They Call it Curry Hill...

Kalustyan's is a specialty store w/ a strong concentration in international spices.  While it's great to find garam masala, black rice and gojujang sauce all under the same roof, the real beauty about this place is the hidden deli counter located on the second floor.

Kalustyan's

123 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10016
USA

Make your way just past the registers on your left as you enter and head upstairs.  The walls are lined w/ exotic tea blends from the world over and the freezers are stocked w/ yummy Middle Eastern delights.

Two very gracious older men run the well provisioned station towards the back.  You can get some meat items, but I'm always drawn to the colorful array of hot vegetable options at the counter.  A large, three item veggie plate runs about $10 and is enough to fill you three times over.  Personal favorites include the butter beans, spinach, stuffed grape leaves and "mujadara" -- a dense rich blend of lentils and rice.

© 2011 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable - http://www.missioninsatiable.com