Natural Village Cafe

Warm, welcoming, classy, delicious… these four words give us a faint idea of my impressions of Natural Village Cafe (2 Avenue I – across from Shoprite Supermarket – Brooklyn, NY 11218; Tel: 347.492.5337 or 347. 417.6424). The restaurant is cholov Yisroel and pas Yisroel, with a mashgiach temidi and under the certification of Harav Meir Goldberg of the Va’ad Hakashrus d’Flatbush.

Upscale atmosphere, organic fare, beautiful and healthy in every possible way...

Nina Shapir, who presides over this eatery is truly a fascinating personality, the personal journey that changed her life and motivated her to open this establishment is full of commitment and dedication.

Fourteen years ago, Mrs. Shapir – a very young mother of three – found herself sick and unable to move, unable to cope. It was not a question of being financially overwhelmed, any such concerns were well taken care of. Medical tests and treatments produced no positive results, on the contrary things inexplicably kept getting worse. She met Harav Chay Azoulay, from Herzliya, who told her the real malady was not physical but rather one that affected her neshama. After some thought, trying to make sense of Rav Azulay’s words, she went on a detox diet with the help of healthfood stores, intent on ridding herself of all negative energies. This decision was followed by six very hard weeks before she saw any measurable improvements but soon after she was her old active, curious, intelligent, enterprising self again.

At this stage, Nina decided to help others who, though similarly afflicted, may not be aware of the real source of their health troubles. She went on to study Healing Arts at The School of Natural Healing in Utah from which she graduated. Seven years ago her first organic restaurant opened its doors. Her partner, however, was not frum and it proved frustrating eventually Nina bought her out. In 2008 she moved to the present location which combines her personal philosophy, her exquisite sense of aesthetics and the true love of a foodie for superb fare. She also has an an office adjacent to the restaurant where she treats the many in search of natural healing.

The restaurant sports geometric patterns on its walls and ceiling, with warm earth tones that give us a clue to the owner’s style and personality. Chef Bobby Brabaloni is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America – America’s foremost Culinary School – a fact which becomes obvious when you see the presentation, smell the aromas and taste the wonderful flavors.

My companion and I started our early dinner with a dish of Stuffed Mushrooms…

Stuffed Mushrooms

It consists of white mushrooms with sauteed onions, creamy pesto sauce, melted mozzarella and feta cheeses with a kick of chopped parsley. It was a perfect opener to a memorable meal.

We segued with their Village Pizza…

Village Pizza

It came in a sesame crust, red onions, mushrooms, two types of mozzarella cheese and their very own red sauce. I know pizza, I’m a pizza addict and I must confess this one ranks among my favorites. My companion also found it delicious.

Next we had their Salmon Salad…

Salmon Salad

A superbly tasting salad fresh romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, grilled salmon, pan sauteed red inions, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms with a subtle teriyaki sauce. A fitting crown to our meal!

Wholesome food, warm ambience, reasonable prices, a nice bakery on premises… I know I’ll be back again and again.

CS

Summertime, and the Cruisin’ is Easy

Summertime, vacation time! You’ve worked hard all year, saved up a few dollars and you just need to get out of town, leave behind the oppressive heat, relax a bit at sea. But… that’s not always been so easy for a frum yid… Well, it is now!

There are a few companies offering Glatt Kosher Cruises and Tours. Kosherica has their Music Festival at Sea, Summer 2010 (August 1-8),  what an opportunity to chill, what an opportunity to recharge your batteries away from the hassle and bustle of the city, amidst performances by Dudu Fisher, Avraham Fried, Lipa Schmeltzer, Cantor Yitzchak Meir Helfgot and more.

The all-inclusive package will travel the waters of the Atlantic Ocean to Canada and New England, with ports of call in Maine and Novia Scotia. The ship will leave and return to port in Bayonne, New Jersey, allowing tri-state area residents the convenience of a local port of call.

Kosherica, a family-run organization, is the leader of glatt kosher cruises since 1992, with family members on every cruise to ensure the best and signature Kosherica quality possible.

Those who book passage on Kosherica’s Jewish Music Festival at Sea will be experiencing world-class luxurious accommodations; daily minyanim and shiurim by Rabbi Steven Weil and Stephen J. Savitsky of the Orthodox Union; incredible gourmet food that is both glatt kosher and chalav yisrael; and all to a live soundtrack of the best in Jewish music, with world-class entertainers from a variety of music genres that run the gamut of Jewish music.

Offy Schiffman, Kosherica’s Culinary Director, stated, “The whole point of going on a Kosherica cruise is to experience a five star luxury vacation that has world class glatt kosher gourmet cuisine, which is very rare. Additionally, Kosherica cruise passengers can travel and see the world in style, rather than staying stationary their whole vacation. Finally, considering the all-inclusive price that covers amazing luxury ocean-liner accommodations, strictly kosher food, and entertainment, it’s really one of the most affordable ways to take a vacation.”

“Nu, so what’s on the menu,” you ask? Kosherica’s food, as always, will be top-notch, carefully prepared to the highest caliber by culinary teams trained by Chef Arik Porat, of the Dan Arcadia in Israel. Dishes will span international cuisine and include grilled rib-eye steak; rack of veal; duck l’orange; eggplant gratin; lasagna Florentine; moussaka; risotto; and vegetarian paella. There will be fish and vegetarian options for the entrée at every meal for those who do not eat red meat, and special requests – such as no salt or low fat – will be honored.  Everything on the menu will be glatt kosher and chalav yisrael, and supervised by expert mashgichim. Wifey may be an excellent cook, the restaurants in the city are great, but such mouth watering offerings while the whole family is relaxing at sea? What could be better?!?!?

As for the cruise’s main attraction, Jewish music will permeate the air at every turn, with concerts by Fisher, Fried and Schmeltzer, all veteran performers who engage the audience and ensure a rousing time is had by all. Helfgot, Benzion Miller, and Daniel Gildar, all celebrated cantors, will participate in an exciting concert that will add an element of awe-inspiring liturgical music into the cruise as well. I’ve heard all three, each has a unique quality to his voice, each has his unique musical interpretations; each will stir your heart!

Finally, as if that wasn’t enough to satisfy the most demanding vacationer, the ship will make stops in Portland and Bar Harbor, Maine the Bay of Fundy at New Brunswick, and Halifax, Novia Scotia. All sites are rich with history, replete with museums, lighthouses, art galleries, and the rustic beauty of nature at its finest. Exploring these seaside villages offer an extraordinary experience on land, which are perfect to complement the adventures at sea.

Passengers from the previous Kosherica Jewish music cruise called it “the best vacation of my life”; “like a five-star Jewish version of Woodstock”; “on a scale of one to ten, ten being the best, this vacation was a ten-plus”.

Kosherica’s Jewish Music Festival at Sea is the perfect getaway for groups, couples or families. For more information, visit http://www.kosherica.com or call 877-724-5567.