Savor It!

Savor (2925 Avenue P; Brooklyn, NY 11229; Telephone: 718.338.1353), a newly opened dairy restaurant is off to a running start with a superb menu. It features Mediterranean and Asian dishes, each made in authentic, exacting manner without compromise.

A partial view...

SYR and I had the pleasure of eating here, mid-afternoon today. Lior Saiag, the Chef/owner graduated from the New York Restaurant School in 2000 and has since worked at some of the most prestigious eateries in town, under very demanding famous chefs in the city.

Savor represents sort of a coming home, where Chef Lior can provide the frum community with the exacting cuisine standards which, while de rigueur in the non-Jewish world, have not always been present in kosher restaurants. With a more sophisticated consumer, with a clientele no longer content with the standard fare of the past, Chef Lior family is bringing to Savor a rich and wholesome menu.

We started our meal with the in-house made bread and butter.

A light focaccia served on an oak board

SYR followed with Salmon Stuffed with Spinach and Feta, it comes with herbed orzo and a cherry tomato salad.

Salmon Stuffed with Spinach and Feta

The subtle blend of flavors was perfect match. While SYR, never cared for Feta cheese, combining it with with the salmon and the spinach helped her discover a savory dimension she never before experienced.

I had their Chilli Rubbed Grilled Tuna.

Chilli Rubbed Grilled Tuna

It came with buttery mashed potatoes and lemon scented steamed broccoli. The tuna tasted amazingly like a beef steak. As a potato lover, I found the mashed potatoes incredibly delicious and even the broccoli was delectable (my mother would never have imagined I could ever say such a thing about broccoli!).

A great meal at a restaurant with a very nice Mediteranean décor. The attention to detail in the presentation, in the cooking and in the appearance of the restaurant, make it quite obvious that this establishment represents a labor of love, a chef’s dream come true even as it constantly evolves.

CS

Brunch and Limmud

Yesterday – Sunday, the 18th of April – at Talia’s Steakhouse, [668 Amsterdam Avenue (between 92nd & 93rd Streets) New York; NY 10025; Telephone: 212.580.3770] Rabbi Yaakov Spivak spoke on the opening paragraph of Pirkey Avos and tied it in with today’s relationship between Israel and the US.

Rabbi Yaakov Spivak making a point...

Talking about the nature of the Spiritual World, Rabbi Spivak said: “The World To Come is a world of Chessed, kindness and concern for others. As much as Joseph’s brothers’ act of selling him may have been justified in the eye’s of some of the commentaries, the Zohar tells us that their souls were reincarnated into the ten great Rabbis of Rabbi Akiva’s time [tortured and murdered by the Romans], so that martyrdom would free them from what they did. Betrayal is the ultimate anti-Chessed act! That is why the sight of eighty percent of American Jews’ uninformed support for the White House’s attempt to restrict Israel from building in Jerusalem is so distressing.”

A partial view of the audience (of all ages) listening intently. Effie Nagar - Talia's owner, in blue shirt - sits against the back wall.

The food was quite good and fairly priced. What made it all the more attractive, however, was the 50% discount for anyone who attended Rabbi Spivak’s lecture. This lecture series will become a regular Sunday event starting on Lag Ba’Omer, which falls – this year – on May the 2nd.

Talia's Steakhouse's Executive Chef Executive Victor Naim and his Sous-Chef

Chef Victor, Talia’s new Executive Chef, combines 30 years of culinary experience with a passion and dedication that drives him to find the freshest and finest ingredients for the creation of his gastronomic delights.

CS

T-Fusion and “Dine in Brooklyn Week”

Always striving to provide great food at great prices, T-Fusion celebrates “Dine in Brooklyn Week.” Below is their new prix fixe menu:

“DINE IN BROOKLYN MENU”

(Please select one of each course)

Starter

House Salad
Mixed greens, tomatoes, Julienne cucumber, carrots, onions with balsamic vinaigrette.

Minestrone Soup
Clear chicken broth with fresh garden vegetables, chicken, and homemade pasta

Entrée

Roasted Boneless Prime Rib (10oz)
Boneless prime rib cut, steak seasoning, oven roasted with whipped Yukon

Oven Roasted Half Chicken
Bone-In roasted half chicken served with homemade yellow rice

Baked Tilapia
Baked filet with wine and herbs served with sautéed mix garden vegetables

Pasta Primavera
Pasta served with mixed veggies in a garlic & olive oil.

