Archive for December, 2009

Chanukah Prep Without Fret at The Kosher Marketplace

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

Whenever I pass by The Kosher Marketplace, I immediately think of Chanukah.  I ordered latkes from TKM  a year ago always think of the holiday when I’m on 92 and Broadway.   This year, as Shabbat rolled around, I decided to do my Shabbat Prep without the Fret “Chanukah Style” and returned to TKM to sample more of their dishes.   

Since I wasn’t making a meal, I didn’t feel the need to pick things that go together, so I ended up with a random list to say the least.  I started with a small container of frankfurters that were pre-packaged  for (think one long kosher pig in a blanket cut into small pieces).  They were just OK.  I have to say, I often feel the food at TKM that comes in the small plastic containers like the wraps, salads, pastas, etc., have a gourmet look, the way food does in Whole Foods and Wegmans, but it doesn’t always taste as good as it looks.   And even if something is really amazing, I feel like you need to be a millionaire to shop at TKM because you could buy a handful of items and drop $30 in a matter of seconds. 

After I perused to store two to three times, I made my way over to the meat counter.   I was torn between getting one of their premade chicken breasts or their crusted salmon and decided to go for the salmon.   Sadly, it looked amazing, but was a little too bland for me.   Their latkes, however, didn’t disappoint.    I bought two plain and two zuchinni and thought were great.  They were still small and still expensive, but they were as tasty as ever.  I bought a small container of meatballs , but made the mistake of thinking they were Swedish.   So when I got home and realized they were just regular meatballs in a marinara sauce, it didn’t really satisfy that craving.  I also ordered a jelly doughnut because it was Chanukah afterall.  It was good, but not as good a the bag of chocolate ruggelachs I’ve bought before from TKM.  Needless to say, I lived in the gym for a good week after my Chanukah trip.  And while everything was good, I don’t think my choices were worth the money or extra calories.

Happy Chanukah!

KK

Click here for the Kosher Marketplace listing



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Mike’s Bistro

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

Mike’s Bistro is one of the nicest kosher restaurants that New York City has to offer. Before I head over, I made a reservation, preferably for the top floor. More on that to come.  Mike's Bistro

I walk in and am immediately greeted enthusiastically by a warm staff. I’m offered to sit at the bar, which I notice has a brick wraparound and four leather barstools. Towards the front of the restaurant wooden steps lead you up to a raised street level. Tables are set up and a view to the street can be requested. The restaurant boasts three different seating areas. There is this raised street level, a ground level, and an upstairs level. The tables in this restaurant are spread out with plenty of movable space for the wait staff and patrons. You’re able to sit and easily have a conversation with your dining companion. The ground level has a warm orange glow from the stained glass lamps that are affixed to the surrounding walls. There are unique details from the debossed wooden ceilings to the linen tablecloths covering each table. I notice jazz music being played in the background, softly, and it becomes part of the atmosphere. Wooden steps lead you upstairs to the second floor. This floor is a bit quieter and unique, with a high ceiling and wooden floors. To me it has a townhouse feel, and this is why I always request it. A brick fireplace greets you as you walk up the stairs. Branches are wound a bit around the banister; these details gives the place character without being cheesy. The exposed brick wall adds a wonderful feel to this level. Eleven smaller tables are included and some small ‘nooks’ with archways hold smaller tables, which makes that seating a bit more private. The service is so wonderful at Mike’s Bistro that it becomes part of the design and ambiance. With New Year’s Eve just around the corner, this is where I’ll be making my reservation.

Click here for the Mike’s Bistro listing



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Olympic Pita a Bust

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

On a Sunday afternoon, I decided to go to Olympic Pita for a late lunch/early dinner.  Breakfast and lunch make brunch, so I guess you could call this a lunner or a dinch?  Anyway, you know I like to say it how it is and all I can say after my meal at Olympic Pita is this place is a 5 out of 10 at best.  Formerly known as Baraca, Olympic Pita is located at 58 W. 38th Street between 5th and 6th.  So where do I begin?  The hummus was fine.  The babaganoush was fine.  The salad bar was fine.  The schwarma and fries were … you guessed it … just fine.  Nothing I ate was exciting or worth the calories.  Everything needed more flavor.  With that being said, if you love Middle Eastern food, but don’t like too much going on in terms of spices, you will LOVE Olympic Pita because everything is super bland.

The service was subpar, but comedic.  I explained I had never been to the restaurant before and the waitress was semi-helpful when it came to what I should order; however, when I went to the salad bar and came back with four different cabbages on my plate, it took several attempts before someone could tell me the difference between each one.  It turns out I had two cabbage medleys on my plate and two different coleslaws.  One coleslaw had mayonnaise and the other didn’t.  One cabbage had a lot of vinegar and the other one had less.  It wasn’t rocket science, although one waiter told me, “Two of them are red and two of them aren’t.”  Wow, thanks! I thought to myself.

