Bites Nearby: Registan Kosher Restaurant

The Bites Nearby column enjoys traveling and experiencing other cultures — especially without leaving Forest Hills.

, which is named after a desert in the heart of ancient Samarkand, Uzbekistan, features a large and mouth-watering Central Asian menu that lists items in Russian and English.

Located on the stretch of 108th Street that is commonly called "Bukharan Broadway" because of its concentration of Bukharan Jews, Registan ("sandy place" in Persian) offers a completely eclectic dining experience.

Consider herring, lamb, borscht, dumpling soup called "shurboi dushpera" and countless pickle options, including pickled mushrooms.

For appetizers, options include Morkovcha ($4.50, small; $9 large), a plate of spicy carrots with garlic; Lobyo (same prices), a dish of red beans with nuts; and Sotee (same prices) or eggplant salad.

The shisk kebabs are startingly inexpensive. The skirt steak version costs $4, while the lamb and chicken bones are only $3.50. The most expensive selections are the salmon at $6 and the sea bass at $6.50.

The "Bread and Dough Products" section includes samsa (meat pie baked in a brick oven) for $2, fried ravioli for $4 and 10 pieces of meat and pumpkin dumplings for $15.

The Soup section features more items in Russian than English. The mutton leg soup costs $10, while the beef tail version is $8. The Ukranian borscht is listed at $3.75 for a small portion and $5 for its larger version.

Meanwhile, the two Main Dishes sections include home fries with mushrooms ($9), Turkish style fried liver with onions ($12) and a $16 grilled Quail dish with garlic.

Registan's menu has a list of "National Dishes For Festive and Sabbath Dinner," which are made by special order for 10 or more people. The dolma, cabbage stuffed with meat and rice, goes for $80. The Uzbek rice pilov with juicy meat and carrots costs $120. The osh tokee, grape leaves with meat and rice, is listed at $80.

The eatery's interior is nothing spectacular. It's a narrow storefront with tables for four and Russian-language televisions at both ends. The restaurant's real beauty lies in the fact that patrons can order mixed platters -- hot and cold, spicy and savory -- to satisfy just about any taste bud or desire.

Address: 64-47 108th Street

Phone: 718-896-1217

Prices: listed in article

Specials: 10 percent discount for orders of $120 or more from medical offices.