Location: 340 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016
Cuisine: Kosher Steakhouse
Items: 2 cocktails, 1 appetizer, 1 pasta, 2 entrees 1 dessert
Best Dish: The prime rib is absolutely amazing! It is so tender and juicy you will be thinking about it long after you have cleaned your plate.
Overall: La Brochette is a warm inviting space perfect for a good meal with good people. The food is extraordinary and the staff is dedicated to providing excellent service.
Shalom dear friends and food fans! If you hunger for something delicious, and rabbi approved, we have a treat for you. Last night we ventured into uncharted territory (for us) and had dinner at a Kosher Steakhouse. We never thought we would see those words together but there they are in all their carefully prepared glory. La Brochette is an elegantly decorated Steakhouse on the east side of midtown.
Located just a few short blocks from Grand Central Terminal, the space is a mere 5 months old and thriving. We visited on a random Tuesday evening and found the space bustling with happy diners enjoying the chef’s preparations. When ordering here, the servers insist you order entrees and appetizers together so they can time your dishes perfectly. If you have ever had your entrée appear before you’ve finished your appetizers then you know how important timing really is. We ordered quickly and enjoyed a round of cocktails while waiting for our first course. The cocktail menu is filled with sweet tempting concoctions that can be prepared over ice or frozen. I chose the Toasted Almond a creamy decadent mix of amaretto and chocolate. My companion went with the vibrant and refreshing Blue Hawaii.
Our appetizer arrived just before the last sip. As a rule whenever a venue offers a sampler; GO FOR IT! A sampler is the best way to try several appetizers without having to endure full portions of them. You get just enough to taste so you know what to order on your next visit. The sampler at La Brochette includes:
Short Rib Spring Rolls- tender bits of braised shortrib stuffed inside a crispy spring roll with a ranch dipping sauce.
Duck Confit- Succulent braised duck breast folded into a wonton wrapper and deep fried served with a warm citrus glaze.
Crispy Sweet Breads- The term sweetbread refers to the Thymus gland or pancreas of an animal. According to Wikipedia this term is derived from the sweet taste compared to “muscle” meat. I can attest to an interesting textual experience with the sweetbread. The outer layer was crunchy and the inside a mixture of creamy and meaty.
Skewers- tender bits of beef roasted to perfection on skewers with tomatoes and onion.
After our starters we went with a pasta bowl to share. We opted for the rigatoni Bolognese. A traditional Bolognese contains onions, tomato, celery and cheese or meat. Naturally being a Kosher restaurant cheese is not an option, and quite frankly we didn’t miss it. The sauce was rich and savory with a generous helping of premium ground beef.
Just as our pasta bowl was cleared we were served the prime rib. Just the thought of this has me salivating. Meat lovers, this one is a must have! The prime rib is expertly prepared and fork tender. The meat practically melts on impact, it is a savory masterpiece of culinary delight. This is by far the best prime rib I have had…ever! This dish is usually served with a turnip puree but for our visit we were given mashed potatoes and seasonal mixed vegetables.
After the spectacular prime rib we were served the deliciously beefy 22oz Delmonico. This cut of beef is named after the famous Delmonico’s steak house and comes from the rib section of beef. It can be served bone in or out. At Brochette the bone is out but served along side the beef with its delicate marrow as well as a helping of mashed spuds and crispy onion rings.
Despite our full bellies we took our waiter’s advice and ordered dessert. Kosher means no dairy and yet we were able to order a decadent chocolate mousse. I was a bit hesitant at first but it was delicious and surprisingly creamy despite the lack of dairy.
The next time you are in midtown and craving something beefy head into La Brochette, the comfortable atmosphere and delicious cuisine is worth every penny. You can even invite your vegetarian and pescatarian loved ones as the space also has a sushi chef and several specialty rolls, but no shellfish! The venue is Kosher after all. So drop on in and have a little nosh and make sure you get a cocktail from their expert mixologist and toast to us, L’Chayim!
***Coming up at La Brochette: Guests are welcome to participate in a Post-Purim costume contest on March 16 starting at 6:00 PM. The winner of the costume contest will receive a dinner for two at La Brochette and a complimentary bottle of wine. The runner-up will receive lunch for two, and the third place winner will receive a free appetizer during their next visit. All eligible contestants will receive a complimentary glass of wine or mixed drink, and children will receive a free soft drink the night of the event. Good Luck!