Shukette — Restaurant in New York

For starters, the food really was delicious. We had an entire feast and there wasn’t a single disappointment. Hot food was hot as intended, and the cold was cold. I would go back but only for a smaller meal with one or two courses max. Note, I’ve now been to all but one restaurant from this group and I would place it in the number two or three spot, after Shuka and either Vic’s or Rosie’s.

I’ve been trying to lock in a date while in NY for months and finally got a reservation by signing up immediately once the two-week window for my target opened up – I suggest you do the same. I overheard people at the door waiting over 90m for a table around 7:30p on the Friday we went.

I docked a star for the service because some dishes came out too early and overall I felt rushed by the pace, and that we had to focus more on consuming or moving food around to make room for the next dish than conversation or the food itself. We discussed the preferred coursing pattern w the server ahead of time and they almost got it right, but left no time between rounds as we had requested.

I docked two stars for ambiance because the music was trite (early 2010s pop radio) and even with a great corner window booth it still felt very crowded and stuffy. It was the dead of winter and with the heat pumping both my husband and I felt overwhelmed and had to step outside for fresh air at some point.

As for the food, again, it was excellent. Bear with me for a play by play since it was that good.

For starters, we (a group of four adults there just for a nice dinner to end our stay) got the fava and labneh with the flatbread, pita, and gfree crackers. The fava was very tasty to me but others didn’t like the turmeric spice level, and the labneh was a hit. The pita was over baked and had no softness (much better at Shuka) but the flatbread, lathered in herbs, oil, and sesame seeds really slapped. The crackers were sister-approved and had a sharp crunch with a mild sun-dried tomato flavor. We also requested the crudités and pickled veg as a starter and they were both top notch.

By this point we had already started getting hot dishes brought out and they made us feel rushed to eat faster, less than 20m into the meal (hadn’t even decided on drinks yet!).

The next course, which we paired with some overall very good spritz cocktails and a pleasing Lebanese Cinsault-Syrah red, started strong. The roasted cauliflower was a hit and generous on the hazelnuts, the winter chicory salad was fresh, crunchy, bitter and sweet with lots of nice toppings, and the broccolini was good but a little heavy with the nut/tahini paste and became cold as we focused on trying to consume the other dishes to make room on the table. The jeweled rice was generous and perfectly cooked.

The meats, which came out in series over the course of a total of about 40m, were all very good. The lamb skewer came first and was probably the best, with a super tender bite and delicate flavor atop a nice bed of stewed tomatoes and onions to share. The fish in a cage was well seasoned and nicely charred, and almost entirely deboned despite service with a head and tail - nicely done :) just look out for the smaller fin bones on the lower belly and the collar. The chicken looked great, mostly dark meat but very juicy and served with a strong garlic aioli that I personally really enjoyed (but others found too strong). The fish came out with a spicy parsley / chimichurri sauce and red pepper spread both of which I really enjoyed. They’re the same ones you can get at Shuka.

Overall, we were very satisfied (and full) and the total was around $370 including tax and tip. We were in and out in just under two hours, which to me is not enough time for the quantity of food we ordered. As mentioned, I would definitely go back but get fewer dishes for a group this size or order them in multiple stages to manage the pressure. It’d also be nice for a date but I’d only get 3 or four items total...

Mixed Feelings at Shukette, Chelsea NYC

My recent visit to Shukette in Chelsea, NYC, was a journey of highs and lows. The staff shone with kindness and professionalism, notably our waitress who meticulously introduced the menu, demonstrating her deep understanding of the offerings. This initial interaction set a positive tone for the evening.

The ambiance of the restaurant aligns with the vibrancy of Chelsea, making it a spot many food enthusiasts recommended. The Lebanese wine and freshly baked bread were the undeniable highlights of our meal, setting high expectations for what was to come.

However, the culinary experience that followed did not align with the rich tapestry of Middle Eastern flavors I anticipated. The hummus, a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine, was overpowered by tahini and strikingly lacked the olive oil essence that typically defines its flavor profile. This deviation from tradition was a recurring theme, as the labne also missed the mark due to this lack of quality olive oil, which is crucial for achieving that authentic taste and texture.

The meatballs, a blend of beef and lamb, were unfortunately forgettable, failing to leave a mark with their lack of distinctive flavors. The rice, though adorned with crispy almonds, was one-dimensional, lacking the depth and variety of flavors one would expect in such a dish. The steak, though of good quality, was chewy and underwhelming in taste, proving that even premium ingredients require the right culinary touch to shine. The chicken, while decent, did not escape the overall trend of flavor scarcity that characterized the meal.

On a brighter note, the dessert rekindled our excitement, with the ice cream and its innovative take on halawat al-jibn (halawat Tahiti) leaving a lasting impression.

Despite the commendable service and certain standout items, my experience at Shukette fell short of the expectations set by its popularity among NYC foodies. Given the richness and diversity of Middle Eastern cuisine, the dishes at Shukette could benefit from a more flavorful touch, particularly in the use of key ingredients like olive oil. While the establishment has potential, particularly in its service and select offerings, my visit did not inspire a return. Those seeking an flavorful Middle Eastern culinary experience might find Shukette lacking in...

Great food!! I am a vegetarian, love strong flavors, so you know the context I had while reviewing the food I ate.

Now there are several good places that serve mezzes and food from the Middle Eastern region. I will like to share from among those many really good places, why is this great.

Mezzes comprise of two things, 1) Dips (eg. hummus, labneh, etc) 2) Bread (Pita etc.). For most really good places, they do a really good job on the Dips. Dips could be evaluated on three things mainly a) Flavor/freshness b) Texture c) Creativity of combinations. Most really good places get these right, and are generally on the 8/10 category with their dips. Moving to the second part which is the bread, is where most really good places fall out, where they are about a 5/10.

While I would say, Shukette was able to hit the spot on dips, at a 10/10 (the creaminess of the labneh, the fresh flavor that stood out, or of the creativity of the roasted carrot dip. Their dips do change very often, but the takeaway is you won’t be wrong with choosing any, it will depend mainly on your preference). The big differentiator is the bread, which is a 10/10. Freshly made, the fluffiness and the right level of moistness makes a world of a difference. The options of breads are amazing too. Frena is amazing with crispiness outside and airy inside. The grilled garlic on top is great. Please get that.

Going to the Shuk section (smallish plates), I called for the Roasted Squash with hot honey, charred onions. This was slightly underwhelming, hence I have docked a star. The honey was overpowering and was bit too extra for my liking. The others Shuks I saw, like the charred Brocollini looked great, I should have gotten that instead.

What to order

For a party of two (vegetarians = don’t have much option in the Kebab section), I would start with Two Dips (labneh, any other roasted vegetable dip they have at that time) and Two Bread (could be 2 Frenas, or 1 Frena + something else). Then add 2/3 Shuks, in that could balance it by one of them being a Salad. I would ask for an add on of their Bang Bang Shata (spicy sauce), I like spicy, hence the mention. The Charmoula (cilantro based) was a little bitter, so I would avoid that. If you are hungrier, would add on accordingly.

Great place. Make reservations....