Mimi's

Our consolation gift-to-self, markedly more modest than Lea's, was a vintage YSL necklace from Screaming Mimi's on eBay.

Tara Solomon: For the Love of Liz, and Other Miami Moments Tara Solomon 2012

Our consolation gift-to-self, markedly more modest than Lea's, was a vintage YSL necklace from Screaming Mimi's on eBay.

Tara Solomon: For the Love of Liz, and Other Miami Moments Tara Solomon 2012

At Mimi's Hummus in Ditmas Park, order the namesake dish in its classic preparation: masabache hummus with warm chickpeas and a lemon-garlic dressing $8.

Choices on Cortelyou 2011

On a recent night at Mimi's, a young lady was seated on one of the front stools around the piano.

Sing Us a Song at the Bar Will Friedwald 2011

Alan Nahigian Pianist Chicken Delicious often dresses the part at Mimi's, one of several piano bars around town.

Sing Us a Song at the Bar Will Friedwald 2011

In a town where people fight over which restaurants make truly good hummus, having to choose between the various versions at Mimi's is not a bad problem to have.

Choices on Cortelyou 2011

Mimi's owners set up shop nearly three years ago on a stretch of Cortelyou that has turned into an epicure's go-to, with the hummus restaurant at its heart.

Choices on Cortelyou 2011

Mimi's proprietor, Avi Shuker, also owns the simply named Market next door, where you can pick up Mimi's eats to go plus local products like Early Bird granola.

Choices on Cortelyou 2011

Mimi's Hummus, 1209 Cortelyou Road, serves lunch noon to 4 p.m.

Choices on Cortelyou 2011

While Mr. Ritzel represents the tradition and Ms. Vercelloni the contemporary scene, Mimi's on East 52nd Street features an entertainer who is positively futuristic: If the oft-costumed free-jazzer Sun Ra were to own a piano bar, this is the guy who would play there.

Sing Us a Song at the Bar Will Friedwald 2011