rruben1's Profile
Dover Sole
I had a fantastic Dover Sole at Keens. In fact, I don't think I've ever had ANYTHING at Keens that wasn't fantastic.
American Museum of Natural History .....dining ????
We like Gazala, right behind the museum, if you are looking for a moderate, informal meal. Our experiences have been good, and their grilled chicken is delicious, as are most of the salads.
Any Kosher restaurants open during Pesach in London?
My son and I will be in London during the intermediate days. Are there any restaurants or take-aways open in London this year?
Lunch before Book of Mormon tomorrow !
E&E Grillhouse, right across the street from the Theater
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E&E Grill House
233 West 49th Street, New York, NY 10019
Kosher for Pesach in Liverpool, UK?
Received a lovely reply from Chabad in Liverpool, indicating that London was our best bet. That would probably be because of the level of hashgacha, as opposed to Manchester. (Just my intuition!). We're hopeful!
Thanks for your help.
Top 5 New York Sandwiches?
I had a pastrami on rye with mustard and cole slaw from Katz' Deli on Sunday that was simply perfect. It was supernaturally delicious.
A few doors down, the Super Heebster from Russ & Daughter is just fantastic. It's a party in your mouth.
The Falafel with your choice of salads on it at SoomSoom is wonderful, and the Shawarma @ Azuri Cafe.
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Russ & Daughters
179 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002
Katz's Delicatessen
205 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002
Azuri Cafe
465 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019
Soom Soom
166 W 72nd St, New York, NY 10023
Kosher for Pesach in Liverpool, UK?
Thanks. I tried that. Two emails over two weeks, no response. I'm thinking Manchester might have more to offer, and perhaps they will transport the food.
Kosher for Pesach in Liverpool, UK?
I will be hosting about a dozen soccer players during Passover, in Liverpool. Can anyone recommend a source for a Passover seder and dinner in Liverpool, or to be delivered to a hotel in Liverpool?
Rectangles closed by Bd of Health, gone. . . .
. . . .I always meant to try the Yemenite place out, but after it was inspected, it was shuttered, and will now be replaced by a pizza place, part of a chain. Non-kosher.
Sigh.
Decent Italian for 25 on a Sunday night near Carnegie
I live in the neighborhood, and eat at Angelo's often. The pizza is excellent, and the family-size salads are plentiful, fresh, and well-prepared. The arugula salad is particularly good. They have an upstairs section they can outfit with long tables for a large group. I highly recommend it for a reasonable, informal get-together. There are not too many other choices in the immediate area.
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Angelo's Pizza
117 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019
Weekend in Sonoma with a Little Kid
I've been down that road, having taken my kids on that very trip some years back. First, Bart Park (Bartholomew Park Winery) has a nice picnic setup, and is really lovely. You can pick up a lunch to go at the Basque Bakery in Sonoma. Benziger is a great place to take a child, because there is a hayride through the vineyards. Across the road is the Jack London State Park, which might be a fun walk for the two of you, to the ruins of London's house.
As far as food, I'm sure the Black Bear Diner would work, as would Fremont Diner (better food, cool scene) If you don't mind driving to Santa Rosa, both Luther Burbank Gardens and the Charles Schulz Peanuts Museum would no doubt be good destinations.
Have fun!
Shopsin's.
I took my seventeen year old son to Shopsin's two weeks ago, on a Saturday morning. We arrived as they were opening, were seated. and had a nice breakfast. The mac 'n cheese pancakes were terrific, particularly with the addition of maple syrup AND hot sauce. I look forward to a trip back for sliders and salads some time soon. No odd happenings that morning at all. Just a nice breakfast, good coffee, and a big check. Ahem.
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Shopsin's General Store
120 Essex St, New York, NY 10002
Best service (and food) - Keens, Luger, Sparks or Old Homestead?
Keen's is a beautiful room, thick with atmosphere. I have eaten there a dozen times, and service has always been exemplary. It is never stiff, always festive. The steaks are top-notch, and the sides, including french fries, are always perfect. I have ordered a simple grilled dover sole, there, and it was terrific, if steak isn't a foregone conclusion. The ice cream sundae is also memorable.
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Keens
72 West 36th St., New York, NY 10018
"Off the list" restaurants NYC
Amsterdam Avenue does NOT start at 57th Street. In fact, it doesn't start until the 60th street northern corner. Thus, if you direct someone to Azuri telling them to go to Amsterdam, they'll be ten blocks off. I say this not to nit-pick, but in the interest of getting people there, if they want to go there. I have an apartment on 59'th, and I can assure you that there is no Amsterdam Avenue crossing 59th, my chaverim.
