Au Za'atar

Au Za'atar Restaurant Review:

Au Za’atar, named for a Middle Eastern spice that is underappreciated on these shores, is a restaurant in the East Village that should be appreciated. Technically billed as French-Lebanese, it’s the latter designation (Lebanese) that really shines. After all, many of the dishes are based on family recipes. There’s a lot on offer and it’s generally quite affordable, so come hungry and be prepared to graze and snack. Anything that has the tender and subtly spicy lamb and beef merguez sausage (either with couscous or as part of a platter) should not be bypassed. Deeply smoky baba ghanouj, creamy hummus and house-made falafel are also musts. Chèvre-topped oven-roasted beets and fig crostini are vegetarian fare that even a meat-eater will crave. The wine list is small but very affordable with each selection offered by the glass or bottle.