Shuka with Jessica and Vicky
Return visit to Shuka (38 MacDougal St, Soho) with Jessica Gill and Vicky, 9 PM res. First visit was 2026-08-01 Shuka with Sanam and Jessica. Vicky is pescatarian, which shaped the kebab pick. Logged by voice right after.
What we ordered
- Fried halloumi ×2 — still great: very crispy, salty. Jess loved it; I really liked it; Vicky liked but didn’t love. Two plates up front was too much — it fills you up fast.
- Whipped feta with pistachio — I liked it as much as last time and ended up eating most of it, partly because the others were flagging. Jess liked it (less than me), Vicky was so-so. Reads as more of an acquired taste than I’d assumed — don’t oversell it to newcomers.
- “Tasselumi” (name as heard — check the menu; something like tasla-) — no strong impression.
- Arctic char kebab (the “fish achar” from last time) — fine, didn’t register much; we didn’t really talk about it.
- Drinks: I had two of a bourbon cocktail (heard as “acara” — verify name); good but on the strong side. Vicky had the lemonade cocktail, first on the cocktail list — she liked it.
Takeaways for next time
- Halloumi and whipped feta remain the order, but one halloumi plate, not two, and pitch the feta as “I love it, you might not.”
- Still haven’t tried the breaded chicken or steak kebab from the 08-01 plan.
Loose ends
- Confirm dish/cocktail names (tasselumi, bourbon cocktail).
- Was Nithu there? Not mentioned in the log.
- Where we went after, if anywhere.
After
- Tried SOB’s / Sounds of Brazil (204 Varick St). Door guy quoted 20 per extra girl = 30/head vs the ~5 cut. Passed.
- Went to Houston Hall (222 W Houston St) instead — big beer-hall gastropub right on the corner next to SOB’s, open till 2 AM Saturdays.