Dagon brings Middle Eastern flavors to the Upper West Side.  Located at 2454 Broadway (90th and 91st St), Dagon serves food from "somewhere in the Mediterranean”, a phrase that prolific restaurateurs Simon Oren and David Sasson know well from growing up in Israel.  This motto was inspired from the Voice of Peace, the offshore radio station that broadcasts in the Middle East for 20 years from the former Dutch cargo vessel MV Peace.

Helmed by Chef Ari Bokovza (formerly Claudette), whose roots are also Israeli, Dagon takes diners on a food ride with stops in Israel, Lebanon, Cyprus, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, and Turkey. The menu features traditional shareable mezze dishes such as Muhammarah, Moroccan Carrots, and Sasson Chicken Liver. There are small plates like Moroccan Cigars filled with ground lamb, potato, dill, and amba; Charred Eggplant with buttermilk vinaigrette, tomato jam, shabazi bread crumbs; and Shisha Barak, Lebanese mushroom filled dumplings warm yogurt, pine nuts, spicy herb sauce and more. A hearty Harissa BBQ Chicken, Crispy Lamb Shawarma, and Pan-Roasted Salmon along with fresh salads are some of the highlights in Chef Ari’s menu. Kubanehs, Jerusalem Bagels, and Laffas baked fresh daily in a pizza oven are also offered.

The menu isn’t the only thing that’s exciting. Cheerily decorated, Dagon has a homey feel with 70's vintage wallpapers, light wood tables, and chairs and banquettes with ivory colored cushions. Think La Dolce Vita Tel Aviv style. The whole restaurant can seat 135, there's a main dining room for 100, and up a few stairs two rooms, one semi-private for 20, and another for 10.