ETC Steakhouse

  

I went out with my wife to ETC Steakhouse in Teaneck this past week.

ETC makes you proud to live in Teaneck. I must admit that when it first opened I gave it six months. I figured, who would want to spend those prices for a Teaneck steakhouse when you can go to the top tier places in NYC for only 15% more.

Boy, was I wrong.

The first thing they did right was run some massive online coupon promotions. They participated with every known provider and gave some serious shekels off the bill. That brought them instant cash flow (since you prepay for them) to make sure they have a spotless, immaculately renovated restaurant.

Their menu is concise and ever changing. The staff is young, but professional. They are well groomed, identically dressed and they actually look like they care. It's not the standard Israeli girl with a low cut shirt and 4 earrings doing you a favor in between chatting with her friend at the register (see Sushi Metsuyan if unsure).

The place was packed and people were turned away. I didn’t recognize many of the people in there, and thought I smelled a little Monsey, which is how you know it's doing well when people travel to Teaneck to pay those prices.

Many people have told me they like ETC because it is the same quality as the top tier NYC shops without the schlep, tolls, gas, parking and 2 more hours on the babysitter clock. Add that to the coupon and you’ve got a great meal at a great price.

A warning - stay away from the “fillet.” It's a generic piece of meat with little flavor meant to appease the picky people. If you want to taste some great food, go with the favorable three peppercorn steak. Anybody who eats there knows that the chocolate ribs are a must.

The dessert menu is one of the best around for a meat establishment. Not only that, the chef changes up that part of the menu too. No need to stare at the same cement based cake on the menu any longer!

One other disappointment - can it kill them to have some more diet drinks on the menu? Thanks for offering Dr Brown’s, but did you know they sell diet too?

ETC Steakhouse-

http://www.etcsteakhouse.com/

201-357-5677, Palisades Avenue, Teaneck

Guest Post- Prime KO Japanese Steakhouse, Upper West SIde

This is my busiest week of the year (7/31 deadline). I had a great meal at ETC Steakhouse last night with my wife and I will write about it tomorrow. Until then, see this Rockland County guest blurb re Prime KO, Prime Grills upper west side steakhouse.

The venue was overpriced with small portions and no side-dishes come with the entree (except 1/2 a broiled tomato and some bitter Japanese lettuce herbs).

We shared a salad for app and had steaks (I had the 60 day aged 14oz and she had 8oz, turned to 4.5 oz after grill).

We left hungry and I wanted to go to Abigails for dinner following our meal.  Though the ambiance was classy and the waiter was helpful explaining the Asian dishes, I would not go back.

Guest Post- Prime Grill (it was only a matter of time...)

Guest Post from Upper West Sider

The Prime Grill has maintained its renowned name as the premier Kosher steakhouse in NYC for a number of years.  Now, with the “Prime Hospitality Group’s” expansion – Prime KO, Solo, upcoming Prime Butcher, etc. – it’s clear that they have the right idea.  With its Plaza District location, conveniently situated down the block from Saks Fifth Avenue, it’s literally at the epicenter of one of the most financially concentrated 2-mile circumferences in the world.

I always have a difficult time justifying going to Prime Grill.  At $150 a head, at least, $45 to park my car and to still barely hear what the person next to me is saying, it’s not a top NYC restaurant choice for me.  But, at 6PM on a summer Sunday, it provided a different experience.

I was pretty shocked when the menu were placed in front of me.  Prime Grill still had those SAME light blue menus that they’ve had for YEARS?  Oh, and they’re binding is reinforced with gray masking tape.  Seriously?  I’m sorry, but masking tape and the price tags that are listed inside is just an oxymoron.

As always, the BBQ Duck Spring Rolls and Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna appetizers are unmatchable throughout the island.  The bread they serve on the table is good, but nothing to write home about.  Although, all bread tastes better with a glass of wine and some olive oil.

For the main, I decided to splurge and go for the famed New York Rib at $82, which supposedly is “dry aged for 60 days.”  The steak was definitely tasty and the warm steak sauce on the side was excellent, but it was not much better than a top of the line steak at any other greater NY area Kosher eatery.

