Amen. That is the real deal.

http://www.chabadlv.org/templates/art...

I can speak to Haifa and to Sababa.

It's been 2 or 3 years since I went to Haifa; service is 'eh" but the food was delicious.

Sababa-I only had the falafel-but it was amazing; definitely and Israeli vibe and I am sure it is good.

There seem to be a few new places on the link above. Also there are supermarkets with kosher all-in-one meals and such in a pinch.

No idea re: Adar but I've heard good things. I live in New York so I don't do Pizza elsewhere (I am a snob).

Nesiah tovah and btai Avon,

Michael

Because I was shocked that someone could make such foods kosher....and probably the wine LOL.

I think it was around $110 with tax & tip, maybe 125; that was almost 2 years ago.

I can tell you first hand that CitiField's kosher offerings are AMAZING (just like the Mets!)

Having eaten the treif sausages at the old Shea Stadium--the Kosher ones are as good or better tasting at CitiField--same peppers & onions and just delicious. The Pastrami dog--wonderful. Knish (instead of fries) probably a Gebalia or Oceanside Knish Factory. Paid $26.50 with a credit card for all that and a beer. It's the same price as the non-kosher food at Citi.

The key with brining (and with Kosher meat in general) is to try to get out any additional salt leftover from kashering. I recommend loading some ice and water into glass or metal bowl (plastic can be used but you want to keep the meat cold for safety's sake); submerge the meat and massage it a bit-this dislodges any larger pieces of salt and also dissolves salt stuck in the meat. Put the bowl and meat under cold running water. Rinse the meat and then put on a plate with paper towels to dry.

You've probably minimized the remaining salt at this point.

Now you are ready to brine. For poultry 12 hours is nice-more than 24 is way too much.

If you are still concerned you can reduce the amount of salt used but not so much that flavor is lost. Brining keeps the meat full of flavor, moist and helps break down connective tissue (tenderizing).

I use either veggie or chicken stock (Tabatchnik I think makes a nice kosher pour in stock) or chicken bouillon. I add in all sorts of spices, a lot of kosher salt and include a lot of paprika for poultry. I simmer it all up and when it has heated and everything has dissolved, I shock it with ice to help cool it quickly.

When safe, I put the brine into the refrigerator to get the temperature below 40 degrees (again, food safety).

Once cooled, I submerge the poultry or beef into the brine. I cover with plastic wrap and put on a cover if using a pot and back into the fridge.

I usually smoke the turkey or beef in either an offset wood/charcoal smoker or else in my cheap Brinkmann electric smoker. Either way, I am cooking slow and low until fully cooked.

For turkey or poultry I take pareve margarine and slice little patties which I stuff under the skin anywhere I can. This makes for golden skin and juicy flavor above and beyond the brine and keeps the outside from cooking too fast. Olive oil or other oil can be used.

After 3 hours I wrap the meat or poultry in foil to ensure it stays moist. I sometimes put it in a roaster pan.

No smoker? Don't worry-you can roast the brined meat. Start with a roaster pan and cook at 250 degrees (225 in a convection oven); if your oven has a roast mode, do the same. Keep the pan open for the first 3 hours and open the oven every hour to baste the poultry or meat in the juices after turning it over each time. If it's dried in the pan it is cooking too quickly. Lower the heat. You can also add some apple juice to the pan (just a little to cover the bottom and add moisture).

After three hours add some more liquid and cover the roasting pan creating a tent above the meat or poultry. The tent should be sealed all the way around the pan so moisture cannot escape but again, not so tight that the foil is right on the meat/poultry and loose enough to allow convection of the steam around the meat).

Enjoy. It's actually far less work than it sounds and you will have delicious, moist turkey/chicken or beef.

I don't know...I love Burger Bar in Cedarhurst. I like Cho-sen for Chinese (Great Neck is better) but Smokey Joe's is better than either. Don't even talk to me about King David-they have gone so far downhill in the last few years it's disgusting...

Some of the new Asian Fusion places are very good but again, I love Smokey Joe's over them.

I just had dinner at Tierra Sur tonight. Superb. Outstanding. One of the best meals of my life (I've eaten at some of the finest non-Kosher restaurants in the world in recent times before becoming shomer kashruth).

I started with kosher Kobe beef tartar with truffles, fresh shaved wasabi, ginger, parsley and some other yummy stuff...served with thin potato crips...

Reserve Herzog Red.

Rare kosher elk sirloin...real sirloin...kosher...taste--outstanding. Texture, like butter. I asked them how they got it so tender--that's just it's nature--no tenderizing. The whole elk is kosher-so the hind quarters produce delicious meat. Spoke with the Mashgiach about the Elk and the Kobe.

A non-Herzog kosher wine. Amazing.

Bread pudding for dessert with french press coffee.

