Kosher in the Capital? Ivanka and Jared Face Limited Options
The Kushers at home celebrating Hanukkah. Image by Instagram/IvankaTrump
By Liza Schoenfein January 16, 2017
As they settle into their new Washington, D.C. digs, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner may be as unpleasantly surprised as I was to discover how very few kosher eateries exist in the nation’s Capital.
Of course it’s likely that the Kushners will employ a private kosher chef at their new mansion in the Kalorama neighborhood. But just in case they want to dine out (and the helicopter is in the shop), here’s a roundup of kosher options in and around D.C.
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In Washington D.C.
Brooklyn Sandwich Company
The original Brooklyn Sandwich Company team. Image by Facebook
Brooklyn Sandwich Company is a glatt kosher food truck that boasts “authentic Brooklyn eats.” The menu offers pulled brisket sandwiches or platters, matzo-ball soup, a reuben sandwich and vegetarian cholent. Its location is posted daily on Facebook and Twitter.
Char Bar
The private dining room at Char Bar. Image by Courtesy of Char Bar
If the Kushners are going to become regulars anywhere, it might be Char Bar. This modern, high-ceilinged spot in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood (not far from the White House and the National Mall), boasts a wide variety of burgers — all served on egg buns with hand-cut fries — big salads and deli sandwiches and hearty meat dishes including slow-cooked barbecue beef ribs, prime rib, and glazed duck. There’s also a private dining room for those who might for any reason be seeking a little seclusion.
Soupergirl
Soupergirl Sara Polan (left) and Soupermom Marilyn Polan. Image by Courtesy of The Soupergirl
I met this mother-daughter team (Soupergirl Sara Polon and Soupermom Marilyn Polan) at Kosherfest, where I had the pleasure of tasting a couple of their delicious vegan soups. They serve and sell them (along with salads and sandwiches) at two Soupergirl locations: one in Tacoma, on Carroll Street and the other on M Street. The kosher, vegan soups change regularly — a recent menu featured, among others, Indian-style mulligatawny, Morrocan-style harira, gingered sweet potato and barley-pumpkin-kale.
Additionally…
There is a kosher café in the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
In Rockville, Maryland
Al Ha’Esh
Al Ha’Esh is an Israeli-style grill in Rockland, Maryland. Image by Facebook
Al Ha’Esh is an Israeli-style grill that’s connected to Moti’s Market in Rockville, Maryland. It serves traditional meze salads, falafel, shwarma, shnitzel and a wide variety of grilled meat, fish and vegetables.
Siena’s Restaurant
Siena’s is a kosher vegetarian pizza place in Rockville, Maryland. Image by Courtesy of Siena's Restaurant
Siena’s Restaurant in Rockville, Maryland, is an Italian-Mexican hybrid offering vegetarian pizza and pasta alongside quesadillas, burritos and tacos. Soy meat products are used as a substitute for meat, and Siena’s offers low fat and rennet free dairy choices, according to the website.
In Silver Spring, Maryland
Ben Yehuda Café and Pizzeria
Ben Yehuda Café and Pizzeria boasts a family-friendly environment. Image by Courtesy of Ben Yehuda
Among the best options if the Kushner kids are in tow, Ben Yehuda boasts kosher pizza, salads, calzones and stromboli in a family-friendly environment. In addition to all manner of vegetable and cheese pizza toppings, there is the option of adding vegan chicken of falafel to the mix.
Max’s Café
The Max’s menu includes hamburgers and hotdogs in addition to classic deli sandwiches. Image by Courtesy of Max's Café
Max’s Café is connected to the Shalom Kosher supermarket. On offer: burgers and hotdogs, deli sandwiches and Mediterranean/Israeli specials such as falafel, shwarma and salads. There are Max’s food carts at both the Nationals baseball stadium and Fedex Field if the family happens to be catching a game.
The Kosher Pastry Oven
A kosher bakery and café in Silver Spring, Maryland. Image by Courtesy of The Kosher Pastry Oven
Also in Silver Spring there is The Kosher Pastry Oven, a bakery, café and restaurant providing pareve desserts and pastries made in-house along with soups, salad and dinner fare such as a daily fish special, Moroccan dishes and homemade pastas.
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Liza Schoenfein is the food editor of the Forward. Contact her at [email protected] or on Twitter, @LifeDeathDinner
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