Harmony Romanian Restaurant
With a friendly and accommodating staff, Harmony welcomes its customers as if they were part of the family. The menu is loaded with Romanian specialties like sarmale and mamaliga (stuffed cabbage with polenta), fried meatballs and several flavorful spreads. The sign outside reads "eat like at your mom's house" in Romanian, and the food -- even if nothing like what your mom makes -- is hearty and satisfying. Complement your meal with a glass of Slivova, better known as plum brandy, for a true rustic dinner. But be forewarned: a potent concoction, the plum brandy may leave you singing along with the house band by the end of the night.
Harmony Romanian Restaurant
3925 Queens Boulevard
Sunnyside, NY 11104
(718) 786-8383
Romanian Garden
Depending on the night, the Romanian version of American Idol may be playing on the television at Romanian Garden which will surely add to your cultural experience. The dishes are affordable with no frills, and you will know as soon as your food arrives that you are eating authentic Romanian food. The atmosphere is casual and friendly, with an attentive staff that is proud to serve heaping plates of sarmale (stuffed cabbage) and fresh polenta that will leave you full. The back of the restaurant, while not pretentious, is cozy with hanging plants and a tree planted in the center of the dining area for ambiance. The weekends often bring live music, and with bottles of wine starting at only $12, you will leave satisfied and full without emptying your bank account.
Romanian Garden
46-04 Skillman Avenue
Sunnyside, NY 11104
(718) 786-7894
Sammy's Roumanian Steak House
If leaving Manhattan is not an option, authentic Romanian food can still be found, most notably at Sammy's Roumanian Steak House. For over thirty years, Sammy's has been grilling up oversized tenderloins alongside giant plates of chopped liver and potato latkes. This place is not chic nor trendy, but is a flashback to old-school Romanian culture. Dinner here can get raucous, as many of the tables order the Romanian version of bottle service, which turns out to be a bottle of Kettle One vodka served in a block of ice. A keyboard player entertains the house with show tunes and lounge music, and customers are often inclined to dance, clap and lift friends up on their chairs. It is kitschy, but it's certainly entertaining. Meals are quite large and typically cost about $100 per person, although there is a $50 prix fixe option for large groups.
Sammy's Roumanian Steak House
157 Chrystie Street
New York, NY 10002
(212) 673-0330
