Lashevet - Middle Eastern cuisine in UES

New York

Lashevet

Lashevet, located on the Upper East Side, is a charming establishment that serves middle eastern cuisine and coffee. I went to the restaurant on a Thursday night thinking that it may be slow, however, upon walking into the restaurant I see each café sized table filled with life and laughter. Immediately, I was greeted by one of the staff members and ushered over to an available table.

Let’s talk about space. The restaurant has intimate seating and wonderful décor which makes the establishment feel cozy and inviting. I enjoyed looking at the wallpaper and light fixtures as they are very unique in their own ways. The décor perfectly blends Morocco and New York City vibes. As for the light fixtures, the lanterns look like they are floating in the dark skies with familiar patterns of a mosaic. The restaurant also provides a nice outdoor seating to enjoy the outdoors. After looking over the comprehensive menu on the cuisine, I was immediately overwhelmed by the selection, mainly because all sounds good! Lashevet offers a comprehensive menu that caters to all dietary restrictions. The restaurant owner, Lola, gave me her recommendations as did her friendly patrons. Most of her patrons are local Upper East Side residents who enjoy the cuisine and the ambiance. To start off, I was introduced to Moroccan Tea. For anyone who loves to drink tea, this tea has tons of flavors: mint, ginger, sliced quartered limes all stewing in hot water. It’s very refreshing and soothing at the same time. On a rainy day, this would be a great drink to enjoy. After sipping the tea and enjoying the restaurant’s vibe, the hummus, mixed bread, and zaalouk all came out at once on a single serving plate. The flavors in the hummus are fresh, delicious, and filled with flavor. The garlic punches through the chickpeas and you know that these chickpeas had the right ratio of tahini sauce to balance out the garlic. The zaalouk was another delicious appetizer that had notes of savory tomatoes and warm Moroccan spices pairing it perfectly with a pita bread. Next, I had the jewel rice which is a mixture of raisins, cashew, walnuts, peas, and a falafel all blended in for any vegetarians delight. The falafel is very fresh, crispy on the outside, warm and soft in the middle. Lastly, the entrees: Big B’s Lamb Burger and the Succulent Chicken Breast. The lamb burger was cooked to perfection without the gameyness, topped with pickled onions and cornichons, and placed on a flatbread bun. As for the Succulent Chicken Breast, the meat was very tender and juicy topped with a porcini mushroom and peppercorn sauce. The skin had a nice brown top and was presented with a nice side of roasted brussels sprouts. The chicken was definitely a memorable dish that I would come back and order again. After a nice meal with all of the dishes that were recommended, I was able to sit down and talk to the restaurant owner about the establishment. The reason why the restaurant is called ‘Lashevet’ is because it means ‘to sit’ or ‘to settle.’ It’s a very unique meaning and the establishment certainly advertises that beautifully. From the decor, to the local patrons, Lashevet has a lot to offer and will welcome any person who has no knowledge of middle eastern cuisine with open arms. Be sure to stop by and check it out!