With perfect weather, we opted for alfresco dining at Lezzet Turkish Restaurant, midtown. I sipped a glass of their Malbec ($15), my dining partner their white sangria ($13) while we nibbled their warm focaccia dipped in EVOO.

We asked them — and they accommodated — to serve our order one dish at a time, starting with their lightly dressed Greek salad with housemade dolmas (stuffed grape leaves) nicely garnished with a rose created from thinly sliced tomatoes.  Next, we split their rich musakka ($27.95), the Turkish version of layered eggplant, tomato and ground meat, interestingly garnished with a roasted tomato and roasted jalapeno.

For our main entree, we share their char-grilled lamb cubes ($27.95) with rice, pickled cabbage, and shredded green salad. Although we preferred the lamb a bit less cooked, it was tasty.

Not so the bright green pistachio roll for dessert — at least not for our palate. That said, I’d still recommended a visit.

Lezzet Turkish Restaurant
Midtown
132 E 61st St
New York, NY 10065
(212) 729-1515
lezzetturkishrestaurant.com