"Uma’s is a great Central Asian restaurant within walking distance of the beach in the Rockaways. This place is open year-round, which makes sense, because you can just as easily order a hearty dinner that will warm your bones on a chilly winter evening as you can a refreshing lunch, topped off with creamy sesame halva ice cream that hits perfectly after roasting on the sand all morning. The menu features baked pastries like bichak and samsas and plenty of kebabs, as well as salads, soups, and—our favorite—dumplings. Don’t forget to check the chalkboard for their specials. photo credit: Molly Fitzpatrick Food Rundown photo credit: Molly Fitzpatrick Uma's Salad There’s a lot to like about this salad—roasted bell peppers, tomatoes, and a ton of shredded feta—but the melt-in-your-mouth sautéed eggplant? Wow. photo credit: Molly Fitzpatrick Manti With Meat These hefty dumplings are filled with juicy ground beef and served with tomato-y stewed onions ladled on top. What really brings the whole plate together is the bright, herby yogurt sauce. Uma’s should bottle it and go up and down the beach selling it like a probiotic nutcracker." - Molly Fitzpatrick
