Shalizar

Unless you plan to stick to tabbouleh and hummus on your trip to Shalizar, or you're an Iranian transplant, you'll probably do a lot of pointing to the menu when it comes to ordering at this Persian bistro from the owners of nearby Persepolis. Traditional Persian appetizers like halim badamjan (roasted eggplant puree, split peas, tangy yogurt) and entrees like jujeh-o-kubideh (ground tender chicken marinated in herbs) and khorest ghormeh sabzi (stew with baby lamb, green vegetable and red beans) may twist your tongue, but they'll certainly tempt your taste buds. Shalizar showcases an underappreciated cuisine, offering a chance to expand your culinary horizons. And if you're a fan of other Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food (Moroccan, Greek), the prevalent eggplant, lamb and yogurt should be well within your comfort zone.

See more: Upper East Side restaurants, Middle eastern restaurants, Persian restaurants