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Kashkaval
Categories: Restaurants Mediterranean Food Specialty Food Cheese Shops Mediterranean, Cheese Shops [Edit]
856 9th Ave(between 55th St & 56th St)
New York, NY 10019
Neighborhoods: Hell's Kitchen, Midtown West
(212) 581-8282
- Nearest Transit:
-
59 St - Columbus Circle (1, 2, A, B, C, D)
50 St (A, C, E)
57 St - 7 Av (N, Q, R)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 10 am - 11 pm
Fri-Sat 10 am - 12:30 am
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
408 reviews for Kashkaval
Review Highlights
"The fondue and cheese sampler were perfect."
(in 180 reviews)
"The ajvar (red pepper spread) was by far my favorite."
(in 20 reviews)
"I am definitely coming back for those turkey meatballs."
(in 34 reviews)
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408 reviews in English
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Review from Larry L.
1/31/2012 1 Check-in Here
I love how Kashkaval is only two blocks away from my apartment since it's a hybrid in the craziest sense - part neighborhood Mediterranean grocery, part lively hole-in-the-wall date spot great for wine and tapas. It really can't get more versatile than this.
Look at it this way.
Hungry after work? Head over and grab a 4 tapas sampler for only $10. I usually go with the ajvar (Red pepper spread), the stuffed grape leaves and the Tabbouleh and leave the last one on a rotation. Four sides are plenty and I usually have left overs for a nice afternoon snack the next day.
Need a quick date spot? Head over and enjoy a light dinner under dim lights and a conducive atmosphere for conversation. I haven't tried the full menu, including the oft-raved fondue, but I was hooked just by the tapas and ambiance the first time I was here. The wait could get horrendous though, but from what I've seen, it's completely random.
Awesome neighborhood date spot, as well as a solid store for quick munchies, highly recommended. -
Review from Pam B.
New York, NY
2/8/2012
Went there with a good friend to catch-up over a few drinks and tapas.
We got the small appetizer sampler and choose the following: hummus, piyaz, guacamole and artichoke dip. We were not impressed the hummus could've used some salt and the plate was pretty oily.
We also shared the turkey meatball entree w/ bulgar - this was better especially the bulgar! But I wouldn't come back for the food but the place is great for a glass of wine. -
Review from Ngoc P.
Jersey City, NJ
1/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place is so cute. It's rustic, homey, and small but not too small. I love their menu. They've got a ton of things you can try and lots of wine. I went with my date and ordered a cheese and meat plate, a tapas plate and their chicken kebabs. This .. was a 4PM breakfast as I can recall. Late night, don't judge.
I had the hummus, the red pepper dip, beets, and their tzatziki. They were all good although I like a little more oomph in my hummus, Kashkaval's was a bit mild. But no biggie. All their dips were really good, and their pita (I think whole wheat?) was good too although I prefer white fluffy pita. Their cheese plate is generous with lots of fruit and nuts. I love my stinky roquefort. The stinkier, the better. I think it says something about the cheese. Anyway, their chicken kebabs were nothing to boast about but like someone else said, their orzo was nice and good with the chicken and side salad. Great place. It's romantic but not stuffy either. Great for crowds as it can be a bit expensive for just 2 people. I left stuffed and the bill came around $60ish including tax and tip for 2 (yay for happy hour, $5 for any glass of wine). -
Review from Jacinda S.
Brooklyn, NY
1/26/2012
Kashkaval is a very charming spot in upper Hell's Kitchen. It is tiny, as all good, affordable restaurants in Manhattan are. They have an amazing cheese selection, a decent array of charcuterie, and mediterranean tapas. They also have entrees which are, in my opinion, just ok. Their orzo is really good though.
My favorites of the tapas is the tabbouleh and the lentil tapenade. The portions are small but very filling so avoid the temptation to order too much. A small-medium tapas sampler & small cheese platter us enough for two. They also have a great wine selection. This place is tight so expect to get bumped a few times while you dine.
Service has always been good in my experience. They have a great selection of wines. Best part: if you fall in love with any of the cheeses or charcuterie you can order some from the deli in front to take home. -
Review from Anna K.
