New York Times Restaurant Picks in Sheepshead + Other Dining Updates

Sheepshead Bay – The New York Times has published an unprecedented number of stories about new food spots in Sheepshead Bay this year. Since February, they have reviewed Belarussian Xata, Luda’s Dumplings and most recently Cafe Dushanbe. The three spots are a stone’s throw from each other, and in addition to the excellent dining along Emmons Avenue (Il Fornetto, Liman, Yiassou, Rocca …), make Sheepshead a bit of a foodie destination.

Luda’s Dumplings opened last year, and we agree – do offer a superior pelmeni in a modern setting. The Times particularly liked their “Pork-and-beef dumplings with roasted mushrooms and dill; spinach-and-cheese dumplings with pickled jalapeño slices and roasted garlic; potato-and-cheese dumplings with poached egg, parsley and sliced pickle.” 3371 Shore Parkway(just off Sheepshead Bay Road) 347-566-0604

At Cafe Dushanbe, which Alidzhon Imamov opened 5 years ago on Sheepshead Bay Road next to Jimmy’s Famous Heros, NYT recommends checking out Tajik specialties – kurutob, morkovcha, lagman, samsa gizhda, puff samsa, shashlik and doughnuts. On a hot day, you may be interested in “Okroshka, a cooler summer soup, is made with the same yogurt as in kurut, although here the salt has subsided; crisp radish and dill lend brightness, and a quail egg, chopped, a hint of cream.” 1788 Sheepshead Bay Road, between Emmons and Shore Parkway. 718-676-9404

At Belarussian Xata, which opened last September where Cafe Glechik used to be, the food may be heavy on potatoes and pork, but you can get birch sap by the carafe, and the Times suggests you check out “Salo platter; herring “village style”; borscht; pea soup with smoked rib; draniki with sour cream; kolduni with mushrooms; machanka; stuffed cabbage; mini cheese balls; chocolate rulyada; sour cherry dumplings.” 1655 Sheepshead Bay Road at Voorhies. 718-332-4292

Lagman House (2612 E14th at Z, 718-872-5979) opened in June to rave reviews on Yelp. We are yet to check them out.

Factory Cafe on Sheepshead Bay Road has rebranded as Brother’s Bistro and gone Italian.  They also deliver in Sheepshead.

Cats on the Bay (2027 Emmons Avenue, 929-777-2287) have reopened after a renovation, as usual catering to parties, karaoke, and offering hookah.

Also nearby – Kaifuem (3100 Ocean Parkway,718-265-1009) has finally reopened in the old Gambrinus spot.

The Vue (old El Greco Diner spot) on the corner of Emmons and Sheepshead Bay Road has lots of establishments with outdoor dining – Blu, Karver, Soup’nBurger, as well as a beer garden.

Q to Sheepshead Bay Road, do note that parking is not easy to find in the evenings.