Kosher Food & Wine Experience

The Kosher Food and Wine Experience is the second best day of the year (Kosherfest is the other best day). Sold out, the KFWE had over 1,000 attendees! I was one of the lucky ones that had a press pass. Thanks to Alibabka, I was able to get into the show an hour early to taste everything and talk to the chefs and owners of the restaurants and wineries before the stampede of the paying attendees arrived. Being press, with only an hour to taste 200 wines and over 20 restaurants, as well as speak to chefs and Vintner’s, pre planning was required. I first hit up all the restaurants in order to fill my stomach before the alcohol (we all know what alcohol does to an empty stomach…no need for further discussion). As always, there were the ones that stuck out and the ones that didn’t bring their game. The wines had the same pattern as the food, but tasting 200 dollar bottles of wine next to 30 dollar bottles was an eye opening and palette rebirth in itself. The Kosher Food and Wine Experience is not only a taste tester’s heaven, but a great place to make connections and meet other foodies.

5 hours after we arrived, I left content, very happy, tipsy and satisfied. Thanks KFWE for my third wonderful experience at your show. I look forward to next year!

Best Wines (in no particular order)

I tend to like reds if you can’t tell.

1) Yatir (Israel) – Forest 2007

Approx Retail Value: $85.00

2) Binyaminia (Israel) – The Cave 2006 (I happen to own a bottle)

Approx Retail Value: $65.00

3) Chateau Leoville Poyferre (France) – St. Julien 2003

Approx Retail Value: $190.00

4) 1848 Winery (Israel) – Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Special Reserve

Approx Retail Value: $40.00

5) Shiloh (Israel) – Mosaic 2006

Approx Retail Value: $67.00

6) Alexander (Israel) – Alexander The Great Amarolo 2007

Approx Retail Value: $100.00

7) Barkan (Israel) – Superieur Pinotage 2007

Approx Retail Value: $65.00

8) Domaine du Castel (Israel) – Petit Castel 2009/2010

Approx Retail Value: $42.00

9) Pacifica (Washington/Oregon) – Pinot Noir 2010

Approx Retail Value: $30.00

10) Drappier (France) – Carte d’or Champagne

Approx Retail Value: $44.00

11) Herzog (California) – Single Vineyard Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Approx Retail Value: $40.00

12) SerrallesUSA made incredibly tasty mixed drinks. I am in the process of finding those recipes. I would love to make that passion fruit cocktail!

Best Food (in no particular order)

The food at the show was modern classic. Meaning classic dishes with a modern twist. They had everything from push up cake pops to syringes with sauce (you would squirt the syringe in your mouth and then pop the food in). The chefs made bite size tastings of their best showcased dish.

1) AviGlatt (Lower Manhattan/Brooklyn) – Captcha Fish Salad

A lime and coconut white fish ceviche. Light, refreshing and tasty!

2) ETC. Steakhouse (Teaneck, NJ) – Barbecue Oxtail

Braised oxtail with house made bbq sauce and crushed red mashed potatoes.

3) Gemstone Catering (Tri-State) – Herzog Oak Barrel and Mesquite Smoked Turkey

Jack Daniels infused whole grain mustard and cranberry chutney, sweet yam mash and cowboy gribenez. It’s

like the best thanksgiving you have ever had (in a bite size portion)!

4) Got Cholent? Inc. (Tri-State) – French “Chaud-lent” Cassolet with Duck Confit

I’m usually not a big fan of cholent, but duck confit in cholent…I think YES! They had a kiddush club array of cold herring and a caviar bar there as well…It’s heimish turned classy.

5) Guilty Pleasures (Tri-State) – Bana-Bana Chocolate

Sounds a bit peculiar, but it is actually fabulous! The emphasis was more on the chocolate and did not have an overwhelming banana flavor.

6) My Most Favorite (Upper West Side, Manhattan) – Raspberry Linzer Cookies

Light, sweet and delicious! I am currently trying to perfect this cookie…if only I had this recipe!

7) Pardes (Downtown Brooklyn) – Smoked “Grow and Behold” Ribeye Tartar, Soy, Enoki and Rice Krispies

I have never tried beef tartar before, and this was a great experience. Wonderful, flavorful and tasty combination. This one was definitely a party in my mouth.

8) Pardes (Downtown Brooklyn) – Meyer Lemon Meringue Tart

First of all, lemon meringue pies are one of my top three favorite desserts. From the flaky crust to the tangy lemon curd, this was a delightful bite size treat that I look forward to having again at the restaurant.

9) Pomegranate (Flatbush, NY) – Signature Dip Bar

It was a buffet of dips! My favorites included: The Purple Eggplant Dip (the color was a gorgeous purple), Kalamata Olive Tapenade, Dill Dip, and Jalapeno Pepper Dip.

10) Sushein (Lower Manhattan) – Sushi, Crispy Kani Salad and Fresh Tuna Cake, Crispy Meat Wontons

The fish was of great quality and the sushi and wontons were fantastic!

11) Tevere (East Midtown, NYC) – Carciofi all Giudia

Artichokes, Roman Style. One of my favorites of the evening! I went back for seconds, but alas and understandably, they were finished.