A couple weeks ago, we talked bagels: chewy, crumby, stretchy. You had definite opinions! This week, let’s evaluate kosher restaurants, bakeries and cafés, shall we? It’s perfect timing, since kosher hot spot Milk Street Cafe is reopening next week after a long hiatus. And, if you’re anything like me, takeout is back into heavy rotation this summer.
Where are your favorites? What did I miss? I have absolutely no doubt you’ll let me know over email or in the comments! Sound off!
For a Detox: Pure Cold Press
You can almost feel your cholesterol plummet when stepping into this bright, clean space with a huge menu: Impossible burgers, beet Reubens, acai bowls and kid favorites like tenders and grilled cheese. Service is speedy, and the juice cleanse packages are the perfect antidote to too much fried vacation food. It’s owned by the team behind longtime Brookline staple Rami’s.
326 Harvard St., Brookline, 617-487-8948, purecoldpress.com
For When You Can’t Decide What’s for Dinner: Veggie Crust
An unusual yet winning combo: Indian food and pizza! Maybe you can’t agree on what to eat for dinner. Maybe you crave a little of everything. Fear not: At the Brookline location (there’s a non-kosher one in Somerville), you can load up on samosas, pakora, paneer tikka masala pizza, curries—and even penne. For dessert? FoMu vegan ice cream.
8 Cypress St., Brookline, 617-383-5884, vegcrust.com
For Tradition: Milk Street Cafe
This Financial District caterer and café—serving customers for 40 years, a true feat in the fickle restaurant business!—reopens next week after a hiatus. (They weren’t totally off the grid: Their freezers were generously offered up for vaccine storage earlier in the pandemic.) Sushi, vegan wraps, butternut squash mac ‘n cheese…the resurgence of this family-run fixture gives me some hope that people will, eventually, someday, hopefully, return downtown.
50 Milk St., Boston, 617-542-2433, milkstreetcafe.com
For Dessert: Hoff’s Bakery
This Malden gem does a big wholesale business, but ordinary civilians can get their sweet fix, too, at their retail shop: sour cream coffee cakes, cheesecakes, seasonal pies—plus their true forte, mini squares and “bombs” in flavors like pumpkin mousse and chocolate caramel. A crucial weapon in any devoted host or hostess’s arsenal.
35 Green St., Malden, 781-396-8384, hoffsbakery.com
For Ice Cream: J.P. Licks
All 17 J.P. Licks shops are kosher-certified, which means you can dive into that peanut butter sundae or espresso frappe with confidence. For reliability and local flavor, this is your spot. Bonus: custom ice cream bovine birthday cakes in a cow print.
Various locations, jplicks.com
For Fast-Casual and Family-Friendly: Adea’s Mediterranean Kitchen
This is a reliable and budget-friendly spot in Salem, but they’re closed until Rosh Hashanah. Visit soon for frills-free shakshuka, light-as-air falafel, huge Israeli salads and stuffed grape leaves, with most dishes under $10.
90 Lafayette St., Salem, 978-594-4271, adeasmk.com
