Kosher Food and Wine Experience NYC

Feb 13, 2023 by Chef David

By Chef David

The seventeenth annual Kosher Food and Wine Experience (KF&WE) was held in New York City on Monday, February 6.  This is a unique opportunity to sample the finest kosher spirits from around the world while snacking on an exotic array of kosher foods. For some, it was an evening of excesses, enjoying six hours of nonstop wine and food tasting. For others was an exploration of exceptional kosher food providers located in the NY area while sipping spirits at the scenic Chelsea Piers.

This event began in 2006 as an intimate wine-tasting event for a handful of guests. It has morphed into a media, industry, and foodie extravaganza, an evening to remember.

Our Host the Royal Wine Corporation

The KF&WE has become an annual event, curated, and coordinated by the Royal Wine Corporation, a manufacturer, importer, and distributor of kosher wines, spirits, and liqueurs from around the world. With a portfolio that includes scotches, bourbons, tequilas, and vodkas, all kosher, they are singlehandedly shaping and redefining the kosher spirit’s market.

Royal Wine Corp is owned and operated in the United States by the Herzog family, with a long tradition as a European winemaker. In 1848, Philip Herzog was bestowed the title of Baron by Czechoslovakian Emperor Franz Joseph. During World War 2, the Herzog winery was seized by the Nazis. The family went into hiding and in 1948 emigrated to the United States settling in New York City. The Pluczenik brothers reestablished the Herzog reputation under the brand Kedem.

Wines by Country

The KF&WE featured wines from nine countries (the entire list is included below) 37 from France, 29 from Israel, 8 from the US, 1 from Australia, 2 from Argentina, 4 from Italy, 2 from New Zealand, 2 from South Africa, and 4 from Spain.  This included brands we had not heard of before, as well as many classics. It was a night of discoveries, allowing us to become familiar with the breadth, depth, and range of the kosher wine market.  We overheard tasters raving about $100 bottles, while others it was an opportunity to explore the moderately priced range. There were more offerings than one could taste in a night.

Food Glorious Food

The sides of the room were lined with displays of wine, but the middle of the floor was filled with food, a potpourri of mouth-wateringly delicacies, exquisitely plated, in small single servings, presented by an elite selection of local restaurateurs and caterers. The tastings were all fleishig or pareve, accompanied by an entire room of desserts, more food than we could adequately sample in one evening.

Crave Sourdough –  (718) 662-6000 187 Skillman Street. Brooklyn, NY

Crave is an artisanal sourdough bread shop. Handcrafted and delicious. This was our favorite food from the event. We enjoyed its simplicity, light airy center with distinctive tastes, and delightful crust. They are open Thursday from 9 AM to 8 PM and Friday from 10 AM to 3 PM.

DOMA  – (516) 881-7712 – 490 Chestnut Street, Cedarhurst NY, 11516 

Executive Chef Oscar Martinez served a feast. Starting with 28-Day Dry Aged Beef Tartare with whole grain mustard, and caper berries served with taro chips. A Spicy Tuna Nacho is served with crispy, salted tortilla chips alongside a creamy avocado mousse as well as a vibrant pico de gallo and onion vinaigrette for a pop of tanginess. Lastly, Key Lime Cups, with fresh key lime custard, sweet meringue, and a coconut tuile for crunch. We voted this as our favorite dessert of the evening!

The Loft Steakhouse – (718) 475-600 – 1306 40th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11218

Marani – (718) 569-0600 – 97-26 63rd Rd, Rego Park, 11374

They served ground beef and lamb Lula kebab, grilled and served with cranberry sauce over a specialty veggie rice and a roasted beet arugula salad with honey roasted walnuts, fresh apples, and cranberry vinaigrette.

Marble & Grain –  (845) 295-5125 – Online site where you can order restaurant-grade, prime kosher meat. Delivered USA-wide, and kosher for Passover.

They served Beef Nigiri with Wasabi Cream; Beef Carpaccio with Silan Molasses, Pistachio Dust & Pink Salt; and Tomahawk Ribeye Steaks, with Horseradish Cream & Black Truffle Potatoes.

Pizza Biza – (732) 534-2623 Professional chefs who cater events making amazing fresh hot pizza on the spot, offering meat or dairy options, fully Glatt Kosher, and Cholov Yisroel.

They served 3 different types of meat pizza –  Chicken Ailoi, Brisket Heaven, and Pastrami Joy.  We were enthralled by their decadent dessert pizza topped with marshmallows and chocolate.  The tastes and textures combined perfectly and drew us back for seconds, and thirds.

Sushi Tokyo –  (212) 633-4330 – 121 W 19th Street New York, NY 10011

Wonderful presentation almost too nice to eat including sushi, salad, and wontons. A taste to be savored.

Tomahawk Steakhouse – (732) 724-5001 – 700 Cedarbridge Ave, Lakewood NJ, 08701

Wall Street Grill – (212) 635-5757  – 128 Pearl Street New York, NY 10005

Executive Chef Joseph “Joey” Paulino served up a feast including our favorites Crispy Rice, Spicy Tuna / Spicy Salmon / Guacamole, with Sweet Soy, Spicy Mayo and Jalapeno; General Kame Chicken, Teriyaki Glaze, and Tabasco Aioli.

