Epices du Traiteur

Epices du Traiteur Restaurant Review:

The bright red awning marking the location of Epices du Traiteur on a quiet side street on the Upper West Side hints at the fragrantly spicy cuisine inside. Mixing North African dishes with Mediterranean specialties, the restaurant is a cozy, cheery spot to enjoy both cuisines. For starters, the brik, a mix of egg, tuna, potato and onion in a flaky phyllo pocket, made us want to book a ticket to Tunisia. Not adhering to either Africa or Italy, there are dishes included on the menu apparently to meet the neighborhood’s less-exotic tastes, like the Maryland-style crab cakes, which we recommend. As a main course, don’t miss the b’stilla, a Moroccan layered pie with brik, chicken, almonds, vegetables and a secret medley of spices. It’s good enough to be called dessert.