New York, NY
1/23/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Kashkaval is currently my favorite restaurant. It's a little small but the atmosphere is great - has a very romantic setting.
I tried the tapas - best guacamole ever and their roasted pepper spread is good too. They also have one of the best paninis ever with a great variety of cheese. They have a large selection of cheese and meat too but I wasn't a huge fan.
Their chocolate fondue is to die for - it's 10/person but one person platter plus another small pastry fondue was perfect for four.
The waitresses and staff are very sweet and caring. I definitely recommend this place. It gets crowded so make sure you get there early - and it's most definitely worth the wait! -
Review from Kate F.
1/18/2012
Oh hi there raclette fondue. You sexy beast you. Salty, flavorful, creamy, hot and interesting... Just like me.
I loved that fondue, greatly enjoyed my malbec wine, and had a fun night picking through the various tapas to find those I loved. Of those, the artichoke dip, tzatziki, roasted brussels sprouts (with a bit of extra sprinkled salt) and hot pita bread were all great - the roasted cauliflower was a bit blah. Prices are very fair, as long as you take care to not over order as portions are generous and you can do with less than you think you can. Even with all our over ordering and 5 glasses of wine, the total was just under $50pp.
Very tight, very cramped, though lovely and candle lit, nice staff are polite about schooching through the crowd to get to their tables, and patrons can be friendly in their forced close quarters.
Overall a fantastically smart business model I would like to emulate one day - cheese and prepared food shop by day, wine, etc bar and restaurant by night.
I'm a big fan. Especially of that damn fondue. -
Review from Jenn L.
1/6/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I really do enjoy Kashkaval - not because in my head, I can actually pronounce it, but because they have some mighty fine wine, cheese, and various Mediterranean-style tapas.
The spot is tiny, unpretentious, and offers a reasonably priced wine for anyone's palette. It's probably one of my favorite spots in the Hell's Kitchen area. There are a couple of ways to dig in to your food of choice when you come to Kashkaval.
(1) Soup/salad/entree - pretty traditional
(2) Charcuterie with a selection of meats and cheeses
(3) Selection of Mediterranean tapas
I'll usually crave a charcuterie, but never end up passing up the Mediterranean food. Served with a side of sliced pitas, you'll get yourself a hearty platter of hummus, tabbouleh, brussel sprouts, tzatziki, and other various mushes and mixes. Oh my my my! Between all the dipping, stuffing of my face, and imbibing of the wine, I just can't help myself when it comes to Kashkaval - and odds are that you wont be able to resist the call of the platters either. -
Review from Christina R.
Manhattan, NY
1/22/2012
Atmosphere: Very cute decor. This place is always packed but it is never crammed.
Food: We ordered a mezze plate of hummus, baba ganoush and olive tapenade. Also ordered a fondue with a side of veggies. Could have skipped the veggies because the fondue came with yummerz bread and the veggies were raw and bleh. Everything was really great!
Service: Our waitress was really nice and attentive. We had to wait a bit for a table but the guy in the front section gave us some hummus while we waited. How nice!
This is one of my fav restaurants in hk. -
Review from Patricia M.
Darien, CT
2/6/2012
I LOVE this place. I cannot wait to go back. We arrived at 4:30 pm and there was only seating at the bar. It is tiny but a fabulous spot with exposed bricks. SO NYC. The food was great and the wine was reasonable. Love affair with the place. GO!
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Review from Ashley B.
1/15/2012
Kashkaval is one of my favorite wine bars in the City. Its not a place to bring a group of people, as the wine bar is tucked away in the back behind the cheese counter. However, its great to catch up with a friend or two.
The bar has a rustic feel to it with dark wood. The bar is small and they have a handful of tables surrounding the bar. It can be a tight squeeze, so get ready to cozy up to whoever you are with that night.
They have a very nice selection of wines. Everything is reasonably priced too. They have tapas type dishes. The small plate of cheese is a good size and can probably actually feed 3 people if you aren't starving. The artichoke dip is also really good and I would recommend it if you like artichokes.
The servers are really friendly and helpful. They never rush you. So if you are looking for a place to catch up with a friend or to take a date, this place is a pretty good bet. -
Review from Joan H.
1/10/2012
What a darling little spot for some small plates -- various mezzes, cheese, and charcuterie plus wine! I love the set up - the space features a long bar, with tables to the side and of it, filled with wood, candles, and the front has a sharing counter and a proper deli case of their goodies (presumably to take to go). I love all the jars displayed up front too.
Prices are reasonable and the food was tasty. Staff can get distracted, but otherwise I really enjoyed the atmosphere. -
Review from Jennifer Z.
Bronx, NY
1/8/2012
Cozy little place - perfect for a few glasses of wine and some tapas or a cheese plate. As other reviewers have mentioned, it's a smaller space so be prepared for it to be crowded. We were there on a Wednesday evening, and there was a 15-20 minute wait for a table. Luckily, the general ambiance isn't affected by the crowd - not too loud or anything.
The wine selection here is decent, and the tapas are good (especially the spicy walnut pepper spread). The standout here, though, is their cheese selection. They also have a popular takeout counter. -
Review from Sean G.
Philadelphia, PA
Updated - 1/8/2012
I love Kashkaval! We have a rule never to repeat anything in a city like NYC but there's something about Kashkaval's food that has us coming back for more. We took our family to Kashkaval for lunch and, as always, it did not let us down...
The tapas are a great starter. The meats and cheese are so delicious with perfect compliments (fruit, nuts, etc). The chicken kabobs are juicy. My soon to be mother-in-law tried the Spinach & Feta Borek (sandwich made from Phyllo dough) and it was amazing.
Overall: 5.0 stars
I originally gave it 4.0 stars. For any restaurant to keep drawing me back in a city like NYC (with so many great options) deserves 5 stars. If you haven't checked it out, definitely go to Kashkaval. If you order with an open mind and empty stomach, you'll leave full and satisfied.Listed in: The Ultimate List
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/17/2011
Food: 4 stars
Service: 3.5 stars
Ambiance: 4 stars
Location: 3.5 stars
Price: 4 stars
Recommendations:… Read more »
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Review from Tami D.
Manhattan, NY
1/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
So so good. Romantic atmosphere. Laid back vibe. Food that us crafted and cared for. You will want to come back again and again. Baklava to die for!
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Review from Monica J.
Manhattan, NY
1/24/2012
I've tried only brunch yet.
As for brunch, don't you think if the brunch special comes with some bread? They have 6 kinds of brunch special and some come with baguette. I may should have choosen it. But the regular brunch special doesn't come with bread, and had too much omelet so I became tired of it.
However, it is still a cute wine bar. I'd like to come back for another brunch, and at night for more wine.
They have cheese and gourmet foods market in the front which looks good.
I'm happy to find this bar in my neighborhood. -
Review from Melinda C.
New York, NY
12/23/2011
This place isn't going to be for everyone. @Cindy T, I'm looking at you. ;) But it hit the spot for M and me. It is as others have described: a not so hidden gem in the Hells Kitchen neighborhood. Past the deli/cheese shop part of the store is a restaurant that is worth going to for a casual, cool dinner or date.
Here's who it's not for: Folks looking for full dinner dining options. Folks who have high cholesterol and a weakness for cheese, in particular fondue.
Here's who it's for: Between the tapas for sharing, savory fondue, dessert fondue, and of course the wine, people who want to interact with each other in a cozy, but not quite intimate setting.
Here's what we had, and I'd get it all again: baba ganoush, hummus, spicy walnut pepper spread, goat cheese salad. Also a red, but I can't remember what M ordered even though is passed muster I think through to three glasses.
The servers are nice, but yes a bit slow, so enjoy your company. -
Review from Chris M.
12/16/2011
I had plans to get the rush tickets for Avenue Q and was looking for a back up plan in case the tickets were sold out. Of course, the tickets were sold out when I arrived. However, I had searched for a wine and cheese bar and Kashkaval popped up on every search I tried. Since it was only 6 blocks away, we decided to give it a try.
When you first walk in, you don't notice the small place and cramped sitting; the only thing we noticed was the intoxicating aroma of the fondue (we sat at the bar because the tables were filled but the bar actually looked more spacious than the tables). We ordered the Kashkaval fondue and it was delicious. Paired it with a perfect Sauvignon Blanc.
