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    Cafe Sparrow

    4.3 (35 reviews)

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    Hot chocolate after
    Evangelia L.

    I really wanted to like this cafe after seeing the high reviews, but I was not too impressed. To start off, they don't serve hot food and the pastries are not made in the house. Also, the food is very overpriced! $17 for a sandwich and $7 for a slice of cake?? I can definitely find more reasonably priced cafes. Menu also seems to have shrunk :( There was no spanakopita or baklava available. My mom and I came in here on a Friday evening. The ambiance was cute and inviting. There was only one girl working there, who was friendly. They had a hot chocolate bomb special, so I ordered myself that. My mom ordered a golden latte decaf. The hot chocolate was tasty! I liked how the milk was frothed up. The bomb also came with some marshmallows inside. Unfortunately, my mom was not happy with her golden latte decaf. Didn't really taste like coffee and was very watery. Not much flavor but the spices. We asked the girl about what was in the drink, but she said it was premade... and my mom didn't feel good afterwards. I don't think we will go back. Sorry Sparrow, but this place is not worth chirping about.

    Gauravi P.

    Had a lovely time at Cafe Sparrow!! Our breakfast break was the highlight of our NY trip. Cafe Sparrow is decorated adorably. The menu has ample selections and the Turkish treats available look delicious and inviting. We ordered a cortado and a cappuccino to go. Both were good but not as strong as we like it and tasted more of foamed milk. The barista (and maybe owner?) was so friendly! I could talk to him all day. He explained the available pastries to us and gave us suggestions which was most appreciated. The prices here were a little high, but if I lived in the area I would splurge and come here once a month to try different treats and people watch!

    Pistachio and chocolate
    Elianny S.

    My friend wanted coffee so we came here. I don't drink coffee so I ordered the pistachio chocolate pastry. The girl working was very friendly and seemed knowledgeable about the various pastries since I wasn't too sure what to get. The place is small but very cute. They have cute sparrow decor to match the theme of this place. The prices seem a bit high but everything is now expensive.

    Small Iced Latte (~$6): with rose syrup and oat milk (+$1.50)
    Aya E.

    Ordered: Small Iced Latte (~$6): with rose syrup and oat milk (+$1.50) Aya's take: I love me a local coffee shop and when I saw this Turkish-owned one open in Astoria, I decided to check it out. I like that they have rose syrup here since it's one of my favorite flavors. The Latte was creamy, well-prepared, and gave me the caffeine kick I needed. At almost ~$8 with tax, the price is a little steep for a drink in my opinion. Definitely good once in a while but won't be my go-to for that reason. Super friendly staff!

    Outside
    Moeka S.

    5.0/5.0 Okay for my second visit I got the tiramisu, lemonade, and Turkish tea (I forgot the exact name). I just have to say, the Turkish tea was the best drink ever, period. I wasnt feeling great but the moment I took a sip of the tea my eyes opened double their size . There was this pungent scent of cardamom and then a nice natural sweetness from the cardamom flavor and milk. I'd give 80milliom stars if I could

    Cashier area
    Laura S.

    I came to this place with 4 of my friends for a breakfast before our hike. We just left and I have nothing but good things to say. It's clearly a local family business, but even with only 2 people working, our food was extremely fresh and made with LOVE. I got the avocado toast and a vanilla cappuccino. I saw this woman mash the avocado herself and add everything she needed herself. I got 2 pieces of avocado toast with a baggy of chips. She took her time and the avocado toast was so delicious I couldn't even stop to take a picture. The vanilla cappuccino was the perfect amount of sweet with no additives. The place is small but very cozy and beautifully decorated. The owners are so sweet and kept apologizing for the wait but there was no need for any apologies. Will definitely be back soon!

    Amelia L.

    4.5 During one of my walks around Astoria, I saw that a new café just opened along 37th Avenue called Café Sparrow. It's located in a tiny bit of space, but the interior does not feel small. There are small tables inside and some outdoor tables and a bench on the street. I wasn't very hungry but I was curious about their menu, so I decided to check them out. Funnily enough, I didn't even get see the menu as I was distracted by their desserts. As soon as a I came in, I noticed they had a small display case by the counter which displayed two varieties of baklava and some Lokum. I rarely get a chance to try these desserts, so I immediately ordered a couple of each variety that they had. Lokum or Turkish Delights are desserts that are gel-like from the starch and sugar base. They are made with a variety of flavors and often incorporates chopped nuts and fruit like pistachios and dates. They had 4 different varieties of Lokum, one of which had rosewater and pistachios. Those were my favorite. I loved the slight aroma of the rosewater with every bite. Another one had bits of dried flowers which was so interesting. They were all chewy, slightly sweet, slightly tangy with bits of crunch from the nuts. I don't usually like desserts that are gummy and stick to your teeth, but these were delightful and very addicting. I saw on my way out that there were other diners that ordered sandwiches and coffee. I'll have to come back and really check out their menu. I was too absorbed by the desserts that I forgot to look!

    menus on the wall above the counter
    Neil H.

