in combination with the lamb merguez and I ended up with a thick grease left on my plate. A sharper, brighter cheese would have complimented the delicious lamb flavor better. The falafel balls were very good, tender, well cooked and seasoned, and came with a nice plain flatbread, a little on the sweet side, but fresh and soft, easy to enjoy. The tahini sauce and the other yellow sauce that came with them had a sweet turmeric flavor were nothing to write home about. All in all, we had a pleasant meal but were underwhelmed given the price and the high reviews this place gets. Would I go back? Probably not with so many other...

Updated Review:

We came here today with SUCH high hopes. With family in town, we wanted to go to a favorite brunch place and show them a good time. I don't usually write bad reviews and try to look for the positive side of everything but this is going to be difficult.

On a positive note, the shakshuka was quite good according to those who ordered it. I wasn't one of those people and even they were not allowed to substitute challah toss for the pits bread. Fine. Whatever.

My scrambled eggs arrived lukewarm and totally unsalted. I asked 4 times for salt before asking the manager and finally getting a little bowl of what they called "Israeli sea salt" which I'm sure it was but it was super coarse salt that no one in their right mind would sprinkle on eggs. I ask again for a salt shaker and I got another bowl of salt flakes. I asked a third time for just please, a salt shaker. I'm not being complicated by asking for a salt shaker in a restaurant, right? They don't have salt shakers and by now my bland eggs are bland AND cold.

My friends omelette arrived COLD and we were told that the tzatziki made the whole thing cold and it was normal. Hmm.

I asked the manager about this and told him how much we love the place usually, I was very nice about it. He just kind of nodded and smiled at me like I'm crazy and offered to send something over. I declined because we just wanted to leave abs were shocked when all of our dishes were listed on the bill. Two cold egg dishes, slow service and nothing comped? Really?

OLD REVIEW:

A wonderful experience. The service was a little slow out of the gate (we showed up for Sunday brunch with no reservations and high expectations. Oops) but they caught up with complimentary wine and dessert. The shakshuka was delicious, as were the shrimp and cauliflower appetizers. Friendly bartender knew to ask for another opinion on wine when she didn't know what to tell us. Really friendly and...