Nine Days Kosher Dining Rundown with Elan Kornblum of Great Kosher Restaurants

It's the nine days, which means for uh many many people listening, I know there's some with different customs, but for many many people listening, it is a um embargo on on meat. The only exception would be on Shabas. And this is a long nine days. We've got the end of this week now, Wednesday till candle lighting. And uh next week, we've got Havdala until uh basically Friday night. I mean, I guess some people might eat meat Friday morning, but I would guess most are going to wait until Friday night. So, it's a really, really packed nine days. Who do we speak to if it's a packed nine days to find out where to go, what to do, etc. Well, our good friend Elon Cornbloom. He is the authority when it comes to kosher restaurants. Great kosher restaurants.com, great kosher restaurants foodies on Facebook, all over social media under Great Kosher restaurants. and he has all the information we need. Elon Cornbloom, my pleasure to welcome you back to JM in the AM. >> Thank you so much. Thanks for having me. Good morning to you. >> Good morning. Can I can I start with a couple of notes uh that are not nine days related? >> Sure. >> I I have to and remember anybody I mention in this conversation, we really have no meaning on this end, we have no professional relationship with. So, it's not like I'm, you know, shilling for a sponsor or anything like that. I've got to I've got to discuss with you a couple of notes about some of the restaurants that are uh active and they're doing really well in the kosher world right now. First of all, a massive shout out to Mr. Broadway who is it it seems that they're one of those places that you never get a bad dish. No matter what you order there, it seems fresh and delicious. I I would assume you agree with that. And I also wanted your comment about the role Mr. Broadway played during the New York Knicks Championship run because I'm assuming with their location and the size of their restaurant, maybe with the exception of the night the president was there, I would assume they were doing some really really active serving uh during before and during those championship games. What do you know about that? >> Well, first of all, it was it was a magical run for the Knicks, you know, in itself. So that already was everyone was on a high, but yeah, Mr. Brewery has that sweet spot of just being a a good restaurant. It's not crazy expensive. It's still Manhattan prices, so it's not cheap, but it's you're getting a good meal. uh the fact that they were able to, you know, they're around for decades and maintain it and they were able to move and seamlessly, you know, I think that um people forget how they were on Broadway and then they moved a little bit a few blocks away and now it's it's a nicer place. Um you know, yeah, it's like iconic Broadway. It's been it's >> I know everything. But it's 2026 and you'd think their run would be over and they just look refreshed and delicious and I don't know the whole every time I go there I just love and you're right about the price. Great value for your dollar. Uh I just love the experience there. >> Yeah, Monty is is a veteran. I remember during the Knicks run I I think I called him one night um to get a reservation and he couldn't even he didn't answer the phone. Um it was tough. It was it was again it was amazing. Um, yeah, Mr. Broadway especially, they have one now in Brooklyn, right? >> So, it's um it's fun to have a place like that that I remember when I was a college kid and going to Manhattan and it's still around and you know, you um you long for those years and so yeah, I think it's um a really great niche, middle of the road um price point for Manhattan at least. >> Oh, 100%. And they told me that during the Knicks run, not only was the place packed, except of course during the night the president was there because nobody could move around, but apparently the line for takeout was massive. And of course, the explanation is that people are taking something into the game and you know these games start late, so you have to prepare. You have to prepare. Make sure you're well taken care of. Anyway, I was really impressed with them, so I wanted to give them a massive shout out this morning. uh last night. You know, we're speaking of a place that has space because space is really important to me. I know that's important to you. For me, for me, I like walking into a vast uh you know, area to dine. That's like I just like that a lot. It's hard to get in the New York area. Um last night, we we did what obviously many other people did because the place was absolutely packed. We were at the Essen Deli on Avenue J. Another one of those places, Elon, that just always gets it right no matter what. I had a