KosherSquared - July 2024
The rise & fall of Patis Bakery, Falafel Tanami in the top 100 for two years running & now set to expand to Tribeca, kosher Wagyu beef in demand, the best kosher pizza, and a note on our classifieds.
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From Boom to Bust: The Rise and Fall of Patis Bakery as It Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
A once seemingly thriving kosher French-themed boulangerie, Patis, is now crumbling under the weight of its own rapid expansion, illustrated by its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. With multiple locations sprouting across New York and New Jersey, Patis initially captured hearts with its promise of artisanal flair. However, the swift scaling up, combined with a controversial decision to forgo on-site baking, has left the beloved bakery chain lacking the authentic “soul” that defines a true boulangerie. Now, this kosher brand that seemed on the fast track to ubiquity faces an uncertain future as it grapples with the consequences of its meteoric rise and subsequent fall.
Falafel Tanami Is In The NY Top 100 of 2024 For The Second Year & It Is Set To Open In Tribeca
Falafel Tanami, a modest “hole in the wall” falafel, hummus, and sabich joint at 1305 E 17th Street, off of Avenue M in Brooklyn’s Midwood, is in the New York Times food critic, Pete Wells’ “The 100 Best Restaurants in New York City 2024” for the second year in a row. Having already appeared in the 2023 ranking, we previously covered how Tanmai went from relative anonymity to having long lines and much fanfare to the extent we thought that perhaps quality had potentially degraded.
Now Tanami is set to imminently open a new location in the Tribeca neighborhood of Manhattan. The new Falafel Tanami Tribeca location is unique because it will be shared with Juice Press, which has a kosher certification. The corner shop is quite large, so fitting both Tanami and Juice Press is possible, and there is room for some seating, too. That said, for those who have visited the Tanami in Brooklyn off of Avenue M, it is a small operation that fits well with the general “falafel culture” of “grab and go” or a quick bite on the run.
Kosher Wagyu Beef In Demand
The rise of Wagyu beef in the kosher segment is reshaping the landscape of kosher dining and specialty butchery, driven by a blend of mass market appeal in part due to social media touting the meat variety and the burgeoning demand for gourmet experiences among kosher consumers. This luxurious beef, known for its exceptional marbling, tenderness, and rich flavor, has become increasingly popular in upscale kosher restaurants and specialty butcher shops. As kosher foodies become more discerning and seek out high-quality and unique culinary experiences, Wagyu has found a receptive audience eager to explore its nuanced flavors and textures, including from kosher vendors such as Holy Wagyu and Chu’s. This trend mirrors the broader gastronomic shift toward premium ingredients and sophisticated dining experiences, reflecting the evolving tastes of the kosher community.
However, the term "Wagyu" encompasses a range of beef qualities, adding complexity to its rise in popularity. True Wagyu refers to four principal Japanese breeds, renowned for their superior marbling and flavor, but there are also variations such as F1 Wagyu, a crossbreed of 50% Wagyu and 50% Black Angus. All Wagyu cattle originated from early twentieth-century crossbreeding native Japanese cattle with imported European stock, resulting in the distinctive characteristics prized today. As one of the most expensive meats globally, Wagyu beef's rich marbling – streaks of fat within – ensures tenderness and adds flavor, making it a sought-after delicacy.
The Best Kosher Pizza
It would be hard to argue that there is a more age-old and pressing question than who makes the best pizza in the world, particularly in the booming “pizza culture” of the United States, and, in the context of kosher food, question swirl about who makes the best kosher pizza. Tablet Magazine has gone far enough to ask whether kosher pizza is even good. Some have made it a holy mission to find the best pizza, whether kosher or not, such as El Pres (aka David Portnoy of Barstool Sports), and even created an app, ONE BITE, to track the rankings. We enjoy Portnoy’s rankings and reviews and put significant weight behind them as he is after one of the most well-known pizza aficionados and has arguably tasted more pizza around the globe than any other human.
A Note On Our Jewish Classified Listings
We are in the beta though unofficial launch phase of our Jewish classifieds offering focused on three key categories:
With our core focus on updating and connecting the Jewish community with offerings in the travel, hospitality, and lifestyle space, these three classified listing categories help us achieve our goal of making KosherSquared a central platform for not only news but also opportunities to live more adventurous, interesting, and fulfilling lives. After all, travel, the place where a person lives, and their job are three of the most important and fulfilling aspects of a person’s life.
We look forward to further growing the offering.
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