Have an early tasting then eat to dinner. You can easily try 4 or more wines that way. You can also have 2 oz. glasses of wine so that you don't drink too much and can also, easily create your own flight.

Service was perfect. Wine choices delicious. Sampled before choosing. Pacing was perfect. I was able to finish slowly so I could sober up enough to be safe to drive. The smell of the smoker was delicious.

Prime Grill is a distant second and not near Tierra Sur's class. Few restaurants are. Outside of the location, the decor is perfect.

Gladstone's was great 2 years ago when I was there!

If you want to try a change, try Smokey Joe's:

http://www.smokeyjoesbbq.com/images/c...

Give Joe a call to discuss. He also does other catering.

Best,
Michael

PARKING: Can anyone tell me is there parking there? I'll go on Sunday with a cooler and some ice and load up to freeze!!

Is the Water St. Subway still Kosher?

I was in Las Vegas in September and tried Haifa Grill--great food--but not the service--not very fast..be patient!

Also went to Sababa--great Falafel--did not try the fleishigs there...real Israeli place...

Check the LV Chabad page and Elly below.

http://www.chabadlv.org/templates/art...

There are good pre-made sandwiches and salads at the Albertson's near Summerlin. Apparently I should have gone to the one in Henderson which was closer to my hotel and has a better pre-made selection including sushi!

Nesiah Tovah!

Michael

Outside of that Falafel place on Central Ave. and Cho-sen Village (or whichever Cho-sen it is), the Five Towns is pretty desolate for foodies. I'd argue that Great Neck has it beat.

I'd also argue that other than the price, you wouldn't know Smokey Joe's is kosher. Unfortunately that's the case in terms of price with almost all fleishig restaurants...considering what I paid for lunch at Mr. Broadway and Kosher Delight, I'd say Smokey Joe's is a bargain!

So I'll stand by the food rating and say until you get to the level of Prime Grill or Solo then it competes with Colbeh, Abigael's, La Marais and Tevere.

That is mainly due to the cuisine, not the quality because BBQ--no matter how well prepared, is not haute cuisine.

I agree with Hungry Jew below.

Michael

Okay--I FINALLY had a chance to go to Smokey Joe's last weekend with my wife and son. We were at a birthday party 2 blocks away in Teaneck and it was all Milchigs...

With the 9 days coming up it was good to enjoy some fleishigs... (By the way-they have a specially modified menu for the 9 days including fish-so if you need a break-it's worth the trip...)

Now for full disclosure, Joe of Smokey Joe's and I were college suite mates and I've known him for over 20 years...

That said--if I didn't like the food, I would keep my opinion completely to myself...however...here is what I wrote (edited slightly) to Joe after enjoying dinner there last Sunday:
--------------------------------

Love the BBQ. You do it right and I was proud to enjoy it!

Having tried treif BBQ in hundreds of cities and locations throughout this country-and world (South Africa, Israel, Egypt) and especially Texas, I know it was the real deal. The brisket, ribs & chicken were awesome. I'm not a big BBQ Chicken fan, but yours kicked it.

I love your rub-your creation! We've kept a kosher home since marriage and I've become shomer kashruth: love that you didn't go overboard with the salt in the rub-makes smoking kosher meat easy! I made steaks this week (mock filet (chuck tender) & minute) with the rub and it was delicious. I plan to smoke a gold tip roast (3 lbs.) that will be crusted in the rub to create a nice bark in the smoker. [My wife & son] loved the food too. I love that your chicken strips for kids was fresh!

---------------------------

The food was outstanding. It was the real deal for BBQ. I have 2 smokers in my backyard in addition to my grill. I know how smoked meat and ribs should taste and how they need to be prepared. I can tell you that it's authentic.

The price is very fair for kosher fleishigs and the portions just right.

The corn bread is amongst my favorite. I love chunks of corn. The size is right-didn't want to fill up!

We had the chicken wings (Ari's which are less spicy) we loved. The carnitas (meat open tacos) were okay but I'd order more entrees next time instead. We like to try a bit of everything so we mixed it up between appetizers and entrees.

The service was very attentive and the food was served hot and fast.

The dessert was to DIE for. The apple cobbler and the chocolate mousse were amazing--I can't believe they weren't milchig!

We even made a play date with the couple who sat across from us. They came from more southern New Jersey (we came from Long Island) and had their daughter and son with them. They enjoyed it very much as well.

Again, if I didn't like it, I'd post nothing at all. Buy some of the rub--put it on steak or chicken or ribs-well worth it!

Did I mention my wife is a South African born Texan and knows BBQ and Braai? She loved it and thought it was authentic and delicious as well.

Michael

This is all great news! I teach classes nearby at Adorama (the camera store) and although the majority of workers there are observant, I have not found any nearby kosher establishments.

