Going to the Chuppah…
Wednesday, May 19th, 2010
Hey Everyone. Just a note to let you know that I’m getting married this weekend and then I’m off on the honeymoon for a few weeks, so don’t expect any updates here until mid-June. Don’t worry, we’re doing the out of towner dinner at Caplansky’s, and there will be grilled Chicago 58 salami sandwiches at the reception. I lost out on the stuffed gefilte carp though. That one didn’t fly.
Celebrate Shavuos with Blintzes, Dawn, and Rolled Beef
Friday, May 14th, 2010
Shavuot is coming next week, and there’s a lot to celebrate this weekend.
Traditionally, this is when Jews, those of the lactose intolerance, go wild on dairy. What better way to get down with it all than some delicious blintzes. Tablet has an article all about the search for perfect blintzdom, like these beauties above. Here’s a taste:
In time, a few broad categories of blintz emerged. One common variety—large as a jumbo hotdog and amply stuffed—is represented at Junior’s in Los Angeles. Burrito-shaped, these blintzes have a well-seared, browned exterior, which plays nicely off the thick, sweet but not cloying, farmer-cheese filling. Similar in shape, but even bigger are the blintzes at the classic kosher lunch counter in New York’s East Village, B&H Dairy. They are incredibly crisp, almost crunchy, with a particularly savory exterior counterbalanced by an especially sweet cheese interior. I also found equally large, but far less crispy blintzes, like those served up at Zaidy’s in Denver. With a paler, chewy pancake, this school of blintz is more like a steamed bun than a fried eggroll. At each restaurant, an order of blintzes makes a meal, especially if you consider they’re topped with berry preserves or sour cream, since nothing goes better with a cheesy filling than a heaping spoonful of more dairy.
Finally, there are the incredibly light, feathery blintzes, which most closely resemble crepes and approached the fabled translucence of Grandma Anna’s bletlach. The finest I sampled of this ilk were at Veselka, the stalwart Ukrainian diner in New York City, where the blintzes are folded into a simple triangle lest they crumble in more intricate preparation.
If you’re in the Bay Area this weekend, you should definitely pick up tickets to Dawn, the late night Shavuot party put on by Reboot, featuring Sandra Bernhard in conversation; Russian Debutante’s Handbook author Gary Shteyngart; a live performance by the inspirational band Fool’s Gold; local author Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket) slinging Jewish cocktails and more… 7:30 PM California Academy of Sciences
And if dairy ain’t your thing, head out to Rego Park, Queen’s, to kosher delicatessen Ben’s Best. They were recently hailed as having the best pastrami sandwich in the city, and Jay Parker, the owner, just emailed to tell me that the elusive rolled beef has just arrived and is going fast!
Food Bank Fundraiser at Ben’s
Tuesday, May 4th, 2010
And now, let’s talk about a really good cause. On Thursday night I’ll return to Ben’s Kosher Deli in Manhattan (scene of the great deli book launch), for a special fundraiser on behalf of the Food Bank for New York City. There will be the usual Ben’s treats, and I’ll be talking about deli for the first time since the James Beard Award, and the last time before my wedding. So come out and support a great cause, eat some great food, and wish me well in the married life. I’ll need it.
You can buy tickets here. $50 each. All proceeds go to the Food Bank.
Kenny and Ziggy’s on Diner’s, Drive-In’s, and Dives
Monday, March 22nd, 2010I know I should have posted this ages ago, but it came out when I was on book tour, and someone finally sent me the link.
If you are near Houston (and soon to be Dallas) and haven’t been to Kenny and Ziggy’s, check it out.
A Whole Lotta Stuff
Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
photo courtesy of the Tribeca Trib
Well hello there, long time no see.
Yeah, I’ve been a bit absent lately, traveling in the past two weeks to Toronto (wedding planning), Whistler (skiing), and Florida (deli talking). Got back to New York yesterday, and headed straight for the James Beard House, where the Schmaltz to Remember dinner was a tremendous success. Many thanks to all who participated and helped organize last night. You’re all mentsches!
Now, because so much deli related news and stuff has piled up, I’m just going to run through it all today. Hold onto your mustard.
First off, the Brooklyn by way of Montreal upstart Mile End has earned the title of Best Deli of 2010 from New York Magazine:
Mile End, the barely open, instantly overrun Canadian-Brooklyn oddball, has already, in its infancy, reinvented the venerable form. This is a deli for locavores, a deli for the next generation of deli lovers, with a respect for tradition contemporized by a rare premium on great, fresh ingredients, cooked from scratch, smoked and pickled in-house, served with an unfamiliar (in the deli world, anyway) smile.