    Cute Turkish cafe with a few seats. When they first opened earlier this year they had lines and lines of people outside. I am told the lines continued for about a week. I ordered a spinach pie with a soda. The spinach pie was very favorable, and I nearly ordered a second slice, then realized I had another eatery to review. Service was decent, and the one person there was helpful. Cafe Sparrow offers Turkish and Middeteran snacks and sandwiches. Their offerings are less than advertised on the menu, and many items were out of stock on the Saturday I went there. Overall I had a favorable impression, and I will be back.

    Small ice latte. Basically expensive milk
    Aryelle S.

    Went in to get a small ice latte. Barely a shot of espresso and paid $6. Would avoid.

    Indoors

    This little hidden gem in Astoria is absolutely warm. It is ran by a sweet Turkish woman and man. They serve up authentic Turkish snacks, amazing coffee and sandwiches. My friends and I came in during the AM for some quick bites and coffee and this place did not disappoint. My friend ordered the Avocado toast which was "made with love" and I got a Turkey sand which which hit the spot. Also this place is HALAL run!! They take their time and pour their heart into what they give. Their Turkish pastries were to die for, I would have taken a photo but I scarfed it down in one bite. It was hazel-nutty and chocolatey and marshmallowy. Additionally, the vibe of this place was taken straight from Turkey. The colors, the ambiance and even the music. My friends and I will be back!

    Turkish coffee and beagle
    Elmi R.

    Amazing food and service!! Women owned delicious. Great customer service. Would recommend to anyone in Astoria

    Sparrow Breakfast and Turkish Bagel (Simit)

    Amazing Food! The Hostess was so sweet and recommended getting the Turkish Bagel. Everything we ordered was fantastic. You must try their turkish delights and turkish tea as well. Very unique cafe compared to others in the area and the inside is decorated beautifully .

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    1 year ago

    super underwhelming and insanely overpriced, simit was burnt to a crisp and you don't add sugar to Turkish coffee after the fact

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    3.5(585 reviews)
    2.2 mi•Upper East Side, Yorkville
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    Following our Middle Eastern streak, my husband and I came to A La Turka, lured by, you guessed it,…read moretheir $45 Restaurant Week menu. The food was phenomenal, and there wasn't a single bite that we didn't enjoy. We began our meal with two appetizers, the eggplant shakshouka and the sauteed shrimp. While I preferred the eggplant for its taste, I was surprised by the small portion and the lack of egg. Isn't shakshouka known for its signature fried egg, nestled in a bed of tomatoes and peppers? I could be wrong. Nonetheless, it was delicious, and the accompanying loaf was wonderfully soft and flavored with garlic oil. It was the best table bread I've ever had. For our mains, we ordered lamb chops and adana kebab. Both were so delicious and huge! I'm often leery of lamb for its gaminess, but this one wasn't gamey at all. Rather, it had a slight funk, much like a well aged cheese. It was delicious, and the sear on that tender meat added a nice smokiness. The kebab was well seasoned and it, too, had a nice, moderate sear. For dessert, there was only one option, the baklava, and it was everything a baklava ought to be: generously soaked in syrup, the filo dough flaky, with layers of crunch from the chopped pistachios. I loved everything at A La Turka, and if I ever wanted Middle Eastern food again (which I often do these days), I'll come here!

    Had a delicious dinner at A La Turka, though the service started with a bizarre twist. We…read moreexplicitly told the staff upfront we wanted to stay to watch the Knicks game in an hour and a half, and they cleared it. Then, mid-appetizer order, the manager suddenly told us we only had 90 minutes! We were shocked, but after our friend double-checked with the hostess, the issue completely disappeared.The rest of the night was smooth sailing. We got a nice window seat and our waitress was very attentive. The food was excellent--highly recommend the mezze platter, the chicken kebab, and the flavorful kofte kebab lamb patties with bean salad. The Turkish coffee martini and Tito's/club sodas were great too. I'd definitely return for the food! And perhaps if there were another sporting event!

