Zaftigs Deli: it's not as heavy as you think.
Written: Jun 08 '03 (Updated Mar 27 '04)
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Pros: Some good deli food, cute decor, location, friendly service, children's menu.
Cons: Non-deli food is not so good.
The Bottom Line: Good deli food and great service in a funky setting and a fun neighborhood.
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| modernmarvel's Full Review: Zaftigs Delicatessen |
I have walked by Zaftigs a hundred times. It is located in a neighborhood with lots of other restaurants and I am usually drawn in by the multiple Japanese restaurants on the same block. However, a craving for deli food finally hit me and we stopped in.
DECOR
The decor is best described as funky deli. A food bar runs one length of the restaurant. The top of the bar features a chalkboard with specials and loads of bagels glued to the wall. There is some neon and roadhouse funky steel. There is an old refrigerator build into the wall and art from local artists. The restaurant is rather large for the neighborhood with lots of booths and a few tables.
FOOD
The food is, of course, deli food. The deli food is kosher style. They serve milk, but no cheeseburgers, pork or shellfish. The waitress put complimentary bagel chips on our table. They were okay but I expected the standard pickles and was disappointed. The waitress later brought the pickles but we got a small charge.
Since it was a cold and rainy spring day, I had the matzo ball soup to warm up. There are three sizes to choose from and it comes in mish mash style. The matzo balls rest in chicken soup loaded with chunks of chicken, egg noodles and vegetables. It was really good and I recommend it.
My entree was an oriental chicken salad. I expected lots of salad. What I got was a small layer of salad, topped by a layer of cold, soft asian-style noodles, topped by a layer of crunchy noodles, topped by a tasty chicken breast cut into slices. I was rather disappointed in the amount of salad. I would have preferred the chicken cut into bite size chunks so I didn't have to take out each strip and cut it up on my bread plate. The noodles had no flavor. The portion was too big and heavy to finish. Overall, it was a big disappointment.
My mom, a deli expert and tough critic, had the corned beef sandwich. It looked large and appetizing to me. However, it did not pass muster and she pronounced it too small (meaning, not overstuffed) and too fatty.
The kids had chicken fingers and french fries from the kids menu and were pleased. The portions were too large for them and we brought some home.
The overall menu is quite extensive. Breakfast is served all day. Soups range from $2.50 for a small portion to $8.50 for a quart. Salads are $5-10. Sandwiches include all the standard deli favorites. There are also burgers and a handful of other entrees that include meatloaf, brisket steak tips and stuffed cabbage. Most sandwiches cost around $10. Entrees are around $12.
Neighborhood nostalgia note: Several sandwiches on Zaftig's menu are named after local kosher delis that are only a memory now. Those delis are: Jack & Marions, The Essex and the G & G.
CHILD FRIENDLINESS
There are high chairs and an affordable children's menu covering the basics including grilled cheese, peanut butter and jelly and chicken nuggets. Prices on the children's menu were around $3-7 per meal. They serve milk to children in take away plastic cups shaped like crayons. Kids get crayons and paper placemats upon arrival so they can color while waiting for their food.
With all this catering to children, I was surprised to see that my children were the only ones in the restaurant. However, the number of high chairs gave me the sense that it could be a family joint at other parts of the day.
SERVICE
The service couldn't have been better. We were greeted and seated immediately by a hostess. She accommodated a sleeping 3 year old in a stroller. Our waitress arrived immediately, was friendly and accommodated all special requests. The food arrived quickly and the bill came at the right time. Everything was perfect.
AMBIANCE
Very casual - deli style. Jeans are fine. There were lots of small, quiet groups. We were the only family in the restaurant. Zaftigs is not romantic enough for a first date.
LOCATION
The address is: 355 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA. Zaftigs is located in the Coolidge Corner neighborhood. This area has great public transportation access on the Boston T (trolly system) and there are lots of restaurants and stores in a charming neighborhood.
GETTING THERE
Take the Green Line on the T or drive. There is some street parking and a few lots nearby. Most of the parking is on meters so expect to pay about $2. I have always found parking within a few blocks.
MORE INFORMATION
They take credit cards.
Zaftigs has won multiple awards from local publications.
The whole menu is available for takeout.
The web site is www.zaftigs.com
Phone: (617) 975-0075
FINAL RECOMMENDATION
The food at Zaftigs does not live up to other kosher-style delis in the neighborhood. However, the decor was fun and the service was great, which should count for something. Give it a try if you are in the neighborhood and a deli craving strikes.
HUNGRY FOR MORE? TRY THESE BOSTON-AREA RESTAURANTS:
BOSTON: Radius; Caffe Vitoria; Excelsior.
BROOKLINE: Mr. Sushi; Fugakyu; Takeshima; Tsunami; Anna's Taqueria; Bangkok Bistro.
NEWTON: Appetito; India Paradise; Blue Ribbon Barbeque; Ice Cream Works; Baker's Best; Bill’s Pizzeria; Cafe Nicolas; Union Street.
CAMBRIDGE: S&S Restaurant; The Japanese Mall; House of Blues.
WEST ROXBURY: Café Misono.
BRIGHTON: Tasca.
ESSEX: Woodman’s.
SAUGUS: Kowloon.
CHAIN RESTAURANTS: Not Your Average Joe’s; Bertucci’s; Legal Sea Foods; Cheesecake Factory; Rainforest Cafe; Fire & Ice.
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: No
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations The matzo ball soup was yummy!!
Best Suited For: Friends
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modernmarvel
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