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.
Bratwurst at Tanzenwald Brewing Company in Northfield
Topped with crispy kraut and beer-braised onions, this is one of the best bratwursts we’ve had in years, Wisconsin inclusive. It was snappy but not tough, smoothly textured without being pasty or squishy, and imbued with a coriander-driven spice bite that was clean, natural, and assertive without being overpowering. The bun was ample and had character without overpowering its contents, and the whole dish was a rare, ideal version of what a bratwurst can be.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted from a review by James Norton]
Seared Walleye Sandwich at Bread and Pickle
The Seared Walleye Sandwich at Bread and Pickle (Kim Bartmann’s restaurant at the Lake Harriet Band Shell) was remarkably good. We’d say it was even borderline great. The fillet is lightly breaded, quite juicy, flaky, and seasoned just enough. It’s served with a generous slice of tomato, lettuce, tartar sauce, and a dash of fresh dill.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by Brenda Johnson]
Jalapeño Poppers at Eat Street Social
The Jalapeño Poppers at Eat Street Social are the antithesis of the overly breaded standard versions of the appetizer. In fact, they aren’t breaded at all. A few crumbles of bacon plus a sauce that’s lighter than cream cheese make these substantial but balanced. Crisp micro greens add pop. Pair with a Boilermaker (beer with a shot mixed in) on Sundays.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by Paige Didora]
The $5 Cheeseburger at Constantine at the Hotel Ivy
The $5 cheeseburger at Constantine (half of the Constantine/Monello pairing of restaurants at the Hotel Ivy) may be small, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in flavor. The luxuriously buttered bun, the thoroughly melted layer of cheese, and the rich, fully-flavored beef patty combine to make this little burger a rich indulgence. And it’s five bucks! You can’t lose!
[Last Week on the Hot Five: #4 | Submitted by James Norton]
Carolina Gold Rice at Revival
With its light, fluffy texture, its clean, sweet flavor, and its soothing overall profile, Carolina Gold Rice is an unexpectedly lovely side order at Revival (we got it at the St. Paul location). As it turns out, it also tastes delicious with the occasional squirt of Revival’s house-made, sweet-potato-based hot sauce.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by James Norton]