Where to Enjoy a Passover Meal in Manhattan

The Jewish holidays are great for spending quality family time, but how about quality food time?   The first night of Passover is Monday, March 29, with the holiday lasting for eight days.  Foodies, don’t despair.  We have a list of great restaurants where you can observe the holiday and still satisfy your gourmet cravings.

Here’s where you’ll find some traditional and not-so-traditional Seder meals for the first and second nights of Passover.

Tabla: Ever wonder what an Indian-themed Passover Seder would be like? If so, head to Tabla for its fifth annual “Unleavened Bread Bar” on March 30^th. The evening starts at 6pm, and a Passover service will be held. Enjoy matzo ball soup with toasted coriander, banana leaf wrapped fish patties, and other exotic Passover selections. The dinner is $95/person and $50/child under 10 years old.  11 Madison Avenue, 212-889-0667, www.tablany.com

Capsouto Frères: Sephardic Seders have been held at this lovely French bistro for 23 years (non Kosher).  On both March 29 and March 30, they will be led by a Cantor with a reading of the Haggadah.  Popular dishes have included frittatas, poached salmon, and matzo mina (layers of matzo and cheese) served with Israeli wine selections. The dinner is $150/person, payable in advance, and benefits the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, a Jewish worldwide charity organization.  451 Washington Street, 212-966-4900, http://www.capsoutofreres.com/

Savoy: Join Savoy’s Executive Chef-Owner Peter Hoffman as he leads a Sephardic Seder (non Kosher) on both March 29 and March 30 with a menu featuring the cuisine of the Jews of Central Asia (Uzbekistan, Georgia, and Persia). The Seder will include a thirty-minute non-religious reading from the Haggadah. Menu highlights include fried trout with garlic and coriander sauce; beet and turnip soup with cumin and mint; chicken with rice, barberries, and coriander; and chocolate cake with walnut and cardamom. The dinner is $95/person and includes wine.  Tax and gratuity are additional. (First seating- 6pm Second seating-6:45pm). 70 Prince Street, 212-219-8570, www.savoynyc.com

Talia’s Steakhouse & Bar: For the ultimate Glatt Kosher Seder experience, Talia’s is the place. A Seder will be led by a Rabbi or guests may choose to hold their own Seder separately for those at their table. Celebrate at Talia’s on March 29 and March 30 at 8pm with holiday favorites such as Matzo ball soup, pan seared Atlantic salmon, stuffed Cornish hen, and brisket. The dinner is $100/adult and $65/child under 10 years old.  668 Amsterdam Avenue, 212-580-3770, www.taliassteakhouse.com

Henry’s: Head to this Upper West Side bistro for a traditional three-course Passover Seder dinner. The Chef will prepare a Seder plate along with favorites such as matzo ball soup, braised lamb shank, and a roast half chicken with red quinoa, wild mushrooms, roast potato, and poached garlic. Dessert is delicious ginger-poached figs with cinnamon gelato and walnut cream.  The dinner is $39/adult and $22/child under 15 years old.   2745 Broadway, 212-866-0600, www.henrysnyc.com

For other restaurants without a Seder but with great Passover menus:

Toloache and Yerba Buena: If Mexican Passover sounds intriguing, check out Toloache or the two Yerba Buena restaurants between March 29 and April.   Begin with a Sabra Margarita (Agave 99 Kosher Tequila, prickly pear, agave nectar, and lime) or a Kosher wine before diving into a matzo ball soup with a jalapeno-spin, brisket tacos, roasted leg of lamb spiced with chipotle, or the dulce de leche kugel. Toloache, 251 W. 50 St, 212-581-1818, www.toloachenyc.com .  Yerba Buena, 1 Perry St, 212-620-0808 and 23 Avenue A, 212-529-2919, www.ybnyc.com

Rosa Mexicano: For another take on Mexican Passover, visit the three Rosa Mexicano restaurants from March 24-April 5.  The special menus add a definite spicy spin to holiday  staples with tropical haroset, red snapper gefilte fish, banana leaf wrapped brisket, and a Mexican macaroon ice cream sandwich.  For more information, contact Sheree Wu at 212-397-0666 x 46 or swu@rosamexicano.com. 1063 First Avenue, 212-753-7407; 61 Columbus Avenue, 212-977-7700; and 9 East 18 Street, 212-533-3350, www.rosamexicano.com

Telepan: It’s a family affair at Telepan as Chef Bill Telepan, his wife and daughter have designed a special holiday menu at this cozy Upper West Side restaurant.  The four-course prix fixe Passover feast includes smoked trout latkes, spring vegetable matzo ball soup and seared sirloin and braised brisket with caramelized onions, and a dessert surprise for $65.  72 W. 69 Street , 212-580-4300, www.telepan-ny.com

This entry was posted on Friday, March 26th, 2010 at 3:49 pm and is filed under Stuff to Do. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.