Koshertopia has confirmed that Gourmet by Forte, located at 1529 York Avenue (between 80th and 81st) is now open. Primarily a take-out deli, Gourmet by Forte chefs prepare dishes daily that are reminiscent of Mom’s home cooking. There is also seating available for dine in service. Gourmet by Forte is under the supervision of the Kof-K.
UWS residents welcomed with excitement the opening of Meat Me a new French Steakhouse; Located at 726 Amsterdam Avenue (Bet. 95th & 96th St.), Meat Me is supervised by Vaad Harabonim of Queens. Offering a full selection of steaks and grill items, the menu also boasts pastas as well as sushi. Meat Me will be also offer Shabbat pre paid meals.
We are excited to share the opening of Sushien – Manhattan’s first Kosher Conveyor Belt Sushi restaurant. Located close to Manhattan Court District at 325 Broadway Sushein is under the supervision of the Orthodox Union (OU). The concept restaurant offers an an array of sushi along with a vast Asian grill menu. The restaurant offers 70 seats with a bar and booths as well.
The most precious and costly commodity in Manhattan is space. Because of this spacial deficiency, even some of the cities finest restaurants are no more then a glorified nooks. The expense is simply too great for most establishments to maintain, especially in certain neighborhoods or streets that cause the cost of space to borderline on the ridiculously excessive. So when I say to you that the Milk Street Cafe, the new kosher restaurant located at 40 Wall Street, takes up no less then twenty three thousand square feet, it should tell you in no uncertain terms how seriously owner Marc Epstein takes the business of building a successful restaurant. Embodying the “Go big or go home” ethos, The Milk Street Cafe opens up to a spacious front end ornamented tastefully with modern sensibilities. The stone floor is intricately decorated and stretches out into eight thousand square feet of equally well decorated prep stations. These stations offer a vast, almost mind boggling variety of foods, that run the gamut of Cafe style items. Diners can customize pasta, salads, and sandwiches on top of being able to get sushi, bakery, soups, and prepared grill items. What makes The Milk Street Cafe truly unique though is not that they offer so many items, it’s that they offer them in both dairy and meat.
Whereas most restaurants need to restrict their menus to either of the two options, The Milk Street Cafe has found a way to merge the two modalities of kosher restaurantism with an elegant, if not grandiose solution that is their prep kitchens.
Stretching out behind Milk Streets front end, are several kitchens, who’s space equals triple that of the main dining area. These kitchens are separated by corridors, and each kitchen is distinctly marked by it’s different color floor tile, which signifies if it is the dairy, meat or parve kitchen. When working in these kitchens, the culinary staff wear an apron and hat that is specific to each kitchen. The kitchens themselves are glorious monuments to modern day culinary production. Every bell, whistle, and kitchen appliance you could possibly need is neatly squared away at it’s corresponding prep station. This allows The Milk Street Cafe to do far more then act as a breakfast, lunch, and dinner spot, but also as a catering company, capable of servicing large corporate events or meetings.
What I really liked about the Milk Street Cafe, outside of it’s many dining options, it’s innovative structure, it’s willingness to push the envelope and it’s very affable owner, is the food. The food is very good. I ate mostly the meat options as meat is my preference. I highly recommend the Peppercorn rubbed roast beef with red peppers and horseradish sauce, and the Smoked Turkey Salad with sun dried tomatoes. Both these sandwiches are served on wonderfully fresh bread, that has a nice crunch crust with a soft interior. To me that is paramount for a good sandwich, and so the combination of the excellent flavors of the meat and the texture of the fresh bread make for one of the better sandwiches available in New York. A friend of mine chose to go the milchig route, and had the fettuccine with wild mushrooms in a light cream sauce. He said that he found it to be “very tasty and very filling”. I also recommend trying an offering from the Milk Street Cafe’s rotisserie. In particular their KC BBQ brisket, which is smoky, sweet, and cooked to a melt in your mouth perfection.
As I sat sampling my sandwiches, I realized that The Milk Street Cafe caters to all walks of life. A non-kosher eater could easily walk into the restaurant and never know they were at a kosher establishment. It so flawlessly integrates the different cuisines in such a graceful and well thought out way. that the effect is seamless. Owner Marc Epstein says that he is “Living the dream” in that he has his successful restaurant in Boston that he has now brought to New York as well. But what I don’t think he realizes is that he is actualizing the dream of a number of kosher consumers as well, by providing a kosher environment that feels like dining in a high end cafe that just so happens to be kosher. It’s just one more large step towards the main-streaming of kosher food. Personally, I can’t wait to go back and continue to work my way through their extensive menu
Milk Street Cafe
40 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005
Manhattan’s first Kosher Conveyor belt restaurant is nearing its opening date. Koshertopia has confirmed that Sushein at 325 Broadway will open to the public in two weeks. The restaurant boasts a total of 70 seats which includes 17 bar seats, private booths and a private dining room.