sino steak last night and it was perfect. And I said to my wife, I said, "You know, when you've made 5,000 Sino steakakes, you have to assume, you have to assume at this point they know how to do it, right?" You know, >> you're naming two iconic delies >> that in 20 that in 2026 are still so relevant. >> And you're right, you rethink because there's so much sushi out there and all these places that which you know, we love as well. But I think those who made it, you know, past a certain time are like, "Okay, they know what they're doing. They're here. They're not going anywhere. It's what people like." Um, yeah. You know, it's and it is something that it feels good. You know, it's just it's a comfort, homey feeling. Um, you leave satisfied. And again, also not crazy expensive. Correct. You're getting a good value. Correct. And it just Yeah. By the way, uh, today I have a business meeting, couple of people in Manhattan. So, I called Mr. Broadway. I said, "Well, you have a nine days menu." I said, "I need both. I need the regular menu cuz the people we're dining with are going to want the regular menu, and I need to make sure that they have, you know, something good for the nine days." And they they were totally confident. I said, "Yeah, we got both things completely covered. Come on in. You'll be fine." So that that and so now that leads into our whole nine days conversation because it's not only those that are dairy and sushi and and fish restaurants and I know there are a lot of them and whichever ones you want to feature this morning gent but but it's also you know those that are known as meat restaurants Mr. Broadway being the case in this conversation uh who are able to adjust and provide an effective nine days menu in addition and there's a are there a lot of those or that's a really a very small category there are a handful again I we made a list and as the day goes on today tomorrow we're going to be hearing from more restaurants they're just finalizing their 9 days menu even today and they're sending to us so we're on our website we have our list where you can see all the different meat restaurants that are offering nine-day menus. Um, but yeah, it's it's again uh a lot of the restaurants do take off, right? >> You know, let's say essence is off, right? >> S is off, right? >> But they it does give them also a chance to be creative. I always think that it's a, you know, yes, go to the dairy restaurants, they'll be packed. just be patient, be understanding, just know that they're going to be very busy. But this gives you a chance to go to those restaurants that usually um you know, whether they're packed or you know, you want to try something different. This week allows these chefs to really show what they can do and to shine. It's they can be creative with their, you know, vegetarian menu or the pescatarian vegan. You know, this is where I like to see where the chefs, okay, what can they do? How many times can you, you know, um, can you do something different? So, this is an interesting week. If you want to try something different and new, um, it might be a nice idea to kind of do something different because at home, what are we what are we making? Pasta, eggs, get a little boring by I can guarantee by >> What about my bagel pizza? Come on. >> Monday. Okay, you could. By by next Monday, you're going to be like, "Okay, I can't eat any more pasta. No more eggs. I don't want to make anything. Let's go to a restaurant and let's let's go out for a nice meal. And again, they're very creative. So, go on to our site. You can see some of these menus. And by the way, some of these Chinese restaurants, they come up with some really creative dishes where it really does taste like meat or chicken. It has that sauce that you're familiar with. Correct. So some of these popular restaurants, you know, like chopsticks, our good friend Ellie Cat, you know, these are some of the most popular times when people look forward to these vegetarian menus because it's something different that they haven't gotten all year long. >> Yeah. By the way, I've been told the proper term is pizza bagels, not bagel pizza. Yeah. Chopsticks, for instance, it's it's the one time the one week of the year they'll actually uh feature mock shrimp. Otherwise, I don't even bother selling it. But that's something that I know a lot of people I know specific people who look forward to that. And um and and yeah, there are I'm thinking of Dairy Palace in Staten Island. You know, he's always he's got a a parvat menu quote unquote all year round. So that's a great choice as well. I mean, there are a million good choices, but I'm just these are the ones that are coming to mind. By the way, you know what I speaking of the nine days, you know, you know what I heard? I heard that leg