Dessert

Chocolate Banana Loaf Cake
Homemade chocolate chip & banana pound cake

Fruit Martini
Freshly cut fruit served in a cocktail glass

Sorbet
Mango/ Rainbow

$25 Per Person/ Plus Tax & Gratuity/ Cash Only/ Parties up to 8
March 15th –March 25th

T Fusion Steakhouse (3223 Quentin Road, Brooklyn, NY 11234 — Telephone 718 998 0002)

As we’ve already said on these pages, this is not only one of Brooklyn’s top restaurants, but it compares well with any Manhattan eatery. At this menu’s prices you are getting a real bargain!

CS

Glatt a La Carte

So, I’ve got to admit, I showed up to Glatt A La Carte (5123 18th Avenue; Brooklyn, NY 11204; Telephone: 718.438.6675) in Boro Park bearing preconceived notions of uber chulent-fresser waiters in bowties serving upscale Jewish chic, featuring ptcha in arbes parsley pesto and liver pâté in matzo taco shells, with huge mains of brisket and mashed potatoes in a pomegranate reduction sauce.

Nothing could be further from the truth! This restaurant was understated chic and welcoming. There were inconspicuous screen separators between some of the tables giving a sense of privacy and intimacy and tall lean white winter branches warmly lit from below against the back wall.  The waiters, detail oriented and attentive, gave an exemplary dinner service.  Chef Mark Green, a 10 year veteran of Glatt A La Carte, personally brought us the courses that unequivocally proved his superb talents and artistry of taste. It all further demonstrated, the coordinated organic time-lapse frame of a restaurant which, through the patient masterful guidance of owner Binem Naiman and Chef Mark combined,  has grown from the ordinary to the extraordinary, incorporating the traditional with  the contemporary.

I started the meal with a Butternut Squash Ravioli, the sauce consisted of roasted butternut squash, apple sauce, onions and winter sage. The ravioli were freshly made, the combination of spices gave an out of the ordinary perfect taste, rich in flavor and pleasing to the eyes.

Butternut Squash Ravioli

CS had a Spicy Tuna Tartar with a special avocado wrap.

Spicy Tuna Tartar

I followed with a Beef Brisket Spring Roll, served with red cabbage confetti slaw (red cabbage, finely sliced orange and yellow pepper and red onion) in a hickory BBQ sauce. It was the best brisket spring roll I ever tasted. I liked the hickory/honey sauce was on the side as it the well seasoned brisket stand alone on flavor. The bright colored confetti slaw was festive and tangy, a perfect partner to the brisket!

CS opted for the Grilled Veal Sweetbreads, served with rustic chimichurri sauce and parsley with home made garlic bread sticks and olive oil. The presentation was enticing, the flavor all conquering.

Next I had a Reserve Steak.

Reserve Steak

It was a rib eye steak, served with grilled onion and a tarragon béarnaise sauce. It was what every rib eye I ever consumed should have been, exploding with flavor, an exquisitely traditional ta’am.

CS had a Bone-in-Roast Prime Rib with the Columbian Rub (blend of fresh ground coffee and spices), served with Bourbon Aju and topped with crispy seasoned fried onions. It was super tender, juicy and flavorful. The coffee rub, brought out some unusual flavors (my mouth is watering as I write). It cut like butter. I don’t think I can rave enough about either of the steaks!

For dessert CS ordered a Plum Carpaccio.

Plum Carpaccio

This dessert came topped with mango and raspberry sorbet, it was served with molasses and honey… colorful and delicious!

But… I had the best of all. I ordered the homemade Angel Food Pinwheel, it was topped – in front of us – with a luscious, warm blueberry sauce. The cake came filled with whipped creme, decadently succulent! Perfect ending to a perfect dinner…

During the meal we enjoyed a very nice 2005 Segal’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. We accompanied our desserts with a glass each of 2008 Baron Herzog Late Harvest Chenin Blanc. Excellent choices both!

SYR

Abigael’s on Broadway

Abigael’s (1407 Broadway – at 39th Street, New York, NY; Tel: 212.575.1407) calls to mind the posh elegance of the bygone era where films like My Man Godfrey, with William Powell and Carole Lombard, were set. It is a classy, sedate and uniquely appointed restaurant. Yet… the simple but rich atmosphere and decor, are not all that attract the eye and whet the palate at Abigael’s… The dishes are inspired and delicious!

