Customers and food critics alike have raved for years over the
Middle Eastern dishes served at the Bay Ridge restaurant Tanoreen.Now chef and owner Rawia Bishara can claim even bigger bragging
rights. Zagat’s 2008 survey has just named Tanoreen the top Middle
Eastern restaurant in all of New York City.Tanoreen scored 27 out of a possible 30 points for food that was
described as "extraordinary," "fantastic" – and considered a bargain at
an average of $26 a head."I’m speechless," said Bishara, who opened the restaurant 10 years
ago. "You work 14 hours a day, not thinking about it. It’s great."Five other Brooklyn restaurants got top food ratings and made the
top 50 in the 29th Zagat Survey of city restaurants, meaning diners
considered the food somewhere between extraordinary and perfect.The Peter Luger Steak House in Williamsburg was proclaimed "the No.
1 chop shop for the 24th year running," with a score of 28. DiFara of
Midwood got a score of 27 for creating pizza pies that are "pure
heaven."Saul in Boerum Hill scored 27 for "sophisticated," "unpretentious"
New American dishes. Over in Park Slope, Al Di La scored a 26 for its
"superlative" Italian cuisine. The Grocery in Carroll Gardens and the
River Cafe in DUMBO were both once again on the top 50 list.But getting a good meal in Brooklyn doesn’t always mean a big bill.
Also considered a good value were Lucali and Zaytoons, both in
Carroll Gardens, and both charging $18 per customer for mountains of
food.Tenzan in Bensonhurst was saluted for its sushi sliced in "huge
slabs for modest tabs" while the Garden Cafe in Prospect Heights was
cited for its $32 prix fixe dinner. Henry’s End’s $23 prix fixe made
the cut, too.In downtown Brooklyn, lunchtime standby Hale & Hearty was noted for its "variety of hit-the-spot" soups and salads for $11.
Serving "excellent roast beef sandwiches," Roll-n-Roaster in
Sheepshead Bay is considered "an institution." At $14 a person, it’s
also a "quick bite at a good price."Among dessert spots, the Chocolate Room in Park Slope scored 25, the highest-ranking citywide.
"We’re thrilled," said Naomi Josepher, who shares ownership of the
decadent treat shop with husband Jon Payson. "It makes our staff and us
want to continue to be creative and strive to be the best."In Cobble Hill and Park Slope, Sweet Melissa also tempted with "delicate" deserts, tea and sandwiches at about $16 per customer.
Newcomers PT in Williamsburg and Cheryl’s Global Soul in Prospect Heights also scored well.
"I hadn’t even thought that we would get into the Zagat for a
while," owner and chef Cheryl Smith said as the restaurant gets ready
to celebrate its first anniversary next week. "It’s thrilling."