and and frankly if anybody's curious about my own personal policy I do go to sporting events in the three weeks I don't go I don't go to sporting events during the nine days but some people do. Legends Yankee Stadium has a nine days menu. Are you aware of that? >> I I heard about that. But it's a funny thing you say that because I just got a message again. Thank god I get messages all day random like crazy. Someone did message me yesterday and I'll screenshot it to you later. just asking me if there's going to be a sem >> at the game. >> Oh my god, is that funny? >> You know, to get to get to the concession if they're going to be open. I said, I don't know about that. You know, you never know. You're going to get Jews and we're a very creative bunch, but I don't know if there's going to be a see them at se, you know, the first inning uh break, but you never know. But that that was a funny thing. Yeah, I I I've I've always said with uh with great pride that I get the uh the Yankee menus for legends in advance. Uh that's how we sometimes judge whether we should bother trying to get into legends or not. So, Sunday, July 19th. You ready for this, Elon? Sunday, July. Who do they pay to play Sunday the 19th? The Dodgers? I think it's a Dodger game. Sunday, July 19th. salad, red snapper, sweet peppers, chim cheree, parv meatballs and spaghetti sushi and ballpark parv franks. That's the menu. That's the Yeah, I know. I know. >> I know. My my boys have already have already declared that even if we did go to games during the nine days, we ain't we ain't paying legend seats for that menu. >> Right. But but IT'S REALLY BUT IT'S VERY COOL by the way. It's very cool. >> That's very accommodating. They're really again there are people who are going whatever for business meetings and they need to eat something. Listen a power of Frank is still better than nothing% >> but um but yeah I I guess you can go and you can suffer in the you know bleachers or uh >> right >> the other seats and get some cracker jack. >> Funny that you say that. >> All right. Um, what must what must amaze even you and tell me if I'm right. This is Elon Cornblum, folks. Mr. Restaurant, Mr. Kosher restaurant. What what must amaze even you is the how long these lists have gotten. If someone is in Muny or the Catskills or Lakewood or Brooklyn and by the way other cities in the United States as well, not only in the New York, New Jersey area, it is unbelievable how many kosher offerings there are. How would you describe what it's like now in 2026? >> Yeah. I just, you know, you would think with COVID and the economy and everything that's going on that it would be a decline or be, listen, it is a tough industry and I've seen it, you know, unfortunately restaurants close, but when I make my list of all the openings, it is tremendous to see how many restaurants have opened. I know I think people socially love to go out. We never, you know, when I was a kid and you were a kid, we never went out socially so socially like this. We didn't go out twice a week with our friends. Um, you know, it was something that we just went out for a special occasion. That was it. But now, thank God, you know, people are going out. They're they're enjoying themselves. I think we do remember how it was when we couldn't go out and we had to stay home. And so I think the whole travel business, the whole social business has has been different and of course with social media and and everything that you know, thank God hopefully I've had a little to do with it with terms of people, you know, talking about restaurants and going out and I have these chats around the world on WhatsApp that we talk about food all day and everyone's very passionate about it. Where should we go? And like I just came back from Bahamar in Bahamas last week. >> Wow. you know, I'm going to I'm going to Italy at the Tishabove. It's it's great time to go out to travel as as a kosher consumer. There's so many options out there. Um, you know, with resorts and with just the access and and being able to um to go. So, yeah, it's amazing. You know, it's a great time. U people love going out to eat the restaurants, you know, they still, you know, want to provide a great service. Yeah, it it's an amazing All right. Amazing time. >> Let me let me pepper you with some questions. You ready? Uh some rapid fire questions. Have you been to the diner in Muny yet? >> I have. >> How is >> pretty cool? Yeah, it is cool. >> I had a burger and a had a burger and a milkshake >> and it was wild and a real like a real milkshake. And yeah, it's you know I want like the music was playing and they had the whole diner. I I want to do if you remember Kiss My Grits, right? Yeah, remember what was her name? What was her name? Floow. Floow. Flo. Flo. >> Flo. Flo. You