Each Friday, this list will track five of the best things Heavy Table’s writers, editors, and photographers have recently bitten or sipped. Have a suggestion for the Hot Five? Email editor@heavytable.com.
The Hot Five is a weekly feature created by the Heavy Table and supported by Shepherd Song Farm.
Hummus Toast at Esker Grove
We recently tried the Hummus Toast at Esker Grove, the new cafe at the Walker Art Center. The hummus itself contrasted freshness — first apparent as a burst of lemon — with a rich earthiness that comes through in the tahini. The tart-earthy mix was echoed in the garnish of blanched Brussels sprout leaves in a bright vinaigrette on one hand, and unadorned red beets, avocado, and a sprinkling of garbanzos on the other. The base was a slab of lightly toasted Pan Brioche from Baker’s Field; it added another acidic element. The rest of the plate held a pile of thin, crisp, but also oversalted potato chips.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted from an upcoming review by Jane Rosemarin]
Tsukunejiru at Kyatchi
We haven’t been shy about our affection for Kyatchi’s sushi, hot-dogs, and skewers (the limousine beef option is still one of the best deals in town). We’re now adding Tsukunejiru to our list of faves. A bowl of slightly spicy bonito broth, light chicken meatballs, rich shiitake mushrooms, and crisp green onion, it’s a soul-soothing, body-warming appetizer that’s just right for this time of year.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by Joshua Page]
Cafe Frieda Coffee Liqueur by Du Nord
Locally made coffee liqueur that actually tastes like coffee: Cafe Frieda is 52 proof and made with Peace Coffee cold brew coffee and roasted chicory root. It is in possession of both depth and subtlety. Sweet, but not aggressively so.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted from an upcoming review by James Norton]
Crepes at Penny’s Coffee
We’re hesitant to let you in on this one. But the cat will be out of the bag soon enough. On the northernmost edge of the Downtown Minneapolis skyway system, in a modernist office building is Penny’s Coffee, with floor-to-ceiling windows, a sleek coffee bar, the air of a museum cafe in a Northern European city, and some top-notch crepes. This one is filled with prosciutto, chevre, and pesto. There are a half dozen other sweet and savory choices — and plenty of sunlight and seats to go around. For now.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by Tricia Cornell]
Fish and chips need malt vinegar, right? Always. But what about the way fat drops of vinegar make the breading soggy in odd little spots? Red Stag solves this problem with a cunning little mister of vinegar that spreads tart goodness evenly across the plump fillets of cod. In fact, it’s so cute you almost don’t notice that something amazing is up with the chips. The potatoes are cut in wide, seemingly endless sheets by an industrial-size apple peeler, turning them into lavashlike potato crackers.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by Tricia Cornell]