Malka in Dumbo offers an elevated respite from the busy tourist-filled cobblestone streets right under the bridge. Started by Chef Eyal Shani of one of our favorite wine bars, Shmone Wine, Malka is an Italian-inspired, kosher-certified restaurant that is guaranteed to impress on a date night or evening with coworkers.
We stopped by Malka for an evening hosted in collaboration with Herzog Wine Cellars, a nine-generation vintner family collection that is based in Southern California. The evening started with a wine tasting social, followed by a plated five-course dinner complete with wine pairings hand-selected by Herzog Wine Cellars.
Entering the restaurant at golden hour highlighted the beauty of the restaurant’s original industrial architecture, a nod to Dumbo’s origins. After about an hour of tasting Herzog’s wine specialties, we joined other food enthusiasts in the dining room for a seated, course dinner.
The golden focaccia marbled with rosemary was deliciously crispy and light. We kept wishing we hadn’t eaten it all at once. The focaccia was followed by the Tuscanini Antipasti Plate, a simple but unique combination of fresh bites – olives, tomatoes, marinated eggplant, radicchio, marinated sundried tomatoes, cheese, and more. We especially loved the marinated eggplant and the cheese paired with each vegetable, like a choose-your-own adventure appetizer in each bite.
The Bluefin Tuna Crudo was amazing, with each piece cut perfectly to highlight the fish’s melt-in-your-mouth texture. It was covered in a bright citrusy sauce with capers and lemon zest; a course that served as an excellent intermission between the richer Italian dishes. The main courses followed: the Spaghetti and Meatballs featured succulent meatballs atop angel hair spaghetti, coated in a beautiful tomato sauce. Malka’s version of this classic comfort food definitely charmed us. Finally, the Beef Cheek with Vegetable Diamonds was the perfect finale – tender beef paired with carrots, peas, and potatoes felt like a welcome to the changing of the seasons we’re experiencing right now in New York.
That perfect summer-to-fall moment where tomatoes are still in season but the weather is cool enough for rich comfort foods – Malka captured it so well. We loved our evening with Malka and Herzog Wine Cellars, and can’t wait to be back soon to check out their full-time menu! Book your reservation at Malka here.
