This week Israeli celebrity chef Eyal Shani has opened the seventh location of his restaurant Miznon. The newest outpost, located in New York City’s famed Chelsea Market, celebrates Israeli street food with a distinct Manhattan twist. The menu focuses on sandwiches stuffed in a pita: corned beef and pickles, lobster and creme fraiche and even a cheeseburger.
This isn’t the first or even second Israeli-themed vendor to take up residence in Chelsea Market: Dizengoff, the fast casual hummus joint from Chef Michael Solomonov opened there two years ago, and one of The Nosher’s favorites sweet spots, Seed & Mill, sells its one-of-a-kind tahini, halvah and soft-serve ice cream right across from Dizengoff.
Miznon in New York will not only be serving its new menu of stuffed pita sandwiches, but also a special flattened potato with sour cream and Shani’s signature whole roasted cauliflower, a style of preparation that has become popular all over the United States.
The newest locale and menu feeds right into the wider trend of fast casual eateries from top international chefs wanting to bring their dishes to a wider crowd at a more affordable price. It is even reported that Chef Einat Admony of Balaboosta is turning her casual falafel restaurant Taim into a national franchise with the help of a former Chipotle executive.
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Of course it’s not just Chelsea Market that is having a love affair with Israeli food, but throughout the New York area and in pockets around the country, Israeli food is a trending cuisine. Not that we are complaining – we welcome more falafel, cauliflower and pita sandwiches for the masses.
