Kalustyan's

The mountain won't come to you.

But climb to the second floor of this shrine to spices, seasonings, sweets, and snacks from six continents and many islands, and at Kalustyan's cozy café you can find your own mountain of mujaddara (moo-Jah-dah-rah; platter, $6.99, or $4.99 for a hillock, fitted into a pita). In the Kalustyan's rendition, a moist mass of lentils and bulgur is crusted with fried onions and accompanied by lettuce, tomato, carrot, cauliflower, two varieties of olive, and delightful taut chunks of sour pickle. Tahini sauce, too (hard to see here); hot sauce is an option I'd ask for next time.

Also: Baykal carbonated soft drink (330 ml.; $2) from Armenia, whose "main components" are wormwood, sage, coriander, liquorice, St. John's wort, laurel oil, and eucalyptus oil, has a lush, vegetal woodland nose; the liquorice lands thickly on the tongue. And inspired by a vicarious mountain expedition — "A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush," by Eric Newby — previously I picked up a jar of Artashes mulberry preserves (16 oz.; $3.99), from Armenia. More like fruit in syrup than spreadable preserves; interesting flavor, though I prefer my berries with a tad more tartness.

Kalustyan's
123 Lexington Ave. (28th-29th Sts.)
212-685-3451
www.Kalustyans.com

Comments

[gowoon]

a wonderful place to eat indeed. when the happy cheery elderly men (with snow white hair) is serving, he loves to give out samples and spread his joy to the world. just watching him (or interact with him) makes you feel full... :)

[Dave Cook]

Very true: He handed me one sample before I ordered my mujaddara, and a second sample after, with a big smile each time!