Can Cauliflower Be Cathartic?
If you use Barkha Cardoz’s masalas and let her culinary wisdom seep into your consciousness, yes – eating cauliflower can be a seriously transformative experience.
Known Quantities Revisited: 2-5-24
It might be a classic given a fresh look or perhaps simply the ultimate in respect. Either way, the favorite eats of the past two weeks more than pass the endurance test.
Under the Moon
A community-building hub with food that’s often Latin-leaning, this downtown café has vintage vibes and a spirit of inclusiveness. Come as who you are and eat what makes your tummy purr.
La Tabatiere
The relaxed friendliness of this bakery in Closter belies the behind-the-scenes precision and concentration needed to produce pastries such as a stellar canelé, exquisite vanilla diamant cookies and a milk cake of mystery.
The Hill
Classics with well-executed spins are where this upscale and relaxed roadhouse shines. Fixes of flaws would be worth the time as would making connections with a borough farm that could and should inspire even more invention.
The Anti-Deprivation Bowl
What to eat when everyone else is not eating some major food grouping in the name of reversing holiday-dining damage? A big bowl of nutritious comforts customized to what’s on hand and what’s striking the mood.
Luis Blasini-Sinchi, 7 Doors Down Ramen Co.
His life and cross-cultural experiences are expressed on the plates the newest member of TPW’s chef-picks-chef society of top toques serves forth at his destination restaurant in Bloomfield. It’s a Luis Blasini-Sinchi moment and it’s destined to endure.
Mauka
What’s it called when a pre-proportioned feast of many parts is presented as a kind of culinary harmonic convergence? Thali time. At this suburban hub for Indian classics, you’ll also want a prelude of poori.
Arepa Pizza & Market
Focus on the cachapas, the arepas and the empanadas and let yourself be taken in by a monster sandwich called The Pepito. Then it’ll be obvious to you why the name of this corner storefront must be changed.
Cold-weather Comforts: 1-22-24
Sweet potatoes, peaches, The Pepito, plump shrimp wontons and puffy beans and cod are the stars of the eating shows of the two weeks just past. Review here, then plan to consume.
The Layered Look
We dress in layers at this time of year and there’s wisdom, not to mention waves of flavors, in cooking that way, too. A dish of cacio e pepe beans, pesto and roasted onions offers a blueprint for stylish simplicity.
Tang Maru
Korean comforts stir the senses at a welcoming stalwart where groups both novice and well-schooled convene. Let Kiera be your guide to a range of its must-try specialties.