Upper East Side Nearby: Spanish Harlem >> BY KATE APPLETON   Nick's 1814 Second Ave., between 100th and 101st Sts. 212-987-5700 Light and fragrant, expertly charred, and mottled with creamy mozzarella that seems like it was pulled fifteen minutes ago. • See details in main article EJ's Luncheonette 1271 Third Ave., at 73rd St.; 212-472-06700 Delectable buttermilk Belgian waffles with whipped butter, syrup, bananas and pecans ($7.50) and thick, homemade oatmeal ($3.75) worth waking up for. • Minimum: $7.50 • Delivery area: 61st St. to 81st St., Park Ave. to East River • Hours of delivery: 8 a.m. - 11 p.m. (Mon. - Sat.), 8 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. (Sun.) • Credit cards: no • Keeps address on file: yes • Delivers alcohol: no Taco Taco 1726 Second Ave., between 89th and 90th Sts. 212-289-TACO (8226) This one's a no-brainer: two soft tortillas packed with crumbled chorizo, marinated pork or other options for only $5.50. • Minimum: $7 • Delivery area:75th St. to 96th St., East End Ave. to Fifth Ave. • Hours of delivery: 11 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. (Sun. - Thu.), 11 a.m. - midnight (Fri. and Sat.) • Credit cards: no • Keeps address on file: no • Delivers alcohol: no Persepolis 1423 Second Ave., between 74th and 75th Sts. 212-535-1100 Choose the subtly spiced, thinly sliced lamb barg kebab, complimented by their remarkable sour cherry basmati rice ($14). • Minimum: $20 • Delivery area: 64th St. to 84th St., East End Ave. to Fifth Ave. • Hours of delivery: noon - 10 p.m. • Credit cards: yes • Keeps address on file: no • Delivers alcohol: no La Cicala 156 E. 64th St, between Lexington and Third Aves. 212-319-0319 212-535-1100 Indulge yourself with the mouthwatering bambino nutella calzone—fluffy pizza dough sprinkled with powdered sugar, smeared with nutella and ricotta, garnished with pinenuts and walnuts, wrapped up and warmed in the oven ($7). • Minimum: $15 • Delivery area: 54th St. to 74th St., East End Ave. to Fifth Ave. • Hours of delivery: lunch, noon - 3 p.m. (Sun., 4 p.m.); dinner, 5:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. • Credit cards: yes • Keeps address on file: no • Delivers alcohol: no • Website: lacicala64.com Wildgreen Cafe 1555 Third Ave., at 88th St. 212-828-7656 Blends fourteen types of exotic smoothies. Since you have to choose, we suggest Very Berry, a tart-and-sweet balance of cranberries, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and apple cider. Then again, there's always Rainforest Shower's mango, pineapple and watermelon… ($3.95 each.) • Minimum: $10 • Delivery area: 78th St. to 98th St., East End Ave. to Fifth Ave. • Hours of delivery: 7 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. • Credit cards: yes • Keeps address on file: no • Delivers alcohol: no The Barking Dog 2 locations; see below Diner When you're in the mood for salad, call The Barking Dog. "Big Salads" include a classic Cobb ($9.95); a creative Belgian endive, watercress and green apple salad ($7.95); and an arugula and radicchio mix with grilled chicken, large roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, croutons and balsamic vinaigrette ($8.95). The menu also features a variety of sandwiches and hot plates such as "Mum's Luving Shepherd's Pie" ($11.95, served from 5 p.m. on). Minimum: $10 Credit cards: no Keeps address on file: no Delivers alcohol: no locations 1678 Third Ave., at 94th St. 212-831-1800 Delivery area: 86th St. to 96th Sts., York Ave. to Fifth Ave. Hours of delivery: 10 a.m. - 10:45 p.m. 1453 York Ave., at 77th St. 212-861-3600. Delivery area: 68th St. to 86th Sts., East End Ave. to Fifth Ave. Hours of delivery: 11:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. Beyoglu 1431 Third Ave., at 81st St. 212-650-0850 and 212-650-0849 Turkish Forgo the few main courses in favor of Beyoglu's meze —small typical Turkish tasting dishes perfect for snacking and sharing. Choices include hummus, stuffed grape leaves and tabbuli salad. Sample the patlican domates soslu, mashed eggplant covered with sautéed tomatoes, and the cacik, a thick yogurt prepared with cucumber and garlic. Add an order of sautéed fresh spinach, shallots, and dill to cap off an inexpensive, satisfying dinner. Each dish mentioned costs just $4. Minimum: $15, $20 with credit card Delivery area: 76th St. to 86th St., York Ave. to