Nurlan Uyghur Restaurant — Restaurant in New York

Tried Uyghur food for the first time.

I ordered one Samsa priced at $4.99 (it has lamb meat inside), one Chicken skewer (Chicken Kawap from the menu. Actually, the menu said Lamb Kawap but I requested the server to ask the chef to replace the lamb with chicken for me) priced at $4.99 - both chicken and lamb skewers are priced at $4.99, and an order of white rice priced at $1.99.

I visited the restaurant on a Sunday afternoon to get my takeout. The restaurant was buzzing with guests and I saw both the wait staff and the chefs pretty overwhelmed. But I must say that the staff were incredibly kind. It's also a small fine dining restaurant but one wall in the restaurant is made totally with glass, so that makes the restaurant look bigger and if it's your first time, it can confuse your eyes. I also think the atmosphere is below average because when I was there waiting for my takeout, the restaurant was full and you could literally hear the person speaking in the table behind you.

Also, when I was handed my takeout, it was tied, and I thought maybe everything is okay, so I didn't bother to check inside. However, once I left the restaurant and opened the bag to start eating, I realized they didn't give me any fork to eat with, and sadly there weren't any chopsticks as well. I think that happened because like I mentioned, the staff was overwhelmed with the pouring orders and were struggling to keep up with them since they were also short staffed.

To speak about the food, their menu mainly contains lamb and beef dishes, but they do have some popular vegetarian options such as items with eggplant, eggs etc. From my order, the Samsa disappointed me as it's the highest rated food item from their menu if you check the reviews. I'm not sure if it's my taste bud but it seemed to me as if the lamb didn't have enough spices and had a distinct smell that wasn't gotten rid of (probably due to lack of spices). The Chicken skewer tasted decent but it had a spicy flavor to it and it uses dried red chilli which made it taste good. I'd actually be interested in trying the Uyghur...

First off, they don’t even offer free water—only bottled water for purchase. That already felt unwelcoming. But the real issue was the service. The waitress seemed like she didn’t want to be there at all. We asked if she had any recommendations—she just said “no” because she doesn’t like suggesting dishes… okay, weird but whatever. The table next to us asked her what kind of meat was in the noodles on their table, and her response was basically, “I don’t know, whatever the chef puts in.” Seriously? The kitchen was literally a few feet away, and the restaurant was nearly empty—only 3 tables. She could’ve easily checked but clearly didn’t care. When we paid in cash (over $100), she didn’t return any change and said she thought we “didn’t need it”… What?! That’s over a 20% tip she just assumed we’d leave. The wild part? There was NO service. We got our own drinks from the fridge, cleared our own table because she never took any empty plates away, and even had to pack our leftovers ourselves with to-go boxes we had to grab on our own. (When we asked for those services, she asked us to do it by ourselves!!!!!!) She basically did nothing but drop plates on our table and expected 20% tips like it was automatic. When I asked about it, she just shrugged and said it’s the “suggested 18% amount” on the receipt. I had to explain that 1) the tip was based on the credit card price, not the cash payment we paid (if she knew math, she should know the 18% suggested credit amount is almost 20% on cash price) and 2) she didn’t actually do anything to earn a tip. Then she got all fake nice and said “it’s fine, you don’t have to leave anything”... yeah, I know I don’t! The food was just okay...not enough to make up for that awful experience. I wish I had read the Google reviews beforehand. Apparently, a lot of people have had similar complaints about the same waitress for a while. Maybe she’s related to the owner or something? Either way, if they keep letting service like this continue, this place won’t last long. Definitely...

I must say, this charming establishment offers an exceptionally cozy and relaxing atmosphere that instantly puts you at ease. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with a warm ambiance that sets the perfect tone for a delightful dining experience. The attention to detail in creating such a welcoming environment is truly commendable.

Now, let's talk about the star of the show—the food! One of the most remarkable aspects of this place is that every dish is prepared entirely from scratch, ensuring that each bite bursts with flavors that are unparalleled. The dedication and commitment to using only the freshest ingredients are evident in every dish that graces your table.

The taste of the food here is nothing short of extraordinary. Each plate is crafted with an artistic touch, combining a harmonious blend of flavors that dance on your palate. From the first bite to the last, you can't help but savor every morsel, as the flavors unfold and evolve in a symphony of taste.

Whether you're indulging in their signature dishes or exploring the daily specials, the food here never fails to impress. Each dish is a testament to the culinary expertise of the chefs, who skillfully marry ingredients and techniques to create culinary masterpieces that leave a lasting impression.

One can't help but feel a sense of satisfaction and contentment while dining here. The exceptional taste of the food, combined with the cozy atmosphere, creates a truly memorable experience. The genuine passion and love for food that permeate every aspect of this place make it a must-visit for anyone seeking an extraordinary dining experience.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend this establishment to anyone in search of an exceptional dining experience. With its cozy and relaxing atmosphere, along with the tantalizing taste of their freshly prepared dishes, you're guaranteed to leave with a smile on your face and a satisfied palate. Don't miss out on this...