Banh mi and Bubble Tea

Quite a play on words there huh…Banh Mi sandwiches at Banhmigos?! You know you think it’s clever, the combo of Banh Mi and ‘amigos’ – and these guys will be your friends, or at least you’ll want them to be your friends so you can have amazing Vietnamese sandwiches like – always!

I walked by this Park Slope location quite a few times and always said to myself, I have to come back here some time. I finally did, not only to try their yummy sandwiches but to try Bubble Tea for the first time ever! I know, how have I gone so long? I wondered about the texture, knew I’d like it for some reason…I have to say I don’t think I went in the right direction choosing my flavor.

The tapioca balls were the perfect consistency as they came up through that thick straw – something I’ve always wanted to try. But I chose ‘almond tea’ flavor – wouldn’t repeat. Next time I would go for something more classic, like a coffee or matcha. I have to admit the almond tasted a bit artificial.

The sandwich – amazing! I ordered the Grilled Chicken or ‘Da Mo’ Banh Mi. A perfectly toasted French baguette, spread with butter, a little mayo, filled with crispy pickled carrots and radish, fresh cucumber, cilantro and yummy sweet marinated grilled chicken – now that’s a mouthful! It’s fresh but filling at the same time. I could imagine eating this spread out on a blanket in the park taking the Spring sun in!

Yep, I’m coming again! And next time I’ll be ordering the classics for a change 😉

Now That’s a Wrap

I know your mouth just watered. A bacon, egg, and avocado wrap…with pumpkin hash?! At Pure Bistro in Park Slope’s 5th Ave they serve the yummiest super healthy dishes! This one in particular is one of their signature breakfast wraps (did I just make that up?) Who cares…the point is that it is a perfectly filling way to start your day.

Scrambled eggs give you the protein, bacon – not just any – turkey bacon gives you the hearty healthy breakfast flavor, and avocado (packed) gives you the healthy oils – that by the way, are amazing for your skin! All wrapped in a whole wheat wrap to make it ohhh not SO filling. Paired with a pumpkin hash…replacing the potatoes (smart)…they smoothly transition you into Fall.

The staff is super friendly, the coffee is oh so good…man…Now I just can’t wait for the weekend to get here for brunch! Oh, but watch out for the Sunday wait…

 

A Healthy Choice

Sun is shining, birds are chirping, flowers blooming…I’d say it’s a perfect day to brunch at Sun In Bloom.

This cute little spot in Park Slope serves unique dishes that nourish – and I mean NURISH – the community. They offer delicious concoctions that can be enjoyed by all…but especially by health nuts…uhh health nuts like me duh!

Ok, ok…I know what you’re probably thinking…’You a health nut?! All this talk about pizza, doughnuts, food all day, food all night’…People, I have my moments. There are mornings (as few as they may be) when I wake up and just feel like eating something super health-ey! And as much as I have my favorite burger joint, I also have my healthy choice that hits the spot in the same exact way.

Moving right along…

They specialize in organic, vegan, raw, and macrobiotic dishes. Not satisfied you health junkie?! Well get this…they also serve gluten-free vegan baked goods and raw desserts aaand all of their food, desserts, and beverages are made from scratch in their kosher kitchen….eat that for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner! Boo-ya!

So let’s step right into what hungover Amy and I ordered on this beautiful Sunday lunchternoon. Those who know me, and especially those who have brunched with me know how hard it is – for me – to decide between sweet and savory. So yeah, one person in the group is basically obligated to split two dishes. What?! Im doing them a favor!

In this case they were two dishes that were highly recommended…Dish Uno: Their famous gluten-free pancakes topped with your choice of fresh fruit, walnuts, and pure maple syrup hmm…and Dish Numero Dos: Their ‘You won’t believe it’s not bacon’ BLT, add avocado to that…you won’t regret it! And I’m not telling you what the (NOT) bacon is…all I’m sayin’ is it’s delicious!

Choose healthy today and skip on over to 460 Bergen Street. Enjoy an incredibly attentive staff, a great atmosphere, and most importantly really great dishes. You’ll be floating out of there (that’s how light the food is) and bloomin’ like the sun! ;o) Enjoy!

 

Bread – Meat – Bread

There is something about the feeling you get when you take the first bite of a delicious perfectly combined sandwich. At Bierkraft…which translates to ‘beer-force’, that’s what you’ll get.

Walking in, you’ll stride through their beer tunnel, two fridge walls, filled with infinite amounts of all beers possibly imaginable. Not being a huuuge beer drinker, what catches my eye – and where I get lost for ideas – are the super creative labels!

When you get to the end of the tunnel you’ll find their specialty house-made draft beers…which I hear are delicious. Aaaand…look for it…a menu hanging from a post! You will have a choice between 8 already thought out sandwiches, as perfect combinations. Oooor, if you’re having one of those days where absolutely nothing is perfect or sounds scrumptious enough (we all have these once in a while) the guys at Bierkraft have an incredible selection of ingredients which you can mix and match and make into your own crazily amazing bread-y sandwich creation!

As you read through the menu you’ll drool over ingredients like: wagyu beef, hot sopressata, cave aged gruyere, chevre de miel, fig spread, basil marcona almond pesto…cheeeese, meeeeat, cheeeese…note that the condiments are mostly house-made! Mmmm…

Place your order to the super friendly staff – they take they’re time to really make you a perfect sandwich – sit out in the garden with your carefully selected beer and patiently wait for your name to be called!

Now when you go get your sandwich, do not be surprised by the size, these suckers are two in onesers…but if you’re reading this and loving it…you can probably down it in one sitting (like me…jeje)!

Shut Up & Eat – Falafel

If there’s something I know about myself it’s that I usually don’t like being told what to do. In this case…sure, I’ll make an exception…At Brooklyn’s Kulushkat – which literally means ‘shut up and eat’ – that is exactly what you’ll WANT to do!

Bite into this…crispy yet moist, airy yet creamy gourmet falafel for just $5.50!! Uhhh gimme’ two pleeeease and thank you!!

Now, they’re menu goes on to feature falafel any way you could possibly imagine, spicy fries, taboule, hummus made fresh four times a day, bla bli blu…yeah yeah, I’ll be back for more! This first time I had they’re classic sandwich on whole wheat pita – ‘cuz I’m keepin’ it healthy, ya’ know?! – hehe

Momma Kulush (she’s literally in the kitchen, but thats’ not literally her name – it’s Yafa) stuffs this puppy up good…with about a whopping six falafel balls, a crunchy red cabbage salad for THE perfect contrast, marinated soft eggplant, and they’re delicious tahini sauce drizzled all over.

As you’ll come to read, I like to include a little extra info…a bit of a side dish…just so we can all get something out of this other than grumbling bellies. I’ll call it – ‘brain food’ – clever huh?! =)

So, what is falafel exactly?!

A mixture of ground chickpeas, parsley, scallions, and garlic…with spices such as cumin and coriander for added flavor! What’s interesting is that the chickpeas used are not cooked prior to grinding, they are just soaked overnight – prior cooking causes them to fall apart. – This yummy mixture is then shaped into small balls/patties by hand or with a tool called an aleb falafel and finally deep fried…need I say more?!

Now, if you’re ever on Dean St between Flatbush and 5th…walk into Kulushkat and get yourself some good eats…no one will tell you to shut up – expect maybe the food…