Nur - New York City

From the moment we walked in, the host and waitstaff greeted us with warm smiles and attentive service, making us feel right at home. Despite the upscale atmosphere of the restaurant, the staff were refreshingly down-to-earth and welcoming throughout the evening. As we explored the menu, we enjoyed a couple of cocktails. I tried the Nur York Harvest, a delightful sweet and tangy blend, and I particularly enjoyed a bourbon-based cocktail—though I can't recall its exact name. I believe it was called the Matchstick Manhattan, made with bourbon, maraschino, and a hint of coffee essence, giving it a slightly sweet edge. It was so good that I easily could have had a third! The menu featured a variety of interesting and authentic dishes. We learned that Chef Meir Adoni, a renowned culinary figure and TV personality from Israel, is behind the restaurant. Nur is his first venture outside of Israel. The food did not disappoint—each plate was not only visually stunning but also bursting with flavor. My photos don’t do it justice. We tried several dishes, including: - Jerusalem Sesame Bagel: generously portioned and served warm—absolutely delicious. - Date Doughnuts: crispy bites filled with smoked trout that had me wanting more. - Horias Spiced Lamb: served in toasted pita with creamy eggplant—this is a must-try. - Smoked Eggplant Carpaccio: the intense smokiness was a treat. - Scallop Sashimi: with a wonderful variety of textures, perfect for sharing. - Tender and flavorful octopus that I would definitely order again. - Foie Gras: paired with a pistachio lime crumble that was perfectly balanced. - Casablanca Chraime: a comforting seafood stew that was cooked to perfection. To cap off our meal, a dish of three small desserts was brought to our table—such a delightful surprise to end our dining experience. I truly appreciate when restaurants take the extra step to surprise their guests. Rest assured, I will be back during my next visit!

Perhaps my expectations were set too high, as I had eagerly anticipated dining at this restaurant after hearing how difficult it is to secure a reservation. We tried their bread topped with grated tomato, lamb skewers, seafood stew, and scallops. While everything was well-seasoned, there was a notable saltiness to the dishes, particularly the lamb. The ingredients were diverse, but ultimately, the flavors and textures felt somewhat muddled. On the positive side, the plating was beautiful, the atmosphere was pleasant, and the staff were friendly. It's certainly worth a visit, although it might be better to go when the hype subsides a bit.

Regarding the overall experience, I made a reservation for 9:30 PM, the only time available for dinner during my week in New York. What I didn’t realize was that the kitchen closes at 10 PM. We were running a bit late, and even if we hadn’t been, this meant we had very little time to decide on our orders and couldn’t add dishes along the way, which made my experience feel rushed and unsatisfying. As for the space itself, it was very small and underwhelming. There were no bold design choices made; the decor and atmosphere felt too minimal. It could have been any other restaurant; nothing about it truly screamed “Nur,” aside from the food. The atmosphere and music are just as important, guys! Additionally, it was extremely loud, making it far from an intimate setting.

We visited on Sunday for brunch and they offered the full menu. The food was delicious! The service was a bit slow, but overall, the dining experience was excellent.

This Israeli restaurant is incredibly delicious! It's a bit pricey, but definitely worth it—the portion sizes are generous and the flavors are outstanding. Our server was very friendly and attentive. The decor is clean, simple, and inviting, creating a cozy atmosphere that feels like home. I highly recommend it!