I have been researching on-line the best of the best in Brooklyn cuisine. After living here for four plus years, there are just way too many neighborhoods we haven't seen, so what better way to be introduced than with their best restaurants. Our first venture took us to “Little Egypt” in Astoria where many restaurants line the streets, but after reading New York Magazine, Gothamist and Chowhound, we only wanted one restaurant, Kebab Cafe!
Don't be alarmed by the exclamation point in the logo, an odd design choice that calls to mind cook-it-yourself fad restaurants in malls and baby's clothing stores, but whoever influenced the bad logo decision, concluded his interference there. The second you walk in you will instantly be transported to Egypt, or at least an Egypt I can imagine from watching Globe Trekker.
Local legend and chef and owner, Ali El Sayed, stands behind the open tiny kitchen; vibrant tapestries, sculptures and murals line the walls and mosaic tables fight for space with the wooded benches and chairs. A great place to bring a big group, this is not, but I can truly say the appetizer alone (a combo of baba ganoush, falafel, tahini, etc) was one of the best meals I have had all last year.
For a main course, I had kafta kabob, while Jim opted for the fall-off-the-bone tender lamb shanks. As Ali gets cooking your meal, enjoy a Stella as the room permeates with the scent of the culinary delights that are in store for you. The meals don't come quickly, but with such loving care given to them, you wouldn't want them to. No store bought tasting hummous and pita here, just fresh, glorious food that is hard to come by.
But what do you think?