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Located in the heart of the Diamond District, Café K is so named not because it’s kosher (which it is), but because its original Brooklyn outpost is located on Avenue K. During the day the staff does a bustling take-out business with sandwiches, sushi rolls, and coffee drinks, all sold from a storefront that looks like any other local deli. But at night, they turn the lights down low and usher customers past the emptied refrigerator cases to a near-hidden dining room. Don’t let the dark and dreary space dissuade you: menu options are light and satisfying. This kosher, dairy- and meat-free restaurant focuses on salads, fish, and pasta. The limited but fresh catch is served simply—grilled, with salt and pepper, and an optional squeeze of lemon. Most seafood entrees are accompanied by potatoes, split in half and grilled, and an Israeli salad of chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onions. It’s not unusual for young moms to pace the aisles between tables to quiet a fussy baby, or for observant Jewish patrons to rise and recite prayers aloud. While Café K may not be a sparkling jewel in Midtown’s crowded register of restaurants, it’s certainly a semi-precious stone in the rough. — Kara Newman

Grilled tilapia, $17.95; pasta with vodka sauce, $15.95; hot chocolate cake, $7; apple mango pie, $6