Here are just some of the restaurants offering authentic ethnic cuisine on Long Island. Keep in mind that most, but not all, items on each menu represent the food of that ethnicity or region.
EUROPEAN / MIDDLE EASTERN / MEDITERRANEAN
Ali Baba 2: 17-19 Broadway, Hicksville, 516-931-7111, (Afghani) Both the food and the service are warm and welcoming in this Afghani restaurant.
Azer Baijan: 1610 Old Country Rd., Westbury, 516-228-0001 (Persian, Turkish, Arbaijani) The food of Azer Baijan, rife with Turkish, Persian and Mediterranean influences, is as reassuring as it is invigorating, especially the fluffy tabbouleh with cherry syrup and bits of pomegranate.
Fax-Chix: 868 Horseblock Rd., Farmingville, 631-736-4600 (Portuguese chicken and Mexican dishes)
Kabul: 1153 E. Jericho Tpke., Huntington, 631-549-5506 (Afghani) Kabul's cozy, folkloric dining room is the perfect venue for the expertly-prepared cuisine of Afghanistan.
Kabul Grill Kebab & Tea Room: 129 N. Broadway, Hicksville, 516- 933-8999 (Afghani) This hospitable Afghani restaurant combines the familiar with the exotic. Especially recommended is the zereshk palau, hacked pieces of Cornish hen marinated, skewered and grilled and served atop basmati rice mixed with cooked berries.
Kebab House: 255-05 Northern Blvd., Little Neck, 718-225-5318 (Turkish) At this small and gracious Turkish restaurant, people usually end up satisfied. The kebabs are generously portioned and delicious.
Lareira: 66 Jericho Tpke., Mineola, 516-248-2004 (Portuguese)
Pita House: 680 Rte. 112, Patchogue, 631-289-2262 (Turkish) This popular Turkish restaurant is a local hot spot for a reason. Go for lunch and try the excellent turkey gyro-doner kebab sandwich.
Ravagh Persian Grill: 210 Mineola Ave., Roslyn Heights, 516-484- 7100 (Persian) The service is friendly and the food warm and appealing at this Persian family restaurant. The baghali polo with mahicheh, stewed lamb shank with green rice, is an unalloyed delight.
ASIAN
Dosa Diner: 128 Broadway, Hicksville, 516-681-5151, (South Indian) The dosas, South Indian crepes that give the restaurant its name, are large, lacy and slightly crunchy, made from a fermented lentil and rice flour batter and stuffed with a potato-based filling. Here they are more than impressive.
Fortune Wheel: 3601 Hempstead Tpke., Levittown, 516-579-4700 (Chinese) For those seeking genuine Chinese cuisine, not the Americanized buffet-table substitute, Fortune Wheel is a destination dining spot worth seeking out.
Kiran Palace: 67-75 E. Old Country Rd., Hicksville, 516-932-0918 (North Indian) This North Indian restaurant serves food that is nothing short of regal, delighting both spice-lovers and those who prefer to walk on the mild side.
The Orient: 623 Hicksville Rd., Bethpage, 516-822-1010 (Chinese) It's an ongoing banquet for food-savvy Asian-Americans and others, who converge for weekend dim sum and authentic Cantonese, Sichuan and Hunan dishes.
Royal Tangra Masala: 2207 Hillside Ave., New Hyde Park, 516-746- 4898, (Indian/Chinese) Lollipop chicken is one of the Indian-Chinese surprises at a restaurant that doesn't stint on spice.
Shang Hai Pavilion: 46 Main St., Port Washington, 516-883-3368 (Shanghai Chinese) The lion's head casserole, huge, soft pork meatballs served with baby bok choy, is delicious, one of a number of excellent Shanghai offerings.
Siam Lotus: 1664 Union Blvd., Bay Shore, 631-968-8196 (Thai) Siam Lotus consistently ranks among the top Thai restaurants on Long Island. This little charmer prepares fine food, full of flavor.
Sil La Joung: 1087 Jericho Tpke., Commack, 631-543-6790 (Korean) This authentic Korean restaurant brings just what Long Island was missing.