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    Located in Hunter's Point, LIC, this spot is a gem. The ambiance is casual and cozy and the staff…read morewas absolutely so friendly and welcoming. As it was my boyfriend and I's first time trying Turkish food, they helped explain some of the dishes to us. We got their appetizer spread, their lamacun, and their manti. Everything was phenomenal, but I highly recommend their appetizer spread and their lamacun. I loved the spread as you got the chance to try multiple different dips and it was a huge portion. Their lamacun was also the first I've ever had and it made me think: "Why haven't I had this before?" It was so good. Will definitely be coming back.

    Safir is a small, cozy restaurant that makes for a great, relaxed meal. The service was warm and…read moreattentive, and it ended up being the perfect way to wrap up the weekend. The atmosphere is comfortable without feeling crowded, making it easy to settle in and enjoy the meal. The food was excellent from start to finish. The sigar borek were perfectly crispy, cheesy, and just the right amount of salty. The lamb beyti kebab was packed with flavor, and the accompanying sauces really elevated the dish. We also had the manti, Turkish dumplings that were well-seasoned and incredibly satisfying. Portions were generous across the board, and everything tasted fresh and high quality. It's the kind of place that leaves you looking forward to your next visit.

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    Very rarely do I give a place 5 stars, so when I do, you bet I felt the place deserved it. We…read morestopped by this place last weekend as we were nearby. There were other Greek style restaurants nearby but felt this place may just be a tad better than the rest. We were quickly sat down and the interior of the restaurant was very clean looking, pleasant, and bright. They started off with free warm bread and two types of dipping sauce (tzatziki and some type of cilantro sauce). Both were bangers and the bread was soooo warm. My wife ordered the Khoresh Bademjan $26 which was chunks of boneless baby lamb stew with eggplants and tomato. It was not spicy which was to my wife's liking and the food was soooo tender and scrupulous. I ordered the dark meat chicken kabob platter which came with saffron and whole pieces of tomatoes/onions grilled. The chicken was amazingly soft and love the large chunks so you can really taste it. The saffron rice they give for each portion was very plentiful and definite leftovers for sure. Both dishes far exceeded our expectations and we will definitely return. FYI - there are other locations of this place as well.

    Really liked this spot for a Valentine's and a birthday party we had missed in February with my…read morepartner. Everything was nice, including the decor. The Persian lamb kabab, Sulton Kabab and Zereski rice were delicious and we will be back in the near future

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    Zoi Mediterranean Ues - Savor the moment with a vibrant and refreshing cocktail! No matter your taste, we have something for everyone.

    Zoi Mediterranean Ues

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    2.1 mi•Upper East Side, Yorkville

    The absolutely horrendous service experience makes me question all the 5-star reviews as fake/paid…read more Came for a Sunday brunch, we were probably the only people at the restaurant when we arrived and ordered. Got a hummus and some brunch mains (hummus was to share but mostly for our toddler to get started during the wait). 30 min or so passed before they showed up with the hummus. I initially thought they decided to bring everything together so it took so long but no. Had to wait another 30 min for the mains. I had to ask for more bread since 1 hummus for 5 people was clearly not sufficient and taking 1 hour to deliver brunch food in an almost empty restaurant is beyond unreasonable. Took them another 40 min to get a piece of pita bread out, came after the 1-hour-wait mains. Manager came to apologize and said she will come back "to walk us through what happened and what they can comp". Okay... of course she never came back and the waiter took off a coffee and hummus off the bill. The two cheapest items. Not even the overpriced mocktails that are sugar water priced like an alcoholic drink and literally cost them nothing. Hummus I couldn't even eat because after 1 hour of waiting had to really entertain the toddler (who behaved perfectly until over 1 hour of sitting around in one spot starving). Really disappointing and concerning that the restaurant seems to be creating fake positive reviews that mislead customers about the actual quality.

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    Yefsi Estiatorio - OCTAPODI - Grilled Octopus, Capers, Red Peppers & Onions in a Red Wine Vinaigrette. It was delicious!

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    I've been here twice within the last two weeks. Once with a friend, once with my husband, cousins…read moreand best friend. Delicious both times, possibly even better the second time. Service is friendly and attentive. The cold apps we ordered came out quickly, the entrees took a little longer, but that tells me they're actually preparing the food and not just heating it up. Fine by me! The spicy feta dip and tzatziki were my favorites, but I also loved the Shrimp Santorini (orzo, shrimp, tomato sauce, baked feta) and the bite of my husband's moussaka I had was great. Their special watermelon salad was also a favorite! Cute place, good for dates, friends and families!

