Zanzibar
This restaurant is closed!
Address:
645 Ninth Avenue
City:
New York, NY
Zip:
10036
Phone:
(212) 957-9197
Site:
Visit the restaurant site
Map:
Map
Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Area:
West 40s
Entree Price:
$20-25
Review:
Zanzibar is
A) A country in Africa
B) A catchy Billy Joel song
C) A highly appealing lounge/restaurant in the theater district with very good Mediterranean food
D) All of the above
The answer, as savvy New Yorkers know, is D. However, less informed passersby on Ninth Avenue might first mistake Zanzibar as simply a large bar/lounge. And indeed, the drinks here are both excellent and unusual, such as a rosemary-infused martini complete with feta-stuffed olives or a Bombay Fusion, a glass mug of warmed Bombay gin, vanilla, lemongrass and ginger that makes an ideal après-dinner digestif.
But Zanzibar is also a great place to catch a pre- or post-theater meal (provided you can eat neatly on low tables). The menu is divided into three categories: tiny plates, small plates, and sharing plates. You can mix and match these according to your budget and your appetite. For a light nibble with cocktails, consider the house's fine meze platter of hummus, tabouleh and eggplant salad, accompanied by warm pita. Those seeking fun finger food have a lot of interesting options, such as "Moroccan cigars" stuffed with either chicken or cheese and spinach, almond-crusted chicken "drumettes" or crispy shrimp wrapped in phyllo dough. But my favorite starter was the incredibly moist kebabs, skewers of perfectly cooked beef, chicken or lamb alternating with onions and peppers.
The so-called sharing plates are actually just entrée-size, so you may want a couple for the table. Three filets of beautifully grilled salmon are set atop an addictive mix of lightly fried chickpeas and chunks of chorizo, while the tasty Moroccan red chicken gets its color and bite from the Moroccan condiment known as harissa, and the accompanying squash pie makes a nice textural counterpart.
Yes, you can still get on a plane and go to Zanzibar, or simply turn on your CD player. But it's a lot quicker, and more delicious, to take the A train to this Zanzibar.
Review By: Brian Scott Lipton