Jason From Traif Small Italian Plates

Menu:

1. spring caprese: strawberries, burrata, hot honey, smoked meyer lemon, chocolate mint ($14)
2. tuna crudo, calabrian chile, salsa verde, carta di musica ($14)
3. snap pea risotto, ricotta salata, orange vin cotto, herbs & flowers: from the garden ($16)
4. slow-cooked beef short rib in marsala, black garlic mostardo
5. bourbon budino, mezcal caramel, cocoa nib ‘trail mix,’ olive oil ($10)
   * pancetta-spiced ‘ciccioli’ terrine, black garlic mostardo, spiced buckwheat bread ($13)

Jason Marcus, chef/co-owner of Traif & self-proclaimed funny Jew, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa and raised in New Jersey. ‘After obtaining a degree in philosophy & leadership studies at the University of Richmond, he began cooking professionally at such notable restaurants: Eleven Madison Park, Le Bernardin, Judson Grill & Manresa… Soon after, he met his future wife and Traif co-owner Heather, while the opening executive chef of Red Pearl Kitchen in San Diego… After travelling Europe in search of inspiration & rejuvenation, they moved to New York and opened Traif in Williamsburg, in April 2010. Yiddish for unkosher, Traif melds Jason’s ironic love for pork and shellfish along with his philosophy of ‘cook what you love, not what you’re supposed to…’ A couple years later & just a few doors down, Heather & Jason opened their modern Mexican restaurant & agave bar, Xixa, pronounced ‘shiksa—’ a Mexican play on the yiddish term for a non-jewish lover—an ode to both Heather & Jason’s culinary shiksa-Mexican food…Jason has been featured on such tv shows as “Chopped, ‘the Chew,’ and “Knife Fight.” The restaurants have each been fortunate to receive many accolades in local & national publications & food guides.