Old Baku
“In tiny, certainly not-up-to-code rooms you'll see middle-aged Azeri men smoke and laugh and tell stories.”
“Everything there is set up as if you were in one of the backyards in Old Baku (the Baku's inner city) or in one of the Apsheron summer houses (dachas).”
Old Baku
Takes Reservations: Yes
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
1 review
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Take the F train many stops into Brooklyn, ring the doorbell if the door is locked, walk back past an abandoned counter and through the kitchen, and you arrive at one of the best dining experiences in all of New York.
I've been on annual to semi-annual treks to Old Baku since its opening four years ago, but avoided posting a review. I just wanted to one little place to serve as my little secret, something stashed in Ditmas Park. That's selfish and now that others have written, I'll add my rave to the pile.
From what I understand, the ownership here is an Azeri Jewish family who came to New York from Baku with a stopover in Israel. The food, however, didn't pick up many Middle Eastern elements, it's Azeri with a dash of some pan-Soviet cuisine.
Unless you speak Russian or Azeri, get ready to either completely relinquish control over what you eat or do a lot of explaining. There is now an English menu (this did not exist for a while) and a couple of waiters on any given night who speak the language pretty well. If you call ahead for a reservation, better to have a Russian friend do this.
You'll do fine letting them order for you, but I generally require some customization. First off, the rather ordinary salad that they will want to give everyone can be skipped in favor of more interesting appetizers. You'll also need more of the giant circular breads to accompany both the first and second courses.
I also fiddle with the roast meat, which is the main attraction. The liver that comes on the main platter has to go, replaced with additional lamb. Stugeon, perhaps the single greatest thing on the menu, won't come unless you ask for it (do). And skip the dessert they'll want to bring – usually there is so much meat that it's completely necessary.
What is ordered, keep your eyes open while waiting for it. In tiny, certainly not-up-to-code rooms you'll see middle-aged Azeri men smoke and laugh and tell stories. Some nights there's an older Russian man with a laser who will sing songs from Russian, Azerbaijan and very, very accented English. He doesn't take requests. I've seen some parties who grill their own meat, although this never seems to be offered to me.
It's bizarre and wonderful, and with a group of six people doesn't cost a whole lot. You can bring your own beer or order vodka in various sizes from the waiter. Count on $50 a person, all in, but with six or more it'll probably be less. And it will be a wonderful experience.