40th Street and 50th Avenue (Queens)

Even though the city of Bucharest, back in the day, was known as “little Paris” or “Paris of the East,” this Bucharest Restaurant isn’t exactly what I’d call Parisian inside (brown decor, fake flowers, too-loud live music). The food, however, seems to be authentic (eggplant salad, stuffed cabbage rolls, sausages), and even the kitschy Dracula’s Blood pinot noir was pretty good (that is, I drank more than one glass). Worth a trek if you’re craving Romanian food (but take a look at Anthony Bourdain’s Romanian episode of his No Reservations TV show for a glimpse of what you’re getting into).