A meal at Delta Grill (700 Ninth Ave. at 48th St., 212-956-0934) will make you feel like you are down-home in the bayou country rather than in the heart of New York City. Delta Grill offers authentic New Orleans fare cooking up dishes that are blackened, barbecued, Cajun, or Creole. Try the jambalaya, the crawfish etouffee, or Lenore’s chicken stuffed with andouille sausage and served with a cheese hollandaise dressing. The portions are big, the Hurricanes are mixed strong, and you can listen to live jazz and blues on Friday and Saturday nights and during their Sunday jazz brunch.

Ghenet (284 Mulberry St. btw. Houston & Prince Sts., 212-343-1888) offers diners the unique experience of Ethiopian cuisine — in the heart of Little Italy, of all places. Eating at Ghenet (“paradise”) means eating without utensils; and scooping up the artfully presented food makes for a memorable experience. While in “paradise,” try a glass of Ethiopia’s sweet honey wine and chicken in mild sautéed onion sauce. Owner Yeworkwhoho Ephrem has constructed a menu replete with explanations and descriptions of every dish and her accommodating, knowledgeable staff is more than happy to fill in the gaps, answer questions, and make suggestions.

Kellari Taverna (19 W. 44th St. btw. Fifth & Sixth Aves., 212-221-0144) is home to exceptional contemporary and traditional Greek dishes, including grilled whole fish prime chops and meats, an array of tasty dips and spreads, kid braised in yogurt with goat butter risotto, a variety of Greek cheeses baked or flamed “Saganaki”-style, and a selection of raw and marinated seafood. The pre-theatre menu includes an appetizer and main course, and the decor is elegant and appealing, designed to resemble a subterranean wine cellar with rustic beams, an open kitchen, and warm lighting.

Give your taste buds a wake-up call at Queen of Sheba (650 Tenth Ave. btw 45th & 46th Sts., 212-397-0610), one of the city’s few authentic Ethiopian restaurants. With dishes cooked in 20 to 30 spices, your palette will certainly be entertained. Queen of Sheba also offers a great vegetarian selection. Try the mesob to get a taste of seven different vegetarian dishes. Two more zesty preparations are also recommended: doro wat, slow-cooked chicken and small, hard-boiled eggs in a dense, incendiary stew; and gored gored, little beef medallions marinated in hot Berber butter and rolled over a skillet. No forks, though — you’re dependent on your fingers and a spongy flatbread called injera to take in the vividly flavored food.