Welcome to my series, where I highlight restaurants and food escapades I had the pleasure of experiencing while in New York City. The city that never sleeps was once a place I dreamed of moving to when I got older. And although life didn’t unfold exactly how I imagined, I’m thankful for every opportunity I get to visit this adventurous city.
One thing about me: I love good food. Having a plethora of options is always such a treat to relish. I enjoy exploring and appreciating restaurants that showcase the unique and authentic cultures of our world. So it’s only right that I pay homage to the immigrants and formerly enslaved people whose contributions deserve all the love and respect our humanity can offer.
First up on our NYC EATS excursion is a chic, cute, and quaint Middle Eastern restaurant called Shukette, located in Chelsea at 230 Ninth Avenue. Chef Ayesha Nurdjaja is the culinary force behind it, and her creations featuring charcoal-grilled meats, house-baked breads, and tantalizing dips have made this spot a new favorite of mine.
After attending an event and enjoying a big meal earlier in the day, I was craving a cocktail and light bites. Nothing too heavy or bloating. The Ercole Vino Amaro spritzer, filled with luscious fruity notes of pomegranate, ginger, and lemon caught my eye. It was visually stunning and tasted just as good. A total win in my book.
For a dip, I asked for the “When You Dip, I Dip, We Dip” recommendation, and the waiter suggested the labneh served with house-made bread. As a light main, I went with the “Egyptian Spiced Grilled Wings” with a homemade wing dip to round out the meal.
Overall, I soaked up the chilled-out atmosphere and the nostalgic ‘90s versus 2000s playlist that had me dancing in my bar seat. The inside vibes are chill mixed with fun and outside seating provides a beautiful New York evening with guests enjoying the perfect weather.
I highly recommend paying a visit to Shukette and yes, I’m already planning a return trip to try more from the menu.