    "Average Greek" Went here for a group dinner on a Saturday…read morenight. It was fine but nothing special. I guess for the UES it's not bad but I would head downtown or across the water in Astoria for much better food. What's to cheer - standard selection of Greek food - Good red feat dip and pita bread - Fair prices - Branzino was ok and decently grilled - Zucchini chips were nicely done What's to jeer - Service was puzzlingly bad. Water was constantly refilled but difficult to get a second drink. Many people working who aren't actually waiters. No food runners from the kitchen - Calamari wasn't great - Deserts were meh

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    Miriam - Halloumi Salad

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    4.2(49 reviews)
    2.4 mi•Upper East Side

    We went to the UES location on our way to the Roosevelt Island air tram. We chose it based on…read moretrusted Yelp reviews when searching for options in the area. We were surprised by how lovely the space is since its tucked away in the middle of the block, at the garden level. It really is delightful. It's nicely lit, with soft white lighting reflecting off its intentionally placed mirrors along the walls, which together make the space feel bigger than it is. Service was quick and attentive, and the food was delicious. I look forward to trying the UWS location, which is more convenient for me.

    I was at the Upper East Side location of this miniature Israali/Levantine chain a while back with a…read morecouple of others. Compared to some of their other locations, it's a bit nicer here, being a bit more dimly lit. The service was friendly. Overall, the food was pricey and just okay, with the Upper West Side and especially the Park Slope locations being much better in both flavor and presentation, enough so that I wouldn't recommend this one. We started with two of the mezze/appetizers. Much better of the two was their interesting take on a Spanakopita for $18, consisting of a Swiss chard and feta pie, cherry tomato, and a spicy pepper sauce. The portion was a bit meek for the price, which became a theme, but the flavor was nice. The phyllo had a nice mix of crispiness and softness, and the inside wasn't too sour from the feta. The cherry tomatoes added a nice burst of freshness, and there wasn't too much pepper sauce, or else I think it would have become a bit too soggy. This was good. Much worse was the $15 Babaganoush with chopped pickles, Fresno pepper, and sesame bread. I'm unsure why, but the color was very off compared to the typical version, being greenish instead of the usual gray, which made it look just a bit unappetizing. I liked the pickles and pepper, and the bread went well with it, but overall it didn't help, as it lacked smokiness and wasn't as thick as a typical version. Overall, it was flavorless and pricey, with a good 20 places even in the area making a better version, with most of them being cheaper. My main of choice was regrettably a $32 Salmon Papillote with chermoula and root vegetables that thankfully no longer appears to be on the menu. The portion size was tiny for the price, and for it being chermoula, it lacked the spice or depth of the tasty Moroccan sauce. The salmon was decently tender, but the root vegetables were undercooked to the point that the carrots were still hard. This was terrible, but it's been replaced, which is a good thing. Another person had the same dish, and the last person had the much better $27 Chicken Shawarma Tacos, served on a toasted za'atar pita with fermented red cabbage, pickles, and spicy yogurt cilantro sauce, served with za'atar fries, tahini & amba. The portion size was much more decent, and the flavor of the fries, at least, was nice, with the za'atar adding some nice herbal and sour notes, and the fries themselves having a good texture. He also liked the "tacos," and the portion seemed adequate. For dessert, we had two. Mine was the good Malabi for $13, an almond milk pudding currently served with rose & beet syrup and pistachio. Back then, it was more dark chocolate and orange-based, with a dark chocolate-covered orange slice and the cake having a bit of orange. The floral rosewater and orange flavors reminded me of a very tasty mix of malabi and Greek Portokalopita. The others shared a pretty good Knafeh for $16 with baked phyllo dough, sweetened cheese, and pistachio ice cream. The knafeh/kunafa was served a bit differently than at other spots, and it was much less sweet than normal. I liked how many pistachios there were, but the cheese texture felt a bit off. Outside of the soft phyllo, the dish reminded me more of some less sweet versions of the Turkish künefe than the Levant style. It was fine. We had an off experience here. We disliked one of the two appetizers and found the other one OK. My entree was pretty terrible; the other entree was good, and both desserts were different but tasty. I would recommend the other Miriam locations instead, as at this price point, some consistency would be nice.

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