Midsummer Openings 2021
A handful of fast casual vegan spots, three bakeries, and a newly certified kosher Nikkei restaurant have been added to the Manhattan Kosher Map.
August has arrived, and a whole slew of restaurants have opened, rebranded, and/or obtained kosher certification:
Beatnic (vegan; certified by the IKC) isn’t a new restaurant per se; it’s more of a phoenix rising from the ashes of by CHLOE’s bankruptcy. Their menu is largely unchanged as per their homepage announcement (“Fresh new name, same crazy delicious food”), and their kosher certification (which was set to expire on July 31, 2021) was renewed under the name Beatnic as of August 1, 2021.
Jajaja Plantas Mexicana’s new Hudson Yards location (vegan; not certified kosher) is a casual Mexican street food restaurant featuring “playfully crafted tequila & mezcal cocktails.” This is their third Manhattan location. It’s situated inside Whole Foods, but their pots, pans, ovens, and dishes are independent from Whole Foods.
Krispy Kreme’s new Upper East Side location (dairy; certified by the KOA) doesn’t have a glaze waterfall like the flagship location in Times Square, but it does honor the nation-wide promotion for a free glazed donut (one per day!) with proof of vaccination.
Make My Cake’s new Harlem location (vegetarian; not certified kosher) offers a plethora of cakes, including fan favorites German chocolate cake, red velvet cake, and sweet potato cheesecake. They also serve cupcakes, cookies, pies, and pastries. According to their website, their bakery combines “the southern baking traditions of Mississippi and Alabama with Harlem soul.”
MENO’s new midtown location (vegetarian; not certified kosher) serves coffee, lemonade (choice of rose, lavender, or matcha), and many kinds of tea, including cheese foam tea (one reviewer reported that “the cheese foam’s flavor conjured of the world’s lightest and fluffiest cheesecake”). Their crepe cakes are by far their most Instagram-worthy item: layer upon layer of razor-thin colorful crepes and buttercream combine to form one beautiful slice of cake.
NuLeaf (vegan; not certified kosher), a new fast casual spot, boasts a menu that includes bowls, salads, smoothies/shakes, and “handhelds” (think burgers, sandwiches, and wraps). Time Out NY points out that their menu “skews more toward imitation meat products than simply plants, so expect a fair amount of ‘chorizo’ and ‘chicken.’”
Sen Sakana (meat; certified by Dover Tov) was one of NYC’s first Nikkei (Japanese-Peruvian cuisine) restaurants when it opened in 2017, and it’s certified glatt kosher as of August 2021. Sen Sakana’s original opening nearly four years ago was so anticipated that the NY Times published two articles about it in addition to Pete Wells’s review. Their menu includes Ceviche Nikkei, Veal Breast Tostaditas, and Miso Braised Short Ribs. They also have a sushi, maki, and nigiri menu, including Mauro Tartar (Tuna, Avocado, Crispy Quinoa, topped with Tomato Salsa, Peruvian Aji Limo) and Andes Yama (Kanikama, Asparagus, Oshiko, Shiso, topped with Salmon, Beet Puree, Gooseberry, Chive).
Spring Café Aspen (vegetarian; not certified kosher) recently opened their first NYC branch. According to their website, “Sabrina Rudin founded Spring Café Aspen in 2013 in Aspen, CO with the goal of providing locals and visitors with organic and nourishing vegetarian food to fuel the activity-driven lifestyle of the small mountain town.” Their menu includes salads, burritos, veggie burgers, falafel, avocado toast, and an item titled “Vegan Walks Up to a Street Cart” (Roasted and spiced cauliflower, onion, cherry tomato, jalapeños, white sauce, mint, house made hot sauce on lavish). They also serve baked goods such as pastries, cookies, and pies.