After perusing the menu, we also decided to order some of the various dips that were available. The humus and the pepper dip went perfectly with the whole wheat pita that was provided.
It was a great experience and definitely saved my ass as a Plan B to not watching Avenue Q.
Happy eating, suckers. -
Review from Sarah X.
Manhattan, NY
12/23/2011
This place is really cute, romantic and the ambiance is as good as it can get. I would really recommend it for a date night.
We had some tapas, wine and a lamb dish.
The tapas were the best I've ever had, with the exception of the eggplant dish, which tasted a little burnt.
Excellent find! -
Review from John R.
New York, NY
1/9/2012
It's very rare when I try lots of things and love them all. The lentil soup, dolma, spicy walnut salad, and Brussel sprouts were fantastic!
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Review from Dina D.
1/1/2012
I had heard good things about Kashkaval, and I really wanted to like it. It's cute inside. I do find the tables to be too close together, and it's a small space so don't expect to be able to have an intimate conversation. We decided to get a sampler of six spreads. It came with pita bread. We got tzatziki, beet skordalia, artichoke dip, olive tapenade, eggplant caponata, and taramosalata. The beet skordalia was my favorite. The artichoke dip was flavorless. The taramosalata was way too salty. The others were just average. The plus side was they did give us a lot of bread.
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Review from Cindy T.
Warren, NJ
11/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
Kashkaval suffers from an identify crisis. It is at once a cheese shop, Mediterranean restaurant, fondue restaurant, and wine bar. As a result of its identity crisis, it suffers to do any one thing extremely well.
If you walk in expecting Kashkaval to be a cheese shop, you'll be confused as to why there seems to be a bar and full service restaurant hidden in the back.
If you are looking for a restaurant, you may have trouble finding the storefront. I have personally walked by this place a million times without ever suspecting it was anything more than a cheese shop.
If you're looking for a fondue restaurant, I've had better. For an entree, I ordered the classic Swiss and the French Raclette with sides of vegetables and meat. While I appreciate the choice of different types of fondues, there was not enough alcohol in the cheese. Also, the cheese they used for the classic Swiss became strangely grainy after it was heated. I've had better fondue around the corner at Swizz. With that said, their chocolate fondue was amazing. They use a good blend of dark and milk chocolate.
For a wine bar, the selection and price points were about average ($8-11/glass). There are wine bars down the street with better selection and similar prices (ie - Casellula).
Finally, while the waitresses were very nice, service was SLOW. How long does it take to scoop a plate of ready-made spreads, cut up some pita, and heat up some cheese? In my book, it took them TOO LONG. -
Review from Barbara C.
New York, NY
12/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm so happy a friend introduced me to Kashkaval, because I've gone back a couple more times and have two things that I cannot go without: the Spicy Walnut Pepper Spread and the Raclette cheese fondue. I may or may not be drooling just thinking about them.
I've had several of the other cheese fondues as well, and they're all excellent - but there's something extra special about the Raclette. I think it may partly be the nutmeg.
The restaurant is quite small and cramped, but it's not a big deal. It can get very crowded at dinner, but it would be well worth the wait.
Apparently, you can get many of Mediterranean tapas and cheeses to-go at the deli counter, but I haven't done this yet. Someday. -
Review from d d.
Manhattan, NY
10/27/2011
Usually when a business tries to be all things to all people, it fails. Not Kashkaval. Want a cheese store? A sandwich deli? A wine bar? A Mediterranean take-out? Kashkaval can grant you all that and even throw in a romantic candle-lit dinner.
A lot of Yelpers write in their reviews, "I really wanted to like this place, but . . ." For me, I actually really wanted to hate this place, but I didn't. It has nice people, a warm environment, and good food. -
Review from Julie C.
Manhattan, NY
1/31/2012
Recently moved to this neighborhood and I'm so glad I did! So many great places to eat and this is def one of them. Great food, comfortable atmosphere and great wine list :-)
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Review from Franklin B.
Manhattan, NY
11/27/2011
Walked in on a Saturday night to this Mediterranean wine bar. Restaurant itself is very narrow, with seating at the bar and a few tables in the back. Recommend sitting at the bar if you only have a party of 2, tables are mostly for larger parties and you might have to wait a while for one.
