Bustan - New York

During my much-awaited visit to New York City, I had the joyous opportunity to reunite with my family who resides just a stone's throw away from 487 Amsterdam Ave. It was a heartwarming moment for all of us, and we decided to make the most of our time together by exploring the neighborhood and indulging in some good food.Upon my family's recommendation, we decided to dine at a nearby restaurant located right on Amsterdam Avenue, aptly nestled at 487 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024. The charming exterior and the promise of a memorable culinary experience lured us in, and we were not disappointed in the least.As we entered the restaurant, we were immediately enveloped in a welcoming ambiance, filled with the chatter of contented diners and the tantalizing aroma of delectable dishes. The cheerful staff made us feel right at home, and the place resonated with a sense of warmth and togetherness, perfect for our long-awaited family get-together.Our attentive server, who seemed genuinely pleased to have us there, guided us through the menu, sharing personal favorites and recommendations. It was evident that this place was more than just a restaurant; it was a community of food enthusiasts, eager to share their passion for culinary delights with others.After much contemplation, we settled on an array of dishes that appealed to every member of our diverse family. From savory appetizers to mouthwatering entrees, each plate was a testament to the chef's skill and dedication to culinary excellence. We relished every bite and shared the joy of tasting something truly extraordinary.But the sweetest part of the entire experience was, undoubtedly, the dessert selection. Our server seemed to pick up on our excitement and mentioned that the desserts here were not to be missed. And, oh boy, were they right! From the first spoonful to the last, we were captivated by the heavenly flavors that danced on our tongues. It felt as if the desserts were specially crafted to bring families closer together, savoring the joys of each other's company and indulging in the pleasure of a shared experience.

Great Mediterranean food. We came here many times and the quality is always there. The falafel is amazing! Hummus with taboon bread is great too. Love their Israeli salad, too. Schnitzel is delicious but only good for dine in. Take out will be a bit dry. Service is never disappointing!Food: 5/5

We were in the area and stopped in for early dinner. What a great find! Everything was absolutely fresh and delicious. Staff was friendly. Atmosphere was nice. We will definitely return for more.Food: 5/5

Oh yum. Just thinking about dinner at Bustan makes me smile. We were first introduced by friends who live on the West Side, and have been back with and without them, never to be disappointed. Last night was particularly wonderful. A small glitch of reserving for 2 rather than 4 was graciously remedied by Danny, who after just a short wait seated us in a comfortable and quiet banquette. It is hard not to over order small and medium plates, because we all wanted old faithfuls like Greek salad, cauliflower, hummus, taqboon bread and tzaziki, but the daily specials including grilled artichokes over labneh were enticing. And while we have ordered and shared a variety of large plates in the past, we each got Chicken Musakhan, except for the outlier who ordered the crispy schnitzel with silky mashed potatoes. The Musakhan, for anyone interested, is perfectly marinated and grilled chicken atop tahini atop puffy taboon bread, with watercress and radishes. So unbelievably good. Cannot wait to go back. It can be noisy, but is worth it. Danny and our waiter Nikola were thoroughly accommodating, and didn't mind that we stayed till the bitter end of the evening.

It was a bit too noisy for us and it felt a bit frantic. The food was generally excellent with a few uneven dishes. Nonetheless, a treat to enjoy the menu.