Uzbekistana Mediterranean Restaurant

Uzbek and Mediterranean Kitchen in Boonton

Uzbekistana is a restaurant where recipes centuries in the making have traveled from civilization to civilization until they reached America. Everything is prepared fresh to order with traditional cooking methods, and the menu pairs Uzbek cuisine with Mediterranean favorites, from light starters and handmade dumplings to meat grilled over charcoal. Sit down at the table or order to go and set a real dinner out at home.

The menu reads best in order, the way an Uzbek table is set. First the cold starters: hummus and baba ghanoush served with pita, falafel, stuffed grape leaves with rice and herbs, grilled eggplant with yogurt and tomato sauces, breaded eggplant filled with cheese, and homemade pickles.

The main event at the start of the meal is the dough. Here these are made by hand:
- chochvera, small dumplings filled with seasoned lamb, boiled or steam-fried until crisp;
- aashak, flat steamed dumplings filled with fresh herbs;
- samsa, baked in flaky filo with lamb and beef, onions and spices, or with pumpkin and herbs;
- bolanee, flat turnovers filled with minced lamb and beef or with potatoes and scallions.

Meat has its own section on the menu: kebabs by the skewer, kebabs with sides, traditional Uzbek dishes such as plov, and family combos for a larger group. Vegetarians have plenty to choose from too: pumpkin samsa, potato turnovers, falafel, hummus, eggplant and herb dumplings can make a full dinner of starters alone. Seafood fans will find grilled shrimp on the menu.

If you come as a pair and cannot decide, start with the Mix 4 plate: hummus, baba ghanoush, stuffed grape leaves and carrot salad on one plate, so you can taste everything and decide what to order next.