- one of the best meals I've had all year, my current favorite medi restaurant - the breads here (pita/malawach) are to die for - recommend: 3 dip sampler (but if you're going to get only one, the muhammara is my favorite), harissa chicken, lamb kebab - intimate and great for small groups/date night - pro hacks: don't order more pita (even tho it's the best pita I've ever had), order the lamb and finish the leftover dips with the malawach (similar to roti) that comes with the lamb; order the pom + mint soda ask to add alcohol - the chicken is perfectly done, every bite is so juicy despite being white meat, the pesto is bright and nutty - I've yet to order anything that I wouldn't order again, already looking forward to my next visit - very friendly staff read more

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Pricey, but cute. I tried the three dips and a glass of the non-alcoholic wine. The labneh was creamy and tangy, the matbucha was bright and hearty, and the muhammara was round and just a touch sweet. They came with two fluffy pitas. The non-alcoholic wine was herbal, with strong notes of citrus and a slightly bitter and vegetal note. It's not bad, but I might skip the drinks next time and stick to food. The total came to $65 after tax and tip. The place is really tiny, so come early if you're walking in or make sure to have a reservation. I only got seated because someone with a reservation didn't show. read more

Sami & Susu - Muhammara, Matbucha, Labneh - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

Finally got to check out Sami & Susu after hearing great things about them! Agree with others that its a very cozy restaurant/wine bar with a handful of tables/seating. They offered delicious dishes and exceeded my expectations! Started off with the tuna crudo that was fresh and came in this interesting brown sugar butter sauce that was very tasty! Be sure to enjoy it in a timely manner before the butter solidifies. Next came the three dips with pipping hot and fresh pita bread. The red pepper was my favorite out of the three because of how aromatic and well-seasoned it was. The labneh was yogurt- and tart-forward but still yummy. I personally am not a fan of tomatoes but the rest of my table really enjoyed that dip. The scallops were very tender and fresh - I just wish we had more pieces!! The beans and asparagus were fresh and crisp. For mains, the hanger steak was very tender and well-seasoned. I loved the crunchy scallion bites on top, which contrasted with their pea-based sauce at the bottom. The whole branzino was very smokey and also well-seasoned. Enjoyed the well-cooked leaks. The lamb skewer surprised because it packed a lot of flavor and seasoning inside the meat while keeping it very juicy. It paired well with the flaky bread, tahini, and zaatar sauce! The orange and rose were both great. My table of 4 was pretty full so we didn't get a chance to check out their desserts. Staff were nice and friendly. I appreciated how they were helpful and honest with portion recommendations. Great spot for a cute, cozy, and tasty meal with lots of wine options! read more

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Everything was quite good, but the squash blossom falafels and the chicken were standouts. Squash Blossom Flowers 5/5 Smashed Cucumbers 4/5 Muhumarra 4/5 Lamb Kebab 4/5 Harissa Chicken 5/5 Server was kind/ pleasant and vibe was casual, but cute enough for a date. Tiny spot so would definitely recommend a reservation. Will be back! read more

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Sami & Susu is one of those cozy neighborhood spots that makes you feel like you've discovered something special. My best friend and I went for dinner and had such a lovely experience. Food & Drink We started with the Muhammara which was a great opener. It's rich, slightly smoky, and perfect for sharing. Next up was the potato bureka, which was warm, flaky, and very comforting. For our entrée we ordered the lamb kebab. It was good and flavorful, but if I'm being honest, I wish we had stuck with our original instinct and ordered the harissa chicken. Our server recommended the lamb over the chicken, but that's part of dining out. Everyone has different taste buds. I'm doing a dry March, so I ordered the pomegranate and mint soda, which was refreshing and a great non-alcoholic option. My best friend tried two of their wines. They seem to focus heavily on natural wines, and she preferred the red over the white. When I come back, I definitely want to try the tuna crudo and the mushroom risotto. One small note for the menu. I'd love to see a green vegetable option to round out the dishes. Service Our server was kind, attentive, and helpful with recommendations. Aside from steering us toward the lamb (lol), he did a great job and made the experience enjoyable. Ambiance The restaurant is quite small and quaint, which makes it perfect for intimate dinners or catching up with a friend. It's cute and cozy. The restroom situation is interesting because you walk through the kitchen to get there, but honestly that just felt like classic NYC real estate logistics. Overall, we had a wonderful night and I'd absolutely come back again. Sami & Susu is a charming spot with delicious food and a great vibe. read more

