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.
St. Vincent Pizza from Big River Pizza
Packing a major flavor punch, this concoction stars thick bacon, fresh garlic, provolone, and a bright, slightly sweet red sauce made from organic crushed tomatoes. This pizza could have been overwhelming, given the combination of high-powered ingredients, but the components complemented one another, producing a well-balanced, unique pizza.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | From a review by Joshua Page]
Avocado Maki from Kyatchi
We thought that Kyatchi opened strong, but the months that have rolled by seem only to have strengthened the place — we recently had one of the best sushi meals we’ve eaten in the metro area at Kyatchi, distinguished right down to (and including) the humble avocado rolls. The rice was tender and properly seasoned, the maki supple, the avocado ripe and creamy — this simple dish was divine.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by James Norton]
Dilly Beans from Saint Dinette
Sometimes the simplest dishes are the most impressive (see above). While there’s no shortage of things to rave about vis-a-vis the newly opened Saint Dinette, we were truly wowed by the simple pickled dilly beans served as a snack. They had a lovely, tangy, garlicky depth of flavor that made them absurdly addictive.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by James Norton]
Cannibal Burger from Schmidt’s Meats
Cannibal Burger is beef coarsely ground with onions and spices and meant to be served raw on crackers or rye toasts — kind of a bare-bones steak tartare. At Schmidt’s, the Cannibal Burger is not mystery meat or odds and ends, but top round, ground first thing in the morning, when the grinders are still fresh from the previous night’s scrubbing (have we mentioned how immaculate this shop is?). The meat is so tender it pretty much melts in your mouth and is surprisingly delicate in flavor. One bite, and it’s easy to forget about the raw part (not to mention the cannibal part), and just focus on putting more meat on more crackers.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | From a review by Amy Rea]
Strawberry and Hazelnut Cookie from Swedish Crown Bakery
The organic strawberry jam that flavors this hazelnut and butter cookie rings through loud and clear, giving this simple-looking treat a surprising amount of depth. This is season of summer presented in a convenient cookie format.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by James Norton]