Ralphy's New York Grill Web Site Click Here
[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
Ralphy's New York Grill
34 Station Road
Edgware
Middlesex
HA8 7AB
Tel: 020 8952 6036
Fax: 020 8952 3606
Email: Ralphysgrill@hotmail.co.uk
Opening times:
Monday to Thursday: 12pm-3pm and 6pm-11pm
Friday: Closed
Saturday night: open 90 minutes after Shabbat ends - 11.30pm
(Winter months only)
Sunday: 12pm-11pm
