Get Outta Town
Continued from Page 16
Some trace the Jewish-cooking renaissance to the rebirth of the
storied 2nd Avenue Deli a few years back, when the murdered
founder’s nephews reopened the shuttered kosher icon in two new
locations. Also branching out is Russ and Daughters, which celebrated
its first hundred years by opening a much-heralded restaurant in 2014
that landed on many critics’ Best-of lists. Meanwhile, Jewish-inspired
bakeries like Sadelle’s in SoHo, which serves up treif like lobster salad
alongside appetizing classics, add a modern twist to a scene that still
venerates the old school, epitomized by Barney Greengrass, the Upper
West Side’s undisputed temple of smoked fish for over a century.

Which brings us to another reason to savor Jewish New York at
Chanukah: Fresh, innovative takes on tradition are now sprinkled
throughout the city rather than clustered downtown. You can bring
the kids to the Jewish Museum Chanukah Family Day celebration
on Dec. 14, then take your pick of pastrami at 2nd Avenue Deli
(which is actually on First Avenue) or the new Upper East Side out-
post of Pastrami Queen.

With an entire weekend…
How about latkes, Cajun-style? New Orleans lets the good times
roll for Chanukah, with candle-lighting by the Mississippi, spicy
latke cook-offs, and French Quarter festivities where Jewish classics
get a Southern spin. After all, what is a latke if not first cousin to a
hush puppy?
New Orleans offers plenty of opportunities to contemplate the
similarities this season. Start with a latke bar from local chef Daniel
Esses at “Latkes With a Twist” on Dec. 3, a community-wide party
sponsored by the Jewish Children’s Regional Service. It’s a chance to
kick off the holiday early with cocktails and music from Israeli soul
singer Eleanor Tallie at the sexy, candlelit Bellocq Bar.

Every year, an amateur latke-flipper shows his stuff against New
Orleans’s finest chefs at the Celebrity Chef Latke Cook-Off 4.0, held
each Chanukah at Chabad Uptown. Schmoozing, networking, flirting:
it’s all encouraged at this annual event for young Jewish professionals,
where home cooks can pick up latke-making tips from the pros over
beer and games.

There are more latkes at the Dec. 6 menorah lighting on the Span-
ish Plaza at Riverwalk, where the chanukiah lights shimmer across
the Mississippi River, and crowds gather for face-painting and live
music around a spectacular fountain. A decade ago, this waterfront
was a very different place, and the exuberant rebirth of New Orleans
— exemplified by the shiny new Riverwalk complex — is a modern
miracle worth celebrating on Chanukah. Chabad of Louisiana spon-
sors the party, with a special emphasis on children’s activities.

A more grown-up Chanukah spread — along with serious
foodie bragging rights — is to be had at Shaya, the much-touted
Israeli restaurant whose chef, Alon Shaya, was raised in Philadel-
phia. During the last week of December, Shaya will offer a fam-
ily-style, $65-per-person prix fixe Chanukah dinner that starts
with salmon caviar and caramelized oxtail jam for your latkes,
and ends with sufganiyot garnished with candied satsuma and
black tahini gelato.

Even after the eighth candle snuffs out, those latke bars go on.

There’s a last chance to light the menorah at “Chanukah in the
Quarter,” a Dec. 20 Latin-style fête for the 45-and-under set at
Evangeline. Cocktails, a latke bar, desserts and (of course) a meno-
rah lighting take place in the courtyard of this characteristic French
Quarter spot, sponsored by JNOLA, an organization for young
Jewish professionals.

Name: Carlino's Specialty Foods
Width: 7.5"
Depth: 4.75"
Color: Black plus one
Comment: Holiday Guide Magazine
View our Hanukkah Catering Menu at
CARLINOSMARKET.COM 2616 E. County Line Rd.

Ardmore, PA 19003
610.649.4046 18
NOVEMBER 19, 2015
WINTER HOLIDAY GUIDE
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM