Kosher in Paris
It may surprise some to know that Paris has more than twice as many kosher restaurants than Manhattan (or Brooklyn or Long Island for that matter; according to shamash.org, at least), despite having many less Jews in the neighbourhood. The French are known for their good food and their appetites for good food, so it’s not entirely surprising. But it also comes at French prices, so I haven’t had the opportunity to sample too much French kosher cuisine (the 4-Euro falafel wasn’t bad, though). Of course, many make the same mistake as with kosher restaurants around the world and are afflicted by not offering the quality of food and service expected from non-kosher equivalents.
Tonight I went out for dinner with some friends from Montreal: Eve and Ilana, Eve’s boyfriend, Rafael, and her sister, Chloe. The plan was to go get kosher sushi from Sushi West in the trendy St Germain area. But, upon arrival, we saw that the large premises were packed with people at every table, and a few more waiting. It turns out this venue was only one in a chain of five throughout Paris, so we went to try another one, but it was full too. Driving on to a third Sushi West, it too was filled to capacity (at 9:30 on a Sunday!). By this time I was amazed and impressed: in Sydney it is difficult enough to get a kosher restaurant packed, and none is of that size.
We had to give up in the end, and settle for a place a short walk down the road: also sushi. (It seems Paris has at least 27 kosher sushi places.) But it was markedly cheaper and less classy, although a shorter menu too. The sushi itself was great. I got a miso soup, and six california roles, and ate some of Eve’s too. It was possibly an expensive meal by my travelling standards, but not bad for Paris.
I stand by the principle that kosher restaurants will survive only if they are first good restaurants and secondly kosher. Still, we could handle a quality kosher sushi restaurant in Sydney… It’s not that hard to find kosher fish, rice and nori. Or Japanese chefs in Sydney, I guess.
Yaaaay! another potential customer that will come to my sushi restaurant!!!! Did i hear you say that you will
provide me with some start up capital as well??? Was that a yes that i hear??? GREAT. FANTASTIC. we will sign the contract when you get home and construction will begin!! How does an opening in say, september sound???
Comment by trudi — 15 May, 2007 @ 6:59 pm
I like trudi´s comment. I promise to be (at least) a second customer.
Comment by naomi — 21 May, 2007 @ 5:45 am
Well guys! rumour has it that the Harkam’s in Sydney have beaten all of you in your sushi idea! apparantly tom thumbs has now turned into a kosher sushi and fish shop!!
Comment by Benji.k — 28 May, 2007 @ 6:55 am