"Off the list" restaurants NYC
First of all, I am sure that my fellow chowhounder Zev did not intend that his generally-targeted words above would be construed to damage the business of a hard-working and diligent man like Ezra, the owner of Azuri Cafe, which is nowhere near Amsterdam Ave, by the way--it is on 51st and 10th. In the second place, Ezra's hashgacha is prominently displayed at his restaurant, and anyone who cares to make a personal judgment--which is the only kind that is relevant---can do so. Tablet K was the last sheet I recall seeing up.
On the merits, Azuri Cafe makes fantastic shawarma and falafel, delicious salads, and great soup. The prices are fair, for Manhattan, and although cramped, you can have a nice lunch there on one of the two tables inside the place.
I have always found the food fresh as can be, the portions fair, and the overall quality, terrific. We should support these kinds of restaurants who offer good food at fair prices!
Park and Orchard, East Rutherford
I have eaten no less than a hundred meals at Park & Orchard, a few recently. It remains one of the finest places in New Jersey to find great wines at relatively reasonable prices. Wine and beer by the glass remains a delight.
The food is centered on big flavors. The portions are not as large as in earlier years, but they are still good for sharing. What Buddy and JK make well, they make very well: Stir fries, enchiladas, the pasta with chicken sausage and hot peppers, the chicken meatloaf--they are all delicious. In fact the vegetarian choices are consistently wonderful The salad dressings are still memorable, particularly the Asian and the Tofu.
You have to be a little careful, and stay within their strengths. You can still get a terrific meal and a terrific overall experience. They're wonderful people, and I love to support them.
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Park & Orchard Restaurant
240 Hackensack St, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
LES and Theatre District - reasonable and classic
In the Theatre District, I recommend the new E&E Grillhouse on 49th near Broadway, across from Books of Mormon. Reasonable prices, nice ambience,wonderful hangar steak and the kale salad is memorable. You can get a fish or chicken entree in the range you have set.
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E&E Grill House
233 West 49th Street, New York, NY 10019
Funniest Thing a Server Said to You
I was at Romano's Macaroni Grill with two business associates last week (I know. . .I know. . .) and the server placed a bottle of tap water on the table, and offered up: "And there are free refills on the water. . . "
Restaurants near Morris Museum in Morristown
You have a lot of choices. Broccolini, in Madison can serve up a fine meal. Il Mondo Vecchio and L'Allegria, as well, but only the latter has decent parking. In Florham Park, China Chalet is one of the best Chinese restaurants in North Jersey, for my money. Nonna's is crowded, noisy, and not fine cuisine, but the food is more than acceptable.
In Morristown, itself, parking can be dicey. The Asian restaurant in the Headquarters is quite good, and there is interior parking. Good luck!
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China Chalet
184 Columbia Tpke, Florham Park, NJ 07932
Il Mondo Vecchio
72 Main St Ste 1, Madison, NJ 07940
L'Allegria
7-11 Prospect Street, Madison, NJ 07940
Abeles & Heymans Franks
I'm going to stay out of the "open shabbos" vs "closed shabbos" fray, but I shop at Maple Kosher, and his meats are often fantastic. Jack's skirt steaks, hangers, and ribeyes are out of this world. BTW, he makes a homemade south african sausage, boerwurst, out of lamb, beef, chicken, and turkey (your choice!) which is phenomenal on the grill.
Jewish food
There is "Jewish food" and "kosher food" and the twain no longer meets, alas. Traditional Eastern European dishes favored by Jewish families over the centuries of the diaspora are not often served in restaurants. Sabbath foods, like cholent, can be found in Gottlieb's in Brooklyn, and a few other outposts. Deli food--pastrami, corned beef, brisket & tongue, are in good supply in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx---2nd Avenue Deli may be most authentic and is kosher, so you won't be led astray from your theme by a menu that touts Corned Beef and Swiss Cheese (gag!). Non-Kosher Delis like Katz' are also very good, but not strictly "Jewish" in that they have dishes and combinations that don't really fit the mold. Katz' pastrami is sublime.
If you want the ultimate non-kosher but indisputably Jewish-themed experience, have dinner at Sammy's Roumanian Steakhouse, on the Lower East Side. It's like a bar mitzvah if you dropped acid before attending. You can have garlic sausage, Roumanian steak, chopped liver, etc. Not kosher, mind you, but it can be a blast. Bring tums.
Ben's Deli in Manhatan is also good. Mill Basin Deli in Brooklyn. Fine & Shapiro on the Upper West Side.
Now, since we're pluralistic here at Chowhound, I have to mention that Lattanzi, an Italian restaurant on Restaurant Row, swtiches to a non-kosher but delicious Roman Jewish menu at a later hour, and you might want to try that out. Azuri Cafe on 51st makes great Israeli specialties. And there is a Bukharan Jewish restaurantm, Taam, in the diamond district that gets good nods.