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Walking into this spot you're greeted with a cozy and "at home" feel. Growing up eating my mom's cooking I have yet to find a restaurant that can compare to that level of authenticity and love that Sami & Susu provided tonight. Their sommelier is knowledgeable beyond words and brought the experience to another level. Truly a great meal from beginning to end, thank you Jordan and Amir. read more

Dinner only. You absolutely need a reservation to be able to get in. The space is tiny. It seats 10 to 12 people at most. It is very cramped. Prepare to be sitting very close to strangers at the same hightop table and be actively involved in their conversations. There is also a time limit-- we were asked to leave after an hour and a half. That made me feel very rushed. I understand that this place has to make a profit, but paying such money and then being essentially kicked out was not pleasant. Only one bathroom, so don't wait until the last moment--get in line early! $12 muhammara dip was delicate and flavorful. Liked the tiny plate clean--the owner/our waiter remarked how he's never seen such shiny plate. Small portion [served with one small, fluffy, warm pita], so this will stir your appetite, making you want to order more. $34 Lamb Kebab with malawach, sumac onion, zhoug, tahini was hearty and satisfying. If you're hungry--go for this--you will be full. Meat was tasty--good texture and balanced flavor profile. Malawach bread was spectacular--top highlight of our meal--so flaky, rich, oily [in the best way], dense yet light--a study of contrasts! We would eat this bread all day long if we could. $44 steak with creamy corn was fantastic. Very tender and flavorful meat. Creamy corn was the highlight--so much butter, your taste buds will sing from joy and want to eat this nonstop. So glad I could sample this seasonal item. The chocolate budino $12 was perfectly balanced: not too sweet, but delicately flavored. Rich mousse-like consistency. Very dense and satisfying. Good to share, as even one bite is so rich and can cap off a great dinner with a pleasant note of sweet texture. We tried the $15 Sherry as well as $16 Sherry Martini, and i wasn't a fan of either. Sherry Martini was a bit harsh/bitter compared to a smoother Sherry. Would go for a different drink next time. read more

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Pretty good food and nice service! cozy little spot perfect for a rainy night in for some warm comforting food

Interesting experience going through the kitchen to get to the bathroom. Small space but thoughtfully decorated and cozy. Charging additional for the pita when you order the dips is such a New York thing. Food was well executed overall, but the tight seating and hole-in-the-wall appearance adorned to seem elevated and exclusive just isn't my cup of tea. Also didn't help a lady on our right was talking super loudly. read more

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This is my ideal restaurant and a new fave in the area! Made a reservation for a Saturday night before a show at Mercury Lounge (it's really small, so would recommend booking ahead). I tried: + Muhammara - highlight #1 + Winter citrus - good + Parsnip risotto - fantastic + hamachi crudo - highlight #2 + fennel & pear - amazing + Chocolate budino - perfect ending House white was also great. Will have to come back for the lamb kebab. read more

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A very small cozy restaurant on the lower east side serving American and Mediterranean food. If you're a party of two, you may end up sharing a table with another party of two. So this may not be a good spot for a first or second date if you don't want people listening in! We shared the 3 dips. The labneh and muhumara were expectantly excellent. The matbutcha was surprisingly amazing. I've never had it before. The 3 dips came with 2 warm pitas. You would definitely need more. We split the fennel and pear salad. I was not a fan as I felt like it needed more texture/crunch and more of a zing in terms of flavor. We finished everything with the branzino which was cooked well over a bed of delicious leeks. Thankfully I've been eating fish as a kid so I was able to navigate the few bones that were left behind but my partner wasn't as skilled as I was. Overall would come for the dips and hot pitas. The food was good enough to inspire me to try others on the menu. read more

Sami & Susu - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

Food was DELICIOUS and love a healthy Mediterranean vibe. Would go back just for the dips and the whole chicken. Maybe overpriced so good for special occasion so you can order more on the menu. Cocktail was a miss. read more

Sami & Susu - Chicken, whole fish and panzanella salad all so good - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