Partial view of Abigael's main dining room

I met Chef Jeff Nathan in the small private library (one of various party rooms at Abigael’s). There, amidst the Soncino Talmud and the Encyclopedia Britannica we discussed what precipitated his becoming a Chef. As a member of a generation where every Jewish parent dreamed of “my son the doctor” or “my son the lawyer,” Jeff Nathan journeyed against the grain and, after a stint in the US Navy, attended the Culinary Institute of America. Driven to transcend and surpass, as in all else he ever attempted, chef Nathan dominated the competition and graduated at the top of his class in 1980.

Since 1998 he has been the chef/host of PBS’ “New Jewish Cuisine, the only international gourmet Kosher cooking series, which is seen in four countries and translated into three languages.” He is also a kosher and restaurant consultant to various food and wine producers.

I started the meal with with Abigael’s Ultimate Sushi Platter which consisted of three sushi rolls.

Ultimate Sushi Platter presented with a soothing, drip fountain

The three rolls are: Tempura Trio (salmon, tuna, and fluke, tempura fried, with avocado, masago and scallions), Broadway (seaweed roll with tuna, yellow-tail and salmon, cucumber, avocado, Japanese dressing and masago), and Green Tea (yellowtail and avocado, topped with salmon, spicy tuna tartar and sweet wasabi soy sauce). Though fish and sushi are but a recently acquired tastes of mine, I did find the platter beautifully presented and deliciously toothsome to eat.

I then tried their Smoked Brisket Eggroll (Texas style, with barbecue vinaigrette and a chipotle potato salad). This dish fully demonstrates the creativity of Jeff Nathan as he metamorphoses the quintessentially traditional Brisket with a saucy bold new flavor and crispy exterior. Flavorful, as my mother used to say, ta’am fun ganeiden!

I followed that full flavored brisket with the Crispy Asian Chicken (crisp fried and tossed with spicy chile sauce, served with sweet and sour sesame-cucumber slaw).

Crispy Asian Chicken

Presentation was again an eyeful and the taste was quite savory.

A Latin American bred carnivore to the core, I loved the Argentine Smoked Short Ribs (house smoked rib tossed tossed with BBQ vinaigrette and chimi churri with scallion whipped potatoes).

Argentine Smoked Short Ribs

The ribs were succulent, heavenly smoked and spiced, cooked to tender perfection. The scallion whipped potatoes… just right!

Great dinner, in a great atmosphere, though missing Carole Lombard or Myrna Loy by my side, but life… isn’t perfect, could I really ask for more?

CS

El Gaucho Steakhouse

Walking into El Gaucho Steakhouse, (4102 18th Avenue; Brooklyn, New York 11218; Telephone: 718.438.3006) brought back many fond memories from my childhood in Montevideo, Uruguay. The authentic decor, the food, the aromas… ah…

A detail of the wall mural

The meal consisted of some favorites from my childhood and adolescent years… yeap, these dishes were just as good as I remembered them… maybe even better!

I started out with their Empanada Casera de Carne. A turnover with beef and criolla sauce and a salad. It has a crispy exterior, and a very flavorful interior.

I followed with a Chorizo Parillero.

Chorizo Parillero and the authentic ambiance at El Gaucho Steakhouse

It was juicy and very aromatic!

For the main I ordered their mock Filet Mignon.

This cut is made from the eye of the ribeye, I ordered it medium. It was served with potato puree and mushroom sauce, garnished with minced scallions and mixed vegetables.

For dessert, I ordered their cake of the day.

Chocolate Cake and Ice Cream

It consisted of a hot molten chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream with chocolate topping. A fitting crown for a meal filled with memories and tastes of yesteryear. A true delight for decadent pleasures!

I washed it all down with a very good 2006 Layla Malbec from the Mendoza region of Argentina.

El Gaucho Steakhouse has a well stacked cellar with a nice selection of Argentine, Italian, American, French, Israeli and Australian wines, all kept at the proper temperature.  Mr. David the owner got his education in a restaurant in Buenos Aires, Argentina. They have a large Argentinian parrillador (grill) on premises and the Chef himself is from Argentina.

The food was delectable, the memories came flooding amidst the decor and the aromas… I’ll be back!!

