Sami & Susu

As former colleagues at the award-winning restaurant, Maison Premiere—Amir Nathan (Via Carota) and executive chef Jordan Anderson (Olmsted)—pull inspiration from each of their own family recipes at this casual Mediterranean eatery. After originally launching as a pop-up early on in the pandemic, Sami & Susu’s Lower East Side cozy brick and mortar cafe and natural wine bar officially debuted last fall. Open daily, lunch runs from 11 am-4 pm and dinner starts at 5:30 pm. Dine on signature items like the BEC Bureka with bacon, egg, and cheese; Chicken Liver Mousse; Beef Tongue Baguette; Fluke Crudo; and Chicken Schnitzel; and be sure to stock up on domestic and international pantry staples before grabbing some prepackaged items and baked goods for later. For beverages, choose from a selection of beer and natural wine.

This Mediterranean spot found a home on Orchard Street after popping up during the pandemic. In addition to pita and baguette sandwiches and a pantry shop, during Hanukkah it has large latkes with sides of crème fraiche and trout roe available.