Fantastic dinner at the tiny tiny Sami & Susu's! Despite the space being small, the tables are not too cramped together. We devoured the muhammara dip which came with a fluffy, fabulous, warm pita. For our mains we had the lamb kebab and the lamb spatzle, both really rich in flavor and well balanced. The pumpkin on the spatzle in particular might have stolen the show. Bottles & glasses of wine available, bottles well priced, especially love to see an aglianico on a menu. Will return! read more

Very cute vibes but be prepared to be sitting very close to your neighbors. We loved the variety of dishes here with the roasted pepper walnut spread being our favorite along with the lamb skewer. The branzino was also very good and huge. We left with our tummies full and excited to come back again. Please note that the restaurant is on inkind for those looking for some deals when dining here. read more

I made a reservation based on location as it was rainy and I didnt want to venture far from our hotel. This was around the block and got rave reviews. Loved 3 of our 4 dishes. We got the MUHAMMARA and it just comes with one pita. We ordered another and they came out piping hot which is how they should be enjoyed! Next was the SQUASH BLOSSOM FALAFEL. It was lovely! 4 pieces was enough. Lovely texture and flavor. Next was BURRATA. Now if I read it clearly and saw that it came with pesto I probably would have passed. So my bad there. The burrata was light and the pesto just felt heavy. Cold and hot also just didn't blend well. Next was the lamb skewer. We ordered an additional skewer. This was a hit! We loved it and the bread it came with. Perfect flavors. If we didn't get the burrata we might have had more room for dessert which sounded lovely, wish we did. Delightful little restaurant. It's not big but that's New York charm. We liked that we sat close to the kitchen and was able to see them put the dishes together. We would go back! read more

One of my favorite meals from my last trip to NYC! I still think about it my friend and I stopped by (without a reservation) on a Tuesday evening and we were able to grab a seat in the bar area. The restaurant is tiny but that what makes it great. We ordered some wine and the dips with pita which was incredible! We shared the harissa chicken and omg it was delicious! So juicy and not dry at all!!! We also ordered the chocolate budino I believe and it was incredible. The whole experience was amazing! I want to return whenever I'm back in NYC! read more

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Can't believe it took me so long to get here, Sami & Susu is such a gem! Sami & Susu is perfect for a date or catching up with a friend. It's very small and intimate inside with just a handful of tables and counter top seating. The wine list is phenomenal both by the glass and bottle. And food is amazing! We had the Muhammara, Tomato Panzanella and Harissa Chicken. We loved everything and would highly recommend the same order. The chicken is some of the best I've ever had in NYC (move over Barbuto). If you're looking for a cute, casual and delicious dinner spot, this is for you. read more

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Came here as a party of four. Reservation definitely requirement. This place is tiny. I think I ended up sharing a coat hook with a stranger. We all ate family style. We got all three of the dips and we paid extra for extra pita bread. The Muhammara was surprisingly sweeted (in a delicious way) and the Labneh and Matbucha taste amazing when mixed together in one bite. We also got the squash blossoms and again paid a bit extra to get four of them. Then we had a risotto (I think asparagus?) honestly I'd pass on this one next time. Not my favorite risotto. It was so cheesy. But I applaud the vegetarian option for those who need it. For mains we split the lamb kebab (only comes with two kebabs, but you can pay for more) and the harissa chicken. Overall it was definitely pricey, but the food was delicious. The dips and pita were my favorite. But the lamb kebab came on a crispy flaky sweet flat pastry that was also prime. read more

I've enjoyed 2 dinners at Michelin Bib Gourmand Sami & Susu, and I'm a big fan! Service is friendly and attentive. Charming ambiance. The food is delicious. At my last dinner I loved the Tuna Carpaccio, the Hanger Steak with Creamed Corn, and the Chocolate Budino. The restaurant is tiny so reservations are a must. read more

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Heard about this place for a long time and finally got to try it. Mediterranean is a cuisine I have a soft spot for, and I guess what I was surprised by was how intimate/elevated the ambience and the style of food was. I guess I was thinking it would be more casual (not like cava casual, but like casual no-frills middle eastern) but this is definitely more elevated. The chicken was good, though some of it was a bit dry/overcooked. The lamb kebab was really delicious and the hit of the meal, with its juices dripping on the bread underneath it and it was extremely tender. The asparagus was ok. The pita was very soft and oily. The tuna was solid. The dips were good too but nothing to write home about. Really if you come here get the pita and the lamb. They also have orange wine which many places don't have! read more