Deserts were fantastic.  Tiramisu was something to rave about and you never go wrong with warm apple cake and a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.

Service was excellent, but the person I was with goes to Prime Grill 3 times in a bad week, so my service gauge was biased.

All in all, Prime Grill is an excellent steakhouse (the “Kritic” may disagree, but they’ll chime in on their very special experience – hopefully – at a later point).  You need to know what times you can go so it’s not too packed and be prepared to refinance your home.  There are definitely comparable steakhouses that are a fraction of the cost and more convenient as it relates to parking and availability, but only Prime Grill has that “name brand” effect that many people are after.

Oh, and Prime Grill – get new menus, please!

Guest Post: Q Cumbers in the Five Towns

(Wonder if the FIve Town women also tell their husbands how busy they are doing the day like they do in Teaneck. After all, the lines to some of these stores can be worse then the FDR drive at rush hour. Have some pity!)

Okay – so we got ANOTHER lunch place for the ladies who lunch.  And there are many…. But this isn’t just another one another one, actually.  Qcumber’s was originally just down the Avenue, in Woodmere, where it sat quietly and unobtrusively.  The new location, down Central Avenue at the end of the commercial part of Cedarhurst, provides a whole new crowd of customers.  The Cedarhurst side of Central Avenue is far busier and home to the “ladies who lunch”.  Qcumber’s has the usual array of omelets, wraps, pizza, Panini, soups, salads and coffee drinks, albeit some very interesting ones, but their claim to fame, their door buster is the, wait for it “CREATE YOUR OWN SALAD”.  I am not being facetious.  This salad is the fave of all salad fans (and dieters/nutrionists alike).  You start with a choice of romaine, iceberg or baby spinach and then the toppings are endless.  And let me tell you, the choices at Qcumber’s are varied, unique and fresh! (try the grilled veggies….)  now, this isn’t the only place in town where you can get the “CREATE YOUR OWN SALAD”, but is the fastest, most efficient and freshest one out there! (and there are 22 dressing choices – enough to please even the most picky lady who lunches…)

Guest Post- Crunchies in Woodridge NY ("Upstate" for all of us Jersey people)

So it seems that the thursday night scene has picked itself up from Woodbourne and plunked itself down in Center1. For those of you not familiar with Center1 it is a strip mall in Woodridge NY that houses Buy Rite supermarket, Strauss Bakery, Wigs by Penina, Toys 4 U, Crunchies, and Purple Pear North. This past Thursday night you found Na Nachs selling flowers, girls and boys trying not to mingle for fear of getting kicked out of camps/schools, Chassidish families of at least 8 kids in tow buying groceries, and regular people like me trying to get a bite to eat.

Crunchies is the 'scene to be seen.' In addition to their regular menu they also sell Pomegranate dips, salads, and cold cuts for Shabbos. We walked in and the line was to the door. The line moves pretty quickly, especially since you're schmoozing with people you know since everyone is there. The menu consists of different type of shnitzel subs and sandwiches, salad platters, plain chicken platters, sides, and specials. I was a bit disappointed as they did not have any of their specialty drinks which the cashier said 'is coming soon for the summer.' According to my calendar the summer is halfway over and you should have planned that way in advance. After you place your order at the register you walk around to the side counter where you wait for your number to be called. Once they call you they make your sandwich right there infront of you. They have a vast array of condiments and sauces you can choose to put in your sandwich. I had ordered a 'carribean shnitzel' which is shnitzel and fried pastrami as well as their special crunchy fries. I was notified as the guy was making my sandwich that there were no more crunchy fries but would I like cajun or sweet potato instead? A little disappointed, I chose the sweet potato fries instead. My husband had a side of wings and a super spicy chicken wrap.

The food was plentiful and really delicious. We both enjoyed our meal and the food was really fresh, A+ for that.

