It’s beginning to look a lot like Succot. And with the weather forecast promising a few days of Med-rivalling temperatures — albeit only for the first two days — you might fancy getting out and about over the chag.
There’ll be succahs at several restaurants next week including at Hampstead’s Jewish community centre, JW3.
Meaty, Middle Eastern restaurant Kasa which will be popping up in the JW3 succah (in their Dorfman Piazza) serving a full menu including starters of various hummus plates, falafel, arayes, soups and salads.
Their extensive menu includes burgers, slow cooked short ribs, chicken salad, steak, merguez shakshuka and fish tagine. There are also parev desserts like Daniele’s chocolate mousse, vegan knafeh with lemon grass syrup and apple crumble with vanilla ice cream. And a lighter list of laffas and pitas stuffed with a variety of fillings, including shawarma; falafel and schnitzel.
The JW3-Kasa pop up succah will be open for lunch and dinner between 20th and 22nd October (inclusive). Find the full menu here. Definitely worth popping down, whatever the weather. (KLBD and SKA)
On the south coast, Novellino Brighton also will be offering an outdoor experience, but in this case, over the whole festive period.
If you are in Brighton over the chag — especially if the sun is going to be shining on us — Novellino Brighton is the place to be. The shiny, smart community centre has a special menus in place for lunch and dinner on the Yom Tov days and then their regular menu over chol hamoed. Full details here.
To give you a flavour of what’s on offer — the dinner menu (£70 for adults and £40 for under-12’s) offers three courses (with challah and kiddush wine) which includes chicken soup with kreplach and matzo balls or pumpkin soup; chicory and beetroot salad with walnut and tarragon vinaigrette and a Succot salad with mixed leaves, pomegranate, walnuts with a pomegranate vinaigrette to start.
Main courses include Israeli style roast chicken with couscous stuffed beef and cabbage parcels and peppers stuffed with seasonal veg and rice and dessert options of apple strudel or fig pudding.
Chagim lunches (£50 for adults; £30 for under-12’s) include kiddush wine and challah followed by starters such as paprika hummus; pomegranate and apple salad; main course crispy salt and pepper chicken with caramelised fennel and shallots and desserts incuding sunken berry cherry cake and custard. (KLBD)
If you’ll be in London, look out for these restaurants which will all have a succah:
Israeli-style eats:
Balady (branches in Temple Fortune and Leather Lane)
Feast on their meaty Israeli menu including a range of hummus dishes; shawarma; filled laffa and pita; vegetables; salads and other treats. (KLBD and SKA)
Balagan, Borehamwood
Tuck into burgers and shawarma, filled laffa and pita, various hummus dishes and a range of salads. (KLBD)
Park life:
Hendon Park Café
The menu here includes sushi as well as a standard list of café specials. Think toasties, pasta dishes, crepes, salads and all-day breakfasts as well as coffees, teas, soft drinks and milkshakes. (SKA)
More meaty eats:
Burger Bar, Temple Fortune
Another meaty menu offering (not surprisingly) a long list of burgers plus a range of tortillas stuffed with meat, chicken or veggies, plus a list of healthy and delicious-sounding salads plus some desserts. (KLBD)
Bistro and fine dining:
Tish, London
Belsize Park’s Paris bistro-style kosher restaurant has a huge road-facing conservatory — the perfect venu for outside eats. At the time of writing I do not have details on what they are offering but it’s likely to be limited to chol hamoed. Contact them here for further information. (KLBD)
This Hyde Park-facing restaurant close to Lancaster Gate will be open on chol hamoed October 20 – 22 (inclusive) with their usual top notch menu of classily executed classics. Think steak or salmon tartare, prime rib of beef, rack of lamb and roasted cod. Delicious desserts include lemon meringue pie and chocolate fondants.
Contact each restaurant directly before you visit to check opening days and hours.
Wherever you celebrate, we hope it’s delicious – and dry.
