NYCReview
photo credit: Noah Devereaux
Nargis Cafe
Included In
If you’re looking for the kind of meal that will make you wax poetic for weeks after it’s over, Nargis is a great option, and they have a large, covered outdoor seating area that’s pleasant to eat in, even during a downpour. Portions are large, so come with friends and order accordingly. Start your Uzbek feast with a pitcher of homemade kompot, a not-too-sweet fruit drink, one of their many salads, and an order of non, a thick, fluffy round bread that’s perfect for sharing. Pumpkin manti is a must, with a creamy, savory filling and nearly-translucent skin that rival even the best manti down in Brighton Beach. To get the full experience, order a whole fish and the mixed grill kebab platter - both are cooked over a charcoal grill, and you can taste it. The mixed grill platter alone is enough to feed three or four people who’ve been out all day, so it’s worth trying to resist ordering one of everything from the list of appetizers. And trust me, you’ll want to.
Food Rundown
Manti with Pumpkin
You can get a lot of manti in this part of Brooklyn, but the manti with pumpkin at Nargis are some of the best around. Their wrappers are delicate, and the scent of cumin practically smacks you in the face when you crack one open.
Mixed Grill Kebab Platter
If you hate making decisions, come with a group and order the mixed grill. Everything will be infused with the wood smoke flavor of Nargis’ charcoal grill, and the assortment comes with a nice variety of everything from lulya kebab to chicken wings.
Grilled Whole Branzino
Uncomplicated cooking at its finest, the grilled branzino (or any other fish on the menu, for that matter) tastes of smoke and seafood—and that’s it. That’s all you need.