Cleanliness however, was a little lax. When we sat down there were drinks leftover from the previous patrons and the ketchup needed to be wiped down. When I flagged down a worker he came right over and cleaned the table.

Overall, great food, fast service, and although the cleanliness was a bit on the weak side it's a great place to go for a good schnitzel sandwich.

Crunchies Deli in Woodridge, NY (845) 436-6600

It's the weekend!

Actually ate dinner at home last night before going back to the office! Was great!

Guest posts inbound from ETC, Sushi Metsuyan and Cucumber in the Five Towns and the Purple Pear upstate.

Please email me your guest reviews or other comments to thekosherkritic@gmail.com or comment on the blog below

Enjoy the weekend

Some quick meals and a Guest Post

Over the last two days, I had some quick meals that I wanted to mention, as well as a guest post.

I must commend Mocha Bleu for their hours on Tuesday. As many of you know, it was a fast day and many stores did not open at all. Mocha Bleu actually stayed open one hour late until 10pm, allowing for people to come out and break their fast. As always, the service was great, although they ran out of the bottles of French lemonades, which I love.

Last night, I met two partners at Burgers Bar as they hadn’t eaten (I had some sushi from Sushi Tokyo in Flatbush, but that’s for another day....). The smell in the back of the store was worse than a Washington Heights basement. We still ate there as you see the food being made in front of you by ex-givati soldiers using gloves. Still, not a good thing..

On to a guest post on Grill Point in Kew Gardens..

I just ate at Grill Point on the corner of Jewel Ave and who knows in queens - all I can say is, grimy, greasy and all out awful.

I was basically sitting at the table of the people behind me.

The portions were large, but who wants to eat babganuch, matbucha salad, israeli salad and eggplant without pita bread - I ordered a salad platter and it came with no bread!

My husband asked for his entree as a sandwich - it was $17 even though the waitress said $14!

I left feeling like a grease ball. I'm a vegetarian but even the salads were heavily oiled up.

All in all- never going back!

Blech!!!!!!

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Abigael’s

I had a business meeting in midtown last night. I was excited to go to Abigael’s as I have not been there since they renovated.

Over the last ten years or so, Abigael’s has been, hands down, the best overall kosher meat restaurant. By overall, I mean it may not have the best steak, but when all factors are taken into consideration - hours, selection, parking, appies, specials, seat availability, etc. – it ranks the highest.

The one issue many people had with them was that it was getting old. They have tweaked the menus multiple times over the last few years, but it still had the same tired feeling. The renovation, in my mind, fixed that. Though nothing too spectacular, new entry floors, paint, wall fixtures and moldings gave it a more modern appearance instead of looking like the Russian Tea Room. That was all it really needed.

Though I wasn’t in love with my steak, I fault myself for not inquiring if there was olives in the ragout that it sat on.

I need not evaluate the appies, since anybody who eats kosher knows they have the best selection (hungry for a brisket egg roll yet?).

The alcohol selection is always ample, and the service, though not at its peak, is okay. They seem to have many more busboys nowadays instead of waiters, but at least there is a crew on the floor.

The one issue I have is bread. By far, Abigael’s provides the BEST bread on this side of the Atlantic. Problem is getting it. More often than not they don’t bring it. My self-control ( the little that I have) stops me from asking, but really? It’s not like I don’t over order. It’s just pure sloppiness. And if it is a policy of theirs not to offer until asked, shame on them.

Desserts need to be changed up. It’s been at least ten years since they lost their Pastry Chef, but I’m sure they can figure something out.

All in all, as usual, the place rocks.

Abigael’s on Broadway

1407 Broadway, New York, NY 10018

212-575-2584

www.abigaels.com

Rabica

I went with my kids to Rabica last week. I truly feel it’s one of Teaneck’s best restaurants.

For starters, the place is VERY clean. The bathrooms are spotless and well equipped, which is especially important when I had to take my younger daughter twice.

Service is usually good, although on Thursday, it was particularly great since it was only 6pm.

