By Amber D. Walker
New York City has long been a major point of entry for immigrants. Except for Israel, the state of New York is home to the largest Jewish population in the world, according to JewishVirtualLibrary.org. Needless to say, New York City is home to hundreds of excellent kosher restaurants. Kosher food is prepared in accordance to strict Jewish dietary laws, although you do not have to be Jewish to make or enjoy kosher food.
Ben's of Manhattan
Ben's of Manhattan is an old-fashioned kosher deli. You can dine in or order takeout, and the deli also offers a children's menu. The restaurant serves such dishes as gefilte fish, fried kreplach, chopped liver, meatballs, stuffed cabbage rolls and potato pancakes. Ben's also offers baked knishes, which are pastries stuffed with such savory fillings as potato or spinach. The menu includes such sandwiches as hot corned beef, pastrami or brisket. Ben's also serves kosher burgers. Finish off your meal with one of the restaurant's fresh-baked desserts, which include cakes, cookies, pies and sorbets. The delicatessen offers a full-service bar.
Ben's of Manhattan
209 W. 38th St.
Manhattan, NY 10018
(212) 398-2367
bensdeli.net
Tevere
Tevere is not your typical kosher restaurant. According to the restaurant's website, the Jewish community in Rome is the oldest in the world, outside of Israel. "Tevere's kosher cuisine of Rome represents a style and tradition in food that has been greatly influenced by the way Rome cooks and eats to this day," according to Teverenyc.com. The Lattanzi family has owned and operated the restaurant since 1982. The menu includes such Italian dishes as fettuccine, tortellini, grilled salmon, veal scaloppine, ravioli, cannelloni and gnocchi. Tevere's offers wine, beer and cocktails. Tevere is open Saturday-Thursday. On Saturdays, however, the restaurant does not open its doors until an hour after sundown. Reservations are suggested.
Tevere
155 E. 84th St.
New York, NY 10028
(212) 744-0210
teverenyc.com
Chennai Vegetarian & Kosher Restaurant
Chennai Vegetarian & Kosher Restaurant also offers unusual kosher food. Chennai, which is a South Indian restaurant, only serves dishes that are 100 percent kosher and 100 percent vegetarian. During lunch, the restaurant offers an all-you-can-eat buffet. For dinner, patrons can select either the prix fixe special, which includes a choice of appetizer, entree and dessert, or diners can order a la carte. Chennai has an extensive menu, including samosas, paneer (cheese) dishes, soups, salads, breads, rice dishes, chutneys and such desserts as lassi, which is a yogurt drink, and gulab jamun, which is fried balls of dough served in a flavored sugar syrup. Chennai also serves traditional south Indian dosas, which are thin crepe-like creations made from rice flour and lentils, stuffed with different fillings and topped with coconut chutney. Chennai offers takeout and delivery. The restaurant also accepts orders via its website.
Chennai Vegetarian & Kosher Restaurant
1633 First Ave.
New York, NY 10028
(212) 831-1114
chennaitogo.com
Resources
About the Author:
Amber D. Walker has been writing professionally since 1989. She has had essays published in "Fort Worth Weekly," "Starsong," "Paper Bag," "Living Buddhism" and more. Walker holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Texas and worked as an English teacher abroad for six years.