know, kind of this is how also we grew up and and it was so cool. And it's so hard to get, you know, a seat. Maybe now during the nine days. They're open by the way with a nine days menu. So that's pretty wild. But yes, it's been especially with the Caskills people going up in the summer. Um it's in Pomona by the way for those who don't know. And it's a like a retro diner. They took over an old classic diner. They made it kosher, retrofitted. It's it's brand new. It just a cool vibe and it's neat, you know, and people think, "Oh, it's a diner and but it's it's really nice. People rave reviews." I'm so happy and I'm glad people are doing things that a little out of the box and not the same old thing. So, it's Yeah, Diner is pretty cool. Remember the days when Rockland County had nothing and no restaurant could survive and now it's unbelievable how many they have up there. Just incredible. All right, random question. Our friends at Art of Prime Coney Island Avenue open during the nine days or not? >> They are. I believe so. They have that special um the early bird. >> Amazing. By the way, so so good. So good. So good. We did it more than once. That's how good it is. >> Oh, good. Yeah, it's it's they have us like $59. It's the early bird between 4 and 6. You can go I got to check um I believe that they are uh but you go ahead and always go to our list but yeah it's um a lot of these restaurants just they also by the way have a meat menu like you said Mr. might have it. A lot of Spartum um >> Yeah, that's true. Today, tomorrow um again, business meetings and there are some >> even even told me last night that they're staying up they're staying open very very late last night because a lot of people will still eat meat last night. So, you know, >> so funny >> depending on the custom. All right. Um random question. Viva Lau, were you shocked they took over that lower Broadway location when nobody's been able to been be successful down there? >> Okay. Okay. So, Vivo Lau was an interesting great concept. Um, very similar obviously to Patise um would be honest the former owner of Patise uh went into with Viva Lado. So, same style French pastries very cool concept. Um so they weren't petis before and now it's Vivo. Um, so they've changed hands like in Lakewood used to be petis now people will go the commissary that used to be in New Jersey Lynhurst is now Vivo. So they're kind of you know the unfortunately went bankrupt or trying to get out of bankruptcy. There's a lot of things going on. Um, and they the owner left, they moved over, got a partner, opened up three Vidau, and VI viral stuff. Really amazing. Um, I hope it survives. >> Is Batis open anywhere or they're gone? >> They are. Yeah, they're still open. Uh, Avenue M. They're in uh They're in the Caskills in Woodidge. They have places, you know. >> Oh, is TX still open? Is there TX still open? I think so. I think that might be Yeah. Yeah. They're a kind of going through still structuring and and I hope that you still open in the five towns. I know. >> So, um yeah, it's this is the industry. It's it's wild sometimes. >> Oh, yeah. >> You'll keep track. It keeps me on my toes every day. You have our newsletter. >> You literally have news every day. It's really crazy. All right. Random question. Any update about our friends from Poppies? >> Okay. Yes. So, it's amazing. Uh, Fiat's Pizza, they had um, it's very sad they had a fire on Saturday, right, in the back of their store, but it's amazing how within a couple of days, Steven was able to, you know, get a location, Seasons Express on Cedar Lane and open up. He's opening tomorrow back with a a pizza menu. You know, nine days is his big time, right? So, yes. The Poppy Seeds Bianca's Pizza on West Englewood Avenue um is now moving to Seeds of Express just for temporarily until they fix you know all the any damage but tomorrow they'll be open serving pizza. It's pretty cool. >> What do you think of this whole cookie corner uh thing? Because yesterday someone told me they went to 13th Avenue and you couldn't get in. That's how crazy it is. >> Oh, really? >> Yeah. >> I got I haven't been to I went to park recently. I haven't gone so much. You know, I moved to Long Island. I'm now uh you know, Long Islander, but um yeah, there's so much to cover and uh yeah, if anyone has any information, let me know. >> And I think they have more than one location. They're down in Lakewood, right? I think so. I think they're down, >> I believe. So, yeah. >> Um where where have you been over the last week? Well, you said you were away, so that's not a fair. >> Yeah, I was in the I was in the Cascills for a good week. went glamping, went to visit uh all the different restaurants, then went with my family to >> give me give me an example or two uh from the cat