A Passover Tradition at Capsouto Freres
A Seder Benefit
for the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
For over 20 years, the classic
Downtown Manhattan French Bistro Capsouto Frères (
has hosted a very special (non-Kosher)
Seders for Passover. This year, they
will offer their guests the opportunity to spend the first
two nights of
Passover—Saturday April 19th and
be seated at
communal tables, the Seder service will be conducted by a Cantor, and there
will be a reading of the Haggadah.
The dinner ($150.00 contribution per person
payable by check in advance made out to the Joint Distribution Committee)
is a
benefit for the JDC (Joint Distribution Committee), a Jewish worldwide
charity organization helping people in need.
The JDC charity was chosen for its quiet ethics and for using and
distributing all of the funds raised (no money is used for administration).
The Capsouto brothers began this
tradition in 1987 after a dramatic massacre that occurred at the Neve-Shalom Synagogue in
The news of this tragedy struck close to home as theparents of the
Capsouto Frères are of Turkish origins. The Capsoutos were
compelled
then to contribute their efforts toward needy Jewish communities in
crisis and decided to create a yearly fundraiser at their restaurant with all
the proceeds donated to a good cause.
In keeping with a family custom, the
three brothers work together to create a menu
especially designed to include the symbolic foods served for
Passover according
to the traditions from generation to generation as passed on by their mother,
Eva. The first course consists of Three
Frittatas
(spinach, leek and zucchini), Artichoke Hearts and a
Boiled Brown Egg. The second course
is Poached Salmon served with a lemon vinaigrette
and bamia (baked okra), fassoullia
(a stew of string beans with garlic and tomatoes), and mina (layers of matza with pureed potatoes, cheese, and eggs)
For dessert, macaroons are served with
fresh fruit sorbets. To accompany
the meal, white and red Israeli wines, such as
the Sauvignon Blanc by
sacramental grape wine used for the service.
“This event is an occasion where
everybody comes out ahead,” says Albert Capsouto. “There is always a great demand for a
restaurant Seder,
we have answered a real need, and we feel wonderful about
raising money for a good cause.” Matza is also served upon request every day of Passover.
The
Capsouto's commitment
and their passion for food and wine,
served in a warm and inviting atmosphere, coupled with updated French cuisine,
has proven to be a successful recipe and an attribute to the Tribeca neighborhood for nearly two and a half
decades. In addition to lunch and
dinner,
Capsouto Frères serves a wonderful and renowned
Saturday and Sunday weekend brunch.
At Passover,
and any other time of the year, experience true restaurant
hospitality.