Vareli is a neighborhood favorite for Morningside residents away from the usual Columbia crowd (and budget). The perfect spot for a romantic, candlelit dinner, Vareli's staff is courteous and happy to answer questions but remains low-key to afford intimacy to diners.

Chef Amitzur Mor's menu features both small plates and larger entrées, the former to share over a glass of wine or to mix and match to make a meal. Gems from the small plates include the Moroccan-inspired Grilled Octopus (14) served with chickpeas, olives and yogurt. The Warm Maine Lobster (17) is creative, served with a salad of apples, pears, endive and almonds. Entrées include succulent scallops (24) with perfectly cooked vegetables in a citrus vinaigrette and a Sumac-Rubbed Pork Chop (24) with roasted Brussels sprouts.  Desserts continue in the vein of combining international cuisines, like the creamy Rosewater Panna Cotta (7).

The downstairs bar is the perfect place to sample a glass of wine from amongst the 100+ international and American labels and organic, Kosher and biodynamic choices, along with some of the “Lil' Bites” from the Late-Night Menu, available Thursday to Sunday until 2AM: artisan international cheeses (12/3, 16/5), charcuterie platters (16) and the grass-fed burger (12), one of New York's best.