Rice pudding: Long Island restaurants with distinctive takes

Desserts at Bosphorus Cafe Grill in Port Wasington include,from bottom,... — Desserts at Bosphorus Cafe Grill in Port Wasington include,from bottom, of kazandibi, fistik sarma, baklava, creme caramel, kunefe and, center, oven-baked rice pudding. Credit: Aaron Zebrook

By JOAN REMINICKjoan.reminick@newsday.comSeptember 11, 2014

Almost every cuisine has its own version of rice pudding, one of the planet's most comforting desserts.

Here are four distinctive takes on an internationally crowd-pleasing finale.

YEVMA AUTHENTIC GREEK CUISINE, 2065 Hempstead Tpke., East Meadow, 516-280-2208

This modern Greek restaurant serves a rich and subtly cinnamon-rich rice pudding.

CHENNAI DOSAS, 128 Broadway, Hicksville, 516-681-5151

Light, fragrant kheer is the comforting Indian version of rice pudding -- and the dessert to order at this fine vegetarian South Indian restaurant.

CORAZON DE CUBA, 26 E. Park Ave., Long Beach, 516-272-4200

From this hopping Cuban spot come pastelitos -- empanadas stuffed with creamy rice pudding and served with strawberry sauce and ice cream. It's excess that works.

BOSPHORUS CAFE GRILL, 138 Shore Road, Port Washington, 516-321-9999

The new Turkish restaurant serves a lush rice pudding. Also highly recommended are the airy caramelized milk pudding called kazandib and a rich, creamy flan.