In the MUDA

Given the nine days and the Ashkenazi restriction to eat only dairy we set out to find a dairy place to eat at, last night (Aug 9, 2005). We tried all the known popular places in Manhattan with no success, table availability was basically none. I guess we are not the only ones scouting dairy :-)

We decided to therefore eat in Brooklyn. The Manhattan crowd could not make it (no car, no babysitter, too far, where is Brooklyn etc.). I decided we should reserve at Renaissance Cafe on Kings Highway in Brooklyn, a quick call to the place revealed they do not take reservations. ( They probably like the line that wraps around the block, makes them feel good about their business ). I do not wait online, let alone for food so Renaissance was out!

G, told me the other day that a new restaurant opened on the same spot where there used to be a gas station (very appetizing) on Coney Island Avenue. He said he ate there and it was great. Though G's taste palette has a lot to be desired (he favors Esti Hana) this sounded like a good idea.

We did not know the name of the new place and as they are new they don't seem to be listed, we tried different combination names we saw or remembered from the signs on the place with no success. I decided to go in at 7PM and reserve a table for 8.15PM. I was greeted by the maitre d' he was wonderful and friendly, an Israeli guy from Natanya who specialized in computers. He referred me to the hostess to arrange for a table, she was beautiful and helpful as well, after a short conversation revolving around people and location, I left it with her to find me a table for 8 people (or 6 if its too hard, we will squeeze) in a good spot for 8.15. Need less the say the place was already packed and there was a line forming outside.

The name of the place is

MUDA
Located at 1635 Coney Island Avenue
on an Island between Coney, E12, Chestnut & Ave M.
Tel. 1-718-336-1170 ( from the receipt )

It also seems to have been called BAR MUDA but the word BAR is now covered, sounds like Ultra Orthodox pressures against the appearance of a bar in the holy neighborhood. The entity owning this place seems to be called Alternativa Cafe Restaurante.

The signs outside reveal the place is Certified Kosher Dairy from the OU
Has a Mashgiach Temidi
and only serves
Cholov Yisroel
Pas Yisroel
Kemach Yashan
and all tap water is filtered.

I arrived first, the table was waiting for us and in a good location on the second floor. By the time E&S showed up every body was there. They were drinking an Iced Mint Lemonade it was green and look vile, but! looks are deceiving, it was very good, we consumed several of these. The Skim strawberry banana fruit shake was good too.

Our waiter was Freddy he was friendly and nice though often forgetful, the Cream of Garlic soup was a great starter and well worth ordering it several times till we got it. The recommended Tuna Tataki (miss spelled on the menu) was over cooked (Tataki is to be seared) and was too small, I think out portion was approximately half an ounce!!! The Greek Salad, however, was amazing, it was tasty, the cheese good and fresh and the portion was the right size. We got a few of them.

It seems they quickly run out of their popular fish course, when asked we were told they rather run out than stay stuck with un fresh fish, they are new at this and in their first month or so, but , I would expect them to be able to properly gauge what to stock. The margins are big enough in the food industry to allow them to take the risk and never tell a costumer SORRY WE ARE OUT OF IT.

We decided to order a small portion of Sushi just to check it out. We ordered a Spicy Tuna Roll and a regular Tuna Roll. They came swiftly on two separate glass plates. The presentation was very nice. The spicy tuna was good, unfortunately the regular tuna was served on a plate fresh out of the dishwasher and it was hot, thus affecting the sushi.

G had the Chilean Sea Bass last time and thus got it again S did too, it was very good. E had the Spaghetti Arabiatta which was great. The Seared Tuna Filet, which is really a Tuna steak, was superb as were the Penna A La Fungi and the Grilled Filet Denise. The main courses came on time, were tasty, large and priced well.

For dessert E order (several times) the Hot Chocolate Souffle, it was very good. I had the Crumb Cheese Cake which was super. The Triple Mouse Cake didn't go over too well though its plate was licked clean. The peer pressure portion we forced someone to order was the Chilled Avocado Soup. It was very good, they loved it, though did report it wasn't anything more than a good portion of guacamole, as such it was too much, too thick and not a dessert, maybe it should be cut down and served with crackers? Maybe move it up to be a starter instead of the Tataki (I says, it gotte go!!)

Service was good, the waiter was friendly despite his forgetfulness, other waiters were helpful and friendly too. We got an extra dessert a gift from the place for the confusions we suffered, it was a very nice gesture.

We met the owners wife, a wonderful professional woman who seems to run the place, while her husband seems to have build it himself. The place is very nice. The third floor is not open yet, the second floor is nice and quiet. There is a couples/shidduch terrace which people enjoy, though personally I don't know why any one would like to sit outside in 90 degrees 80% humidity and overlooking Coney Island Avenue.

The entrance floor has nice tall ceilings and a wonderful fish tank in the making, though a bit noisier than the second floor.

Go there! Eat there! It is good, tasty, priced well! We loved it and will return!

What was your experience?