"Thanks to Sami’s, Astoria can claim some of NYC’s best Afghan food. Their lamb and beef kofta kebabs are worth a trip, and the vinegary leek aushak is a must-order. (You can get a vegetarian version without the lamb gravy.) With large parties sharing big platters of food, you might feel like you're crashing someone's family function here. This place is perfect for all your friends who would rate "putting on a bowtie" dead-last on the list of things they'd want to do on New Year's." - neha talreja