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.
Vanilla Rose from the Swedish Crown Bakery
We had no expectations whatsoever when Swedish Crown Bakery popped by with some samples, but we were walking on air after trying their Vanilla Rose confections. To understand what they are, start with a cinnamon roll. Strip off the icing and cinnamon and goop. Replace it with a gentle infusion of cardamom-vanilla cream and bit of crunchy sugar. These things are soft-spoken but sweetly brilliant.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by James Norton]
Cashew-Caramel Sundae at Adele’s Frozen Custard
Because summer is coming, we all need a cashew-caramel sundae from Adele’s in Excelsior: rich, creamy vanilla custard, drowning in caramel sauce and a generous helping of salty cashews. Bring out the boats.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by Amy Rea]
Kolache at Sun Street Breads
I used to think Sun Street almost never made kolache. I was wrong: the kolache ($3) are made daily, but they sell out early. Their tender dough is fortified with egg yolks and butter, and just a touch of sugar. The filling this morning was a blend of lemon curd, pastry cream and sour cream. Piquant, not-too-sweet, ethereal
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by Jane Rosemarin]
Mezze Platter at Filfillah
Mezze, a collection of small tastes from the Middle East can be done lazily, or basically, or sloppily — and often are. At Filfillah on Central Avenue, they’re done with love and care — fresh, lively tabbouleh, handmade falafel that is tender and flavorful (not rock-like and bland), rich hummus with bright olive oil, and dolmades that are really quite good (if not as excellent as their cousins over at Basha.)
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Tweeted by James Norton in advance of an upcoming Central Avenue Checklist]
Chili Cheese Dog at Northbound Smokehouse
Northbound Smokehouse makes its own seriously tasty smokehouse chili with smoked cheese, which gives its chili cheese dog a serious leg up over the conventional competition. Priced at $4.50, this sucker’s a meal: a big, plump hot dog, rich, meaty chili, and a serious sprinkling of cheese and scallions.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Tweeted by James Norton]