New York’s 8 Greatest Latkes for Every Night of Hanukkah
You’ve got to love Hanukkah — the Jewish holiday that obligates its observers to eat oil-blessed foods for eight straight nights (because a one day supply of oil miraculously burned for eight nights!). And as much as we dig jelly donuts, Hanukkah’s signature dish is Latkes; crispy potato pancakes traditionally topped with applesauce and sour cream. But for all the totally classic spots serving latkes in New York (such as Katz’s, Veselka’s, Barney Greengrass & more), there are just as many adding their own, modern spin to the holiday staple. From Timna and its leek and goat cheese-based Latkes to the sexy Sadelle’s, serving pancakes topped with salty bubbles of caviar!
Sadelle’s
Considering they already debuted a “Large Format Latke” all the way back in August (sliced with a pizza wheel and served by the wedge), you can bet the Major Food Group’s white hot Sadelle’s is pulling out all the stops for Hanukkah — think potato pancakes served with your choice of caviar from their sizable list, paired with shots of cucumber and black pepper infused vodka. Sure beats the pants off of Manischewitz wine!
Read MoreAmerican Cut
Potatoes are already a popular starch at steakhouses like American Cut, but crispy latkes are a year-round option at Marc Forgione’s Tribeca steakhouse. So if you really want to celebrate Hanukkah in style, do it with a Tomahawk steak, paired with a tall stack of potato pancakes, layered with slices of apple and savory chicken gribenes.
Read MoreTimna
Believe it or not, the latkes at this popular, new Israeli spot in the East Village are totally potato free. Instead of spuds, the tangy discs are made with caramelized leeks and goat cheese, which have been bound with eggs and flour, flavored with thyme & ginger, topped with vanilla butter-sautéed enoki mushrooms, and served over sunchoke puree.
Read MoreMile End Deli
In addition to offering two types of pancakes throughout the Jewish holiday this year (either traditional or sweet potato, paired with sour cream, apple sauce, chopped liver and whitefish), Mile End is also holding Latke Tastings during dinner service. (Yes, really!) Think classic latkes with duck ham, sweet potato with smoked onion jam, and zucchini latkes topped with deviled eggs, mint and caviar.
Read MoreRuss and Daughters Café
This Lower East Side staple’s expanded, sit-down café toes the line between being entirely traditional and off the beaten track. And that duality is on full display during Hanukkah, expressed in classic potato pancakes, accompanied by applesauce and sour cream, as well as a ritzy, refined version, accented with wild salmon roe and crème fraiche. (We vote the latter.)
Read MoreElan
Chef David Waltuck is turning to an old family recipe for the latkes currently being served at Elan. And while he maintains that the real secret is removing all excess water from the shredded veggies before frying, it’s also the clever addition of carrots that make these pancakes a cut above; adding sweetness, crunch, and a vibrant, orange color.
Read MoreJacob’s Pickles
Latkes aren’t necessarily know for their good looks, but tell that to Jacob’s Pickles on the Upper West Side and they might just show you the door. That’s because the sweet potato-flecked pancakes at this Southern-inspired restaurant are gorgeously composed. Dolloped with Cajun scallion crème fraiche and pebbled with pickled mustard seeds, these warm, crunchy fritters come crowned with salmon roe and crispy petals of deep-fried, marigold-colored potatoes.
Read MoreKitty's A-Go-Go
In addition to offering dreidel-shaped hand pies during Hanukkah (filled with fig, marshmallow crème, raspberry, or golden chocolate), this unique “Jewish soul food” café on the Lower East Side is serving matzoh ball soup with mustard greens paired with classic potato latkes, topped with sour cream and Empire apple compote.
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