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.
Lake and Marshall Bridge Burger at Peppers and Fries
The Lake and Marshall Bridge burger looked simple enough on the menu – two 1/4 pound patties, American cheese, lettuce, onions, pickles and special sauce on a three-tier bun. Got it – kind of a play on a Big Mac. But no: The thing is a burger TOWER. It leans crazily over the plate, and it intimidates the riff-raff. The bun is pleasingly eggy, the sauce on point, the toppings in balance, and – this can’t be over-emphasized – the seasoning on the meat absolutely perfect, salty in a savory and encouraging way with plenty of pepper for balance. We destroyed this thing.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted from the East Lake Checklist by James Norton]
Brewtine at City Brew Hall in Wahpeton
“Brewtine” is a spin on poutine served up at the ambitious new City Brew Hall in Wahpeton, North Dakota. It’s a classic poutine but the cheese curds are battered (!) and the gravy is subbed out for a nicely seasoned beer cheese sauce. This is the sort of thing that could have turned into an over-salted trainwreck, but it’s balanced and it’s delicious. The bacon is perfect, too – salty, chewy, and smoky but not overwhelming.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted from an Instagram post by James Norton]
Steak Chilaquiles at Sonora Grill
Chilaquiles is one of our favorite “all-in-one” dishes, and the Sonora Grill version is excellent. Simmered in salsa, the chips retain a little crunch, and runny eggs and chihuahua cheese add creaminess. Grilled juicy steak is definitely worth the $2 up-charge; unlike chicken and pork, it doesn’t get lost in the mix. We also dig a vegetarian version, with scrambled eggs and avocado.
[Last Week on the Hot Five: #1 | Submitted from an Instagram post by Joshua Page]
Lac Coeur Coffee Liqueur by Loon Liquors
Lac Coeur is relatively low in alcohol, 25% ABV, and it’s pleasant over ice. The typical applications work — it makes for a wonderful white Russian — but is far more versatile since it is not cream-based or overly sweet. Its dominant flavor is, of course, coffee, but it also adds depth of flavor to other brown-spirit-based libations. In a traditional Old Fashioned, it plays with the bitters and orange garnish and finishes in a tiramisu-like flourish.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted from a post by Paige Latham Didora]
Sicilian Pizza from the Paparazzi Pop-Up at Al Vento
It’s always fun to see restaurants evolve and experiment, as is the case with Al Vento’s pizza-focused restaurant-within-a-restaurant, Paparazzi. A 12″ Sicilian pie feeds about three (maybe four?) for $19.50, and it can be loaded down with as many premium toppings as you’d like. We thought the crust was delightful (light and almost fluffy with a crispy exterior) and in balance with its toppings. Pictured: A deliciosu Sicilian pizza with roasted fennel, kalamata olives, prosciutto, goat cheese, fresh mozzarella, and Parmesan.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted from an Instagram post by James Norton]
Paparazzi pizza is available on bite squad for free delivery.