Every week, I document another dish that impressed and satiated me during my food adventures around New York City
I have been wanting to come out to try Lali Restaurant for quite a while now. But the little Dominican counter is located pretty far west in Hell’s Kitchen and is only open for lunch. The odds of me being in this neighborhood at this time have been against me since I first heard about them over a year ago.
But fate finally struck. I had a special private tour that started at a Hell’s Kitchen hotel in the mid-afternoon. So I knew exactly where I was going to get lunch.
Lali is about as authentic as you get. There are a few seats in the back of the restaurant, but it’s mostly a counter surrounding a little kitchen where two women dish up homecooked Dominican plates. The language heard here is Spanish more than English and while the sweet woman spoke English, I got to practice my broken Spanish which is always exciting.
The menu is full of rotating specials and one of their most popular was available on the Monday I arrived – a chicken stew known as pollo guisado.
This is about as hearty and comforting as lunch can get. Two pieces of tender juicy chicken were perched on a generous pile of yellow rice and beans. Chunks of the chicken fell off the bone and mixed in with the other ingredients. It had just a hint of spice with lots of herbs and garlic. Most importantly, I didn’t need to eat again for many hours.
There is so much to eat in this city and while I try to get everywhere, some places – like Lali – are more difficult than others with my schedule. But with a little patience (and fate), I’ll get to eat as much delicious food as possible. Price: $9
| LALI RESTAURANT |
| 630 Tenth Avenue (between West 44th and West 45th Street), Hell’s Kitchen (212) 664-1507 |
