Kosher Comfort Food at Ben’s Kosher Deli

Kosher Comfort Food at Ben’s Kosher Deli

Cole Slaw and Pickles

I must have had a Jewish grandma in a previous life because I love Jewish / Kosher comfort food.  My routine at Ben’s Kosher Delicatessen is to sit at the kitchen counter and watch the action behind the deli counter.  Four or five employees expertly work the slicers in the frenzied space.  Cases are filled with homemade pastries and desserts – Rugulach, Babka, strudels and pies.  All look delicious.  A special treat for everyone dining at Ben’s is the complimentary plate of creamy cole slaw and pickles.

Beef Brisket Sandwich

Ben’s has been serving delicious Eastern European food for nearly 40 years.  The menu is extensive and features client-favorites like chopped liver, beef tongue, stuffed cabbage, knishes and overstuffed sandwiches.  The chopped liver is rich, smooth as silk and delectable when served on Ben’s warm rye bread.  Of all the overstuffed sandwiches including pastrami, corned beef, chicken / egg / tuna fish salad, my favorite is the fatty (in a good way), tender, juicy beef brisket.  When paired with a house made soup, each sandwich can be served as a half, which is more than enough for most diners.

Matzo Ball Soup

I’ve sampled Matzo ball soup at many restaurants and enjoy Ben’s version very much.  The huge soup bowl is filled with tiny egg noodles and a giant Matzo ball.  The broth is rich and flavorful, the noodles ultra-soft (the one instance I want noodles not done al dente), and the Matzo ball is tender and light, like it should be.

For those looking for outstanding catering services, Ben’s an affordable, dependable and delectable option.

Ben’s opened its first location in Baldwin, NY in 1972 and has grown to six, full-service locations in Long Island, Queens, Manhattan and Boca Raton FL.  I feel fortunate to have a location right in the heart of midtown to visit for lunch.

209 West 38th Street

New York, NY 10018

http://www.bensdeli.net/

Ben’s delivers!

I Trulli – Cozy Spot in Midtown Manhattan

I Trulli – Cozy Spot in Midtown Manhattan

I Trulli

I Trulli

Greek food god Michael Psilakis highly recommended this place, especially the pasta and rabbit ragu dish, so I had to visit (plus, it’s a 5-minute walk from my office).

I lunched at I Trulli during New York Restaurant Week and was somewhat underwhelmed. Upon arriving, we were greeted with soft bread pieces and ricotta (instead of butter).  Great touch and quite tasty.

I had the braised octopus, calamari and black chickpea appetizer.  The dish sounded incredible but was just odd and sort of flat and flavorless.  As an entrée, I ordered the rabbit ragu pasta which was featured on Food Network as a “The Best Thing I Ever Ate”.  It was so mild that it came across as just bland…at best. The fact that I found two tiny bones in the dish was both a turn-off and dangerous.

My guest had the braised lamb shoulder with rapini and potatoes and he really enjoyed it.  The dish looked rich and decadent and its aroma was contagious.

For dessert, we opted for the ricotta cheese dish with chopped pistachios, chocolate, citrus rind and honey.  It was simple, refreshing and fabulous – the perfect end to a rich meal.

The space is beautiful, cozy and the outdoor patio looks inviting.  Just a very comfortable atmosphere with its huge fireplaces.  I’ll give it another try someday as I want to be fair, but this visit was a bit disappointing.

122 East 27th Street
New York, NY 10016

www.itrulli.com