The 6 Best Bites at Brooklyn Bounty
We were pleased to be asked to serve on the planning committee for Brooklyn Bounty this past Wednesday; the annual tasting event/fundraiser to benefit the 150-year-old Brooklyn Historical Society. Which, far from being the solemn shrine to musty borough archives that you might expect, frequently hosts inspired, all-ages (i.e., non-septuagenarian set) programming, paired with plenty of beer from their friends at Brooklyn Brewery.
And while we admittedly had a hand in recruiting many of the restaurants that took part in this years “Kings County Agricultural Fair” –themed festivities, when it came down to it, the dishes clearly spoke for themselves. So here are some of our favorites from Brooklyn Bounty 2014!
Ceviche at Pacifico’s Fine Foods: In addition to having one of the best appointed tables (dig the Twerk-o-Lantern), this popular new farm-to-table Brazilian spot served a killer seasonal ceviche, made with shrimp and local pumpkin.
798 Franklin Avenue, Crown Heights
Pho Rolls at Bep: A favorite at Smorgasburg, chef An Nguyen Xuan offered his ingenious pho/summer roll mashup; a chewy steamed rice noodle crepe, wrapped around brisket, cilantro, basil and bean sprouts.
346 Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg
Whitefish Chowder at Shelsky’s: Owner Pete Shelsky uses delicate Door County whitefish in this temptingly smoky (yet bacon-free) take on a classic New England clam chowder.
141 Court Street, Cobble Hill
Lobster Mac and Cheese at the Red Hook Lobster Pound: Not that the Maine-sourced crustaceans from Red Hook’s beloved lobster pound need any adornment, but this 4-cheese mac is a happy exercise in delectable excess.
284 Van Brunt Street, Red Hook
Chili at Tom’s Restaurant: They may be best known for pancakes and egg creams, but this local institution rocks comfort food in general, including a just-spicy-enough beef and bean chili; the perfect answer to Wednesday’s torrential, freezing rain.
782 Washington Avenue, Prospect Heights
Snails Marchand de Vin at French Louie: Props to Ryan Angulo for being baller enough to serve snails at a tasting event—even gastropod skeptics were duly won over by this dish, rich with concentrated red wine and mushrooms and ladled over herb-flecked grits.
320 Atlantic Avenue, Boerum Hill