On a recent Tuesday evening, Cleo, a new restaurant on Hudson Street, drew a steady stream of diners. The centerpiece of the menu is a roast chicken coated in a Lebanese-inspired spice blend. The bird arrives crisp-skinned, with flavors leaning toward cumin and sumac.
Cleo occupies a narrow space just south of Christopher Street. The dining room, lined with simple wooden tables, was full by 7 p.m. Most tables shared the signature chicken, which is served with a pile of crinkle-cut fries. A small bowl of toum, a traditional garlic sauce, arrives alongside.
The kitchen offers a short menu. There are salads with purslane and tomato, and a mezze plate of pickles and olives. Main courses are limited to the chicken, a vegetarian grain bowl, and a lamb dish. The wine list is short and mostly Lebanese, with glasses starting at $13.
Overheard conversations centered on the return to school and the upcoming election. The restaurant’s staff, led by chef-owner Mira Haddad, moved briskly between tables. Cleo does not accept reservations on weeknights, and there was a short wait by 8 p.m.
Cleo opens for dinner at 5 p.m. every day except Monday. The restaurant plans to add lunch service later this season.