Manny’s Uptown Kitchen (northwest Austin)

With it being Hanukkah last night and wanting the kids to eat some latkes (though I tried to pass off tater tots at latkes), I decided that the family should head out to Manny Hattan’s for dinner. It’s the only place besides Katz’s in town that I know where latkes are on the menu.   We showed up to what we thought was Manny Hattan’s to find that the place has been changed to Manny’s Uptown Kitchen.  When did this happen?

We were surprised at the number of people eating here, as 2/3 of the restaurant was full on a weeknight.  It almost felt a bit understaffed, but our waiter though was pleasant.  He brought us a bowl with sliced rye bread and butter to start.  I kind of missed the pickles that they used to serve.

It’s been a couple of years since we’ve been here. Hubby is a native New Yorker, the city kind, and he is so picky about delis and diners, where each is judged against an impossible measure of “home.”   Actually I think he just wished that a New York style deli in Austin would serve a decent biali, and with Manny Hattan’s changing from a more traditional deli to the “uptown kitchen” that only leaves Katz’s deli.

Hubby ordered the ahi tuna sandwich with a side of cole slaw.   He loved the sandwich, where the ahi tuna is grilled medium rare and mixed almost like chicken salad.  The tiny bite he offered to me, I thought was really really tasty.  Yes…Manny Hattan’s is gone.  This is definitely not Jewish deli fare.

The kids just wanted a bagel with cream cheese. They scarfed that down; well, the little guy licked all the cream cheese off and used the bagel as a spoon. We ordered a small cup of chicken noodle soup for the kids, and that they really liked. I couldn’t convince the 2 year old to try a latke, but the older one snagged one and ate about half before declaring herself too full for anymore food. The latkes were good, but the only standard by which I can judge a latke is my own kitchen concoctions so it’s hard not to be good compared to what I have whipped up.

I tried the Mama’s Stuffed Cabbage. It’s a giant cabbage leaf stuffed with beef and rice. The whole thing is piled under a tomato sauce served with mashed potatoes and green beans. This plate was huge. I was warned ahead of time, but I didn’t expect the stuffed cabbage to be the size of a cow’s heart.  I liked the stuffed cabbage, though I have to say that I liked hubby’s sandwich better.  We boxed a good bit of that home.

I do miss having the huge selection of sandwiches, and the big deli meat case with the cheesecakes is gone too.  The menu is definitely more fusion, like the blinchiladas, a crepe-style enchilada. I am actually curious about that dish.  According to my New Yorker, it’s just as well that this change happened because at best, the delis anywhere but New York are a good fake.

Anyhoo — Happy Hanukkah to the little Austinites who are celebrating the holiday, and for those who want to try a latke without putting in the elbow grease. Manny’s Uptown Kitchen serves them.

Manny Hattan’s
9503 Research Blvd., Suite 650,
Austin, TX 78759
(512) 794-0088

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