By Alia Akkam | December 2, 2015 Read it here
On Sunday evening, freshly lit menorahs will once again be set in windowsills for Hanukkah’s eight-night run, and latkes will appear on menus at restaurants across the country. Those crispy potato pancakes — fried until they reach a desirable, crackling brown — are perfectly emblematic of feel-good December grub. From versions based on family recipes to a decidedly Japanese recipe embraced at a Miami hot spot, here are five must-try renditions from around the country.
Schmaltz Fried Eggs at The Red Cat
The Red Cat, a comforting mainstay in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood, seduces brunch-goers with the likes of Nutella-banana toast and, now, schmaltz-fried eggs (shown below). The airy potato latke that accompanies it — pan-fried with cheddar and chives — is spawned from light pastry dough. All the better to balance the hearty mix of brisket, braised spinach and maple jus.
Sweet Potato Latke at Craigie on Main
As each night of Hanukkah unfolds, Tony Maws of Cambridge’s seasonally minded Craigie on Main will serve holiday dishes inspired by the cherished recipes passed down by his grandmother. One such creation is his earthy sweet potato latke. Mingling smoked sturgeon and black radish, it’s amped by sweet pear and housemade crème fraîche.
853 Main St.; 617-497-5511
Potato Latkes at Harold’s Cabin
In a few weeks, the highly anticipated restaurant Harold’s Cabin will re-open in Charleston. Co-owned by actor-comedian Bill Murray, the historic, onetime snowball shop and grocer will highlight chef Justin Moore’s riff on the classic latke (shown at the top of this article). Made with caramelized onions and from-scratch ricotta, it’s seared in olive oil, draped in house-cured salmon and served alongside herbed sour cream. Good Samaritans, take note that proceeds from each order of these beauties benefit a local Jewish charity.
Butternut Squash Latkes at Clyde Common
Carlo Lamagna, chef at Portland favorite Clyde Common, relishes a straight-up potato latke (shown above). He also finds these rounds the ideal vehicle to showcase hearty vegetables. At the restaurant, he melds potatoes with shredded butternut squash, then seasons the mixture with chopped sage and minced shallots. Ginger-cranberry chutney and candied hazelnuts add festive flourishes, while Jacobsen’sFinishing Salt provides the requisite local one.
1014 SW Stark St.; 503-228-3333
Latkes Okonomiyaki Style at TALDE Miami Beach
Those lucky enough to dodge the cold in exchange for Miami warmth also have the good fortune of dining at the Thompson Miami Beach Hotel, home to the latest outpost of New Yorker Dale Talde’s eponymously named Asian restaurant. Here, the latkes are a nod to Japanese okonomiyaki, uniting unagi, Kewpie mayo and bonito with scallions, Sriracha and kizami.
4041 Collins Ave.; 786-605-4094