Hostess offered us the wine menu and we had a couple glasses of wine while we waited, looked over the cheese selection and the tapas which were both kept near the front door. Our wait was 20-30 minutes for 2 seats at the bar.
Small cheese and meat plate - cheese selection was good, the smoked gouda was a star. One thing to note is the cheese is all kept near the front door, there is no cheese menu. So make sure to select your cheeses while you wait if you intend to order any.
Fondue - we ordered the Classic Swiss, cheese was tasty but a bit oily when melted, also not that impressed with the side platters provided for dipping
Turkey meatballs - this was the standout dish, very delicious. came with a side of orzo and veggie salad. I originally thought it was an appetizer, but this is definitely a meal.
Would go again, but the fondue is not really worth it. I'd probably go with turkey meatballs and some other warm dishes next time, along with the smoked gouda. -
Review from Ileana S.
11/14/2011
Okay, so I admit. It is hard for me to transfer power to someone else in picking a restaurant to have dinner at so I was already a bit hesitant from the get-go.
We were a party of three and we enter a very warm Kashkaval (I realize that could be read as sexual...you're a perv). We are, at first, told that we will have a table set up...only to be told that we would have to wait 20-30 mins. We decide to wait outside since it is so warm inside.
We are outside and are then led inside to this very awkwardly cramped section of the restaurant. Imagine there is a larger table in the back near the restrooms and in order for people to get back there, you have to bump into me (this includes not only the restaurant patrons but also the restaurant staff). Minus one star for not visualizing table seating very well. :P
We order a bottle of red wine (~$30) as we figured we would make the most of it since each glass is about $10. One of my friends orders the Turkey Meatballs with mushroom bulgur ($14). I tried a spoonful of the mushroom bulgur and it was okay. Kashkaval serves moderately large portions so come ready. :)
I split the large sampler plate with one other person for $18, which means we get to share six tapas. Warning: this is quite a bit of food. I recommend the sample plate for $12 for two people (five tapas). The plate is served with warm pita bread.
1. Hummus: This is your standard side. Yum. One of my faves.
2. Spicy Walnut Pepper Spread: Another fave but not spicy as advertised.
3. Taboule: Not my favorite kind but it was good.
4. Roasted Brussel Sprouts: Not too crunchy/not too soft. Just right.
5. Beet Skordalia (Spread): This was my least favorite. Imagine hummus but made out of beets. Meh.
6. Eggplant Taponade: My second least favorite. Not quite sure what it was about this dish. I guess I may have expected more flavor.
Overall, a pretty good Mediterranean-style restaurant staple. Not the best setup for intimate conversation and most definitely not a place to take your first date on...as it can get pretty loud in here. -
Review from Neha S.
New York, NY
10/9/2011
I almost don't want to write about this place, because it's a neighborhood gem! If you live around there (lucky you!) you can always get the dips to go and enjoy a picnic in central park (one of my favorite summer activities!)
When you walk in- you think, this is just a deli/grocery store- but you just peek back a little bit further and you'll find a small, intimate dining place. I have had almost everything on the menu- it's just great to go with a group of close friends, order wine and just nosh your way though catching up. This is a place you come to to linger and enjoy.
Only downside- no reservations (but just come a little bit later to get seating and ensure no fuss/rush). Usually a long wait otherwise. So go really early or after 9:30 pm so you don't have to wait forever.
Dips:
Top 4- (ie. never disappoint):
spicy walnut
pepper spread
olive tampenade
Tzatziki
But everything is really good!! Babaganoush, artichoke, elephant beans, beets, tabouleh-- all good. stuffed grape leaves, classic!
mains: spinach and feta borek, turkey meatballs, chicken kabab- all great when cooked perfectly (once or twice it's been overcooked and dries out). goat cheese salad really simple and nice, chocolate fondue (okay- but go to Holey Cream for dessert instead!)
great experience, ambience! -
Review from Nicole H.
Hoboken, NJ
11/21/2011
Went on Saturday night with one of my girlfriends and it was delicious! The price is amazing for the quality... The atmosphere was a little too cozy for my liking.... As in, I felt like I was inadvertently the third wheel of an already awkward first date.
