Kosher Dining Near You

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The Kosher Dining Experience:

by Paula Pellegrino - posted: 9/23/2009 1:12:23 PM          


    The Kosher Dining Experience: Enjoying a Kosher Restaurant Near You

For diners not observing the biblical dietary rules of kashrut, that kosher restaurant nearby might not make the short list of places to try around town. But, if led there by a bit of curiosity, it may be that those same diners will keep returning for some of the freshest, healthiest and most appetizing local cuisine.

Different from Jewish cooking, which includes dishes like brisket and blintzes, kosher fare is not defined by any specific ethnicity. The term covers any food permitted under Judaic law and preparation methods that food undergoes. Kosher food is found on Japanese, Thai, Ethiopian, Italian, Mediterranean and French menus.

Basic kosher rules are clear. Dairy products and meat are not served together and are never found in the same kitchen. Fish, a major component of kosher cuisine, is served with either meat or dairy, but plated separately from meat. Other kosher restaurants are strictly vegetarian, but vegetables are served in both meat and dairy establishments. No pork or shellfish is permitted; however, creations like “faux” crab cakes with avocado hash and remoulade sauce make the latter difficult to miss.

Chefs today create modern recipes drawing from various traditions and keeping pace with current trends. In one given restaurant, diners can face a menu that lists everything from Churrasco Steak and Chicken Pomodoro to Yellowtail Almondine and Chinese Fried Quinoa.

While style evolves, the quality associated with kosher food remains. Many non-observant diners choose kosher based on the superior ingredients used. Only products that meet exacting standards regarding raising fowl and livestock, butchering meat and cleansing vegetables appear on kosher plates. In times when worries about food contamination and inhumane industry practices are too common, the knowledge that one is consuming the most select items available makes food even tastier.

Additionally now, there is a first-rate wine selection to complement any meal. Kosher wine production has catapulted in recent years to levels quite competitive with its market counterpart. Labels like Teal Lake Chardonnay from Australia and an Italian Sangiovese Cantina Gabriele show how extensive lists are.

Who could forget dessert? Diners can conclude with sweet delights like chocolate passion cups or a custard-filled raspberry tart and depart their new favorite spot with the satisfied feeling that comes from a meal well-eaten.