skills that people should check out that you enjoyed, >> you know, for dairy, Citrus Cafe in Woodburn is solid. You can go also to White Lake. You can literally eat on the water uh on a deck. There's bison and bourbon. They have now it's, you know, during the nine days, Bass and Bourbon uh took over that spot, but um you can eat on a deck, you know, in the water. >> Pretty cool. >> Very cool. And you have like um Sushi Tokyo with the beautiful water views, you know, something. It's amazing that Catskills, you have some beautiful water views that you can't find really anywhere else. U so it's really nice to go in the Catskills. Um if people have not gone, you know, you have Woodridge and Woodburn and Monteello and White Lake and uh just, you know, amazing restaurant, a fancy restaurant just opened up last week >> that's in Woodidge. It's funny because in my day and maybe you could say in your day uh that one block of Woodburn was basically the was basically all the dining choices in the cats cuz I know there were exceptions and pizza places here and there etc. But now it's unbelievable. I mean the list just goes on and on. >> People so many move there almost all year round but yeah you can go to different towns and there'll be five, six, seven places you know that you can go to. It's it's wild and it's it's great. It's great for the consumer. Have choices. >> No question about it. Elon cornb blooms with us. All right. My final question. My final question and you could add whatever you want to this discussion. Um and I think and from my perspective, this is another one of those maybe it's because of volume. Everything seems so fresh and so good no matter what I order. And I'm talking about smash house and I'm wondering what you think of the smash the kosher smash house revolution. >> It's great. I'm you know some of these franchise they you know let's say with doggies the very beginning they knew what they were doing. Holy schnitle smash house is taken to a next level where they've created this experience. It's a vibe, you know. Benji, the founder, says he's selling >> experience first, right? >> You know, and he's selling to the kids. Very smart. He's getting the kids wanting the parents to take them. He's giving out gifts. He's making it fun. He's has these giveaways and these raffles and all this kind of stuff. The food is, you know, it's solid. You know, it's it's fun. Um, but it's really it's the whole experience and vibe that people want to be a part of. And he just opened in LA a couple of weeks ago and they're they're all over. They're in the Catskills. Um, but this, you know, the cheeseburger, it's fun. It's it's, you know, you want you want to have it. Um, you know, they have some great chicken sandwiches also. >> Oh, yeah. I'm telling you, their chicken wings are incredible. >> Chicken wings are fantastic. >> Very, very good. It's like, you know, I'm I'm going to get him on the air at some point. He told me I will do it after Nakamu. But could you imagine? I mean, again, there's certain places where when you know that no matter what you order, it's going to be good. That's and that's a completely different level. And so far, that's been my experience there. >> Yeah, it's it's about consistency. And don't say that. Also, if you'll go to different locations, make sure that exactly the way. Again, this is why McDonald's works and and other franchises, non-cooser, is because people want to know that they're going to get the same type of quality they're getting in one location, they're getting the other, and they want to try it. And it's it's, you know, it's great to see people work hard and be successful and and, you know, make it fun and going out to eat. That's why we go out to eat. We can make certain things at home, but why do we go out to eat? Because it's the experience. It's the fun. It's letting loose. it's enjoying ourselves and going out. So the fact that you know these restaurants can provide an outlet and provide a place where we can go that's you know good fun wholesome you know food that I think that's the best. >> Oh I got to ask you one more thing. I got to ask you one more things. I did this recently. What do you think of the kosher food court at the American Dream Mall? Uh another it's just the fact that we can have this access now is what we for decades never had. We know we used to go to the mall and maybe we check to see if the ice cream was kosher if it all now. Yeah. Now Fish Grill and Bravo. Um Miss Nun is coming. You know, you have all these kind of options. Chicken. >> Oh, that pretzel place. >> I think they call it pretzel. Whistle pretzel. Yeah. It just it's you can as a mench you can eat and and dine just like everyone else and you can enjoy yourself and people forget people you know my kids are a