Mozzarella Serves More Than Dairy

By COLlive reporter
Photos: Shimi Kutner/COLlive

The newest kosher restaurant to open its doors in the increasingly foodie Brooklyn neighborhood of Crown Heights is “Mozzarella.”

Located at 265 Troy Avenue, between Lincoln Place and S. Johns Place, the dairy eatery promises a wide array of dishes in a casual atmosphere.

Its owner, Yossi Elnatanov, is an Israeli native who ran a catering service and recently moved to New York. He crafted the Mozzarella menu with Mediterranean and Italian cuisines in mind.

There’s the classic Israeli dish of Shakshuka with 3 variations, New York style sandwiches on baguettes, panini sandwiches, omelets, pasta and sweet potato ravioli, pizza made in-house and quinoa burgers.

One sandwich they proudly serve is “Sabich,” the traditional Sephardic Jewish sandwich which consists of pita stuffed with fried eggplant, hard-boiled eggs, hummus, crunchy pickles, Israeli salad, and some tahini sauce.

But what might be their specialty is the smoked fish prepared by local resident Yoske Strasberg and includes honey smoked salmon, maple smoked salmon and jalapeno smoked salmon.

“I got a smoker as a gift about a year ago and started smoking food at home,” Strasberg told COLlive.com. “Fish always came out the best. I use a seasonal menu and will be smoking between once to 3 times a week on premises.”

Strasberg said it takes him about 2 days to prepare a batch of fish and he is “always open to getting new ideas from people,” noting that he is now working on teriyaki smoked salmon and pepper crusted and lemon salmon.

He recently prepared fish for 3 Bar Mitzvah celebrations in New York and Massachusetts. “We can prepare platters for events and for Kiddushin on Fridays,” he says, adding that “Salmon is my specialty.”

Mozzarella will have a grand opening on Sunday, Nov. 19 – Rosh Chodesh Kislev and are highly encouraging reservations.

Crown Heights Mozzarella
265 Troy Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213
(917) 633-6770
[email protected]
chmozzarella.com
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 10:30am–11pm, Friday 9am–12pm, Motzoei Shabbos 7:30pm–12am
Kashrus: CHK