The day I posted a review of Ben’s Best (finally) – literally, that very day – Jacquie alerted me to this video over at Food Curated. Apparently, I missed out on a bunch of dishes, so I went back that very night to order that which I’d missed the first few times…
The pickles and slaw that come to the table when you sit down, nom.
First order of business: matzoh ball soup, which came in this giant cup labeled “Rx Jewish Penicillin” – heh. I’ll admit here that I’m a terrible New Yorker, as I’d never had matzoh ball before that night.
Tons of fresh dill topped the giant cup of soup,
Which was also filled with lots of noodles. As I mentioned last time, I adore this soup – the broth is so clean and fresh tasting, I want to drink it every day! The noodles perfectly cooked and the matzoh ball, well, it was interesting, pretty good, I can see the appeal, though I don’t think I’d want this every time I had chicken noodle soup. I’ll take just the soup, please…. mmm, so good.
An “appeteaser” portion of goulash, also mentioned in the video – while I foolishly did not think to mix it up and take another photo, this was excellent. The meat was super tender, delicious, and I barely needed that as the gravy soaked down into the noodles and made them delicious. My only complaint is the dish they serve it in – but this is personal; I just hate the sound of metal scraping metal, so digging my fork into the metal plate as eagerly as I was caused a huge racket and me to cringe every time I did it… but sooo good…
When I told TT I was going to Ben’s Best that night, he suggested trying kreplach. “Like dumplings, but… not.” Okay. An appeteaser of fried kreplach made its way to my table.
I see the correlation, but I don’t think I like these fried. Maybe I’ll try them in soup next time? They were a bit dry and the flavor didn’t appeal to me. Personal choice. Maybe it was an off day?
And the main attraction: pastrami!
Piled high on rye bread. I pulled out a few pieces to shovel into my mouth.
Each slice was incredibly juicy, soft, succulent, and melted in my mouth. A swab of mustard on the bread and this was perfection in my mouth. I’m a little glad now that I waited so long to discover this place… this is dangerous for my health…. mmm nom nom nom.
In fact, writing this, I might just need to go back again tonight…
Yvo says: So good, so, so, so very good, this pastrami is. I don’t know what you’re waiting for… you need to get your butt over here and get some amazing pastrami… melts in your mouth. Oh and that matzoh ball soup… ooh and the goulash… damn I really am going to go back tonight… slurp!
highly recommended
skippymom says
That pastrami looks so incredible. I have never had matzoh – but I make dumplings in chicken soup all the time – I wonder if they are the same.
Do they serve dessert too? I bet if they do they are amazing. Bah. Now I am hungry. 🙂
Feisty Foodie says
I did try a kugel pudding last time: http://feistyfoodie.com/2010/07/13/bens-best-kosher-deli/ it was pretty good. Not sure about the chicken&dumplings soup being similar cuz I’ve never really had that either 😡
Apikoros says
You need to branch out and try some of the other “jewish soul food” there… First, as re: the Kreplach I always get a side of Gravy for dipping… Try the Stuffed Derma, again with gravy. I cannot think of anything that you can compare it too. Also, their chopped liver is great. Finally, order the “Chicken in the Pot”. That’s a poached chicken with all of these vegetables served in a soup stock. Finally I would recommend what I can only call the “Frank’s Special” Frank being my father in law. That’s tongue and chopped liver on a Club Roll. I always add sliced red onions which is the traditional garnishment. 🙂
Feisty Foodie says
I thought stuffed derma was stuffed cabbage? Because I had that last time – http://feistyfoodie.com/2010/07/13/bens-best-kosher-deli/ – as well. I want to try the chopped liver, but I’m not a huge fan of liver…
BlindBakerNYC says
Dude, stuffed derma (as in “skin”) is a cow’s intestine stuffed with matzoh meal and meat. And lubed up with schmaltz. So good! When I was a kid, my BFF was a Jewish girl whose family always invited me over to celebrate the holidays and for family parties. Her mom’s best friend Dottie made the stuffed derma, and she always looked so pleased when I asked for seconds of it. When they told me what it was, I shrugged and said, “Eh, I eat chicken feet” and kept eating. I don’t think I’ve had stuffed derma since those seders of yore. May have to hit this place for a taste of the past!
TT says
i think i have only actually had kreplach once and it was boiled. guess my family wasn’t into kreplach.
my mom’s makes a mean matzo ball soup.
sincerely,
The Feisty Jewie
BlindBakerNYC says
So wrong, and yet, so hilarious!
Hungry says
Along with my roast beef trail, I fully expect to do a pastrami trail as well.
Feisty Foodie says
I fully expect to be invited to that as well (this place is literally steps from the subway, and I think the other famous places are as well – gives us time to digest?).
T.C. says
Was the kreplach filling too bland or dry and skin too soggy since fried? I never had but heard they are similar to dumplings.
Pastrami looks good but still a fan of corned beef first. 🙂
Feisty Foodie says
The filling tasted a little metallic (no I didn’t eat the fork!) and dry… the outside was a bit chewy, not crisp like I wanted. You should come with us on the pastrami tour so we can do pastrami and corned beef, split everything 🙂