DINING OUT: NYC March 2019

Uskudar

Centuries ago, Turkey was the place of epic Iliadic battles; now it is home to mouth-watering, delicious food, and it has appeared in the backyard of NYC. Turkish cuisine's mysterious tastes await you at Uskudar, an Upper East Side small restaurant named for a neighborhood in Istanbul. Indulge your taste buds in traditional, easy-on-the-wallet flavors made with love by Chef Ibrahim Ozdemir. Make sure to sample Hunkar Begendi, lamb chunks simmered in homemade tomato sauce and fresh herbs that are served on pureed eggplant. Don't let the bare-bones nature of the exterior design fool you. Uskudar is a must-try.

1405 2nd Ave.

New York, NY 10021

212.988.4046

uskudar.nyc

Sauce Pizzeria

What can be better than a classic cheesy pizza? Only a thin-crust-style pie with a side of Grandmother's gravy. Available at the Sauce Pizzeria, the newest counter-service spot from Adam Elzer, pie options include Classic Cheese, Biellese Pepperoni, Upside-Down Cheese Pie, Heritage Sausage Pie, and Vodka Pie. The thin-crust pizzeria, decorated with an unconventional mix of images of the Virgin Mary, Elzer's ancestors and New York City hip-hop, seats up to 22 people. We personally tasted the menu and guarantee you'll be surprised how juicy pizza crust can be. What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander, right?

345 E 12th St.

New York, NY 10003

646.983.4007

saucepizzeria.com

Senso Unico

Many think Italian cuisine became too basic to impress because pizza and pasta infiltrated our diet to the extent of mediocrity. Vincenzo and Raula Garofalo, the owners of a small Italian restaurant in the heart of Sunnyside, aim to prove us wrong. Senso Unico, which means "one way" in Italian, focuses on modern Neapolitan cuisine with an American accent. The interior design implies a cozy, warm ambience suitable for any occasion. The restaurant boasts an extensive wine list and exquisite cocktails. Don't miss out on the Heineken-flavored tiramisu and meat carpaccio with tomatoes and herbs. At Senso Unico, Italian cuisine is great again.

4304 47th Ave.

Sunnyside, NY 11104

347.662.6101

sensounicorestaurant.com