Traif

Celebrating pork, shellfish, and globally-inspired soul food

There is a full bar, and a short list of cocktails made with fresh fruit, herbs and other flavors from the kitchen.

Everything on the menu is meant to be shared, and reasonably priced given the cost of ingredients, except the bacon and dulce de leche donut holes with coffee ice cream--do not attempt to share this plate.

The name alone (which roughly translates as ‘non-kosher') is a "surefire way to attract buzz" in the Hasidic Williamsburg vicinity, and this "pork-lover's paradise" delivers an array of "dynamite" Eclectic small plates at a "reasonable" price; "helpful" service and snug quarters with an all-seasons patio round out this "great find."

It’s hard to imagine a restaurant as creative and feisty as Traif. This smidgeon of a diner tucked behind the Williamsburg Bridge with an inviting glass-roofed patio counters the religious orientation of the neighborhood with a menu heavy on non-kosher meat, pork and bacon. Cocktails are daring, too, with selections such as the Rude Little Pig, a mix of tequila and Cointreau with a bacon rim,...

Odd that in the Hasid capital of America a restaurant should open up devoted to "traif," which in Hebrew means anything vile or non-kosher. A pig with a heart on it adorns their signage, and they promise to bring "pork, shellfish and love" to the hippest borough.

Opened its doors on Shabbat, and that's just the beginning. Gives a finger to G-d by celebrating shellfish and the fruits of the pig. Creative, eclectic small plates like pork and duck rillettes with rhubarb-peach marmalade, fried artichoke hearts and sea urchin, king crab béarnaise. Cocktailing gets equally frisky, try a sweet and sour Red Pearl with chili-infused vodka and muddled kiwi....

Traif is the brainchild of chef and owner, Jason Marcus. Established in 2010, it will take you through a soul food culinary journey from all across the globe. Their menu comprises of inspired platters made of pork and shellfish. Their seasonal fare comes in small plates to share and you can be assured that whatever is laid out, it will be exceptional and bursting with flavors. These include...