Fifth Ave. Hours of delivery: 4 p.m. - 11 p.m. Credit cards: yes Keeps address on file: no Delivers alcohol: no Bistro Le Steak 1309 Third Ave., at 75th St. 212-517-3800 French Carnivores and Francophiles, pick up the phone and order a tender 10oz sirloin steak with pomme frites ($18.95) —or opt for another of their hearty meat dishes. Meat's the star attraction but there are plenty of tempting fish alternatives, a lone pasta with organic vegetables, and classic French dishes like frogs' legs provencale ($8.95) and escargots ($8.95). For appetizers, we recommend the onion soup gratinee ($5.95) for its savory, soaked bread and gobs of melted cheese. Minimum: $20 Delivery area: 65th St. to 85th St., York Ave. to Fifth Ave. Hours of delivery: 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. Credit cards: yes Keeps address on file: yes Delivers alcohol: no Café Evergreen 1288 First Ave., at 69th St. 212-744-3266 Chinese Our favorite for Chinese, Café Evergreen delivers its first-rate dim sum everywhere on the UES. Gorge yourself on their fluffy pork buns ($4), gooey, gelatinous vegetable dumplings ($4.75), and specials such as beef glazed in a crispy, moderately spiced orange sauce and served with broccoli ($12.95). Leave a little room for the scrumptious almond -flavored, crunchy cookies, free along with the standard fortune kind. Skip the tasteless and mushy "light specials"— prepared without oil, cornstarch, salt, sugar or soy sauce. Minimum: $10 Delivery area: 42nd St. to 100th St., East End Ave. to Fifth Ave. Hours of delivery: 11:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. Credit cards: yes Keeps address on file: yes Delivers alcohol: no Cilantro's 3 locations; see below Mexican It's a little pricey, but Cilantro's large helpings, complimentary Spanish rice and soft tacos with chunky guacamole, sour cream, and chopped tomatoes will keep you and your refrigerator stuffed for days. Try the chicken enchilada, wrapped in a blue corn tortilla and smothered in cheese ($13), or the shrimp fajita served on a skewer over onions, green peppers, and radicchio and covered in cilantro for a spicy kick ($16). Like it hot? Go for the spicy habanero wings ($8). They aren't kidding. Minimum: none Credit cards: yes Keeps address on file: yes Delivers alcohol: no Website: cilantronyc.com locations 1712 Second Ave., between 88th and 89th Sts. 212-722-4242 Delivery area: 79th St. to 96th St., East End Ave. to Fifth Ave. Hours of delivery: noon - midnight 244 70th St., between Second and Third Aves. 212-537-7745 Delivery area: 84th St. to 74th St., York Ave. to Park Ave. Hours of delivery: 4 p.m. - 11 p.m. 1321 First Ave., at 71st St. 212-537-4040 Delivery area: 61st St. to 75th St., East End Ave. to Fifth Ave. Hours of delivery: 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. Health Food & Gourmet Deli 1776 Second Ave., at 93rd St. 212-427-3800 and 212-426-0505. Deli Whenever, wherever, whatever. When: 24/7 delivery. Where: throughout and beyond the UES. What: breakfast specials such as two eggs, bacon and French toast ($3.29 6a-11 a.m.; $4.29 after 11 a.m.); lunch specials such as the Cuban hero—roast pork, boiled ham, American cheese with lettuce and tomato plus a can of soda ($4.49 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; $5.99 after 4 p.m.). The deli carries kosher and organic food and claims to deliver cigarettes, beer, and even shampoo or batteries on demand. No pretensions here. Minimum: $5 Delivery area: 50th St. to 125th St., York Ave. to Fifth Ave. Hours of delivery: 24 hrs Credit cards: no Keeps address on file: no Delivers alcohol: no Indian Tandoor Oven Restaurant 175 E. 83rd St., between Third and Lexington Aves. 212-628-3000 Indian To enjoy the hospitality, brightly decorated walls covered in tapastry, and puffy breads that deflate on delivery, you'll have to leave the house. But you can feast from home on the chicken tikka ($12.95) and other flavorful specialties cooked in their clay oven. Start off with the samosas ($2.95) or share a smattering of Indian hor d'oeuvres for two ($7.50). If you shy away from spicy, try the kurma: your choice of beef, chicken or lamb prepared with almonds and a thick, sweetly spiced sauce ($10.75). Minimum: $10 Delivery area: 68th St. to 96th St., East End Ave. to Fifth Ave. Hours of delivery: noon - 10 p.m. Credit cards: yes Keeps address on file: no Delivers alcohol: no Website: tandooroven.com Luke's Bar & Grill 1394 Third Ave., near 79th St. 212-249-7070 Grill We like Luke's because they know how to deliver a perfect burger. We demand a cheeseburger medium-rare ($7.50) and that's how it arrives. And Luke's has figured how to get fries and delicately sliced onion rings ($3.95) to our apartment hot and still crisp (the tried-and-true-paper-bag method).