If you’re looking for Jewish food in Boston, you’re likely to look to some of the classics: Rami’s for falafel, Jerusalem Pita & Grill for an Israeli experience and Zaftigs Delicatessen for classic deli. But if you want to venture into the contemporary remix of the classics, Beyond Bubbie’s Kitchen on March 1 is the place to be. The annual event has become Boston’s biggest and best-known Jewish food experience; it’s a unique opportunity to taste Jewishly-inspired dishes from an array of the city’s best chefs. With creative updates on traditional recipes you may know and love, there are few other places in the world where you’ll find dishes like duck confit latkes, foie gras matzah balls and Thai curry borscht (really!).
As always, New Center NOW has worked to bring together an array of local talent, from high-end restaurants to food trucks and local drink makers. This year more chefs than ever will join the mix, including an exciting group of new players. Here’s the rundown on each one:
State Park
As the kid brother of the delicious Hungry Mother, State Park holds its own in Kendall Square. Given the dive bar feel, the small plates will pleasantly challenge your expectations. Creativity is the name of their game—their take on chicken liver mousse (aka chopped liver) with Manischewitz “caviar” will have my attention at the event.
Catalyst Restaurant
This restaurant excels in presenting local ingredients in their best light. Their contemporary and classic cooking style mixed with Jewish tradition brings Bubbie’s brisket to a whole new level. Personally I can’t wait to taste their horseradish crumble!
Sycamore
This chic spot is proof that you can have a great night out in, yes, the suburbs! With za’atar appearing on their regular menu, there’s no question that chef Dave Punch, formerly of Ten Tables, knows a thing or two about Mediterranean and Jewish cuisine. The forthcoming “sloppy Josephs” with half-sour pickles sound pretty darn tasty.
The Dining Car
Far from your average grab-and-go lunch, The Dining Car is known for gourmet-inspired food-truck fare. What many don’t know is that Jewish owner David Harnik takes his Jewish cuisine seriously and will be showing his stuff at Beyond Bubbie’s Kitchen for the first time this year—chopped liver with finger-licking-good gribenes (bits of crispy chicken skin) and caraway-pickled red onion.
Roxy’s Gourmet Grilled Cheese
This is another hit food truck successfully turned brick-and-mortar last year. The beloved Reuben and Rachel are less-than-kosher Jewish staples, so leave it to grilled-cheese genius James DiSabatino to call upon his Russian-Jewish roots to dream up vegetarian beet “pastrami.” You’ll have to try it to determine if it should be a staple on their menu!
7ate9 Bakery
This soon-to-be brick-and-mortar cheesecake bake shop is the new—and popular—kid on the Somerville block. Cheesecake is a staple of Shavuot, which falls just a few weeks after Beyond Bubbie’s Kitchen. So stop by to see what Sarah Chester has created to get inspired!
FoMu
Lots of Jews joke about suffering from dairy intolerance, so those who tend to avoid ice cream will be excited to try Boston’s best in dairy-free frozen treats.
Join me in trying this unique smorgasbord on March 1! How can you really say no to kasha, babka, lox, brisket, pierogies, cholent, knishes, cheesecake and more
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