That being said, we had the Reclette Fondue with veggies, a little cheese and meat sampler and a serving of olive tapanade... We were STARVING, but I need to warn you... This was too much food for us!!!
The Olive Tapanade had the perfect balance of flavor but a single serving of it is made for a party of AT LEAST 4 people... We felt terrible walking away from two days of snacking, but who can really carry tapanade around for a night of bar hopping?
The fondue and cheese sampler were perfect. There isn't much that one needs to say, beyond the price being amazingly reasonable.
I highly recommend a visit... I'll be back again for sure! -
Review from Anh H.
Washington, DC
Instant classic. The place is small, but this is NYC. Everything is small. The selection of cheeses and tapas is amazing. The ambiance is great. It's not too dark to be creepy, not to bright to be mistaken for a McDonald's. It's not too quiet such that you can't make illegal deals, or legal deals for that matter. But it's not too loud to make you think you're in a club.
I didn't have the time or energy to try the drink selection, but I'm sure it would have been awesome. -
Review from Priyanka P.
New York, NY
12/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Love love love this place ! Great ambience ... great service ..... always great food.... try the platter with hummus, artichoke dip.... absolutely amazing. My favorite though is the Chicken paprika .... the chicken is delicious , marinated , fresh and juicy .... only problem is they are always busy for dinner and its a little difficult getting a table
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Review from Suzanne B.
Hartford, CT
12/30/2011
How I wish I lived back in NYC again and didn't have to come as a mere tourist. I miss seeing 5 restaurants on one block, or 8. I miss places like this that aren't generic burger bars, Italian restaurants or the chains of the burbs.
Found the place by cross-referencing Yelp and Menupages as we knew we'd be in the area. Great review and an interesting menu got us there for a late lunch on a weekday. We got the big table in the back.
Menu was fantastic, even for the teens who weren't adventurous (they got chicken veg soup and Greek salad). The other teens and adults opted for the sampler platters, the meatballs, the chicken salad, and wine.
Although the sampler items were mostly a bit salty, they were delicious, with the exception of the roasted eggplant which was the quality of jarred eggplant. Fresh pita was delicious.
4 stars because it seemed one server was serving most if not all tables, and our waters were empty, we had to wait a long time for the check, etc.
We'll be back - wish it were sooner than later. -
Review from Cecilia Z.
New York, NY
9/12/2011
I love this place. It's intimate, cozy, and perfect for a relaxing weeknight dinner or a casual date night.
I've been aware of Kashkaval for a long, long time, but somehow never managed to visit because it's just on the outskirts of my neighborhood. One night on a whim, the bf and I decided to finally check it out as we were looking for something light for dinner. We arrived at about 6:30 pm on a Saturday night, and the restaurant was just about full. We took a seat at the bar and ordered the mezze sampler plate and the mini boureks. The Mediterranean sampler plate consisted of 4 options for $12, served with warm pita bread. The eggplant carponata, artichoke spread, tzatziki and spinach with feta we chose were all very fresh and delicious. The mini boureks were also tasty, flaky and fresh especially dunked in the same tzatziki spread full of bright cucumber and dill.
It wasn't until after we placed our order that we realized that just about every other table around us ordered the cheese fondue. The bf was incredibly tempted to get a pot as well, but fortunately I talked him out of it, promising that we'll return soon for the fondue. And I always keep my promises.Listed in: Casual Date Night
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Review from Alyssa U.
Manhattan, NY
10/19/2011
This place has the best food for people who like to try just a little bit of everything. They have a deli counter that has a selection of all sorts of Mediterranean goodies; I shared a plate of 5 consisting of; taboule, pepper and walnut spread, taziki, a beet spread, and babaganoush (served with pita bread) for about $15. They were all delicious and I can't wait to go back and try more. Their brunch options and fondue looked pretty amazing too. I don't think you can go wrong here if you love this kind of food like I do.
Also they have happy hour every day! -
Review from Amir S.
Manhattan, NY
9/26/2011
I'm just going to say this right off the bat. I really wanted to give this place 4-stars, but the fact that we got the best seat in the house pushed this right up to 5.
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The Start
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Walking in you get almost anxious. It looks like a bar mixed with a deli. The plethora of cheeses mixed with the crowd almost guaranteed to be looking at you is just really off-putting.