This is perfect, on my diet and keeps me pareve :-)

Thanks!

Michael

Perfect! Thank you!

Michael

You should all look for Chuck Steaks, sometimes called a butcher's steak.

It's tender like a non-Kosher Filet Mignon but it is kosher. It's reasonable in price and great for grilling or pan cooking.

Hanger is great on the grill but marinate if first for up to 24 hours.

Michael

First off, from a tourism standpoint Le Marais is the area to go.

There are a bunch of Kosher restaurants but I have NO idea how good they are, nor their heschkochah, with the exception of the Jewish Museum which was excellent:

Kosher Restaurants

Musee de l'Art et d'Histoire du Judaïsme,
café on ground floor ( lunchtime and afternoons only )

Les Tables de la Loi - 15, rue Saint Gilles, Tél. 01 48 04 38 02.

Essen Bench - 8, rue Pavee, Tel: 01 42 71 50 00

La Piccola Strada - 5, rue des Ecouffes, Tel: 01-44-54-94-60

Contini - 42, rue des Rosiers, Tel: 01 48 04 78 32

L’As du Falafel - The most famous falafel to take away, rue des Rosiers

From:

http://www.parismarais.com/le-marais-guide/jewish-marais-rue-des-rosiers/index.

Here is a guide, again, I've not tried any; we didn't keep Kosher in our last trip to Paris (I do now, and we've always kept a Kosher home, so our next trip may be quite different, although I do eat fish and dairy out...

http://www.kosherinfrance.com/

Good luck and enjoy a most beautiful city...

Michael

I've not been to Solo but some non-Jewish co-workers took some kosher Hasidic clients to Solo and raved about it. They've also taken them to Prime so that's a good recommendation..

If it is 1/2 as good as the one I tried in Amsterdam, Netherlands, then it will be amazing!

This place is like an Israeli falafel stand (what else would you expect with a name Ma Oz?)

Michael

While I keep kosher, I am certainly not machmir enough, nor an authority to guide others...however, the Japanese president of my company was invited to a Satmar household for dinner.

Normally he would bring back treats from Japan such as candies or crackers, however, he realizes this is not an option.

Even with 8 boys, toys, I believe would probably be frowned upon as well...

So, I have been tasked to find acceptable kosher candy or treats for him to bring to dinner.

I do believe that Paskesz candies are produced by the Satmar, so I may recommend he bring Pareve candies since it will likely be a fleishig meal...

Can anyone offer any guidance/direction? I will call Paskesz on Monday and also some Satmar contacts I have....(I tried to call Paskesz after 1PM but, as I expected, they were closed already for Shabbes).

Thank you in advance!

Wishing everyone a Shabbat Shalom,

Michael

I unfortunately am visiting my father at the hospital.

I kept on passing the place as I went to visit him and made a mental note to stop there.

I finally went today and saw the Chow rating pasted in the window (The anti-Zagat?).

I tried the entree combo and it was delightful. While it comes off a steam table and I don't think you can customize the spice (maybe add to it) it was delicious and fresh. Went with the safe bet, a Chicken Tikki Masala to start. I'll try more later. Had the Patak and some Chickpeas. Came with fresh Na'an (delicious) and a Mango Lassi.

Highly recommended and can't wait to try more dishes.

Bonus: Halal and they also serve Goat!!

Yes, Shiso. It is nice to wrap the leaf around a piece of Sashimi with Wasabi and dip in soy before eating. Heavier fish such as Tuna or Salmon go great.

Thanks!

Michael

http://www.nissinham.co.jp/nwd/ is the address for Nissin.

For Kosher Salami:

http://www.chabad.jp/templates/articl...

Michael

Elite Pizza in Great Neck is great. As good as many non-Kosher pizzas. Try the eggplant and it is a real treat. Definitely better than La Pizzeria (a joke by comparison in my opinion).

Now has anyone tried Hunki's in Plainview (moved here 7 months ago and haven't tried it yet)?

I used to eat at the old one in Oceanside with my USY group but that was 20+ years ago and not that great as far as I can remember...

I drink the diet Dr. Brown's Black Cherry year round. I am hoping Shop Rite's home brand of Diet Black Cherry is KP as it is my second choice; otherwise I'll gladly jump to Dr. Brown's.

Maybe that's because Pesach is just around the corner and most preparation has probably begun in those food processing plants at Empire....just an idea...

Michael

I may have to take a drive to Queens from LI on Sunday to get some!!! And I was born in KGH by chance :-)

We "accidentally" left a few packs of Billtong in our suitcase last year when we came back from Jo'berg...OOPS!

I saw there is a Kosher butcher in Atlanta who makes Boerwors (spelling?) but no Driewors (spelling?) Anyone try it?

Any idea if they are related to the chain Ma Oz in Europe & the U.S.?