Restaurant Review of Ariana Restaurant in Huntington Village, NY

Ariana Restaurant in Huntington Village features Afghani fusion cuisine in a welcoming atmosphere of soft lighting and a Middle Eastern-inspired decor. The gourmet menu features a sublime blend of Eastern and Western items, and there are even savory selections for vegetarians and vegans (those who eat no meat, poultry, fish, dairy or other animal products.)

Ariana Restaurant features a menu inspired by the traditional cuisine of Afghanistan combined with some of the best flavors that the Western world has to offer. I always enjoy exploring new tastes and ethnic delicacies, so my husband and I decided to stop into this eatery when we saw the menu in the window while we took a stroll down Main Street in Huntington Village.

What is especially unique about Ariana's menu is the combination of traditional meats and Middle Eastern tastes, and its many vegetarian and vegan options. This is a good choice for family or friends where one or more eat meat and the others eat a plant-based diet for health and/or ethical reasons.

The cozy restaurant features soft lighting, one exposed brick wall and a color scheme dominated by a rich red palette. Soft, eclectic music plays in the background. Our server, who is also one of the owners, was gracious and helpful and she suggested that we sit at the table next to the window, where we looked out on passersby and were next to the bright red geraniums and other live blossoms that flourish in the restaurant.

I would recommend this restaurant to couples looking for a romantic dinner, but I also saw families enjoying their meals here.

Our server immediately brought a small plate of hummus, caponata (I said this was a fusion of East and West), pickled red cabbage and black olives, along with triangles of pita bread. It was a wonderful start to our meal and tastier than the traditional bread basket.

We ordered two entrees to share, and each came with a choice of savory soup or salad. My husband started with the Old World Minestrone soup, and I chose a cup of hearty Mashawa soup, made from mung beans and black beans, enhanced with spices and herbs. The Aushak Kadu was a delightful dish of home-made ravioli filled with roasted pumpkin and served with a minted yogurt marinara sauce. We also thoroughly enjoyed the Bolanee - tempting potato and leek turnovers which were crispy on the outside and soft, fragrant and full-flavored on the inside. They were served with a rich yogurt mint sauce. Portions are generous here, and I surprised myself by eating everything on my plate. But then, it was hard to resist these flavors.

Ariana's menu also features house specialties like the Risotto with Lobster and Shrimp, kabobs galore (choose from shrimp, chicken, lamb or beef kabobs or a combo of all four), and much more.

The restaurant has an adequate wine list including Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet and more by the glass or bottle. Beer and soft drinks are also served.

Choosing a dessert was difficult because there were so many tempting options on the menu, which includes vegan Key Lime Pie, Chocolate and Vanilla "Cheese" Cake and other luscious offerings. We finally decided to share the Sheer Brinj, a thick, tasty Afghani-style rice pudding. The menu explains that it's made from rice, milk, sugar and adds that there are "secret ingredients." I tasted some fragrant spices in this luscious pudding, and I'm guessing there was cinnamon and/or possibly coriander that enhanced the flavor.

You can also savor Afghani Ice Cream, which is much more than plain vanilla, with mango and rose water flavorings infusing the vanilla ice cream which is topped with a thick syrup. A long list of tempting, dairy-free desserts with no animal products will please vegans who dine here.

We concluded our dinner with a pot of Afghani tea, which is a green tea with the aroma of added cardamom, which our server told us helps digestion. The tea is served with nukul, sugar-coated almonds. Our server explained that you first put an almond in your mouth and then sip the tea to taste a pleasant sweetness in the drink. It was a warm, satisfying conclusion to a wonderful dinner.