A few weeks back, I set out on a little mission with my friend, and journalist, Saki Knafo. He was writing about me for the Tribeca Trib, the neighborhood’s premiere paper, and we set off to find Jewish foods south of Canal St. Not an easy task, let me tell you. But after some decent appetizing at Zucker’s Bagels and Smoked Fish, we hit paydirt with the stellar matzo ball soup and knish at Izzy and Nat’s, in Battery Park City, which opened over a year ago. And then we capped it at an old favorite of mine, Amazing 66:
Finally, it was time for a visit to that most sacred of Jewish culinary destinations: Chinatown.
“All Jews love Chinese food,” Sax declared with rabbinical authority over a plate of pastrami-fried rice at Amazing 66 on Mott Street. According to Sax, the restaurant was founded by an accountant who spent a life-changing lunch hour with a Jewish colleague at the Second Avenue Deli. Sax pinched a pink speck of meat between his chopsticks and held it aloft, as though to punctuate a point. “Chinese food and deli,” he said. “The ultimate Jewish meal.”
By the way, if you want to hear me speak downtown, I’ll be appearing in conversation with Food Maven Arthur Schwartz, next wednesday March 24th, at the Museum of Jewish Heritage. BUY TICKETS HERE
Now for some sad news. Not one, but two delis have recently closed.
First, Bloom’s Delicatessen, in Westchester, NY, has a “For Rent” sign in the empty window of their plaza, though oddly enough, their website is still running, and still awesome. Hopefully they’ll be able to reopen soon.
Second, Florida’s Deli Den has been forced to close after a dispute with the landlord. This was one of the last holdouts to serve the early bird special, and I spoke with Vered, the owner, a few years back. But keep holding your breath, because she intends to reopen somewhere nearby. READ ABOUT IT HERE IN THE SUN SENTINAL
But don’t fret too much deli lovers, because the unstoppable Ziggy Gruber apparently has a letter of intent to expand his Kenny and Ziggy’s empire into Dallas. Says the Dallas Observer:
“We have a letter of intent with the landlord, a nonbinding letter of intent,” he tells Unfair Park this afternoon. “They sent it, we went it back with the terms. We’re technically in negotiations now. We haven’t sat at the table. This is preliminary stuff. We’ve expressed interest in the spot, but the ball’s in the landlord’s corner, and it’s up to him. That’s all I can tell you. We’re waiting for the landlord to tell us.”
And finally, here’s a little number that was sent to me by a whole bunch of you. Recorded at a synagogue not ten blocks from where I grew up. Sorry, the sound is fairly awful:
It’s good, but this is clearly the king:
Vote for Mile End
Monday, March 1st, 2010
I had a fantastic lunch at Mile End on Saturday, and have to say that they’re really hitting their stride. The place was packed, the bagels are now abundant and brought in each Saturday from St. Viateur, and the food was spot on. I tried the chive and potato latke with the homemade gravlax, plus the Ruth Wilensky (always stellar), and the smoked meat, which seems to be improving. They’ve solve the space problem with a nearby prep kitchen, so the meat shortage should be a thing of the past.
All this, and more, is reason enough to vote in Time Out New York’s reader’s choice awards, where Mile End is nominated in the category of “best new sandwich”. Click here to show the kids your support.
Olympic Weekend Roundup: The Saul’s Talk, Commentary, More Haiti Help
Friday, February 12th, 2010Oh Canada, our home and native land…
Sorry folks, all caught up in pre-olympic fever, but don’t worry, I’m not going to draw some convoluted line to the Vancouver Olympics and deli. Though if you ARE in VanCity for the next two weeks, consider checking out the local delis; Kaplan’s Star Deli (pictured above) and Omnitsky’s Kosher Deli for your fix.
Now, let’s get down to business.
Tuesday night saw the much anticipated Berkeley sustainable deli panel conversation take place, without any major fireworks, or mustardworks. Thought provoking. Check it out below. (more…)
Shabbat Shalom with the MJE at Mendy’s
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010Hey everyone. This Friday I’ll be hosting a shabbat dinner with the Manhattan Jewish Experience at Mendy’s Kosher Delicatessen.