Stay Tuned for Opening Details & Photos
In what well be an exciting addition to the Upper West Side, Koshertopia has learned that a new French Steakhouse & Sushi Bar will open at 726 Amsterdam Avenue (between 95 & 96th Street).
Stay tuned for more information, opening dates & specials.
Kosher Conveyor belt Sushi? You better believe it – Koshertopia has confirmed that Sushein is scheduled to open at 325 Broadway in lower Manhattan. With a liquor license already approved, this new kosher restaurant will certainly stand out amongst the others.
Stay tuned for more details
Would you prefer the creaminess of an avocado roll or savor a soy-soaked sliver of salmon instead? Whatever choice tempts your taste buds most, there is no denying sushi stardom! It has become the go-to takeout choice and catering belle- of the- ball. But, why oh why do we swoon over a piece of raw fish snuggled in a sticky- sweet bed of rice? Why do pizza joints carry a menu with California rolls?! Sushi has even “rolled” its wasabi-shmeared way into our supermarkets. I wouldn’t be surprised to eventually see a gefilte fish maki swim its way onto our plates..
Although it is traditionally a healthy cuisine, much of the Japanese food in the states has been adapted to the super-sized American palate. Hence, the crazy cream cheese-stuffed Philadelphia or rock n’ roll maki-not something you would typically find on a menu in Japan. So the next time you crave a taste for the Far East, expand your horizons, not your waist lines. The following menu choices should satisfy both your belly and heart, without turning you into a sumo wrestler!
When in Japan
Toss that fork and save it for the steak! I highly encourage you all to learn the art of maneuvering chopsticks, if you haven’t already. Not only do they add fun and flair to your meals, they help you consume smaller bites..always a good thing!
Superstar Starters
Sharing is Caring: Communal dining is integral to Japanese culture so share these healthy appetizers and entrees with your friends.
*Oshitoshi: boiled spinach (Popeye had it right all along)
*Steamed greens or raw salad: tons of fiber and water, vitamins and minerals.
*Seaweed salad: rich in iodine, an important trace mineral important for healthy thyroid function. Nori is also rich in protein and calcium
*Unsalted edamame: high protein, low fat, low starch
*Steamed vegetables dumplings
*Miso soup: rich in vitamins and a warm way to fill your belly.
*Shitake mushrooms: rich in selenium, vitamin C, and antioxidants.
*Sashimi sampler: Pure lean protein and oodles of omega 3 fatty acids.
*Choose broiled, grilled, or steamed dishes.
Sinful Starters
*Fried dumplings
*Fried spring rolls
*Tempura vegetables
Rock these Rolls
*Salmon and avocado: rich in protein, anti-inflammatory omega 3 fatty acids and heart healthy monounsaturated fats. Plus salmon is not high on the mercury list. For a complete list of fish and their corresponding mercury content you may visit:
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/fishmercury.htm
http://www.fda.gov/food/foodsafety/product-specificinformation/seafood/foodbornepathogenscontaminants/methylmercury/ucm115662.htm
Word to the Wise: Keep in mind that raw fish may be a breeding playground for bacteria and parasites. If the thought of raw fish is unnerving stick with cooked fish.
Tasty Tip: Choose brown rice over white: more fiber and B vitamins and minerals. It’s nutty taste and chewy texture creates satiety- this equals less bites and a smaller waistline
Stick with one roll which is equivalent to about 2 servings (1 cup) of cooked rice.
*Rice-free rolls wrapped in a smooth sheet of nori or paper-thin cucumber slices. Refreshing!
*Vegetable rolls
Oh So Wrong Rolls
*Cream cheese and mayonnaise-stuffed rolls
*Tempura rolls
*Super-sized rolls that give your mouth too much of a workout and stretch..
Oodles o’ Noodles
Choose soba (buckwheat) or udon (whole wheat) noodle dishes for added fiber sauteed with vegetables or in a broth. Toss the tempura noodles..
Tasty Tip: If you choose noodles go easy on the rice to prevent carb overload.
Smart Sides:
*Ginger: anti- inflammatory and digestive aid
*Wasabi: antibacterial
Silly Sides:
*Soy sauce (even the low sodium version)
*Creamy sauces
Sip Some:
*Green tea: rich in antioxidants and improves metabolism
*Sake: share 1 small bottle with a friend if you choose to order
*Water
Sipping Snafus:
Sugar, sugar, and more sugar..not such a good thing
*Soda
*Diet drinks
*Juice
*Sweet cocktails
Ditch Dessert:
Finishing a meal with a sweet treat is not mandatory. Plus, do you really have any room after all those yummy rolls?
*Fried Ice cream: that’s why we all scream for ice cream b/c it’s cold..not fried!
*Share the green tea ice cream if you can’t resist
*Choose fresh fruit
So, my friends, the next time you pick up the phone for some sushi takeout forget the fried futomaki and sip on some miso instead. Itadakimas!
Until we schmooze again I wish you all Healthy Cravings and a Bon Apetit!
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.