— Updated from the 2001 Take-Out Issue Minimum: $10 Delivery area: 65th St. to 96th St., East End Ave. to Park Ave. Hours of delivery: noon to 11 p.m. Credit cards: no Keeps address on file: no Delivers alcohol: no Mangiarini 1593 Second Ave., near 83rd St. 212-734-5500 Italian The food is tasteful and elegantly presented. Particularly impressive is the crescia con prosciutto e chevre appetizer (flatbread with goat cheese and prosciutto, $8). Mangiarini serves a full range of pastas ($10 to $14); grilled and roasted fish, chicken, and steak; and a dessert that trips right off the tongue and down the hatch: budino di pane alla banana con salsa di caramel e cannella (banana-bread pudding with cinnamon-caramel sauce, $5) — Updated from the 2001 Take-Out Issue Minimum: no Delivery area: 72nd St. to 96th St., East End Ave. to Fifth Ave. Hours of delivery: 4 p.m. - 11 p.m. Credit cards: yes Keeps address on file: yes Website: mangiarini.com Nick's 1814 Second Ave., between 100th and 101st Sts. 212-987-5700 Italian At Nick's, pizza means melted, creamy mozzarella, fresh basil leaves and tomatoes, and a thin, slightly charred crust ($11 small, $13 large pie, no slices). And for an extra dollar—well, worth it—you can have your pie both ways: half red, half white. Hint: The family style portions of pasta are extremely generous. Ordering for one? Call it in before 4 p.m. and you can choose "half portions. We recommend the bowties with shrimp, sliced tomatoes and asparagus, flavored with thick garlic shavings and black pepper ($9 half, $18 full). The chicken marsala with mushrooms and onions ($7.50 half, $15 full) is pretty tasty too. Minimum: $10 Delivery area: 80th St. to 98th St., East End Ave. to Fifth Ave. Hours of delivery: lunch, 11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.; dinner, 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. Credit cards: no Keeps address on file: yes Delivers alcohol: no Pig Heaven 1540 Second Ave., between 80th St. 212-744-4333 Chinese Where else but Manhattan can you order a Peking-duck feast and have it arrive at your front door 25 minutes later; the skin perfectly crisp and the meat juicy? That's the triumph of Pig Heaven, which does the 130 or so other dishes on the menu pretty impressively, too. — Updated from the 2001 Take-Out Issue Minimum: none Delivery area: 60th St. to 95th St., East End Ave. to 5th Ave. (free); througout Manhattan for a charge Hours of delivery: 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. (weekdays) and (12:30 p.m. (weekends) Credit cards: yes Keeps address on file: no Delivers alcohol: no Sala Thai 1718 Second Ave., between 89th and 90th Sts. 212-410-5557 Thai Basics are best at this unassuming, longstanding Yorkville restaurant. Think large, crispy spring rolls stuffed with veggies, accompanied by a tangy carrot sauce ($4.25); chicken or beef saté for two ($9.50); and a surprisingly sweet pad Thai that doesn't scrimp on the shrimp ($8.95). Their limited dinner specials get you an entrée, Thai salad, and curried rice ($13.95-$15.95). Minimum: $10 Delivery area: 85th St. to 98th St., East End Ave. to Fifth Ave. Hours of delivery: 5:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. (Mon. - Fri.), noon - 10:30 p.m. (Sat.), noon - 10 p.m. (Sun.) Credit cards: yes Keeps address on file: yes Delivers alcohol: no Tsuki 1410 First Ave., at 75th St. 212-517-6860 Japanese A dependable choice for fresh, inexpensive Japanese food with typical sushi and sashimi options such as the hamachi yellowtail ($4). The menu offers some surprises: for example, a not-so-typical sautéed scallops with jalapeno sauce ($9.50). The shitake string bean sesame is a safe bet ($6.75)! Minimum: none Delivery area: 50th St. to 90th St., East End Ave. to Fifth Ave. Hours of delivery: 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. Credit cards: yes Keeps address on file: yes Delivers alcohol: no     Published May 3, 2004