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.
Kebab Dinner at Al Amir Bakery
We have tasted many dozens of dishes on our encyclopedic trip from 694 to Broadway Street via Central Avenue in Northeast Minneapolis, but few if any have touched us as deeply as the kebab at Al Amir Bakery. Skewered by swords and cooked over high yellow flames, the meat and tomatoes that make up the core of this dish are rich in flavor and thoroughly charred with soul. Everything about this simple Iraqi dish is beautiful.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | From an Instagram Post by James Norton]
The Nashville Slammer created by Jackson O’Brien of Peace Coffee
Jackson O’Brien, head barista at Peace Coffee’s Wonderland location, created this refreshing, tasty drink during our Summer Cold Press Lab. Combining cold press concentrate, sparking water, simple syrup, basil, and lime, the Slammer is a coffee lovers’ answer to iced tea and the perfect drink for summer barbecues. Read our story on the Cold Press lab for the recipe.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by Joshua Page, from our Cold Press Coffee Lab]
Fish Provençal at Le Town Talk
The Fish Provençal at Le Town Talk was amazing. Fresh fish, smoky tomatoes, perfectly tender confit potatoes, olives … stewed to perfection, all topped with a bit of crème fraîche. Oh là là! C’était très bon.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by Brenda Johnson]
Taiwanese Style Stir Fried Rice Noodles from Evergreen Chinese
This noodle dish is good enough to make you forget you’re eating in an fluorescent lit basement. Without too much umami or the essence of trying too hard, these noodles are addictive and authentic.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by Paige Latham]
Tuna Crudo at Piccolo
Ultra fresh fish topped with mojama (cured tuna loin), summer truffle, slightly cured quail eggs, and herbs, the balanced and beautiful dish pops with flavor, flavor, and more flavor. Chef Flicker’s creation gets my vote for dish of the summer (though there’s still time for competitors to vie for top spot).
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by Joshua Page]