Note - You CANNOT make reservations if you have less than 6 people. But the hostess there was AWESOME. I don't know who she is, but she was just super. She said she'd take our names, and told us to come back in 45m, and she's try to keep something open for us.
And by complete chance when we came back, the best seat in the house opened up - a round table in the corner of everything with a nice view of the rest of the restaurant. Walking through the crowd, you really see the stunning decor of a wine shop. Bottles stacked to the walls, everybody in good spirits, and legitimately DELICIOUS looking food everywhere. Half of the things we got - we did by pointing to what other people were eating. Which is more or less amazing.
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The Food
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Stunning. An absolute treat.
We did - the meat & cheese platter (pick 4) , and the tapas (select 4)
For the tapas we did -
1) Brussel Sprouts - It's like they seriously had a farm growing in the back of the restaurant. Insanely fresh.
2) Taboule - Apparently they specialize in Greek food too, because this was seriously bomb dot com.
3) Grape Leaves - When ordering this selection was 100% NOT my choice. Why? Because every other time I've gotten Grape Leaves, they tasted like puke. But then I tried them here. And I'm in love.
4) Eggplant - Just divine. Little slices of heaven.
Then our meat & cheese plate came out.
Honestly, I couldn't tell you for the life of me which we picked (because we are not cheese-experts) .But we did one cow, one sheep, and one goat. And I can tell you for sure we got the Chorizo. Absolutely phenomenal.
The only thing I didn't like is one of the cheeses - but that's because of my palette, not because of the restaurant (I feel dirty blaming them for not enjoying a flavor that I would not have liked anywhere).
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The Price
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With a bottle of their Pinot Noir, the whole bill came to $80 some dollars. For the quality, it's worth every penny.
Putting things in perspective. I'm not cheap, but I get a little trifled at 20% being the standard for NYC even when the service is shitty.
Here, I've never been more happy to tip more than 20%.
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Overall
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It was just a lovely experience. Incredible food, great service, great venue.
I wish I could think of something I didn't like just to balance it out, but nothing is coming to mind. -
Review from Alyssa K.
Wilmington, DE
12/23/2011
Yum! So glad we found out about this place just before our trip to Manhattan today. The restaurant is cozy and eclectic, and the food is delicious and cheap. Can't wait to go back next time I'm in town :)
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Review from MK Z.
Manhattan, NY
12/28/2011
This spot has been our savior for lunch as our office location is a bit desolate. I have not been for dinner yet but i'm sure with the woodwork and decor it would be enjoyable. Nice wine selection as well. You can either eat in for lunch or take out.
The to go platter special is great, being able to choose 4 different sides from the case for $10 and get fresh whole wheat pita on the side. The chicken curry salad is excellent as well. I have yet to have a side there I do not like and have pretty much had all from the case. I will though forewarn you that they use a lot of garlic and tends to give me a bit of heartburn after but its well worth it! Just make sure you have some gum handy! -
Review from Rahul P.
Jersey City, NJ
11/9/2011
Wow. From its storefront appearance and emphasis on being a cheese market and winebar, I was really surprised that this was a really nice restaurant too!
First off, its becomes quite a tight seating situation in the dining area for a restaurant in HK, so if thats a deal-braker, I'd move along. In contrast, I actually found it to be intimate.
We started off with a selection of Mediterranean tapas - Hummus, Baba Ganoush, Taobule, etc...it was a LOT of food for us and it was good; No, not among the best ever, but good.
We went with the house specialties for dinner: Chicken Cilantro,
Paprika Chicken and the Chicken Kebabs. I loved the spice blends used on not only the meats but the orzo that came with the dishes - delicious! Once again, it was a lot of food. I feel like one dish could feed three semi-hungry people. The only complaint I had were the serving platters being topped to the brim, made for a lot of spillage, but hey, its not like we were cleaning up after
The Sangria gets an ok rating from me. Found it a little strange that they tossed strawberries into it.
I'd recommend this place for an intimate night out for maybe 2, 3 or 4 people (Its not the place to bring your large party). The food is delicious and a great value and its a nice change of pace from the excess of Thai and Mexican places in HK. -
Review from Mike C.
