Would you like a feta cigar with that hookah? Or perhaps some lamb sliders? Then head over to Kush on a Tuesday night where you’ll find a DJ spinning fresh, global beats, $10 hookahs all night, and a menu that lives up to the exotic décor. It’s the casual vibe you’d expect from a Tuesday. No pressure. Just a game of Dominoes sprawled out on the table, and a chance to catch up with friends as you bounce to the music and crunch on some downright delicious food.
A friend of mine DJs at the Tuesday event Music without Boarders, and invited me to stop by for a cocktail and bite to eat. I wouldn’t have expected a hookah bar to have an interesting menu, but why not? Hookah bars can get away with an eclectic mix of cultures and cuisines, and the small plates at Kush don’t disappoint. Tantalize your Tuesday taste buds any day of the week with a range of Greek, Middle Eastern, Mexican and Indian influenced dishes created by a new chef and an owner willing to push the offerings to the next level. This menu goes well beyond gloppy fried bar food. The choices are limited, but well thought out, and familiar plates like samosas, summer rolls, and tacos have a guaranteed twist.
Try the summer rolls for a fresh herb kick and non-traditional taboulie filling which gives them added heartiness. The lamb sliders served on buttery rolls are salty and sweet but subtle enough to stand up to the goat cheese and fresh mint. They’d be perfect served poolside with an ice-cold beer, but worked just as well with my Ginger lemon cocktail. Spicy mini tacos are as fun to look at, as they are to eat. These two-bite beauties stuffed with chipotle chicken are topped with avocado and a cilantro creme fraiche you could eat by the bowlful.
The aptly named feta cigars are like sophisticated mozzarella sticks that made babies with spring rolls and rolled around in tamarind chili sauce just to keep things interesting. A crispy shell gives way to a creamy feta center and hint of mint. The smooth saltiness is balanced by the tangy bite of the sauce, which tastes like it has a touch of pomegranate to play up the tartness.
The small plates are well priced and perfect for sharing, and Kush has tables set up in plenty of nooks and crannies for an intimate night out. So if you’re looking for something to do on a regular old Tuesday, stop by and step it up with good beats, good food and a relaxing vibe. In the casual Tuesdayness of it all, Kush is anything but plain.
Kush
191 Chrystie Street (between Stanton and Rivington Streets)
New York City, 10002
Tel: 212.677.7328
Tuesday night: Music without Borders
Happy hour specials from 7 PM – 10 PM, $10 hookahs all night.