Just in time for the Pre-Pesach rush, Koshertopia has confirmed that Chaiko Tapas at 515 Cedar Lane is open. Offering a full sushi bar, the Asian and Spanish themed restaurant is under the Supervision of the RCBC.
Why not try it out this week? Mention KOSHERTOPIA and receive a free sake or dessert.
Chaiko Tapas
515 Cedar Lane
Teaneck, NJ 07666
Manhattan’s well known Japanese restaurant is coming to Teaneck. Estihana, already with a second location in Brooklyn is expanding to Cedar Lane in the space formally occupied by Chan’s, Esme Bistro & Shalom Hunan’s. The Asian fusion restaurant is well known for their Japanese cuisine as well as culinary creations from Malaysia and Vietnam. Koshertopia staff have been told the restaurant should be open for business in two weeks. Stay Tuned for further details.
Estihana located at 221 W 79th St., is one of my favorite kosher restaurants; but, before I get to the incredible menu, let me say this: You must have very thick skin to order take out or delivery from this place! Lamah? (Why?) You ask. Because when you call, you must be prepared for the main guy who answers the phone to treat you like you’re a telemarketer. Yes, that’s right. When you call to order food the guy basically acts as though HE just sat down to eat dinner with his family and YOU are ruining it! He seems so agitated when he takes your order that he makes you feel like you phoned someone that is on the “Do Not Call” list. But don’t worry. There are one or two people who work there who are polite when they answer the phone. And if you get the guy I’m talking about, you’ll come to terms with the fact that it’s not you — it’s him — and you’ll be able to refocus on what you want to order within seconds.
What you need to know next is that waiting for your food will be worse than placing the call for it. But trust me, once you get your meal, you’re going to want to savor every bite. You’re going to want to hold onto your fork for dear life –not just because the entrees are so expensive — but because the food is just that good. Let me put it to you this way: Have you ever gone to a restaurant, fallen in love with a dish and then went back to order the same thing — only to feel like it wasn’t as good as the first time? That will never happen to you at Estihana. I always feel like whatever I order is even better than I remembered it.
When it comes to appetizers, the egg rolls are my favorite. They are packed with flavor and cooked to perfection. You can skip the salads with ginger dressing. The dressing is watery and bland. And if you love steamed dumplings, the dumplings at Estihana are just so-so.
If you’re in the mood for a chicken dish for dinner, you must get the Gomatori. Think large chunks of white chicken meat, fried and cooked in the world’s sweetest and most addicting sauce. The pepper steak is so incredible that after you’ve taken your last bite you’ll be craving it for a week. And when it comes to dessert, the chocolate chip cookie explosion cake/ice cream combo will hit the spot.
I’m not going to lie. This place is pricey. But Kosher food in NYC just doesn’t come cheap. With that said, I give Estihana an 8 out of 10.
So, that’s all from me for now. Let me know what you think is a must and what’s a bust when you check out Estihana!
Happy Noshing,
KK
Click Here for the Estihana Listing
