KosherSquared - April 2023
An exciting spate of restaurant openings in Flatbush, a review of Eyal Shani's Malka in NYC, the top 10 Jerusalem hotels, and 41 delectable kosher for Passover desserts.
A Renaissance For The Flatbush Food Scene, But Is It Sustainable?
While Brooklyn, in general, still has a very active kosher food scene and is only minutes away from world-class kosher options in its sister borough, Manhattan, the Flatbush neighborhood has been particularly hard-hit when it comes to kosher restaurant vibrancy. In particular, over the last two decades or so, with the immense Jewish population outflows to Lakewood and other communities, Flatbush has been seeing declines in its lineup of kosher restaurants. Therefore, we did not envision a sudden renaissance for the Flatbush food landscape. But that is what we are seeing indeed. Whether it is the return of the loved Israeli burger chain Burgers Bar to Coney Island, the hotly anticipated opening of MISHA at the old Wolf & Lamb location (also on Coney Island), or the opening of Fish Grill of LA fame (you guessed it - also on Coney Island). There have also been other less well-known entrants to the scene, such as Jersey Shore Sushi Co. as well as a chicken joint called Crunchy’s. While all of this is exciting, we can’t help but wonder whether all these openings are sustainable in light of Flatbush’s declining kosher demographic.
A Review Of Eyal Shani’s Malka NYC Restaurant
Eyal Shani, in the last few months, has really made a buzz in the kosher world. The Michelin-starred chef, historically of non-kosher restaurants, brought his first kosher outpost to the United States with Malka on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Shortly thereafter, he made his Miznon location on Broadway in Midtown kosher. (You can read our review of Miznon here.) To see for ourselves, we visited Malka NYC. In short, Malka is a fun spot with a unique vibe, but most of the starters were underwhelming, while the drinks and lamb were next level.
The Top 10 Best Jerusalem Hotels
Historically, Israel in general, but Jerusalem in particular, was not known as a destination offering the pinnacle of luxury in hospitality, or for that matter, solid options overall. Over the last decade or so, that has been steadily becoming less and less true. Now, as illustrated in our overview of the top 10 best Jerusalem hotels, there are a multitude of options ranging from luxurious boutiques and name-brand hotels for even the most discerning global travelers to quality, cheaper options for those looking for more budget-friendly Jerusalem hotels. For the credit card point aficionados, there are even some point hotel options throughout Israel, including in Jerusalem.
41 Delicious Kosher for Passover Desserts
With Passover beginning next week, preparations are in full swing, including dessert plans. Thankfully, gone are the days when desserts on Pesach were tasteless and subpar. Now, with the plethora of ingredients that are kosher for Passover, making desserts that taste "just like the real thing" but without being chametz is not as difficult as one might think. From flourless cakes to chocolate macaroons and fruit-filled meringues, Bon Appétit has 41 Passover dessert ideas to wow your guests at the Seder or otherwise.
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