The appetizers are good, though the menu overall is getting tired. It hasn’t been changed in years. Same for the mains. I think there is a limit to how many times people want the same product over and over again, so after a while, they just stop coming as frequently.

Their desserts are Teaneck’s best. Hands down. They claim they import the cakes from Israel. I really want one of each every time I go.

They make incredible fresh lemonade. The only problem is they REFUSE to sell it to me in any portion larger than a glass. At $3 a glass, I can drink $15 worth. I see no reason why they can’t sell it in a carafe size.

The best part of the meal is the price. It still is one of the most reasonably priced dairy places around.

Cleary the best bang for the buck.

http://www.rabicacafe.com/

192 West Englewood Avenue, Teaneck 201-297-7558

La Carne Grill

Sorry for the missed day yesterday. I wished I missed it in full as well, not just on this blog.

On Wednesday evening, we found ourselves in midtown at 5pm and decided to go to La Carne for dinner ahead of a meeting.

Bad choice.

For starters, as many of you may know, NYC’s Health Department now gives letter grades that must be posted prominantly outside each food establishment, similar to Los Angeles. (See http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/rii/index.shtml for a very easy lookup page).

La Carne scored a “B.” I should have never stepped foot inside. (A few minor issues like a missing permit.. Oh, and “Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.”) Thankfully I didn’t look up the reason for the grade until after i left.

The place was empty so obviously the service was good, but that’s where “good” ended.

The bread is commercial grade that you can get in any restaurant and not worth the carbs. Thankfully I resisted.  

For the appetizers - the duck spring roll appies were excellent. The merquez itself was great, but the pilaf it was served over was completely burnt flavored and uneatable. The fish pasties were nothing special.

For the mains, the duck was okay- not a stand out dish as it used to be, but not bad. The steak special that we had was unremarkable that I don’t even remember what it was. For our third dish, we had short ribs, which were just gross. (Sorry to my father who used to say “Don’t talk about food that way. If you had no food I bet it wouldn’t be gross”). The sides  of onion rings and avacado mashed potatoes were great.

Bottom line- I have not been there in several years, and for good reason. Sometimes you just need a little reminder. $225 later, I’m definitely reminded.

They're lucky I wasn't the one rating the place because a B would have been generous.

Guest Post- Bistro Grill French Steakhouse

In the field all afternoon yesterday and this morning. Dinner at La Carne was a major disappointment- full write up tomorrow. For now, guest post on Bistro Grill:

For those of us out in Long Island who have wined and dined in the City to excess… we have found a home in Bistro Grill in Woodmere.　 This "best kept secret" steakhouse is always full.　 Almost any night of the week you will find yourself hard-pressed to get a table without reservations.　 The service is quick, the food is excellent, elegant and pleases all.　 PLUS the prices are slightly better than a City steakhouse.　 A glass of wine will cost you about $8…. The entrees are priced between $21.95 and $36.95.　 There is the pricey Bistro Grill Delmonico topping out at $46.95.

The steaks are cooked to perfection, the salads are great- try the Grilled Portabello Salad- each bite has a burst of fresh tangy flavor.　 The Peking Duck Spring Rolls are a big hit as an appetizer. 　　Even the Fish entrees are great with a variety of different flavored sauces and interesting sides.

There are even a few kid-friendly items that are well-priced.

It can get somewhat noisy, as most steakhouses can, though it is far less painful then a certain well-known steakhouse in Manhattan where you may as well introduce yourself to the table on either side of you because you will be sharing the meal with them…

　

Bistro Grill French Steakhouse: 1034 Broadway Woodmere, NY 11598 516-374-7772

Seasons of Manhattan

Seasons of Manhattan catered the Yavneh Golf Outing yesterday at the North Jersey Country Club.

This being their first year (I believe it was Prestige the last 5 or so years), I was going to cut them some slack, but I quickly realized that wouldn’t be necessary, the job was excellent. As I do not golf and hope to never try again (5 hours standing around taking a few swings? Makes a half marathon sounds fun), I am told it was a great event.

