NOSH NEWS

Wednesday, December 27, 2006; Page F03

BEST-IN-D.C. SURVEY

While Washington's kosher food scene might best be described as adequate, at least there's new information to help find the best of the bunch.

In a survey released last week, the JCC Cafe on 16th Street NW (which also delivers) earned top marks among kosher restaurants in the Washington area. Goldberg's Bagels and Simply Kosher, both in Rockville, were overall winners in the bakery and store categories, respectively. A total of 20 kosher food establishments were rated on quality of service, environment, food and value/price.

A summary of comments for the JCC Cafe included the ultimate compliment -- and perhaps the ultimate drawback: A number of those polled said they were happy to take "non-kosher people" to eat there. But the portions were deemed a "a little small."

More than 450 respondents participated in the second annual poll, which was conducted by Kosher Community Surveys LLC. Neil Rosenbaum, a marketing specialist and Silver Spring resident, began the project last year to provide consumer information and more specific feedback for kosher food businesses. Rosenbaum's company has conducted similar surveys in Baltimore, Philadelphia and Boston.

For more survey results and a resource list of kosher food businesses, go to http://www.kosher-community-surveys.com.

-- Bonnie S. Benwick


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