Shalezeh

Shalezeh Restaurant Review:

From the owners of the Upper East Side eatery Persepolis comes this casually chic sibling. The large space is a soothing oasis of dark wood, subtle green shades, and soft lighting that shelters eaters from bustling Third Avenue. Of course, a tart pomegranate mojito also helps shop-weary East Siders relax as they peruse the Middle Eastern menu that tweaks traditional Persian cuisine with a few modern accents. Start with the appetizer sampler: six dishes featuring eggplant, yogurt and-or hummus. The halim badamjan (roasted eggplant purée with split peas and yogurt) is a tangy delight. For entrées, the khorest fesenjan is a stew-like mélange of chicken, walnuts and pomegranate that comes with your choice of rice, such as basmati with green beans and tomato sauce or basmati with sour cherries. From the seafood selections, grilled halibut arrives on a bed of spinach with spicy onions and a light cream sauce. Polish off your meal with warm honey-drenched baklava paired with bastani (a sultry rose flavor ice cream) that will transport you out of this world---or at least the Upper East Side.