The Absolute Best Restaurants in Rego Park and Forest Hills

"I don’t come here expecting Western-style rugelach or challah; Bukharan taste favors circular loaves like chak chak (Tashkent–style sesame-studded) and Samarkand bread that resembles a giant bialy. There’s a tiny takeout next door with Bukharan specialties, and the excellent plov features chunks of beef shank while the samsa meat pies (beef or lamb with onions and black pepper) are cooked in an igloo-shaped tandoor. The owners also opened a restaurant a few doors down, but the best way to enjoy these hearty Uzbek dishes is standing at the stainless-steel counter as the aroma of meat pies fills the air." - Joe DiStefano