Work has been pretty hectic around here, so we’ve decided to treat ourselves to more midweek lunches. We’ll be posting our faves with a review and some photos once or twice a week, so let us know what you think. This week we tried Five Leaves, one of our neighborhood spots. Five Leaves sits on Bedford and Lorimer, caddy corner to McCarren Park in Greenpoint. The corner location allows for lots of sidewalk seats and lots of natural light. Vintage light fixtures hang out of a wood plank ceiling, and the bar feels Art Deco and Parisian. The bartender poured Campari and soda, and we poured over our menus.
We had a tough time choosing between, well, everything. After much deliberation we decide to split a radicchio and watercress salad with roasted acorn squash, feta and onion and a warm roast chicken sandwich—on toasted baguette with roasted tomato, chipotle mayonnaise, shaved parmesan and anchovies. And wait; let’s not forget one of the most important parts here—truffled french fries. French fries in all their glory, carefully rolled in truffle oil, so infused you’d think the potatoes were grown in it. The salt of the feta was the perfect complement to the honeyed squash—sweetened. Pungent raw onions gave a crisp kick, and the tangy greens dressed in vinaigrette married the whole bowl together. Our roast chicken was indulgent in its toppings and strong in flavor. Chipotle mayo oozed out the side, and anchovies broke the simplicity.
Our waitress, in her shrunken Fair Isle cardigan was sweet as can be, and the experience was so pleasant we’ll definitely be back. Clearly a neighborhood staple, they even had a takeout coffee window for those too busy to linger—no one should have to miss out.
Five Leaves: 18 Bedford Ave Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY 11222 (646) 510-6467
Ok, well maybe it’s more of a snack than a meal, but we think it’s the perfect trio. Healthy and fresh with just the right sprinkle of indulgence. Suitable for a lazy afternoon or a mad rush moment- you race through the door from work and want to decompress for just that one hour—shoes off, before an event or a late dinner reservation—you need a quick, satisfying, standing-at-the-kitchen-counter snack. Well we think it’s time to switch it up a bit. For today’s midday meal we combined the crisp tartness of a cool sliced radish, creamy (french, always french) butter, and a nice coarse sea salt. We promise this will warm your soul and quiet your mind. Savor these ingredients in all of their simplicity, and get back to your lazy Sunday or busy week night. Happy munching.
Sunday Suppers popped into the new sandwich shop Saltie recently to check out Caroline Fidanza’s latest undertaking (and first proprietorship), having worked for the Andrew Tarlow and Mark Firth local Williamsburg empire (needs no introduction, but just in case – Diner, Marlow & Sons, Marlow & Daughters). I have to say, we were impressed! Or better yet, hungry. One look at the pastries and sandwiches and the 4pm busy-bee stomach let me know it was empty. I read in an interview with seriouseats.com that one of Caroline’s “over-the-kitchen-sink” go-to meals was Salvatore ricotta with sea salt and olive oil either on Finn Crisp or fresh Italian bread. Clearly her style shows on this menu. These interesting combos, so carefully curated for the taste buds are heaven. I opted for the Spanish Armada – a potato tortilla with Russian-ish aioli, and a leek, chicken, prune stew (the name has slipped my mind). I climbed my starving little self into the car with the beauty you see here and every last bite, every last slurp, was a party in my mouth. Divine. And the d?cor speaks for itself. I loved walking in off Metropolitan Ave to these blue boards and block letters. I felt like I had walked into a little New England seafood shack with picnic tables and red-and-white checked cardboard containers. I will be back there for lunch sooner than later. I think next on my list is the “clean slate”: Wheatberries, chickpeas, miso, and pickled vegetables. Mmmmm….. You can visit Caroline in all her quaintness too – at 378 Metropolitan Ave, here in Brooklyn for lunch or dinner.
Photography by Karen Mordechai
Work has been pretty hectic around here, so we’ve decided to treat ourselves to more midweek lunches. We’ll be posting our faves with a review and some photos once or twice a week, so let us know what you think. This week we tried Five Leaves, one of our neighborhood spots. [...]
Ok, well maybe it’s more of a snack than a meal, but we think it’s the perfect trio. Healthy and fresh with just the right sprinkle of indulgence. Suitable for a lazy afternoon or a mad rush moment- you race through the door from work and want to decompress for just that one hour—shoes off, [...]
Sunday Suppers popped into the new sandwich shop Saltie recently to check out Caroline Fidanza’s latest undertaking (and first proprietorship), having worked for the Andrew Tarlow and Mark Firth local Williamsburg empire (needs no introduction, but just in case – Diner, Marlow & Sons, Marlow & Daughters). I have to say, we were impressed! [...]