CS

Valentine’s Day Specials

T Fusion Steakhouse (3223 Quentin Road, Brooklyn, NY 11234 — Telephone 718.998.0002 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              718.998.0002      end_of_the_skype_highlighting). is extending their Valentine’s Day Special Prix Fix Menu through Tuesday, the 16th of February.

Chicken Lollipos

“Valentine’s Day Menu”

Please select one from each course:

STARTER

House Salad
Mixed greens, tomatoes, Julienne cucumber, carrots, onions topped with balsamic

Roasted Beet Salad
Arugula, roasted beets, red pepper, candied walnuts, and granny smith apples with cider vinaigrette dressing

Chicken Lollipops
Corn flake crumb crusted chicken drumsticks served with sweet & sour sauce

ENTRÉE

Cowboy Steak
(16oz)Bone-in prime rib cut with cowboy seasoning served with house fries & Garlic

Roasted Chicken
Half roasted chicken, slowly cooked, served with rice and mixed garden vegetables

Fillet Salad
Sliced filled steak strips served over romaine lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, and avocado topped with honey mustard dressing

Pan Seared Salmon
Served with fresh lemon and homemade yellow rice

DESSERT

Red Velvet
Layers of red velvet and non-dairy cream cheese Valentine’s Day cake

Duo Fondue
Perfect for the couple: array of fruits, and sweets for chocolate dipping

Chocolate Soufflé
Freshly baked and served with ice cream

Sorbet
Raspberry/ Strawberry/ Fresh Mint

$55 per Person plus Tax & Gratuity

Valid Until Tuesday Feb. 16th, 2001

***Complimentary Glass of Wine & Chocolate Covered Strawberries**

T Fusion Steakhouse
3223 Quentin Road, Brooklyn, NY 11234 — Telephone 718.998.0002

Mike’s Bistro

Mike’s Bistro (228, West 72nd Street; New York, NY 10023; Telephone: 212.799.391) is an elegant eatery serving wholesome, delicious gourmet fare. SYR and I recently enjoyed a great evening there.

SYR started with a delicious Portobello and Arugula Salad which came with Ceasar style dressing, drizzled with a port wine reduction, red onions, enoki mushrooms and fresh chives. The combination of two types of mushrooms and the port wine was incredibly flavorful.

I had a Beet Salad.

Beet Salad

It was made with roasted and marinated beet, shaved endives, chervil, candied walnuts, fresh orange slices and beet vinaigrette. It looked great and tasted better! I liked the contrast soft beets and the harder walnuts.

At Richard, the waiter’s, suggestion we then shared a Hawaiian Ahi and Citrus Crudo.

Hawaiian Ahi in Citrus Crudo

This Hawaiian tuna comes with shaved fennel and a citrus salad. Not only were the colors artistically combined, only a master chef using the freshest ingredients could have made such a perfect dish.

She followed with Braised Boneless Short Ribs

Braised Boneless Short Ribs

The ribs came with a barbecue glaze, cauliflower, and potato mash, braised kale, cilantro, and celery root sauce. Tender, juicy and full of flavor!

I had the Slow Roasted Lamb Chops.

Slow Roasted Lamb Chops

It came with freshly combined ratatouille, black bean puree, meyer lemon zest, aromatic spicy oil and cilantro. Flavorful and Juicy! Absolutely delicious!

SYR capped the meal with their Sorbet Sampler which came with a superb blueberry and cream, an interesting citron, an excellent raspberry, a great mango and very good passion fruit. I had the Sour Cherry, Bread Pudding. It comes with cherry and vanilla sauce, citrus segments and vanilla ice cream. Sweet without being overpowering, just perfect!

There are restaurants where the presentation is far better than the food’s taste, there are others where the taste is great but the presentation is mediocre. At Mike’s Bistro the presentation and the dish’ taste are just right!

CS

***UPDATE***

Mike’s Pizzeria Italian Kitchen (654 Amsterdam Ave; New York, NY 10025; Telephone:212.362.0700) will now offer fresh Sushi, FOR DELIVERY ONLY. Not the gimmicky type of rolls that look great yet give you nothing, but wholesome, healthy, fresh, nutritious sushi rolls. Call them, you won’t regret it!

China Glatt

We all know of that strange cultural phenomenon, the Jewish American fascination with Chinese food. Wanting to understand it, seeking some clues, I decided to try Boro Park’s venerable China Glatt (4413 13th Avenue; Brooklyn, NY 11219-2017; Telephone: 718.438.2576) where I found moderately priced, good wholesome Chinese fare.