The ambiance was fine, but nothing stood out as super romantic or cozy.  It was a cute place to go if you’re on a casual date or meeting up with a friend.  I’d say the place had a chic look and nice mood lighting starting around 5 p.m. The portions were very good for the price and I highly recommend getting the sampler for the appetizer because you get three little sides with the laffa bread, which is Olympic Pita’s version of a big pita.  Because I got to the restaurant before 4:30, I got to order from the lunch menu.  I ordered chicken shawarma and fries.  The portion was perfect, but it wasn’t worth finishing everything on my plate because everything tasted just OK.  The salad bar with all of the pickles, cabbages, slaws and olives reminded me of an old Jewish deli.  Had there been desserts spinning around in a refrigerator I would’ve thought I was in a Kosher diner for sure.  Alas, there were no spinning desserts, but I have to say, there was nothing on the menu that stopped me in tracks, either.   They have a huge sushi bar, tons of shish kebabs and if I had to do it all over again, I’d order the shawarma in a sandwich opposed to on a plate.  Perpaps the falafel would’ve been a better route.  I’ll keep it in mind for next time. It wasn’t bad by any means, so try it if you’re in the hood.  It’s a good deal.  Just don’t expect to be blown away.

KK

Click here for the Olympic Pita restaurant  listing



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Hummus Kitchen (on 9th Avenue) No Longer Under Supervision

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

Koshertopia has confirmed the Hummus Kitchen on 9th Ave (768 9th Ave.) is no longer under the Supervison of United Kosher Supervision (UKS). The Manager, Maor, reported to Koshertopia that indeed the meat that is being used is certified glatt, but the restaurant does not have supervision.

 Hummus Kitchen on the Upper East Side remains kosher dairy under the UKS.



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Diamond Dairy Closes After Almost 60 Years!

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009
Koshertopia has cofirmed that The Diamond Dairy, a kosher hotspot in the Diamond District ( in the back mezzanine of the jewelry exchange on 4 W. 47th Street) has closed its doors for good.  For close to 60 years, the diner, a hidden gem in the Diamond Distrcit, had been serving up Ashkenazic style Jewish food to the many emloyees in the area as well as many tourists and passersby. 


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Olympic In Every Way

Friday, December 11th, 2009

Olympic Pita has been going through a bit of an identity crisis lately.  When I first discovered it last year, it was a casual falafel and shawarma restaurant.  Then, it became Baraca with dimmer lighting, more modern décor, a much pricier menu, and sushi!  In recent weeks, the name has reverted back to Olympic Pita.  All of these changes never affected the quality of the food, fortunately.

OlympicPita_laffa
Olympic Pita Laffa

Olympic Pita is fantastic for many reasons, but mainly because it offers something that most pita places in Manhattan do not: homemade laffa.  For those of you who may not know, laffa is freshly-made, over-sized pita baked in a tandoor oven that comes out with the perfect combination of soft and crispy at the same time.  As soon as you open the door to the restaurant, you can smell the laffa baking.

On the way to our table the main dining area, we strolled by the laffa oven and the salad bar.  Everything looked delicious. We started with an order of hummus, which came with a piping hot laffa for dipping. The best way I can describe this combo is “heavenly.”  The hummus was garlicky and creamy, and topped with great tahina and olive oil. Although it doesn’t say it anywhere on the menu, the basket of laffa can be refilled as long as there is hummus left – so, be sure to ask!

Every lunch order comes with a trip to the salad bar. You are allowed to fill up one small plate with a delicious assortment of coleslaw, Israeli salad, pickles, etc.

For my main meal, I ordered a falafel laffa, which comes with hummus, harisa, Israeli salad, and French fries.  I have had fries in pita before, but those were always bland and soggy. Olympic Pita’s fries were actually good on their own, and even better squished in with falafel and covered in hummus! The falafel was absolutely delicious…a little spicy, crispy on the outside, and a ton of flavor.

Even with all its changes and my few minor complaints, I can’t stop raving about Olympic Pita.  It is definitely as good as any falafel I’ve ever had in Israel.

And finally, a few additional Miss Menu pointers…

  • In addition to the sit down restaurant, there is take-out available.
  • The sit down prices are more expensive than take-out, and the dinner menu is more expensive than the lunch menu
  • Do not expect service with a smile – the servers are a little rough around the edges and hard to track down.
  • Gratuity is included in the bill (which probably explains the above statement!), so there is no need to add extra money for tip on top of the total.


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Yatir, Negev Desert, Forest, 2004 Review

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

Yatir, Negev Desert, Forest, 2004:  Made from grapes grown in the manmade Yatir Forest in the northern Negev, this dark and inky, full-bodied, Australian-styled red has a fascinating nose of cassis, cherries, plums, and toasted oak, with a hint of tobacco smoke.  Look for flavors of blackberries, boysenberries, plums, cassis, and toasted oak, with hints of vanilla and allspice, and pleasant earthy undertones.

 Best now-2011. 

 Score A.



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