beetrock

This tiny place obscured by the midtown misery is amazing. Kashkaval takes its name from a yellow cheese produced in Bulgaria and Romania, sometimes apparently referred to as the “cheddar of the Balkans.” The store fronts mostly as a cheese market and though I’ve walked in here before to purchase cheese, I never suspected that the small, dark backroom holds a sit-down eatery. Upon entry, it’s hard to pass up an opportunity to sniff at delicious cheese selections, olives and other snackables. Aside from staff and customers, an ever-changing cast of kitties permanently resides at Kashkaval. Strangely they show no interest in the customers or the cheese and laze about the store or sit by the door looking on to 9th Avenue.

Kashkaval menu presents a selection of Mediterranean tapas (for some reason among cult favorites such hummus and babaganoush a Russian salad was featured in this category –a possible influence of the nearby Uncle Vanya’s), delicious and quickly made sandwiches and paninis, healthy salads, kebobs, pastas, casseroles, and variously cooked chicken dishes. The wine list is long and well priced. Considering the size of the place, it’s difficult to say where the ingredients of above listed delicacies are stored, and how exactly the meals are prepared, the food, however, was promptly delivered to our table along with water and wine. The Mediterranean fair was great, but my spinach borek plate was a little too boring. The Spanish panini with manchego, chorizo and parsley, ordered by Molly turned out to be a culinary winner. I am looking forward to coming back and trying out a Balkan panini – Kashkaval with paprika and anise seeds. The cheese fondue sounds fun as well. Yum!

Address
856 9th Ave, New York 10019
Between 55th & 56th St
Map