Lebanese restaurants aren't rare in this city, but they aren't especially common either—a shame for New Yorkers who'd rather pig out on eggplant and yogurt than foie gras and pork belly. Lebanese cuisine is Southern Mediterranean meets Middle Eastern, and can be as conservative or as exotic as you care for. At the newly opened, surprisingly fancy Almayass in the Flatiron, both routes are open to you. Want to stick to pita, hummus, and kebabs? No problem. Curious about quail egg-topped Lebanese salumi, beet root dips, or bulgur-studded tartar? They can make that happen. More

I wasn't looking for great eggplant at Wafa's in Forest Hills, but it found me, along with several other vegetable-forward wonders. And I'm glad they did. More

Editor's note: In "Apps Only," Ben Fishner will be eating his way through New York's appetizer, bar, and lounge menus as your guide to fine dining on a budget. He blogs at Ben Cooks Everything. Grilled haloume cheese. [Photos:... More

Although I'd never heard anything about Al Safa in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, when I walked in I just knew that it was going to be good. Scanning the menu, I was intrigued by the Sujok Pita ($5) described as hot spiced ground beef and lamb sausage. More

Wafa’s Authentic Mediterranean Food is an apt name for this tiny Forest Hills storefront. But this joint could just as well be called Wafa's Soul Food or Wafa's Home Cooking because that's exactly the type of grub you'll find... More