Infatuation, jun 2026
West side rag, Apr 2025
Thrillist, jan 2024
I Love The Upper West Side, feb 2020
Manhattan Sideways
Manhattan Sideways
NY Mag Nightlife
“A candlelit stairway leads down to Shalel's cavernous, Moroccan-inspired space. Arabesque lanterns and lots of votives provide perfect illumination for couples nestled amongst sequined pillows on low banquettes… The variety of wines is thankfully more inspired than the usual Merlot and Chardonnay choices, and starting at $12 a glass, they ought to be. Dishes like Moroccan lamb tagine are best enjoyed in one of the individual cave-like rooms in the back of the lounge and—if you're lucky enough to snag a room early—you'll have supreme privacy all night long.” — Amy Allison
Serious eats - date night
“If we hadn't been looking for the entrance, we'd have missed it. An illuminated menu abuts a set of metal stairs, festooned with rose petals. We followed the flowers through a narrow alley lined with tables and couches to a doorway, but we could just as easily have smelled our way there, lead by plumes of vanilla incense. Eventually we entered what might be the darkest restaurant we've ever visited. "Is this a game?" a woman asked, referring to the number of tables half- or wholly-hidden in dimly lit corners and cozy caves. A more appropriate question might have been, "When did they open a New York branch of the Playboy grotto?"