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Food and service were amazing! Our server was so funny and kind. Highly recommend the chicken! read more

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I had the pleasure of stumbling upon Sami and Susu on the most perfect Monday night with the most perfect date, which of course called for the most perfect ambiance and food. And that's exactly what we experienced at S&S. All tables were taken but two stools and the server graciously squeezed us in for 45 mins, up until their next reservation. The scallops stole my heart. I can still savor how perfectly balanced they were - a little sweet + a little salty. I didn't want them to end. We also shared the muhamarra and labneh dips with pita. Every bite followed an "omg this is so good." We paired it with wine- they had an Orange which was delightful. It's a seasonal menu so you'll have to plan to eat here next fall possibly to taste the scallops. I've already marked my calendar, though I'd be here several times a month if I lived closer. I really can't wait to go back. Thank you Sami & Susu for a memorable cozy night. Ps -Had no idea they were awarded a 2024 (and 2022) Michelin Bib Gourmand. Well deserved! read more

This was a nice, cozy spot, great for drinks and small plates. The pita and spread/dip were amazing, but everything else was fairly average. read more

Sami & Susu - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

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Adorable, intimate wine bar with delicious food. After all the plates, I realized maybe it leans a little on the saltier side but I loved them anyways! Great service, recommended a variety of delicious bites. The muhammara is a must! We spent the dinner trying to figure out what ingredients are in it so we can recreate at home. read more

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Came here for dinner. This place is very tight. Like maybe max capacity is 20 people. Restroom is in a weird spot because you literally walk through the kitchen in between chefs cooking. For appetizers, we ordered muhammara (red pepper, walnut paste) served with pita. It was very light yet tasty. I would order this again. We also ordered clams and mussels escabeche. It was served with this aioli on sourdough. Overall, that was pretty oily, but it was still delicious. For entrees, we ordered whole branzino served with leeks and seaweed butter and lamb kebab. The lamb kebab was extremely salty to the point where we couldn't eat it without squinting. Our waitress asked if it was alright, but I didn't want to be the difficult customers, and said it was fine. Our biggest regret was ordering this dish. We should've ordered the hanger steak instead. The branzino on the other hand, was very delightful. Crispy skin and light in flavor with a bit of sourness from the leeks. Overall: I would not come back here. However, it was good to try once. The price for the portion size/taste doesn't seem worth it, but it's Manhattan, so I see why they would sell it at that price. We came because I wanted to try the Michelin Bib Gourmand, but I would rather choose authentic Mediterranean food in Astoria than this. read more

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So although the menu is fairly limited there a few tasty dips and fresh pita to start (labneh, muhammara) which were tasty especially with hot puffy pita. Chicken came out first. It is a tasty bird, albeit I wish the harrisa flavor permeated through the meat not just the skin. Next came the lamb kebab. It was juicy and really flavorful. Surprise star was the flaky and crispy malawach , which was crispy and lite and had all the things you love in a croissant in a flat bread. Our server and hostess was a bit running around since she was the only one working the dining room, which meant she was hustling although a bit understaffed. I hope that the menu expands a bit since options felt a bit limited . read more

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This place wasn't bad but it also wasn't good... The menu seems to change seasonally? So a few dishes that I saw from previous reviews weren't the same. We made our reservation for 8:30pm and the kitchen was out of 2-3 dishes so keep that in mind for later reservations. The restaurant itself is super tiny (max less than 20 seats) and portions are also on the smaller side. I would not recommend large parties here. The biggest table I saw held 6 people? Onto the food: Steak Tartare (3/5- decent flavor and the toast that came out with it was good). Fluke Crudo (1/5- I love fluke/raw seafood but the flavors on this was so confusing and just did not go together in my opinion). Lamb Neck Boureka (3/5- fav dish of the night. This is essentially a lamb pastry. This was super tasty but so dry and salty... Maybe if it came with some dipping sauce or side of veggies?) Lastly the Truffle Quail (3/5- cooked nicely and the sauce complemented the dish well but again, very salty). The service was attentive but with so many more restaurants to choose from in NY, this is hard to come back to. read more