I started the evening with Sushi, the choices were raw or cooked fish. I opted for cooked, and I ordered the Garden Dragon and the New Thirteen.

Garden Dragon and New Thiteen Sushi

One comes with mango on the outside with apple and imitation crab, the other is made with a spicy, pan seared salmon with cucumbers and avocado. Both dishes were appealing to the eye, delicious to the taste.

I then had Shmulk’s Pan Fried Wontons, named for one of the restaurant’s frequent customer’s  whose original recipe this was.  The wontons were filled with sweet and spicy chicken. I liked these wontons!!!

I followed with Empress Chicken, a less spicy version of General Tso’s Chicken.

Empress Chicken

Then I segued with the Singapore Chicken. This very good dish consists of grilled chicken sauteed with vegetables, bamboo shoots, mushroom, onion and pepper.

Afterwards I had the Beijing Beef with onion carrots and snow pea pods.

Beijing Beef

like everything else I’d eaten here, it was delectable! I finished the meal with a pareve cheese cake that tasted surprisingly good.

China Glatt has been at this same location – in the heart of Boro Park – for 15 years, considering the quality of the food I’m not at all surprised. As for my original motivation to try Chinese food, my search for clues as to the Jewish longing for it, I can only surmise that it must be the similarity between kreplach and wontons, lokshen and lo-mein.

I once heard a joke that perfectly encapsulates the Jewish love affair with Chinese food, considering the current Jewish year is 5770 and the Chinese just started their 5730th year, what did the Jews eat for 40 years?

CS

Noi Due

Noi Due – Us Two (143 W 69th St New York; NY 10023; Telephone: 212. 712.2222)… aah, the memories it brought back! Having traveled extensively through Italy, having taken in the aromas, this restaurant made me feel I had somehow magically returned to il bel paese. With its authentic decor, softly played romantic Italian songs… SYR and I knew almost from the moment we stepped in that the food would also have that authentic, simple, fresh taste. We were not disappointed!

As soon as we sat down they brought us a basket of home made foccaccia bread, with an oil dip. The bread had that fresh delicate scent that easily succeeded in whetting our appetite for what would come.

SYR stated her meal with a Minestrone, while I had a Zuppa di Pomodoro con Ricotta (Cream of Tomato Soup with a Ball of Ricotta).

Minestrone

The aroma of both soups, the simple country look, the freshness… mmmmMMMmm mmmMMmm! My tomato soup was a slight bit more orangeish than I had expected and that made it a greater feast for the eye. The combination of hot soup and the cold ricotta, brought two different flavors to perfectly complement each other. Somehow the contrast brought out both the soup’s and the cheese’s flavors in full force. The aroma of the fresh basil only enhanced the culinary experience.

SYR‘s Minestrone cooked to perfection, allowed her to taste each individual piece of vegetable. She loved it!

She followed it with a grilled Salmone which sat on a bed of potatoes and asparagus, it was topped with onion rings. Between the presentation and the aromas emanating from it it looked very enticing. She described the potatoes as very buttery, the salmon as delicate and not “fishy” tasting in the least, and the onion rings as just perfect.

Salmon with potatoes and onion rings

I had the Carcioffi Ripieni – Stuffed Artichokes. They came with artichoke bottom stuffed with fresh vegetables served in a lemon caper sauce. The flavor was just tart enough to enhance the vegetables without overpowering them.

We then shared a dish of Cheese Ravioli.

Cheese Ravioli with Gorgonzola and Parmigiano

The ricotta filled ravioli came with Gorgonzola, cream, walnuts, sprinkled parmigiano and spices. Being a cheese lover (wifey used to joke that I must have been an Italian mouse in another gilgul) the combination of the three cheeses was – as my mother used to say in yiddish – ta’am fun ganeiden, the taste of paradise!

The dishes went well with a delightful 2008 Goose Bay Sauvignon Blanc.

No meal at an Italian restaurant could be complete without a good cappuccino for me, and an espresso for SYR. Again, the aromas seduced us, and at least in my case this was one the best cappuccinos I ever enjoyed!

By six o’clock, this 40 seat eatery was filled to the gills. Service was prompt, the staff was friendly and enthusiastic, the portions were fair, the prices surprising low. Noi Due‘s motto is “poco ma buono – little but good.” They more than lived to it! We both enjoyed our experience there. We know we’ll be back, we have to!

CS