Manhattan, NY
10/1/2011 2 Check-ins Here
On an avenue littered with dive bars, thai restaurants vying to differentiate themselves from one another and the fly-by-night restaurant ventures that aren't long for this earth, you will find a refreshing departure from the ordinary in Kashkaval, a gem of a Mediterranean eatery shoehorned into a bite-sized storefront on 9th Ave. I can't think of another place where you can ask to see the menu upon arrival and instead of browsing the pages, you can scan the offerings behind the glass counter. Not unlike your local deli (though an order of magnitude classier than said deli), the evening's selections are beautifully arranged in the case for you to drool over, debate about and wrestle with the decision when you finally get to your table.
Half the battle is getting a table, as there are no reservations. The other half of the struggle is actually navigating the hoards that clog the already narrow passageway to the dining area and the crevices between the tables that you have to suck in your belly and walk sideways en pointe just to go between. Like Tyler Durden in Fight Club, you have to decide if you are going to give the butt or the crotch to the guest already seated as you make your way to your seat. To be fair, this is New York after all, so having a groin in one's face as he chews his meal is pretty much standing operating procedure.
There are a bevy of incredible dishes to choose from, so the wise path is to go with a sampler and let your imagination run wild. Lentil tapenade, beet skordala and piyaz should be high on your list, as you will get a nice survey of the sweet, salty and interesting textures that Kashkaval has to offer.
It's likely that even after sampling a lovely array of light bites, you may need a dose of protein to completely satisfy your hunger. Luckily, they have those bases covered as well. Whether you choose to embrace their charcuterie or hot items (such as their mouthwatering paprika chicken hot plate), you will feel as if you didn't just feast on appetizers and will leave satisfied.
Pair all of this with a dry glass of vino and you are well on your way to a pitch perfect evening.
Service is top-flight with attractive, nice people bringing you things all night.
Best of luck leaving this place after eating so well. As you pour yourself through the sliver of space between the tables and inadvertently bump into most everyone on the way out, rest assured that no one will be bothered to say anything to you. It's hard to complain when your mouth is full. -
Review from A N.
Queens, NY
10/1/2011
I love this place and recommend it to my friends. They only take reservations for parties of 6 or more, so I took away 1 star because of this. There really isn't much of a waiting area and during a busy night, its a least a 20 minute wait for a table in the crammed deli/takeout area.
The place is small and the tables are very close to each other. However, it is candlelight and it a great place for a date or intimate dinner with friends/family.
I will continue to go this place because the food is so amazing. All the dips are very tasty and believe me you will eat all of it. The cheese and meat plates are also great. The Wine selection is also great. -
Review from Bill T.
9/12/2011 3 Check-ins Here
This is a great place for a quick bite of delicious food. Went on a Sunday night and got a seat at the bar. Amanda took care of us and she was great.
We both started with Gazpacho and to be honest, I could have made a meal out of that. It was a big bowl and it was delicious and refreshing!
Then we each had a small sampler plate, which consisted of four things from the Mediterranean Tapas menu (the menu at the restaurant is a little different from the menu that is posted on their website in terms of pricing).
I had:
Roasted Cauliflower- this was ok, kind of limp though
Red pepper spread- outstanding
Artichoke dip- sublime
Mixed olives- a lot of olives
My better half had:
Hummus- delicious
Baba Ganoush- heavenly
Dolma- he liked them
Spinach with Feta- wonderful
Beer selection was decent for a place that bills itself as a wine bar, but I'd love to see a few more options. I had a Franziskaner Weiss Beer which was good and Amanda said she was taught a special way to pour it to release the aromas & flavors, which I was glad to learn. My better half had a Czechvar and both beers were reasonably priced.
Will have to try the fondue next time.
I really liked this place and the food was outstanding. Amanda was great, although I got a feeling that some of the servers weren't quite as attentive to their customers, so I think service could be hit and miss depending on who you get. But this is definitely a nice place to relax over some delicious (and I think overall pretty healthy) food and have a nice conversation. I imagine on most nights it's busier than on Sunday but I think it would be worth a wait. Give this a try folks, if you like it, you can thank me. If you don't, then clearly you've got deeper issues than I can deal with. Enjoy!
