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.
Miso-Braised Pork and Ginger-Garlic Slaw from Sassy Spoon
The newly opened Sassy Spoon’s signature dish is a wonderful balance of rich, soulful pork and bright, fresh cabbage and greens. It’s very satisfying and surprisingly light — no carbs, no problem.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Contributed by Joshua Page]
Crispy Curried Cauliflower from Corner Table
The curry-dusted cauliflower is crisp on the outside and tender, with a bite, on the inside. It sits on a disk of beluga lentils, which contribute their earthy goodness. A ring of brick-red sauce made from Korean kochukaru pepper, golden raisins, garlic, and vinegar provides a bright, sweet, hot, and smoky contrast. The sauce is topped with pickled mustard seeds that pop in your mouth. Micro cilantro adds a final visual and textural element. Dare we mention that the dish is vegan?
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Contributed by Jane Rosemarin]
Fennel Sausage Link from Black Sheep Pizza on Nicollet Ave
Black Sheep Pizza’s new location boasts a gorgeous grill operated by a bold metal wheel that brings food closer to or further away from the heat that pours up from below. We tried and loved the fennel sausage link starter — disarmingly light in texture and bright in flavor, but fire-charred and satisfying, complemented by pickled veggies and a scrap of bread.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Contributed by James Norton]
Barbecued Goat Tacos from La Huasteca
The Barbacoa de Chivo tacos at La Huasteca consist of big scoops of roasted goat with cilantro, onions, and chili sauce served on doubled-up corn tortillas with lime wedges on the side. In terms of quantity, the two tacos made for a solid $4 lunch. In terms of taste, the goat has the presence and emotional warmth of a pot roast — tender, rich, deeply flavored. This robust and comforting foundation is the perfect pedestal for bright notes of flavor like the acidic tang of lime juice, the crunch of fresh onions, and the heat of salsa. When you eat these tacos, you become happy.
[Last Week on the Hot Five: #4 | Reviewed by James Norton]
Coconut Soup and Panang Curry with Fried Tofu at Thai Cafe
Another cold week equals more comfort food cravings! This time we stopped at Thai Cafe in Little Mekong to delight our bodies and souls with a spicy coconut soup and a panang curry with fried tofu. We didn’t go wrong: the fresh-ground spices and herbs were right on. Delicious, affordable and perfect for a quick bite during a busy day.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Contributed by Isabel Subtil]
If Sassy Spoon has a brick-and-mortar space that’s the first I’ve heard of it, and their website is silent on the topic.