Damas | Bon Appétit

"GO HERE: for Damas’ vibrant Syrian specialties in a moody sprawling space. ORDER THE: hot and cold mezes served with freshly made pita. You must try the borek jibné, superlight fried dumplings filled with molten baladi cheese and served with tomato sauce for dipping, and the hummus lahmé, hummus topped with flavorful lamb. Finish the meal with a scoop of baklava ice cream and a glass of cardamom saffron tea. THE VIBE IS: very festive, thanks to red beaded light fixtures, lanterns, and tiled walls. The huge dining room is crowded almost every night, mostly with families and couples on date night, so grab a seat at the bar where you can see right into the kitchen: one cook sprinkling dishes with fresh herbs, another making pita to order. PRACTICAL STUFF: Open every day: Monday to Thursday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Reserve ahead of time via OpenTable, especially on the weekends but also during the week for good measure. —Claire Saffitz" - Condé Nast