![\"Ben\u2019s](\"http:\/\/www.mostlyfood.co.uk\/img\/deli.jpg\")
<\/p>\nYou can find plenty of glitzy restaurants. There are a host of celebrity chef establishments. The eateries to be “seen at” are without number but you have to go a long way to find anywhere that has the style of Ben\u2019s Kosher Deli.<\/p>\n
Ben’s\u00ae Kosher Restaurant, Delicatessen & Caterers has been serving the public for over 36 years. There are quite a few outlets in New York State and now those \u201cSnow Birds\u201d (older folks who have flown to warmer climes) can get a real taste of home in Boca Raton, Florida.<\/p>\n
Ben\u2019s Manhattan branch is nothing much to look at from the outside. The deli counter is located at the front of the shop and supplies an unending list of sandwiches, salads and all the usual suspects of a New York Deli. Plan to have lunch in the restaurant and make your way past the counter to the unexpectedly rich and luxurious dining room. It’s worth the extra few yards.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s like another world. Think of the best art deco and you have hit it on the head! It\u2019s sumptuous in tones of gold, yellow and dark wood, and a shock after the chrome and glass of the front of house. It\u2019s not a small place. It seats 250 but its d\u00e9cor allows you to feel cosy and cocooned.<\/p>\n
We were shown to a comfy, well upholstered booth and were presented with a dish of dill pickles and a basket of different and interesting breads. I was pleased not to have to decide, because I find it difficult to make a quick choice when a waitress offers \u201cWhole wheat, rye, Russian black, German pumpernickel, Swedish crisp, Lebanese flat, potato bread, sesame, poppy seed, onion, white enriched, milk loaf, baguette, raisin, walnut, herb or olive?\u201d \u201cEr, what was that third one again?\u201d A very American concept of offering too many options, mercifully absent at Ben\u2019s.<\/p>\n
I love Eastern European food of all kinds but the food here was a bit different. There were things that I had heard of – mostly from watching old American films where there is always a rude waitress and a fat chef called “Al” wearing a vest (or undershirt if you are American) – but there were quite a few mysteries on the menu.<\/p>\n
Well, you can\u2019t try everything, but wanting to try the kosher classics I ordered Gefilte Fish with Horseradish. They are meatballs but made with fish and they were delicious and a lot of them as well. It sounds just the sort of dish someone\u2019s Bubbe (grandmother) would have made. Traditionally they would be made of carp which isn\u2019t used much in western European cooking and it\u2019s a shame because it\u2019s a wonderful fish if prepared properly. The flesh needs soaking to get rid of what is sometimes a muddy taste.<\/p>\n
There were also Kreplach on offer, which are Jewish ravioli, Ronnie\u2019s Old-Fashioned Chicken Soup with Matzo Balls (a meal in itself) and Stuffed Derma (big dumplings) with brown gravy, as well as a long list of hot meals, salads and soups. You can find an Israeli Hero: don\u2019t go all political, it\u2019s only a sandwich, OK, a foot-long roll, overstuffed with everything but the kitchen sink and advertised as: “Feeds two big fressers or three average mensch” …I am sure that must be a good thing!<\/p>\n
One of my favourite pastimes when in the Big Apple is to eat street food. There is less to be found these days but if you happen upon a cart selling Knish then try them. They are little square parcels of pastry filled with mashed potatoes and\/or other savoury ingredients. If you are worried about eating on street corners because of dining etiquette or fear of being mugged for your lunch (don\u2019t worry, it won’t happen) then you can find knishes in the more inviting surroundings of Bens.<\/p>\n
This is a fabulous restaurant. It\u2019s not just the food although that is a big part of it. It\u2019s the ambiance and it\u2019s hard to find anything to compare. If you like Jewish food you\u2019ll love Ben\u2019s. If you like Eastern European food you\u2019ll adore Ben\u2019s, and if you want to feel like a native Noooo Yorker then you’ll hang out at Ben\u2019s.<\/p>\n
Ben’s\u00ae Kosher Restaurant 209 W. 38th St. (between 7th & 8th Avenues) Manhattan, NY 10018<\/p>\n
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