Each Friday afternoon, 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.
Panettone at Patisserie 46
Available only during the holiday season, each orange-spiked brioche is baked in its own 6″ paper dish. Ringed with chocolate and topped with streusel, toasted almonds, and powdered sugar, it’s the perfect treat for a wintery weekend brunch. [Debuting on the Hot Five]
Contributed by Ted Held
Triple Flavored Squid at Grand Szechuan
Super flavorful, expertly fried, and spicy, with hints of mouth-tingling citrus from Szechuan peppercorns. It’s dynamite! [Last Week on the Hot Five: #1]
Tradesman Robust Porter at LynLake Brewery
Warm and full-bodied, LynLake’s Tradesman Robust Porter is the kind of beer you could drink every night before bed. With a thick creamy head, this porter tastes of chestnuts roasting on an open fire with just the right sweetness level — the perfect winter holiday beer. [Debuting on the Hot Five]
Contributed by Liz Scholz
Chocolate Bird Bars by St. Croix Chocolate Company
St. Croix Chocolate Company’s chocolate bird bars are among the most beautiful chocolates we’ve laid eyes on. They’re made from a mold created by St. Croix Valley tile artist Laura McCaul. The chocolate is delicious, too. We love the “dark milk” 53 percent cacao flavor. [Last Week on the Hot Five: #2]
Contributed by James Norton from Heavy Table’s 2014 Local Food Gift Guide
Maple-Cinnamon Cheesecake at Mad Hatter Tearoom
Mad Hatter Tearoom is doing its holiday teas this year, and that means extra-decadent dessert. One of the best: a maple-cinnamon cheesecake layered with sweet potato spice cake and maple cream cheese icing, with a bit of cranberry sauce on the side. It’s much lighter than it sounds, and the cinnamon and cranberry offset the not-overly-sweet cake and cheesecake. A wonderfully indulgent way to end a four-course holiday tea. [Debuting on the Hot Five]
Contributed by Amy Rea