I took my best friend to dinner tonight for her birthday at this restaurant, and we were so excited for the amazing food-we both love Mediterranean cuisine. As soon as we sat down, we both noticed our waiter was behaving like he was uncomfortable or awkward with us. He didn't welcome us or introduce himself, and used one or two words each time he interacted with us. He had a forced smile on his face and was visibly unhappy to have to give us service. After we ordered wine and food, he didn't come to our table to check on us until we were finished with our final course. We never had the opportunity to order another glass of wine until we were ready for the check. This is a small intimate restaurant, just a few tables total. We could hear/see our server interacting with other tables and being friendly with them; so we realized it was just us he was acting this way with. I am a masculine-presenting gay woman, so the only thing I can think of is that he was being rude to us because of the way I looked? It very much felt like we were being treated differently than everyone else he served. All of this to say, the food is amazing. Everything apart from the service was stellar-but as a fellow service industry member, I know how much a server can make or break an experience. We still tipped 20% because I never want to take away from a person's wage, but decided against dessert, because we were made to feel so uncomfortable and wanted to leave. It's a shame because the food was so tasty-especially the tuna crudo! I hope this restaurant can employ some high caliber servers to match the high quality food. read more

I had ordered every single item on the menu except for the desserts with a large group and it was definitely the move! Some stand out items were the branzino and the dips. I also really loved the short rib! I wish I had space for desserts because I'm sure they are good here read more

I wish I enjoyed this more than I did, but I find the price I paid for my visit unjustified by the small portions and mediocre food. When my friend and I arrived, we were promptly seated at a high table. The restaurant is very small so we shared a high table with another party of two. While I'm sympathetic of the lack of space in nyc, this was the first time I had to cut through the middle of a kitchen to get to the bathroom. While the place was small, it was dimly lit and cozy. Our server was friendly and took our order of four dishes to share. In order of best to worst: Ramps Spread - special of the day and special of the night, perfectly smooth texture, savory and herbaceous and great with the bread Lamb Bourekas - flaky pastry and good pockets of lamb, nothing to complain about Beef Heart - not my favorite, a little tough, flavor profile could've been better Lemon Panna Cotta - meh, skip it, it's nothing special Ora King Salmon Crudo - to label this as one of their specialties is a mistake, you can get better salmon crudo anywhere else I feel like everything was either a hit or miss. If you're looking for seafood, Sami & Susu isn't it. Stick to the spreads and you'll thank me later. read more

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Such a vibe. Hidden gem with amazing service and an eclectic menu. The waiter was so friendly and loved to see us enjoying our meal as much as we were read more

This restaurant is a hidden gem of the lower east side. I've been dying to try this place for a while and finally went with a friend a few days ago. We did get seated without a reservation but I highly recommend making one because right after us the wait for two went up to around an hour. The restaurant itself is VERY small and to get to the bathroom you even need to walk through the kitchen. It's quaint, but definitely hard to turn without hitting something. FOOD: Beef cheek croquette (5/5) - delicious way to start the meal. The meat was incredibly tender and the mustard added a well-needed acid to cut the richness of the meat. Roman gnocchi (5/5) - star of the night, so so good and an absolutely must-try. The lamb neck was impossibly tender and delicious and perfectly seasoned. The gnocchi, to my surprise, was actually one big gnocchi that you cut into. The gnocchi was chewy but not tough or sticky. Broccoli (4/5) - the broccoli was a little less cooked than I would have liked and I wish there was a little more but the sauce was delicious. Chicken liver toast (4/5) - weirdest complaint to have, but there was actually too much chicken liver for the toast! This was deceivingly a huge plate and I kind of got sick of the liver after a bit because there was so much. The liver itself was good and the bread was hot and fresh. read more

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Already planning on coming back to try more. We ordered the Muhammara to start--a whipped roasted red pepper spread served with a small fluffy pita. We loved this and would absolutely order again. Also got the potato boureka--a cheesy potato filling wrapped in flaky puff pastry. These were good but a bit one note (think pierogi). For our main meals: branzino and lamb kebab. The branzino was so delicious and a super large fish (don't let the pictures fool you). Underneath the fish is a bed of perfectly tender leeks in seaweed butter. I would absolutely order this again. The lamb kebab was on a puff pastry-like pita, very buttery and flaky. Both of these entrees were fabulous and next we want to try the steak!! The space is small but very cutely decorated with small tea candles, flowers, and high-top tables. Some reviews mention being too tight next to other customers, but we did not feel squished at all. read more