So you have Sephardic, Jewish-American, Roumanian/East European, and I could go on and on, but just go and enjoy. Get a matzoh ball soup at 2nd Avenue Deli. Stop at Yonah Shimmel's for a knish. Get a bialy at Kossar's. And finish off with dinner at Sammy's. But only after you have lox and eggs and onions at Barney Greengrass, for breakfast. Trust me. Have it. You'll never go back.
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Barney Greengrass
541 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
Yonah Schimmel's Knishes
137 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002
Kossar's Bialys
367 Grand St, New York, NY 10002
Taam-Tov
41 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036
Ben's Kosher Delicatessen
209 W 38th St, New York, NY 10018
Fine and Schapiro
138 W 72nd St, New York, NY 10023
Second Avenue Deli
162 E 33rd St, New York, NY 10016
Azuri Cafe
465 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019
Sammy's Roumanian
157 Chrystie St, New York, NY 10002
Lattanzi
361 West 46th Street, New York, NY 10036
Best Burger in the wine country
I know it is heretical, and I'm no vegetarian, but the veggie burger at the Rutherford Grill, with the tarragon cole slaw, is one of the best things I've ever eaten in my life.
For the more traditional among us, it's tough to beat the burger at Gott's, eaten outdoors, on a sunny afternoon.
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Rutherford Grill
1180 Rutherford Rd, Napa, CA 94558
Help Choosing A Steakhouse
I had dinner at Keen's a few nights ago, and it was flawless. Service, ambience and food: every element was perfect. They serve some of the best french fries in the city, an exemplary NY strip, a great porterhouse, fine soups and salads, and a perfect grilled sole. Even the desserts are delicious and well-presented. Five straight perfect dinners at Keen's for me and my family.
Kosher Wedding in the NY/NJ Area
Adath Shalom Synagogue in Morris Plains, NJ. Beautiful hall, great parking, easy from Route 287, Route 80, Route 46 and Route 10. Good catering panel, with many choices. Capacity is no problem.
Greatest Jersey Pizza that most people haven't heard of
Paradiso Pizza on Route 46 in Rockaway. Outstanding ingredients, great combinations. Mmmmm. I can't wait until Passover ends. I'm there.
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Paradiso Pizza
179 US Highway 46, Rockaway, NJ 07866
Need recommendations: Weekend in Aberdeen for soccer tourney
I'll be with my 15 year old son in the Aberdeen area, with games in Ellicott City, MD Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Any recommendations?
He's a bit of a foodie. Italian, Chinese, Deli, it's all good.
Worthy eateries in East Orange, NJ
I have worked around East Orange for more than 25 years, and cannot think of a single place I would eat out.
Travel into Newark, and go to Assaggini Di Roma for dinner. Or visit the venerable old Belmont Tavern, for the intrepid, on the north side of Newark. In Montclair, Epernay is wonderful, as are half a dozen other places. The Highlawn used to be just a nice room, but after Altholtz took over the kitchen, it became a credible place to actually eat more than atmosphere.
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Epernay
6 Park St, Montclair, NJ 07042
Belmont Tavern
378 Belmont Ave, Haledon, NJ 07508
Upcoming Healdsburg trip
I would list C. Donatiello Winery as a "must-go" pinot house. It is beautiful, welcoming, and a maker of "big" pinot, particularly their Floodgate vintages. Chris is a terrific host and a great guy. Their Chardonnay is also wonderful, and although I am not a fan of that varietal in general, his recent offerings have been delicious. Along the Russian River, near C. Donatiello, there are some other worthy destinations, and among them I would recommend Moshin.
I have been to Mazzocco many times, and participate in their wine club (one of the few) and I heartily endorse their Zins, in particular their reserves.
As for dining, Zin in Healdsburg is always fun, but our recent trips to Geyserville, to Diavolo, have been nothing short of fantastic.
The Farmhouse Inn in Forestville is a great fine dining choice, by the way.
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Farmhouse Inn
7871 River Rd, Forestville, CA 95436
New Jersey's best burgers: Where Are They Now?
Alexis Diner, Denville, NJ. I know it seems strange that a simple diner would shine, but the California Burger Deluxe is a fantastic burger. Juicy, fresh, full of beefy flavor. A great burger. Arthurs Tavern isn't bad, different texture, very beefy, too.
I had a superlative burger at Mosaica in Millburn, and it was glatt kosher. Homemade bread, homemade mayo, thin fries. Fabulous, juicy, flavorful burger.
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Mosaica
2933 Vauxhall Rd, Vauxhall, NJ 07088
Alexis Diner
3130 State Route 10 Ste 20, Denville, NJ 07834
Healdsburg for our anniversary
Spoonbar is, indeed, wonderful. Every single thing we tasted there in August was delicious. The bar is terrific. The ambience and service were perfect. A great place for a cocktail and appetizers, at the very least.
