[Edgware United Magazine]

The Big Apple Arrives in Edgware!

Another kosher restaurant opened in Edgware last autumn…however, this one was different! RALPHY'S NEW YORK GRILL hit us with a real taste of America, but on our own doorstep.

New York flavours combined with New York-sized portions have ensured that this grill really is the hottest place in town. Tantalise by the appetising smells and the best publicity there is - word of mouth - a group of us (not unrelated to the ladies book circle), took ourselves down there to try it out for ourselves.

We wondered whether they would rise to the challenge of pleasing twelve strong-minded women of the sort of age where we are frequently called 'Madam' and who are familiar faces, as a group, at most of the existing local kosher eateries.

"The bill was very reasonable for a kosher, meat meal."

We started well with bowls of tomato salsa and piquant tortilla chips whilst we compared notes on who would order which dish (not an easy task). On the night of out visit - a cold, damp one - the soup of the day, which turned out to be pumpkin, was a popular choice. Presented in a deep bowl with the croutons thoughtfully served on the side, the soup proved to be a tasty and filling first course. Equally popular were the 'Fire Poppers; pieces of chicken served with a spicy BBQ sauce and the Buffalo Wings - also served in a tangy sauce. Each of these dishes were tasted and approved by everyone. Not so popular, however, was the combo platter for two, which, in addition to the two chicken starters, also contained a pastrami egg roll and chilli. In our opinion neither of these starters was as good with the chilli being far too mild.

Burgers are the mainstay of Ralphy's and they come in seven variations including a vegetarian mushroom burger. We tried a variety of these and everyone found them tasty and almost too much of a challenge… but we coped, particularly with the thin-cut French fries that accompanied each portion. Also tried and approved were the Ralphy's Ribs which were tender and easy to eat and the two chicken dishes. At a table of twelve you couldn't always see what others were eating but the general murmurs were ones of approval!

As we were all quite full by this time, we shared some desserts - of course we couldn't pass up an opportunity! We ordered a chocolate fondant, which is a light chocolate sponge with a liquid chocolate centre; the chocolate mousse cake (notice the theme here) and a skyscraper (ice cream, marshmallow fluff and whipped 'cream'). No one fancied the soya cheesecake, which we were assured by our waitress was 'as yummy as the real thing' but somehow it just didn't seem right to order it!

The bill was very reasonable for a kosher, meat meal. We only ordered soft drinks but Ralphy's have a very wide choice of kosher wines, some available by the glass and the prices are not extortionate.

We would not be doing our job properly as Edgware's 'Michelin' inspectors if we did not also tell you about the not-so-good points. The last person in from our group got the seat in front of the doors and she found it very draughty. Not because the doors didn't fit but because customers stood holding the doors open while they said their Jewish goodbyes.

The service, whilst friendly and attentive, can be slow. If you are out for a sociable evening that's probably okay but if you pop in for a quick meal before a film or a quick business lunch, it's not so good. If you have a non-meat eater in your party who doesn't particularly like mushrooms then Ralphy's is probably not the place to go with them.

We've heard (on the grapevine) that there's a new menu to be launched after Pesach and we feel duty bound to go and try it out.

[Jewish Chronicle]

Grill is 'Brill' for Families

Our barbeque may have finally gone into hibernation, but fortunately we can call on Ralphy's New York Grill. Brooklyner Yossi Horowitz has brought some of the flavours and style of his native city to Edgware's burgeoning kosher streets, opening up a couple of months ago at 32-34 Station Road on the site of a former Greek restaurant run by George Michael's father.

