Along 108th Street in Forest Hills there are a number of kosher restaurants including Bukharian and Chinese. One of the standouts is Nadezhda. The eating hut outside the restaurant masks the restaurant storefront so unless you look for the sign higher up you might miss it. This would be unfortunate because the service and the food is terrific. The staff is pleasant and efficient, with servers speaking English. None of this is a given in a restaurant and a cuisine generally geared towards locals.
The space itself is clean and bright, the tv’s show Russian language MTV, but not too loudly, which can be annoying elsewhere. It is BYOB so head down the street for some vodka or other booze with your meal and ask for glasses (and ice if you take your drinks on the rocks).
The food itself is delicious. The soups, manti, fries, bread, and virtually all the food is excellent. The manti take a while to prepare so be sure to save room if you like boiled dumplings, which they effectively are. The kebabs are superb with the chicken and lamb lula being nothing short of incredible. Narin, which is shredded noodles and beef, along with fried pelmeni, mini wontons, are particular favorites.
Come to Nadezhda for a hearty meal with family or friends at reasonable prices in a casual atmosphere. Undoubtedly, you will leave sated.
