Neighborhood Side Streets

Shalel Lounge - 65 1/2 West 70th StreetI have lived on the Upper West Side for several years, but it was not until I walked on 70th Street one evening that I discovered Shalel. It is tucked away down a set of stairs with no signage during the daytime. I descended the steps lined with rose petals and herbs, and entered what seemed like a magical cave, decked out in Moroccan décor and candles. There were secret nooks behind curtains and around corners filled with pillows, couches and tapestries. In the back, erupting from a mysterious darkness, was the fountain for which the restaurant is named – Shalel means “fountain” in Arabic. The owner, Vasilis Katehis, hails from Greece. He bought the space in 2000, transforming a grim basement into a romantic restaurant.

For more photos and side streets, go to sideways.nyc.