(This venue is closed.) Shortly after our party had been seated but while we were still dithering over the bill of fare, a couple of fellows sauntered into Samir and took a two-top along the wall. They spoke briefly with the waiter; I don't recall that menus came into play. Soon afterward they were served a steaming round of non, the flat-in-the-middle, fluffy-at-the-brim Uzbek bread, which they applied to a pale brownish stew on a broad plate set between them. This was khalisa — or, as the waiter explained it to us using a more familiar name, haleem.
Unlike the Bukharan Uzbek restaurants of Rego Park, Samir is halal, not kosher, but the menu is much the same. Expect much lamb, though the meatless dishes look great, too; my favorite was the potato-and-mushroom combo shown here. And whether in a large group or at a table for two, expect to share. For more photos, see the EIT page on Facebook.
Samir Restaurant
696 Coney Island Ave. (Cortelyou Rd.-Ave. C), Kensington, Brooklyn
347-318-3010
www.Facebook.com/Samir-Restaurant-1047986011889916
