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.
Sicilian Olive Soup at Tutto Bene in Bemidji
When I asked the server at Bemidji’s Tutto Bene to tell me about the Sicilian Olive Soup, he simply said: “People who like green olives love it. People who don’t like green olives don’t.” Being a green-olive fan, I ordered a cup and soon wished I’d ordered a bowl. The earthy fullness of green olives is blended with plenty of garlic and sprinkled with chives to break up the richness. It’s almost like a green olive tapenade, but pureed and smooth. It comes with a crispy cracker, perfect for dunking, and at the bottom of the bowl were plump pieces of Cerignola olives. This green-olive lover did indeed love it.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by Amy Rea]
Cherry Pie From Pie and Mighty at Brake Bread
For Pie Day, which was Wednesday, we sought out a really good slice, and we found it at Brake Bread in St. Paul. It was made for them by Pie and Mighty, a pop-up bakery. The sour cherries were still whole and had that ideal sweet-tart balance, and the crust was robust enough to keep the gloppy deliciousness together.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted from an Instagram Post by James Norton]
The Chicken Schnitzel Sandwich at Biergarten Germania in St. Paul
This sandwich was described by a fellow diner as “the best sandwich I’ve had in a long time.” And while that might sound like hyperbole, it’s a fair assessment. The seven-seed bread was soft yet sturdy; the schnitzel was tender and juicy, and lightly fried without a hint of grease. Add mustard, mayo, and a thick slice of tomato that might have traveled back in time from the coming peak tomato season, and you’ve got a perfectly composed sandwich.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted from a review by Ted Held]
The Fat Joe Burger at Lolo in Hudson, Wis.
The Fat Joe Burger is an audacious version that goes for the gusto. A sizable burger is topped with Swiss cheese, generous quantities of both bacon and pork belly, and a zippy coleslaw comprised of cabbage and red onion. Definitely do upgrade to the smoked-salt fries, which are flavorful on their own but even better when dipped into the accompanying basil aioli.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by Amy Rea]
Baklava at Pita King
Based on a reader tip, we picked up the baklava at Pita King on Franklin. It joins our trinity of favorites along with Filfillah and Gyropolis. Super crispy layers, wonderful walnut-y body, just the right intensity of sweetness.
[Last Week on the Hot Five: #1 | Submitted from an Instagram post by James Norton]