Tastes and feels authentic

Xinjiang joints tend to be greasy holes-in-the-wall (your neighborhood dive) or overdone pleasuredomes with all the local flavor sapped out of it in favor of classless beer drinking contests and commercialized live performances (Afanti).

Crescent Moon, though pricier than the average greasy spoon, has a really authentic flavor to it. Subdued atmosphere (no belly dancers in your face) and great food make it a place worth going a bit out of your way for.