YourPersonalChef "Keeping Kosher consumers up to date about NY-area restaurants"

This place is out of business now.

Not a fancy place, but great for a quick Israeli meal with friends or family. Family owned, opened in the last year or so.

I’ve never eaten in, but this bustling Manhattan lunch counter offers the best takeout you’ll find with a Kosher certification. Everything I’ve had has been excellent, and the enormous portions allow you to easily split an entree. Two entrees will easily feed a family of four. It’s located close to Broadway, so if you want to pick up something before going to a show, this is a good bet. Good salads, great lasagna, etc. Everything fresh, appetizing, nicely presented.

You won’t come to Darna for the great service; this place is Israeli-owned and operated, and most of the service is provided by Israeli hipsters, clad in all-black and obviously bored with their jobs. If you are lucky enough to get attention from your overworked busboy who comes from South America, count yourself fortunate. He’ll refill your water and get you more of the fabulous hot pita.

you’ll come to Darna (and keep coming back, if you are like me) for the unparalleled quality and presentation of food. This place has been turning out excellent Moroccan food for many years, and I have never had a bad meal. The atmosphere is charming, with high ceilings, lots of wood and Moroccan decorations, and candles. It’s Manhattan, so I am always surprised by how large the interior is. Big, heavy chairs, heavy tables. Definitely a special occasion place, and great for dates. Just advise everyone that it’s going to be a long night. Service is very, very slow. You can’t hurry them up, so don’t even bother. Just resolve to enjoy the relaxed Mediterranean pace, and savor every course!

Everything is good, but the lamb tagine is a standout, as is the moroccan soup. Appetizers are good, the house salad is tasty. I cannot remember having dessert here, usually far too stuffed. Portions are huge, you can definitely split an appetizer. Pricing is reasonable, with an app. & entree going for somewhere between $25-40.

Nobody would come here on a special occasion, but when you are in midtown and have to get a cheap lunch, J2 (as it is known) will do the trick for under ten bucks. Ambience is terrible, service is worse, but if you’ve been eating at kosher pizza places your whole life, you won’t know any better anyway.

I can’t figure out why Dougies is still in business, and has several locations. The food is totally unhealthy, the atmosphere is fast foodish, and the service is pretty much terrible. It is not even cheap. Still, families come here year after year. No accounting for taste. If you want a decent meat restaurant in Teaneck, go to Mabat.

I fail to understand some of the other reviewers’ comments. Perhaps there are too many people writing who really don’t understand what it is to eat a vegan meal! The Chicago Diner is perhaps the best place in the country for creative, unpretentious, fresh and delicious vegan food. They do have cheese items, and eggs, but I always get the vegan stuff here because it is so phenomenal. Inexpensive, too! Their salads are absolutely amazing. Beautiful, fresh, abundant. Now that we live in the NY area, I really miss the opportunity to eat at the Diner, as we used to come here about once a week. If you go, be sure to try the Santa Fe Salad, the Rain Salad, or for a decadent brunch, the French toast or deluxe breakast platter. Everything is good, I am not a big fake meat fan, but you really cannot go wrong here. Service is generally very friendly and sweet, but you will occasionally have to wait for a table on a weekend day.

I miss this place so much! I only had the privilege of living in Asheville for a year, but this fine vegetarian restaurant is one of the many reasons I miss Asheville now. Laughing Seed is an Asheville institution. Cheap, fun, creative, and classy. World cuisine – think raw tapas one night, asian fusion the next. Indian, mexican, chinese, japanese, southern, thai, etc. etc. There is really good energy here – the space is open, clean, and nicely decorated. Staff is warm, young, and friendly. Brunch is especially busy (be sure to try their amazing vegan biscuits – OMG!) but almost any time you will find this place buzzing. Laughing Seed embraces organic/local and sustainable food, and is involved with many worthwhile local organizations. You’ll enjoy your time here.

I ate at Mela a few times, and it’s a nice place, charming. However, the food is occasionally uneven, thus the 4-star rating. Also, some dishes are not at all authentic and you will want to ask for spicy if you like it hotter than the bland American palate. Overall, good place and most diners will be very satisfied.

Asheville residents are spoiled for choice in terms of vegan and vegetarian options, so there is not much of a reason to go to Rosetta’s Kitchen unless you are in the neighborhood and have time pressure. Otherwise, head to Laughing Seed for a truly great meal. Rosetta’s is similar to an old hippie cafe – brown rice, sprouts, sandwiches, couple of soups. You bus your own plates, and the environment is EXTREMELY casual – don’t bring a business associate! Food is mediocre. Needs a hefty dose of hot sauce for flavor.

I guess as a native New Yorker, I might be a little more picky about bagels than my brethren from North Carolina! While Bruegger’s is certainly acceptable for a cup of coffee and a bagel while you are on the go, I would not give it any kind of high rating. The atmosphere is like a dunkin donuts, not some place you will want to linger (most people get takeout) and the bagels are something similar to dunkin donuts as well. The staff is certainly nice, friendly, and easygoing, but that is a reflection of Asheville – most folks who work behind the counter in this friendly town are just super. If you are in the mood for Sunday brunch, brave the crowd at laughing seed to get one of the best brunches ever!