Show 360, February 15, 2020: The Milky Way, Kosher Dairy Restaurant, Los Angeles Part One

Phil Kastel of PK+J Hospitality GroupLeah Spielberg Adler was a fixture of the Pico-Robertson neighborhood (The Borscht Belt) in Los Angeles since 1977 until her passing in early 2017 at 97. She was the proprietress and heart of the kosher dairy restaurant, The Milky Way.

In a loving tribute to her memory The Spielberg Family (Steven, Nancy, Anne and Sue) reimagined and reopened The Milky Way in February of 2019 with a new look and an updated, appealing and streamlined kosher menu.

A Sunday Brunch menu was added right before Mother’s Day last Year. The varied selections range from Huevos Rancheros with Black Beans, Ranch Sauce, Fried Eggs, Feta Cheese, Lima Cream, Olives and Avocado to the Impossible™ Green Chile Breakfast Burger with fries. Also Brunch Cocktails (think Beermosa with IPA and Grapefruit Juice) and creative non-alcoholic Mocktails. Live piano music (played on Leah’s restored piano) is part of the Sunday Brunch experience.

The Milky Way serves Lunch and Dinner Monday thru Thursday. Friday is lunch only. Closed on Saturday. Sundays feature Brunch and Dinner.

Executive Chef & Restaurant Consultant Phil Kastel of PK+J Hospitality Group is the Creative Chef at The Milky Way and is out guest.

Show 360, February 15, 2020: The Milky Way, Kosher Dairy Restaurant, Los Angeles Part Two

Phil Kastel of PK+J Hospitality GroupLeah Spielberg Adler was a fixture of the Pico-Robertson neighborhood (The Borscht Belt) in Los Angeles since 1977 until her passing in early 2017 at 97. She was the proprietress and heart of the kosher dairy restaurant, The Milky Way.

In a loving tribute to her memory The Spielberg Family (Steven, Nancy, Anne and Sue) reimagined and reopened The Milky Way in February of 2019 with a new look and an updated, appealing and streamlined kosher menu.

“Bernie and Leah (Spielberg) Adler opened the doors to Milky Way restaurant in 1977. Their vision was to offer fine kosher food to the Jewish community at a time when such a thing didn’t exist in Los Angeles. Leah wanted to introduce interesting fare to many who had never tasted dishes like Cajun, Mexican, or Thai.”

“Shortly after opening, it was very apparent that the main attraction wasn’t just the food, but was Leah herself! With her unique and exuberant charm; independent and confident style, Leah had the ability to make every guest in the restaurant feel as if they were the most important. People came for the food, but they kept coming back for Leah!”

“Leah disdained being identified as a “kosher deli”! Yes, she served traditional Jewish dishes like blintzes and potato pancakes, but that was where the similarities ended. When Leah would greet each table, she would describe the daily specials with such animation that she would easily convince the table to try them. She was known for her love of classical music, art, denim and Cabernet Sauvignon wine.”

Show 139, September 26, 2015: Amelia Saltsman and The Seasonal Jewish Kitchen

Amelia SaltsmanSanta Monica-based cooking authority and culinary personality Amelia Saltsman wrote the highly regarded Santa Monica Farmers’ Market Cookbook and is a fixture at The Market. Her newest title is The Seasonal Jewish Kitchen – A Fresh Take On Tradition.

In The Seasonal Jewish Kitchen Amelia traces the delicious thread of Jewish cuisine from its ancient roots to today’s focus on seasonality and sustainability. Guided by the Jewish lunar calendar, she divides the book into six micro-seasons that highlight the deep connection of Jewish traditions to the year’s natural cycles.

Amelia draws on her own rich food history to bring the reader a warmly personal cookbook filled with soul-satisfying spins on beloved classics and bold new dishes. From her Iraqi grandmother’s kitchri—red lentils melted into rice with garlic slow-cooked to sweetness—to four-ingredient Golden Borscht with Buttermilk and Fresh Ginger and vibrant Blood Orange and Olive Oil Polenta Upside-Down Cake, Amelia’s game-changing approach is sure to win over a new generation of cooks.

You’ll find naturally vegan dishes, Middle Eastern fare, and new ways to use Old-World ingredients—buckwheat, home-cured herring, and gribenes—in fresh, modern meals. Inspired by the farm-to-table movement, her 150 recipes offer a refreshingly different take on traditional and contemporary Jewish cooking.

Whether you’re Jewish or not, observant or not, Ashkenazic or Sephardic, this yearlong culinary journey through the Diaspora will have you saying, “This is Jewish food? Who knew?”

On Thursday evening, Oct. 1st Chef Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne are hosting : “Seasonal Jewish Kitchen – An evening with Author Amelia Saltsman at Lucques in West Hollywood. The four-course prix-fixe menu features recipes from the book.

Amelia joins us with all the incredibly tasty facts on her new book