Shukette

Reservations: Difficult but not impossible. If you are looking for a table indoors, then book on Resy right when tables open which is 14 days out. If you’re okay with a counter or outdoor seating, book at least a week in advance. Generally only late reservations (9pm-close) will be available last minute.

Experience: Your dinner at Shukette will feel chaotic. The open kitchen doubles as the counter, where you can watch Chef Ayesha Nurdjaja shout orders to her cooks in an assertive yet calm way. Just beyond the counter stools are the dining booths, leaving little room for both servers and diners to cross paths. Your waiter will likely feel like that cool, constantly annoyed kid from Brooklyn, but will get the job done. You’ll be so busy vibing and singing along to the (slightly loud) music, that none of this will bother you.

Food: The food is worth the chaos. Honestly I could just sit and eat the Frena (garlic Moroccan bread) with Labneh and have drinks (including great non-alcoholic options) all night. The Joojeh Chicken, Glazed Sweet Potato, and Grilled Broccolini were all bursting with flavor without feeling heavy. Most people rave about their tahini soft serve dessert, The Mic Drop, but it just wasn’t sweet enough for me (or at all, really).

Who to Bring: This buzzy, vibrant energy is perfect for friends (although note that the tables are not very big), or if you want a date that isn’t a white tablecoth, candle kind of night. The music is great, the lights are dim, and you will want to have a fun drink in hand. This is not the place to bring your parents or have an intimate date where you tell someone you love them for the first time.

What to Wear: Keep it casual, but trendy.

Top Row: Interior; Gazoz (non-alcoholic drink); Frena; Labneh || Bottom Row: Joojeh Chicken; Glazed Sweet Potato; Grilled Broccolini; The Mic Drop