On my numerous culinary expeditions, I have always made it a point to visit the ethnic restaurant districts in each city I visit. Often times, these ethnic restaurants bunched up in a row offer the best food available in the area, at prices lower than those at the big name diners with standard American cuisine.

Besides, you have no idea how wonderful it is to wipe off a plate of spicy Chicken Tikka Masala with a Roti at an Indian diner for an early brunch, fill up the tank with a falafel or hummus for a late lunch at a middle-eastern eatery, followed by a lazy candlelight dinner at a Thai pavilion with succulent roast duck or tender pigeon breast on the menu. Enjoy a day of ethnic fare like that, and you’ll forget all about burgers and pizzas.

Point I’m trying to make is that I have a pretty fair idea of what ethnic cuisine should taste like. And of all the restaurants that I have been to, I’d rate only two Mediterranean restaurants at the top of any ethnic dining list - The Dish Dash restaurant in Sunnyvale, CA, and the Cafe Mogador in New York’s East Village. And if you’re talking about NYC, there’s not a single Moroccan restaurant which comes remotely close to the Cafe Mogador, in terms of the quality of service and taste of the food.

Located in the heart of the East Village, Cafe Mogador is one of the must-visit restaurants on New York’s ethnic dining circuit. Ever since its opening way back in 1983, the warmth and charmth this cozy restaurant exudes, along with the deliciously tasty Mediterranean cuisine, has been a major draw for both residents and visitors to the Big Apple.

Unlike most other ethnic restaurants on St. Mark’s Place, which have over time devolved into tourist traps and chain eateries with overpriced canned menus, the Cafe Mogador still maintains its independence, personalized service and the originality and taste of its cuisine, not to mention a very reasonably priced menu.

Like all good restaurants, the food is tasty and filling, reasonably priced,  service  exceptional and the ambience comfortable, with outdoor seating under the awning for lunch on warm spring days and a cozy indoor setting with an amber glow for dinner on a cold winter evening. Try their mixed platter ($8.95) with olive oil sprinkled Hummus and Babaganush, served with a superb Tabouli and Arabic salad. The Cous Cous is also something you’ll remember long after the plates have been cleared.

Info: 101 St. Marks Place, East Village, between 1st Ave & Ave A; (212) 677-2226