The food was high end, as is the event as a whole. I would have liked to see more hard core food at the cocktail hour (face it - at 5pm, do you want potatoes and caviar or some meat?), but there must be something about caviar and golf that is above my pay grade.

I was told the breakfast and on-course BBQ were great. The alcohol was plentiful, but I don’t drink to comment (and scotch 11AM on Monday morning is just wrong).

All in all, I thought I would have more to write, but apparently, my heads up in Mondays post had Amir working his hardest (unlike Eden Roc Pesach 1997 where I had to cover him J)

Tonight - business dinner in midtown - where to go? Drive to Noi Due, Prime Ko or walk to Wolf and Lamb? Please let me know….

Weekend Roundup

As always, great Shabbos meals by my wife. Worked Saturday night and ended up at Sammys for pizza at 12:30am. You would think there are no kitchens in “the apartments” as the place, both inside and outside, was a YU-Stern young couple marriage fest - 21 year old married kids all over the place. (Don’t we all remember those days - man was life easier)

As usual, the food was excellent, and since Yossi (the owner) is now back from Israel for the summer, the place runs great. Proved the point about absentee food business ownership.

Had a great BBQ Sunday afternoon by my friend’s (somehow I don’t think I was supposed to eat three burgers, but who can resist sautéed onions in your burger?  I know I can’t) followed by the One Israel Fund tasting event.

Sushi and fruit were great. Eden Wok is usually on the money with their sushi, and Michael W. can cut up fruit like I showed him 20 years ago J (okay it was Tony Silvestri that showed him).

The wine tasting was one of the rare times I’ve seen a non-Baron Herzog/Kedem job in town. It was a selection of many non-mevushal wines, most not carried by Kedem, from a guy out in Long Island. I would have posted this last night, but didn’t want the Kedem crew to escort him out of town, or worse.

Today is the Yavneh Academy Golf outing - food has always been great and plentiful, hence I’m going late so I can keep my cholesterol low. Will be there by 4pm to check out the new caterer this year – Seasons of Manhattan – review to follow.

Enjoy the day and please send me any comments, guest posts, etc., either on the blog or to thekosherkritic@gmail.com.

Burgers Bar- Guest Post

Guest post from Upper West Sider

There are many preconceived notions associated with Burgers Bar.  You always feel like you need to get straight into a bed after a double burger with three different sauces and french fries on the side. It's perceived as a dirty, unhealthy restaurant that you only go to at 1AM on a Thursday night when you're walking from the Kotel to the King David and the smell of French fries reminds you that you're starving.

The Teaneck natives have been unable to overcome these hard feelings and haven't given the place a chance.  The place is literally always empty.

As a "foreigner" who was in the mood for a big fat burger (and by the way, that's one of the only times you should go there), I was actually quite impressed.

A double burger, topped with lettuce tomatoes, onions and their signature Mustaengo made for a great entrée.  The crispy poppers were a phenomenal starter and I even returned for those a few days later as a late night snack.  There are few things that I enjoy more than some good fried chicken strips bathed in the sauce of my choice.

The only real disappointment were the appetizers.  Everything is fried with the exception of the grilled portabella, which I don't think anyone ever orders.  Burgers Bar has to pick up their healthy game - everybody's doing it now.  Nobody can come eat in the place with their wife (unless she's pregnant) or teenage daughter without a decent offering of grilled vegetables, grilled chicken, steamed this and low fat that.

The place is empty, hence the service is great. 

Burgers Bar - pickup your game some more, know your market, cater to their desires and the place won't be empty on Thursday nights.  Burgers Bar far from qualifies for a family's new Tuesday night dinner venue, but when you're in the mood for a juicy burger, chicken poppers and some fries, Burgers Bar is the place.

Welcome Back Petak's (Never knew you were here)

As many of you do not know, Petak’s opened up on West Englewood Ave about a half year ago. After being open for only a short time, it closed due to staffing issues. No manager was available to run the place and the partners that ran it were focusing on their Fair Lawn location.

