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The first and only Central Asian cuisine in the heart of Manhattan

FARIDA - MIDTOWN

Met up with some friends for a 1 pm brunch with a resso via Seated. Even the restaurant is small, it still didn’t seem like getting a seat was a problem because it wasn’t full. I had this place bookmarked for a while because I had never tried Uzbek food, so I was excited for brunch.

To start, we shared the mini puff pies. We got the combo of four and chose one of each - prime steak, chicken, spinach, and pumpkin. The spinach was probably the best of the bunch because it reminded me of spanokopita. But overall, I would probably skip this app. For mains, I originally wanted to ground beef kebab but they didn’t have it. So I settled for the Uzbek Plov (mix of beef & lamb with carrots, rice, and chickpeas). The meat was braised, which made it pretty dry.

I think they are counting on the fact that there aren’t many Uzbek restaurants in the city, and because of that, they can charge higher prices for mediocre food. Each entree is around $20-$25, which is pretty pricey, considering it is mostly rice. Maybe we just ordered the wrong dishes. At least I can cross this place off the list now. Even though I didn’t have a great first experience with Uzbek cuisine, I know there are better restaurants out there, so the search shall continue.

Tip - they automatically charge a 20% service fee (regardless of how many people you have) and a surcharge to use a credit card. So that on top of high menu prices? It’s like a highway robbery out here!

First time trying uzbek food and it was amazing at Farida. Love the vibe of the small 24 seater dining area with lots of art work, and cultural items, definitely makes you feel you have traveled a distance to eat. So definitely recommend going with a reservation for small parties and maximum party 8.

The food was amazing. We started with mini pies (umka) which were amazing, highly recommending getting them beef, spinach, and chicken (I enjoyed the beef the most). We also got the Uzbek plov, which was also delicious, mix of flavors. The kazakh (pasta) was also unique, like an Asian inspired pasta dish also worth a try. The braised lamb chuck fell off the bone and not very gamey. The ox tail stew was also very flavorful and not over cooked. The desserts are a must try, chack-chack and mom’s honey cake definitely ended the meal on a high note!

Recommended coming here in a group so you can try more dishes family style.

Over priced!
We were 3 people and paid $255. The food came one by one and not all together. So we ended up ordering a lot. We ordered 1. 4 pieces of umka (puff pie) 4 star, 2. Plov 2 star didn't like that much, 3. Skewers (lamb 5 star, ribs 4 star, chicken thigh 3 star) lamb skewers were very tender and juicy but felt under seasoned. But each skewers was approx $20 - $30 for 1 skewer that comes with 2 slices of cucumber 2 slices of tomatoes and some potatoes. It alone won't fill you. 4. Manti 5 star it was really good, 5. Kazan kebab 2 star it was on a hot plate and felt dry and not that juicy. If I go again it will be for Manti.

Food was delicious. Server could have been a bit friendlier. 20% gratuity included in check, I rather have had the liberty to tip a different amount. It was rather warm inside the restaurant, not well air conditioned. However, I do recommend it because of the fantastic food.

I came here because of positive feedback for their manti.
So I ordered achichuck salad, manti and kvas. My salad supposed to have cucumbers as it was said in menu, as you can see at the pics, it didn’t. Instead of fresh salad I had tomatoes in vinegar sauce with 3 slices of jalapeños)) kvas didn’t have bubbles, that’s mean it was opened long ago, so it didn’t taste as it should. Manti was overcooked so the dough was torn and therefore there was no juice left inside. Service was ok. The place itself is super small and ac didn’t work properly so all my clothes and hair smelled like this food. At the end of my meal our servant opened the door, but it didn’t help(( I was ok to eat tomatoes in vinegar $18, old kvas and overcooked manti, but the smell was with me till I took a shower.

Photo Gallery for Farida Garment District