Located in the Borscht Belt, Kutsher’s Country Club was a retreat in the Catskills with comedy acts like Jerry Seinfeld and Joan Rivers, and a bellhop (Wilt Chamberlain) who went on to play in the NBA.

The site is also the possible model for the iconic film Dirty Dancing.

Learn more about the resort in Welcome to Kutsher’s on WMHT Wednesday, August 3 at 9pm. @welcome-to-kutshers

I'm slightly embarrassed to admit that, after three and a half years of living in this city, I only recently dragged myself to the Upper East Side to check out 2nd Ave Deli. Since then, my appreciation (and appetite) for pastrami and sauerkraut has led me on a hunt to devour the city's finest Jewish cuisine—which eventually led me to Kutsher's Tribeca.

At the Franklin Street restaurant, owner Zach Kutsher puts a modern spin on traditional Jewish-American fare, drawing inspiration from his family's iconic, 100-year-old resort in the Catskills. House-cured pastrami is served in the form of crispy spring rolls with spicy duck sauce for dipping, and latkes come five ways, including a Peking duck version with scallion and sesame-hoisin sauce. The lamb brisket is paired with matzo-crusted onion rings, while the roast chicken is accompanied by pletzel. Try to leave room for dessert—there are classic babka sticky buns with spiced pecans and vanilla bean sauce, and a seven-layer cake with chocolate mousse, fudge and milk chocolate ice cream. 

Indulge in brunch or dinner for two here.

Photo - Danny Kim

Jewish Cuisine is not easy to find in downtown Manhattan. Two restaurants that come to mind are  Jezebel in SoHO, which is kosher, and the Café at The Museum of Jewish Heritage near Battery Park.  I'm sure there are many cafés and delis that serve up a terrific pastrami on rye but little is devoted to the genre in this neck of the woods.

A little more than a year ago, Kutsher's Tribeca opened and was cautiously welcomed as a unique dining venue.  If the name sounds familiar, you may know of Kutsher's Country Club in the Catskill Mountains.  Kutsher's is one of those classic family resorts of the borscht belt that has been a vacation mainstay for generations.  Think of the movie "Dirty Dancing" and you'll get the picture.  It is Zach Kutsher, a fourth generation family member, and his partners that are behind Kutsher's Tribeca.

Kutsher's Tribeca describes itself as a modern Jewish American bistro and if you are looking for classic Jewish deli food, this is not the place to find it.

What you will find is a terrific meal with a delightfully Jewish influence.

Photo - Alice Gao

Everything on Kutsher's menu either references classic Jewish dishes or improves upon them.  The pastrami is combined with saurkraut and cheese then rolled into a egg-roll.  The borscht is in salad form. The latkes (above) are garnished with 3 kinds of caviar.  The gefilte fish (below) is made with wild caught halibut.

Kreplach with wild mushrooms and fresh ricotta is delectable and the kasha varnishkes is accented with baby leeks and veal bacon.

I'm sure all of this would be unheard of at grandmother's house and depending on your point of view (or your grandmother), this is either sacrilegious or great.

Photo - Alice Gao

Even basic ingredients are different.  The schmaltz is not chicken fat, it is duck and the delicious duck schmaltz fries disappear far too quickly.

Photo - Mike Chau

One of the best things on the menu is the Matzo Ball Soup.  I'd never go out of my way to order chicken soup in any restaurant, but this soup is so fresh tasting and distinctive that I have gone out of my way on more than one occasion.

Photo by Danny Kim

The decor is clean and airy with just the right amount of trendiness in the bar area.