Serenaded by a Sinatra soundtrack, we sat down to a welcoming dish of crunchy nachos and fresh homemade salsa. Our happy first impressions were rapidly reinforced with the superb pastrami egg roll, an inspired union of hamishe and Chinese, with its strips of seasoned meat and onion packed into crispy wonton casings

“eight-year-old Joshua tucked into a kids' burger which looked fairly adult to me”

The fire poppers, morsels of fried chicken in a spicy barbeque sauce, were no slouch either. If you can't make up your mind about the starters, then you can simply order a combo platter, with above dishes plus buffalo wings and chilli con carne. While there is a good selection of salads and main dishes - 10oz rib steak, ribs, Cajun chicken, kebabs and more - we settled for various burgers/sandwiches.Wife Karen went for a sandwich steak; daughter Deborah a crispy chicken breast cutlet; eight-year-old Joshua tucked into a kids' burger which looked fairly adult to me, while I went for a Ralphy's deluxe with a barbeque sauce and fried onions. The meat was tender and cooked just as we liked, successful choices all round.

'It's funny how English people eat a sandwich with a fork,' observed Yossi, 'I like the etiquette'.

We hadn't intended to have deserts, but we were glad we were prevailed upon to try. They were attractively presented and a treat when they came - a suitably wicked chocolate fondue and a ramekin of apple crumble with a dollop of ice cream melting into it - a real winter warmer. Joshua demolished his Skyscraper sundae (marshmallow and wafer) with no trouble.
If you're looking for a family fress, reasonably priced and in a cheerful setting, Ralphy's is hard to beat. Starters are £4.50, burgers £7-8 (with chips and coleslaw), desserts £3.95. Booking is advised on Thursday to Sunday evening.

I leave the last word to my son Joshua who commandeered my notebook to pass his own verdict: 'The kids' burger is for children with big appetites. I recommend you to go. It's a family restaurant and the meat's brill.'

[Jewish News]

When Brooklyn born Yossi Horowitz came to London, just over two years ago, he was surprised by the lack of choice amongst the capital's kosher eateries. The New York Chef School trained chef was in a good position to judge as his initial work experience in London saw him working in many of its Kosher restaurants, much of the time on behalf of the London Beth Din.

One clear gap, he believed, was a New York style deli grill and this belief set him on a two year path to the creation, last September, of Ralphy's New York Grill in Edgware.

"The menu is unashamedly meat orientated."

The menu is unashamedly meat orientated. Appetisers include Buffalo Wings, Pastrami Eggroll and Fire Poppers (boneless chicken pieces in a BBQ sauce).

In addition to Ralphy's seven burger options, the restaurant offers traditional grill favourites including steaks, lamb chops and chicken (all with a unique NY twist). A number of vegetarian options and a range of overstuffed deli sandwiches complete the line up for adults while younger customers are catered for with a special children's menu.

Take away has already taken off in a big way and home delivery is scheduled to commence this month. Ralphy's has also already proved immensely popular for private functions including Sheva Brochas.

Whilst thrilled with Ralphy's initial success, Yossi is keeping his feet on the ground, looking to continually refine the food selection and service to match his home town standards. Nonetheless, it would be a surprise not to see at least one further Ralphy's open in 2007 to cater for the burgeoning demand.

[Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2008]

‘Bringing the Big Apple to Edgware’ is the lofty claim of this new grill restaurant. Dishes are named after New York landmarks, with Madison Avenue lamb cutlets or Broadway beef cubes; for vegetarians, there’s a Staten Island vegetable burger, Central Park portobello mushrooms or an Empire State salad – chargrilled veg, presumably piled into a suitably towering stack.

"...there’s something for everyone."

But is the food authentic? On our visit the kitchen was finding it hard to deliver orders together, but produced a succulent corned beef sandwich (layers of thin slices instead of the thicker salt beef) and hot and crispy fried chicken. Ralphy’s is a good place for families with children; there’s something for everyone (with the possible exception of those watching their waistlines). You could have a juicy steak salad with capers and mixed leaves, or a hot dog with corn cobs and chips. The chefs also do a mean chocolate pudding, with gooey sauce oozing out. Ice-cream and milkshakes are, of course, parev – so expect colour rather than flavour. Ralphy’s is a stone’s throw from the long-established, non-kosher B&K Salt Beef Bar. In this area, which has a growing observant community, it should do well.