Glasserie
GO HERE: for mouthwatering modern takes on classic Middle Eastern flavor combinations, from labneh and za'atar to pistachio and rose.
ORDER: a series of small plates, mezze style, with the rich, flaky griddle bread as the centerpiece. Highlights include the melty, roasted cauliflower with cured labneh; harissa rabbit cloaked with paper-thin slices of pickled kohlrabi; and whatever lamb is on the menu. (Note: The menu changes frequently, but chef Eldad Shem Tov tends to riff on the same essential ingredients.)
ON A BUDGET? From Monday through Thursday, you can nab the unbeatable "skewer box" deal at the bar: a meat skewer; a slab of flatbread; a bright, lemony salad; housemade hot sauce; tahini; and a bartender's choice cocktail, all for $15.
THE VIBE IS: candlelit cool with a soundtrack of R&B throwbacks and indie hits, equally fitting for an intimate date or a big family gathering. Tucked among the old warehouses and empty lots that surround the Greenpoint waterfront, the restaurant's industrial-chic decor pays homage to the 19th-century glass factory that used to occupy its space. And if the remote location is a tough sell, you can sweeten the deal with a five-minute post-dinner stroll to the WNYC Transmitter Park pier for unbeatable Manhattan skyline views.
THE SPECIFICS: Reservations are available by phone, email, or OpenTable. See the website for hours.
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