One part urban playpen, one part multicultural eating paradise, and one part triple-decker space fantasy, AZ is a hot, new fusion spot just off Union Square. A cheerful hostess greeted me on the first floor when I arrived.
Palm trees dot the landscape, and a waterfall cascades down a slate green wall to the lower floors.
Black stone floors shine like the smiles of AZ's sparkling, though solicitous, squadron of servers. These guys don't have enough to do. When my friend went to the bathroom, they swarmed the table like an Indy 500 pit crew to adjust anything slightly out of whack. We took turns yelling in each other's ear. The musky, heavily spiced, and greaseless lentils were the best I've had anywhere, and I've eaten a lot of lentils.