Teaneck—Imagine having a passion for food and being able to indulge that passion in new and exciting ways. How great would it be if one could take all their favorite flavors and combine them in a single restaurant? A shared flavor concept by Bernard Benlevy and Daniel Berlin is exactly that; and that restaurant is Salsa Metsuyan.“ We’ve developed a new expression of our love for food,” said Berlin.
From the creators of Sushi Metsuyan, and located right next door to the Teaneck sushi restaurant on West Englewood Avenue, an exciting and energetic casual lunch and dinner spot is open and ripe for enjoyment. Benlevy and Berlin have been working together for many years. Salsa Metsuyan was born out of “ a shared creative concept of things that we love. A lot of the flavors were deconstructed from the [Sushi Metsuyan] restaurant in Cedarhurst,” Berlin told the Jewish Link.
Salsa Metsuyan serves burritos, rice bowls and tacos that are made to order, either with Mexican flavors, Asian flavors, “ California style” or a combination of any or all of the above. “ The base of all these foods, the delivery mechanism, is the same. It’ s a burrito, a bowl or a taco shell,” said Berlin. “ All the things we love can be added in.”
Grass-fed beef, grilled or slow-cooked chicken with zesty smoked peppers, house-made kimchee, smokey black beans, fresh veggies, tequila lime dressing, salsa verde and many other choices can be brought together into a single dish or into two or three. Endless possibilities create a “ mixing of food genres that’ s a lot of fun,” said Berlin.
A sample Mexican burrito was made with chicken, smoky black beans, roasted mild chili peppers, roasted corn, Mexican rice with sausage, guacamole and a unique soya cream that mimics sour cream better than others. “ It’ s made from ‘ Soyr’ cream cheese, not the soy sour cream. It’ s amazing,” shared Berlin. The California-style burrito was fresh and fun, and filling without being heavy. It included grilled vegetables, fluffy basmati rice, chicken and pink beans. “We roast our own chiles—jalapenos, poblanos and tomatillos,” he added. A standout flavor blast that goes with both choices was the tequila lime dressing made with fresh cilantro. The Korean burrito included bits of kimchee, sesame rice and soy flavors alongside tender beef. For those who love heat, the sriracha on the tables went well with every flavor profile. “ Pepper sauce goes with everything here,” said Berlin.
Something not to miss are the restaurant’ s pre-designed combos. Sambal steak burrito, the Tokyo Cowboy and the spicy chicken meatballs: Albondigas Borachas.
“We ordered takeout from there last night and it was awesome!” wrote one Facebook fan. “ The food was delicious and bursting with flavor. We know the chef and left it up to him to make the burritos. We ordered two, one beef and one chicken with the works… Guacamole, rice, beans and kimchee. The kimchee was amazing and added a truly wonderful taste to the burrito,” the commenter said.
Another Facebook commenter said, “ I’m impressed with this place! First, the atmosphere is great. I can feel your creativity and the love of food! I had the Bulgolgi burrito. I am so impressed you are doing this, as the whole Korean-taco thing is actually a THING happening in the culinary world, and there is no reason Jews shouldn’t be eating Korean food.”
“This is the best burrito I ever tasted. I highly recommend it,” said another Facebook commenter. Something not to miss: The homemade spiced iced teas and lemonades, made with simple fresh ingredients, are heaven in a big takeout cup.
Eat in picnic-style in a comfortable lounge, order in or take out. Salsa Metsuyan is located at 192 W. Englewood Avenue in Teaneck 201-837-8888. Visit http://www.metsuyan.com for more information. Online ordering is planned.
By Elizabeth Kratz