Weiss Brothers –(718)437-3631  – Catering, dairy, and fleshig –  543 Pennsylvania Ave, Linden, NJ 07036

They provided a feast of traditional fleshing offerings, located in the center of the room, including hot dogs and tacos. Simply delicious!

The Finale – Desserts

Elegant Desserts – (718) 388-1323  868 Kent Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11205

They served up Passover products, including gluten-free offerings. For the rest of the year, they sell their Gelbstein line of rugelach, twists, and cookies.

Fruits by Pesha –   (917) 612-0660 – A family-owned and operated company producing exceptional dried fruit. We sampled the blood orange dipped in chocolate, and pineapple, amid a wide array of other dried fruits. And yes – which we went back for more!

Miele Gelato & Sorbet – (888) 435- 9444 – Online orders shipped directly to your door. Including 12 flavors of gelato, sorbet, and alcohol-flavored sorbet made fresh to order using fresh and natural ingredients imported from Italy.

Pints & Pies Frozen Desserts – (347)-236-3316 – 2083 Coney Island Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11223

Showcased their Non-Dairy Ice Cream pies in exotic flavors including Lotus, Cookies n Cream, Ferrero Rocher, and Mint Chip.

Featured Products             

Bowery Mehadrin – presented a colorful array of salads, Kosher for Passover. Indoor farming – vertically grown indoor farming which produces bug-free lettuces.

Tuscanini  – Authentic Italian products featuring gnocchi and other classics. They sell kosher for Passover products as well.

Tastes Worth Trying

The KF&WE presents an extensive array of kosher restaurants and caterers amid a sea of spirits. The event offered more than any one person could consume. It provided an introduction to the Royal Wine Corporation and its extensive brand presence, as well as an exploration of the kosher eateries in the New York City area.

It was an evening of extraordinary tastes, which left us stuffed and excited for next year. Sometimes your eyes are bigger than your stomach. This evening was living proof of the truth of this statement.

Take the opportunity to taste, and explore, these products at a more leisurely pace. Savor these offerings, and remember, some are even kosher for Passover.

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 France (37 wines)

1. 1. Champagne Barons de Rothschild
   2. Champagne Drappier
   3. Château Bellefont-Belcier Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
   4. Château Clarke Listrac-Médoc
   5. Château d’Arveyres Bordeaux Supérieur
   6. Château de Parsac Montagne Saint-Emilion
   7. Château Fayat Pomerol
   8. Château Fontenil Fronsac
   9. Château Fourcas Dupré Listrac Médoc
   10. Château Genlaire Bordeaux Supérieur
   11. Château Giscours Margaux
   12. Château Greysac Médoc
   13. Château La Clare Médoc
   14. Château La Tonnelle Haut-Médoc
   15. Château Lacaussade Saint-Martin Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux
   16. Château Lamothe-Cissac Haut-Médoc
   17. Château Lascombes Margaux
   18. Château Le Petit Chaba Bordeaux
   19. Château Léoville Poyferré Saint Julien
   20. Château Les Laurets Puisseguin Saint-Emilion
   21. Château Les Riganes Bordeaux
   22. Château Malartic-Lagravière Pessac-Léognan
   23. Château Mayne Guyon Bordeaux
   24. Château Meyney Saint-Estèphe
   25. Château Montviel Pomerol
   26. Château Piada Sauternes
   27. Château Pontet-Canet Pauillac
   28. Château Rollan de By Médoc
   29. Château Roubine Cru Classé Côtes de Provence
   30. Château Royaumont Lalande-de-Pomerol
   31. Château Saint-Corbian Saint-Estèphe
   32. Château Sainte-Béatrice Côtes de Provence
   33. Château Trijet Bordeaux
   34. Domaine Ternynck-Les Marronniers Burgundy
   35. J. de Villebois Loire Valley
   36. Koenig Alsace
   37. Les Roches de Yon-Figeac Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

Israel (29 wines)

1. 1. 1848
   2. Alexander
   3. Barkan
   4. Binyamina
   5. Carmel
   6. Covenant Israel
   7. Domaine du Castel
   8. Ephod
   9. Flam
   10. Flegmann
   11. Matar by Pelter
   12. Nadiv
   13. Nana Estate
   14. Netofa
   15. Odem Mountain
   16. Or Haganuz
   17. Psagot
   18. Razi’el
   19. Segal
   20. Shiloh
   21. Stoudemire
   22. Tabor
   23. Teperberg
   24. Tulip
   25. Tura
   26. Tzuba
   27. Vitkin
   28. Yatir
   29. Zion

United States (8 wines)

1. 1. Covenant – California
   2. Hagafen – Napa Valley
   3. Hajdu – California
   4. Herzog Wine Cellars – California
   5. Marciano Estate – Napa Valley
   6. Pacifica – Washington State
   7. Padis – Napa Valley
   8. Sonoma Loeb

• Argentina (2 wines)  – Flechas de Los Andes, Sforno
• Australia (1 wine) –  Teal Lake
• Italy (4 wines) –  Bartenura, Ovadia Estates, Terra di Seta, Vera Wang Party
• New Zealand: (2 wines)  – Goose Bay, Edmond de Rothschild Rimapere
• South Africa (2 wines) –  J. Folk, ESSA
• Spain (4 wines) – Cellar de Capçanes, Clos Mesorah, Elvi wines, Ramon Cardova