I’ve just learned that they will re-open in a matter of weeks. Petak’s was/is quite successful in takeout and deli in Fair Lawn and it will remain to be seen if they can make their mark on the crowded West Englewood Ave “Kosher East Side." The key to its success will be setting itself apart from their competitors. We do not need another deli sandwich.

Gabe Gilbert from Best Glatt and Pasta Factory will be running the show. Let’s see that Johnsons and Wales education big guy.

Post your comments as to what food you want to see on its menu. I, for one, would love a corn dog. Might have to go to Subsational for lunch....

Petak’s - 182 West Englewood Ave, Teaneck- 201-833-8200

Talia's (NYC)

To sum up Talias – it's kosher fast food served on plates and silverware with poor waiter service.

Not sure why I went back.  Actually, the Groupon is to blame.  Who can beat $75 for a 3 course dinner plus a bottle of wine - for two. Actually, shabbos leftovers can.

The service is non-existent. Waiters setting tables while I wait to place my order (and there were plenty of set tables so there was no rush). The maitre’de looked like she was just doing her Sherut Leumi and deserved to be sent back to border patrol.

As far as the food - I made better steak my first time working a grill, and the ribs were, well, definitely not ribs.

At least the wine was good – but, it was a sealed bottle so you can’t really mess that up.

The place got an “A” rating from the NYC Department of Health,  but who knows, maybe graft is still alive.

I can go on and on about the place, but it's not even worth the time.

Ariel's of Englewood

In my last review of Ariel’s (pre-blog, on Facebook), I ripped the place. Just about everything was wrong. As it was late at night, right before closing, and I took out, I figured one day I might go back.

So, this past Sunday, we negotiated dinner with the kids - had to be dairy for ice cream after and couldn’t be local pizza since I didn’t want to get arrested (banks aren’t open tomorrow and bail money is in the safe deposit box).

The place was empty at 5pm on Independence Day Sunday. Probably a good thing since my older daughter was never mistaken for a monk. They forgot a few napkins on the table, but my younger son prefers his shirt anyways.

The appys had too much cheese on it, both the stuffed chili pepper and the sweet potatoe nachos, but it is a dairy restaurant, so what can I possibly expect.

The pasta was great, but if you can’t make fettuccine alfredo you really shouldn’t open to begin with.

Once thing Ariel’s always had was good, cheap desserts, and since I like ordering everything on the menu, that usually works well for me. Problem is, they were out of almost everything. “We only have what the owner makes, everything else we bring someone in for and he hasn’t come in for a while." Nice, really nice.

At least they had the Beignets, which I’ve never seen at a kosher restaurant north of Orleans Parish. It was as good as Café Du Monde’s, but that could just be because after a night of drinking in the French Quarter, any solid food tastes great.

In summary, Ariel’s needs to step it up. It opened to great fanfare, but it can’t slip this early in the game. Please. I beg you.  Get your act together.

Ariel's of Englewood 18 Engle St,Englewood, NJ 07631 201-569-1202
http://www.arielskosher.com/

Sunflower Cafe, Five Towns- Guest Post

(This guest post was written by a lawyer from the Five Towns- so limited sarcasm but at least I wasn't charged by the hour- send me your guest posts! Sunflower also has a great location in Flatbush, only problem is it's in Flatbush and my blood pressure (and risk of arrest) rises when I go there)

Sunflower Café in the five towns – owned and run by Israelis, which means the servers can be opinionated and sometimes slow but the food is awesome if a little pricey! You can’t go wrong with almost anything you order.  If you get a salad, order it chopped, comes out much better.  The Lattes are kick-a**  exactly like them make them in Israel.  The sushi rocks too.

The fettuccine alfredo has great flavor, it is usually boring and bland in most restaurants, but not when prepared by Israelis, it stands out from any other one I have tasted, and let me tell you, I am a pasta/cheese aficionado!

There are kid options available which gives you a break on your wallet if you are going out with kids, (or just like grilled cheese or spaghetti in tomato sauce)

All in all, a great “night before kids leaving to camp” eatery!

http://www.sunflowercafe.com/