No work is done after sunset for the Friday night meal
Reserve Cut, a steakhouse and sushi restaurant in New York City that follows strict Jewish dietary laws, is offering a new service that allows its kosher-keeping customers to enjoy a premium sabbath meal while still conforming to traditional practices.
The restaurant, which has one location in Manhattan’s Financial District and another that opened in September in Midtown, is taking orders and payment in advance at the new location for the special dinners and preparing everything beforehand, ensuring that no work is done between sundown on Friday and sundown on Saturday.
Jewish law forbids cooking, heating, or processing of food during the sabbath, also known as Shabbat, when most forms of work are banned. Food can be kept simmering as long as the level of heat isn’t adjusted.
New York City is home to the United States’ largest Jewish population, with around 1.4 million Jews in the city and its suburbs. Around 10% of Jewish residents of the city keep kosher dietary practices at home, according to a study by the United Jewish Appeal Federation of New York.
Money is also not allowed to change hands on Shabbat, so customers who want the special meal must reserve at least a week in advance and pay beforehand.
“We have created a menu which allows for all of the actual cooking to happen before Shabbat service begins without compromising on the quality,” Reserve Cut culinary director Isaac Bernstein said in a statement. “So we are focusing more on braised meats and poultry that can be held hot for extended periods of time without sacrifice.”
Although prepared to fit traditional Jewish dietary norms, Bernstein said the meals are available for anyone who wants them. “All religious practices and ceremonies are at the discretion of the guest,” he said. “These meals are open to all, and anyone can partake in the experience as long as they are okay with the style of service and menu. It’s an RC experience adjusted for Shabbat rules, not a formal Shabbat meal.”
Among the menu items available for the Shabbat dinner are short rib tacos, kibbeh with tahini, mushroom crostini, chicken wontons with soy dipping sauce, as well as a charcuterie platter and challah bread, all served family-style. The plated dinner is comprised of chicken soup, a signature fish course, and boneless short rib and chicken.
Reserve Cut has OU-Glatt kosher certification.
Contact Bret Thorn at [email protected]
You May Also Like
.jpg?width=300&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