7:00 PM at Mendy’s Kosher Deli
61 East 34th Street (Park Ave)
Cost: $36 (includes a full kosher dinner)
You can’t buy tickets at the door, so please order online.
Katz runs for LT Gov and Washgal’s Brisket in DC
Thursday, January 7th, 2010Two cool pieces from news reports that are damn interesting today:
Photo credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell/AMERICAN-STATESMAN
First, Marc Katz’s, the brass, bald owner of Katz’s Deli in Austin, Texas, is running for Lieutenant Governor of the Lone Star State.
Seriously.
Says the Austin Statesman:
Austin deli king Marc Katz said Wednesday that his family would pour millions of its own money into his campaign for lieutenant governor.
How many millions? That detail Katz will announce Friday, he said before filing the paperwork with the Texas Democratic Party to run for the party’s nomination.
So far, the only other Democrat to file for the statewide seat is former Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle, who Katz complimented as a top-notch candidate.
The eventual nominee will likely face Republican incumbent David Dewhurst in November.
Katz directed his harshest criticism at Dewhurst, rather than his primary foe, and jokingly unveiled a new sandwich named after the incumbent.
“The Davey Dewhurst sandwich is very starched, very white bread stuffed with baloney,” Katz quipped.
Yep, that’s Texas for you. Too bad this came two years after writer and “Texas Jewboy” Kinky Friedman ran for Governor.
Photo credit: James M. Thresher For The Washington Post
And in the political capital of the nation, a seriously interesting sandwich is available at Washgal’s, based, apparently, on Montreal Smoked Meat, though braised in wine! (more…)
Chappy Chanukah…now let’s sell some books!
Friday, December 11th, 2009
Latkes at Kenny and Zuke’s, in Portland
First off, let’s light them lights and eat some latkes, because it’s Chanukah again, and despite what David Brooks says, we’ll celebrate anyway (interesting article though).
Now tonight and for the next eight nights, the gifts will be given, and I’d be foolish not to beg you all to consider a few copies of Save the Deli as a gift. Know a deli lover? Know a pastrami perfectionist, corned beef confucious, or brisket babe? Why not give them the gift that hits them right in their hearts and minds.
CLICK HERE OR ON THE BANNER ABOVE TO BUY THE BOOK FROM A VARIETY OF ONLINE RETAILERS
But I also want to reach out to all the deli owners I know and love across this great continent. A few months back, many of you received an advance copy of the book from the publisher, with instructions on how you can order and sell copies of Save the Deli in your own delicatessens. This not only helps me sell books and keep them visible to deli customers, it also provides a great opportunity for you delis to promote yourselves (especially if you are featured in the book), and also make a profit. Unlike most stuff you sell, these books won’t shrink during preparation, won’t go bad after a week, and carry a hefty profit margin (50%). You can use them as enticements for holiday catering orders, or gifts for clients and customers.
A few of you have placed orders and sold books, but many more of you sheepishly admit to losing the ordering instructions, or having trouble with the credit process. So I’ve talked to the publishers (Canada and US) and have simplified instructions below.
In both countries there are two options to buy and sell Save the Deli:
A) Delis can order books on consignment (being able to send back any unsold merchandise). This requires a credit check and application, as the books will be lent out.
B) Delis can purchase books via credit card at a discount and sell them at whatever price they see fit. These cannot be returned, but require no application or credit check.
USA: with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt all you need to do is submit your State Specific Retail Certificate (this is only open for retailers, not personal orders) and a credit card number. It requires a minimum order of 10 books. The discount from the retail price ($24.00) breaks down as follows; order 10+ books and get a 46% discount ($12.96 per book), order 25+ books and get 50% off ($12.00 per book). All shipping is handled by the publisher.
To place an order, please contact:
Ryan Kelly
Specialty Retail Sales Manager Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ryan.kelly@hmhpub.com
617-351-5748 phone
617-351-1185 fax
Canada: with McClelland & Stewart/Random House, delis need only complete a credit card order form. The minimum order is 7 books, and the discount from retail (CAD $32.95) is 40% plus GST ($20.76 per book). Again, Random House Canada pays all shipping and handling to your deli/store.
To place an order, please contact:
Marlene Fraser
Director, Special Sales Random House of Canada Limited
mfraser@randomhouse.com
Tel: 905-214-6485
Fax: 905-624-6217
And now, the bard of the Hebrews, Neil Diamond, will take it all home.
