We chose the Turkish restaurant AnTalia for its proximity to Town Hall where we were seeing the irreverent humorist Fran Lebowitz.

As traditional in Turkish meals, we started with a mezze. That’s a selection of small dishes served with bread, traditionally pita. We chose their tzatziki (chopped cucumbers with garlic and dill in yogurt), the pureed grilled eggplant and — my favorite — the spicy veggie dip made from tomatoes, green peppers, walnuts and pepper sauce (three for $21).

One dining partner tried their classic vertically grilled lamb gyro ($22.50) served with tomato sauce, yogurt and pita, that needed more bread (+$1.75). Another had their whole char-grilled branzino (Mediterranean seabass or levrek) with a salad, carrots and pickled cabbage ($29.5) while I enjoyed my chargrilled salmon fillet with the same accompaniments.

Fran Lebowitz lived up to her reputation providing sarcastic social commentary that was filtered through her New York sensibilities.

AnTalia is nothing to go out of your way for, yet is conveniently located near the Theatre District.

AnTalia NYC
Midtown
17 W 45th St
New York, NY 10036
(212) 221-3333
antalianyc.com