"Akhtar Nawab is known in Prospect Heights for his neighborhood spot Alta Calidad, a Mexican restaurant with twists. Now, he’s expanded next door with Wayward Fare, a restaurant that takes a journey along the Silk Road. The meal kicks off with a complimentary tea-based drink, as a nod to its theme. From there, start with the wood-fired bread with dips like a pate with currants and crispy onions (though we wish more bread was provided to lap up), and then move on to the oysters with Parm and cherry peppers (both make use of the oven inherited from the previous pizzeria tenant). For entrees, dishes like swordfish with saffron aioli and lamb merguez manti dumplings feel nourishing on a cold night. The dining room is glossy and warm — many customers on a recent visit appeared to be Nawab’s longtime regulars." - Emma Orlow
