Can Portland Use A Great NY Style Knishe? (buy, school)

[sickofnyc]

Seriously, I have catered in Brooklyn, NY and now I am thinking of the possibility of relocating. I was considering bringing my recipe for authentic NY style Knishes with gourmet fillings and wondering if Portlanders have a yen for such an old world treat. I'm aware that there is Jewish deli available in Portland, but this would be strictly knishes with a variety of fillings (organic of course). I have been reading about the food carts in Portland and maybe that would be the place to start. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

[nancy thereader]

that's KNISH

[sickofnyc]

Hi nancy thereader,

I am Jewish and from Brooklyn, so obviuously that was a typo. Thanks though. So, can Portland use a really great KNISH?????

[mdvaden]

You know who I'd pester for an opinion ...

Xavier the head chef at the Benson.

Maybe call and ask when he has 5 minutes to spare as a professional courtesy, to give you a quick opinion on whether it would "fly" and what part of town to start. He's been around for a long time and is at the top of the "food chain" of chefs in Portland.

He even lived in a boat near downtown, as well as his SW Portland home, so he knows the territory on the streets very well.

[sickofnyc]

mdvaden,
Thanks for the advice and the info. I'll be visiting in August, I'll try to speak with him then.

[5chevin5]

Hey sickonyc..

I sent you a private message about your idea

5

[nancy thereader]

I did know that YOU knew that. When I went to school in Madison, Wisconsin where
they had one Jewish deli, people would pronounce the "k" in knish , even those who worked in the store. And, how about the pizza in Wisconsin ????
I am soooo tired of New York & Brooklyn & have even been looking at places nearby Portland in case I can not afford the city itself . Many people say that Portland is like San Francisco was thirty years ago. When are you planning to move ?

[sickofnyc]

nancy thereader,

Hi, I'm visiting Portland for the first time late August. I'm keeping ny fingers crossed that I get a good vibe. I have done catering besides being an aspiring collage artist. I have this great old world "knish" recipe that you cannot even get in Brooklyn anymore, believe me, I've done the research. I just feel that if you bring something like that to a place that has not had it, it might fly. Where in Brooklyn are you? I'm near the Sheepshead Bay area (YUK). Have you been to Portland yet? By the way, I certainly pronounce the "K" in knish. Thanks for the feedback.

[sickofnyc]

5chevin5

I sent a repy to your private message. Did you get it?

[Wisteria]

I know this is an Oregon thread, however, I just wanted to say that when I lived in the Berkeley area of California, that there was a guy who made and sold knishes on the side. Of course, there were more ex-New Yorkers there, but they were great -- he had all sorts of fillings, too (this was quite a while ago).

I think the only problem you'd have is getting people to understand what a knish is. They're delicious, however, most people out west probably wouldn't know (unless they're originally from the northeast). Maybe you could call them a Jewish empenada or something -- I'm serious -- at least to get people to try them.

I once had a small health food business in Seattle, and I remember meeting this black guy from Philadelphia who had a BBQ stand and he knew the problem of the west -- his saying was, "If it tastes nasty, they won't buy it." Bottom line, taste. Second bottom line, making people aware of them, but putting a western twist on it so they'll try them. That's just IMHO.