Arson Suspected in Fire at Fuego Restaurant in Montreal
Kosher Pop-Up Serves Artisanal Sandwiches to Crown Heights Crowd
The self-described hipster and Orthodox chef Yuda Schloss is the culinary force behind new pop-up
eatery Hassid+Hipster, whose handcrafted sandwiches have been generating a buzz in Crown Heights' Chabad Hasidic community. He launched the takeout-only sandwich shop from his apartment last month, where he aims to bring traditional foods like brisket to the new age. The orders are taken over Facebook, and then can be picked up during set hours twice a week. Since his is not an official restaurant he can't get kosher certification, and customers trust him personally. The City's Health Department may also pose challenges since home-based food service is illegal in New York State. Yuda is now entertaining an idea of opening a real restaurant. Source: DNAIn
Newark Joins the Kosher Map
The chances are you've never heard there is a kosher place to eat in Newark, and yet, there is The Green Chickpea, a Middle-Eastern restaurant on Hasley St., which opened last August. The are under the Vaad Harabonim of Flatbush, and offer shwarama, shnitzel and shish kebab as well as a variety of vegan options. The owners, Martin and Ronit Weber are not newbies in the restaurant business (they used to own 3 restaurants in Manhattan called "House of Pita"), and they saw the opportunity in opening a kosher place in the city, gearing for renaissance. The restaurant caters to both Jews and non-Jews, vegetarians and meat-eaters as the owners do not want to limit their customer base and simply want people to come for the good food, fast service and warm vibe. Read more in this article.
It is hard to imagine for us, spoiled New-Yorkers, the excitement of finding a jar of kosher vodka
sauce or ingredients for sushi on a supermarket shelf. For the Twin Cities Jewish community, where several kosher groceries and the area's only kosher food distributor closed in the past few years, the excitement is well understood, when
"The Kosher Spot" opened in May to fill the void. The Kosher Spot is a tiny grocery store located in the heart of the Orthodox neighborhood of St. Louis Park in Minneapolis. It is a one-stop grocery stop, where the owners - the Weinberg family - try to get things customers ask for. In addition to serving as the valuable provider of kosher groceries, The Kosher Spot also has become a community gathering place. Read the full article here. The owners are also planning to open a kosher restaurant in the winter or spring of 2014.
Forbes Writes about the Spread of Kosher
Caterers Innovate the Kosher Offerings
No more matza balls and knishes - with gourmet contemporary kosher cuisine on the rise, upscale caterers are re-inventing the kosher dishes. The article on bizbash.com talks about how kosher caterers address the needs and tastes of the modern, more sophisticated client. Read in full here.
FINAL THANKSGIVUKAH SPECIALS
For the holiday of Chanukah, they are offering a Falafel +Sufganiya Special for $5.95. One per customer, valid until 12/05/13. Print out the coupon here.
BROOKLYN
Featuring Chanukah fiesta - $325 for 25 ppl, advance orders strongly recommended.
See the Brooklyn flyer here.
Enjoy the holiday spirit of both Chanukah and Thanksgiving with their delicious food, a mentalist magician show, live music and other fun surprises. Five-course menu is $65 (+ tax & gratuity) and includes amuse-bouches, soup or salad, a choice of appetizer, a choice of main course, and a dessert. $35 wine pairing option available with choices for starter, main and dessert wines.Children get free kid's meal every night of Chanukah from 5-7pm (except on Thanksgiving). Reserve by email, Facebook or by phone.
Enhance your party with special Chanukah platters starting at $39.95. See flyer.
Join China Glatt on Tuesday, Nov. 26 for a Pre-Chanukah Spectacular with Master Illusionist David Blatt. See flyer.
They will be serving a prix fixe Chanukah Thanksgiving dinner at $45.95 pp (plus tax & service fee). See menu here.
Thanksgiving and Chanukah Special: One glass of Wine with your entrée! Or, you can use their Chanukah gift coupon for $5 off any purchase of $50 or more (not valid on Sunday). Download the coupon here.
They are offering Thanksgiving Dine-In Special for $29.95 pp, as well as Thanksgiving takeout dinners. Chanukah parties catering is also available. See flyer for details.
To enjoy Chanukah without gaining, Nu Cafe 47 is introducing protein pastries. High in fiber and protein, sugar-free (made with agave nectar), organic and gluten-free. See more here.
View their 4-course Chanukah/Thanksgiving menu here. The price is $80 per person.
Chanukah Specials: Platters Half Fish Half Vegetable, 48pc $25, 80pc $48.
NEW JERSEY
Etc Steakhouse (Teaneck)
They will be open on Thanksgiving 3:30 pm - 8:30 pm with a special menu. Price is $60 pp + tax & tip. The highlights from the menu include: Olive Oil Poached Sweet Breads, Gnocchi, Pulled Veal Latkes, Short Ribs, Thai Curry Turkey Thigh, Mustard Glazed Hanger Steak, and more. View full menu here.
Fumio Grill & Sushi (Livingston)
Fumio Grill & Sushi offers a special Thanksgiving Package for 12. View here.
Smokey Joe's BBQ (Teaneck)
View their special Thanksgiving and Chanukah party packages here. They have now stopped their online orders, but may have a few extra packages available, so call Aryeh or Moshe at the store.
Smokey Joe's will be open for service on Thanksgiving day 12 pm to 8 pm, and you can bring your entire family to the restaurant for a meal or a private party. Call 201-836-7427 to make arrangements.
CHICAGO
MIAMI BEACH
They will be offering special Thanksgiving Dinner menu with an option to order a la carte or get a prix-fixe menu ($85 + tax & gratuity).
NEW ORLEANS
View their Thanksgiving catering menu here.
CANADA
For the holiday season they have the addition of: Potato Latkes @ $1.25 ea, Vegetable Latkes @ $1.50 ea., a set of 48 Sweet Potato Balls @ $36. Their regular menu will be available too. They will also be offering Chanukah party trays to be pre-ordered before Nov. 28. View the menu here.
Ernie & Ellie is now open on Saturday nights, and is offering a dining room super saver: 12 oz Broiled Rib Steak for $16.95. They are also offering a number of Chanukah takeout specials - see the menu here.
The ever popular Upper West Side establishment, Mike's Bistro, is opening a location in Midtown East at 127 East 54th Street (between Lexington and Park Avenue). Projected opening date is Spring 2014.
Here is a rundown of the new Mike's Bistro:
* It will be twice size of its original location
* 180 seat establishment
* 25 seat bar
* 5 private rooms
* Taking over the location where Korea Palace used to be (see photo)
For more on Mike's Bistro, click here.
Now, this is a very interesting development with Prime Grill opening their new location just 3 blocks away a few months ago. And with Solo 2 blocks away, this short block radius will become the new hotbed of kosher restaurants. This also gives the Upper East Side some extra and very much needed life.
And it should be interesting to see what Mike does with his 72nd location and if he does move out of the area, which will leave a big hole in the Upper West side dining scene (especially with Estihana's recent close). It should be fascinating to see what effect this will all have.
The rapid movement we have seen with upscale places in Manhattan the last couple of years is amazing. It used to be that the top kosher restaurants would stay in their location for years, even for just the fear of moving and jeopardizing their stronghold. But perhaps with the economy more stable and kosher consumer loyalty strong as ever, these restaurants can take the risk.
Nevertheless, this is big news for corporate and business kosher diners as it gives them another upscale choice to take their clients for business lunch and dinners.
