NYC Restaurants

The Shawarma is the centerpiece of Al-Sham, a Middle Eastern restaurant on the corner of 77th Street and Fifth Avenue in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Here a huge round of chicken rotates on a giant spit in the window, cooking in its own juices, as workers shave off some of the juciest and flavorful chicken you will find. Part of what makes this place special is the simplicy. The shawarma is served with some pickles and yogurt and that's it. If fact, everything we tried is simple, but good, like Fattoush Salad made with fresh romaine, cucumbers, green peppers and tomatoes and topped with crispy pita chips, to Kibbeh Balls stuffed with spiced beef and nuts. There are traditional dips like Baba Ganoush (which was also quite good), Hummus and Mohamara (a hot pepper dip with onion, sesame seeds and tahini). Chicken and Kufta Kebabs, made with marinated beef and lamb, are also available, but it's the Shawarma that is the true star.

- Thomas Rafael