little spoiled. They have Uber Eats and at the you know on their phone right in two seconds they can go out to a mall and they forget to have our tuna fish sandwiches you know and what we had to eat. But it's a fun time to go out. It's a fun time to, you know, to be in the industry. And it's again, people should follow us on on Facebook, on it's on our newsletter. There's so much going on to keep up. And, you know, it's it's quite fun to be uh to be in this industry right now. >> I got to I got to give a shout out to the Kosher Bravo pizza places because first of all, their variety is unbelievable. Their specialty slices and another one of those places that seems to always get it right. that those slices kosher Bravo um locations phenomenal phenomenal one of them is at the American Dream Mall as you pointed out. All right, Elon Cornbloom. So, the easiest way kosher restaurants foodies that's on Facebook you mentioned Instagram again people can just search I assume great kosher restaurants you'll tell me if I'm wrong and signing up for the newsletter same thing at your website I guess. >> Yep. Yeah, everything can be found on the website. It funnels through all the others. our WhatsApp chats. Really proud in pretty much all the Jewish cities around the world. You get local information from locals, people who've been there on our WhatsApp chats. It's it's pretty cool. >> Unbelievable. I'll tell you that what's happening with what's happening in this country is unbelievable. Obviously, the tri-state area is just remarkable uh in terms of the um the explosion of uh restaurants and kosher food options. It's really incredible. Everyone should around the world >> and around the world. It's really amazing. The whole thing is amazing. Yeah. By the way, when you go to Rome, I assume you'll be in Rome, right? >> I'll be in Venice, Rome, >> the Jewish, the Jewish quarter in Rome. Boy, you got a lot of choices. I If you're there only two, three days, it's perfect. Like, you'll you'll exhaust all of them. Like, it's just it's >> Oh, yeah. I'm doing food tours and cooking classes and >> cooking. Oh, you're making pasta. You be making pasta. >> I'll make I'll make pasta. Yeah. Yeah. >> From scratch. You're going to go to one of those make pasta from scratch courses in in Rome that they do. >> Mo, of course. >> I love it. Uh, thanks for all the time this morning. Where's lunch or dinner today? Anything special for a ro? Or you're uh you're not you're not diving into the nine days menus yet. >> Yeah, I'll take it easy. I'm in the office. You know, people think I eat all day and go out. >> Where are your Where's your headquarters now? On Long Island. >> Yeah, West Hemstead. >> What is the What is the of nine. People don't realize like it's real. We work, you know, this doesn't happen by accident. >> Yeah. No. Hey, trust me, nobody here would expect that it would. Uh, the closest, and this is just a coincidence question, the closest kosher restaurant or eery or offering to your office would be >> This is a bagel shop. There's a bagel and apps. I just went to yesterday a juice place that opened up near us. One year anniversary >> in West Hemstead. >> Yeah. Listen, I've been here for two years now. We're getting some more stuff. People are like coming to West Sams, you know, you got to pick up the game. So, there's a few restaurants that have new places that have opened and we're we're trying to get some more. So, that's I'm busy with that as well. >> Very nice. Well, uh, always a pleasure, Elon. Thanks for all the info. I hope it's a very productive nine days for all those who've got nine days menus out there and all the fish and dairy restaurants. And thanks so much for joining us this morning. >> Thank you so much. Great speaking to you again, >> Elon Cornbloom, everybody. No better authority when it comes to kosher restaurants, that's for sure. You can search him or great kosher restaurants online. Uh he's got the lists galore. You can't imagine how many lists he has. But the nine days list, woo, that's like, you know, that's a must. That's And it includes places out of New York and New Jersey also, by the way. It's all has he has information all all over the place. Anyway, there you have it. Wow. Yeah, I I played the I played the Legends card. I got to spread the word that I'm privy to the Legends menus in advance. As I said, who did I say it to that time on the air? Who did I say it to that time that I know the most important person in Yankee Stadium? Who did I say that to? Oh, to Max Mannis from the Yankees from uh from Johnboy Media. I said to him, I know the most important. And he's trying to think who's the most important person in Yankee Stadium. And I said to Mashk, the Mashk of legends, the most important person to know in Yankee Stadium.