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Tiny hole-in-the-wall that really packed a punch. The muhammara and pita bread were really the gamechangers for me. The gnocchi was very good, too. Strongly recommended, and would definitely come back! read more

Sami & Susu - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

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Food 8/10 Interesting natural wines. I really enjoyed the lamb kebab and beef tongue. We also ordered the blood sausage and pita. Each dish was unique and consisted of complex flavors. The lamb kebab was paired with tahini and cilantro, and it was also very tender. The beef tongue was soft but also nicely textured. Really enjoyed this cute little Mediterranean spot in the East Village. Atmosphere 8/10 Super cute interior, and their entrance is easy to miss. Only a few spots available, so definitely come early. Warm ambiance and light wood details. Service 8/10 Very nice service. read more

Amazing place! We dined here on a cold night and were pleased with the coziness of the restaurant. We shared the dips, bureka, beets, harissa chicken and branzino. Everything was delicious. Service was excellent and very attentive. We were so full we didn't have room for dessert but will attempt next time. Highly recommend. read more

I knew I loved Israeli food, but Sami & Susu has solidified its place in my heart as a favorite cuisine. I thought I liked bourekas, but I didn't know I could love them until I had theirs filled with english peas & mascarpone, while my friends eyed the one with bacon, egg and cheese. I also thought I liked shakshuka, a brunch entree I've had dozens of times, but the cheese, cilantro, and tomatoes were so fresh and subtle I could imagine myself swimming in this dish every morning if I could. Figuratively, of course. With each visit I have to get over the adorable logo and name, which are inspired by an Israeli children's show, and squeeze into one of the few tables in their very cozy/tight space, already planning what I'll order during future visits. The menu is expansive enough that you'll likely find something to suit your palette, but when in a sandwich mood, the Tunisian, Egg Salad, and Sabich baguettes are each packed with flavor and made with a very fresh baguette. I appreciate the option to order half sandwich orders so you can try different kinds, which I've opted to do on more than one occasion. The aforementioned shakshuka is great, as is the salmon rice pilaf with a generous piece of perfectly roasted salmon on a bed of buttery rice, and the muhammara (red pepper walnut) dip with their fresh pita bread is a great item to pick on between bites of the larger entrees. I also love their coffee bar, having enjoyed great iced coffee and hot dirty chai lattes whenever the mood strikes, and it strikes often. Try making a rez if you go during their brunch rush. I think it's only a matter of time before they expand into a larger space so spread the gospel of amazing Israeli food. read more

Sami & Susu - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

I'm in love with this restaurant. Sami & Susu is cozy, has a wonderful atmosphere, the delicious food, great music for the evening. It's just the perfect place. I keep coming back because it just feels like a place without compromises. The menu is always evolving and it's always interesting. When it came to choosing the venue for my 40th birthday, the choice was easy. And the owners made it so special. I'm forever grateful. Highly recommend Sami & Susu for date nights and special events! read more

I had a lovely dinner one night here sitting at the window watching people go by. Had a little dinner and a glass of wine. Inside was moody, candle-lit, and cozy. The service was just right: helpful, knowledgeable, and popped in here and there to check in and make sure the food was good. Standout dish was the muhammara and pita! You gotta try it. It was extraordinary and solid portion size for two people. It was rich with a good amount of walnut on top. The pita was baked so well. Cucumbers dish I really enjoyed and recommend. The flavors from the fresh cucumber with the richness of the anchovies and bursts of ricotta shavings was very well done. There should be a few more anchovies though! I only had like one or two small ones. Balance was a little off because of that. Mussels escabeche was light and refreshing. read more

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Great Pita concept that EVERYONE should try . The pita is fresh and THE right pita ! (Not like those thin ones that being sold in markets....) I tried the cauliflower and then the kebabs . Both were fresh , flavorable and very generous . AC on and fun place to stay in . Highly recommended!!!! Definitely A destination!!!! read more