Today's wallflower of a restaurant is named "Mr. Broadway". It was actually on Broadway...near Times Square. Now what local would eat at a place called Mr. Broadway? Is there a "Paris Restaurant" next to the Eiffel Tower?
But I went in because it was labeled a kosher deli...and proper kosher delis have exquisite things like tongue sandwiches. Yes I grew up eating those, and embrace them like family.
Jewish delis at their best serve house-cured, -boiled, and -roasted meats on comfortingly soft rye bread, with sauerkraut, vinegar slaw, and pickles that cut the meats' salt and fat, and presumably are good for you. Probiotics and such.
Once I was in, there was a large, newly fixtured room with a bright warm glow...kind of like Cosi but more upscale and less corporate. In addition to the meaty bits like in the picture above, they had a kosher sushi bar (=none of the good stuff from shelled creatures) and a spinning shawarma spit. Something for everyone.
The server was an affably overweight orthodox guy, who seemed concerned with his diners' enjoyment as he worked the room. He brought me a taste of chopped liver - nice.
About the food:
Tongue sandwich - good, but served too cold and hard. I'd have appreciate it more if it weren't $14...and we're only talking a 1" high stack of meat. I'd pay that for a bigger sandwich.
The chopped liver tasted good, but had weird bready grittiness to it. Avoid. At least until they can explain the root cause of the texture issue.
Overall, I give this place 5 bellies out of 10. Yes that's the scale I just came up with. Decent Jewish food, nice room and service for quick 30-min meal, but really expensive for that. Must be that Broadway rent.
This is a great blog. I am always looking for new places in the city. Keep 'em coming!
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