Boxed Brownies, Bamonte's, and BYOB
And some good apartment news!
Hello and happy Monday!
I have some good news to share on the apartment front, namely that we got one! The new apartment is rent stabilized and even features a dishwasher and washer dryer, true NYC luxuries. The twist is that it’s a December lease so we are spending the next month in Queens with my parents (they are very excited for us to cook together). Moving twice is less than ideal, but I’m so thrilled about the new spot and beyond fortunate to have my family close by.
On a separate note, I’m getting this year’s gift guide (here’s last year’s, which I still stand by) together for a mid November release and want to do a pulse check! If you have specific categories you’re looking for (price ranges, etc), please let me know so I can make it as useful as possible.
Now, let’s dive in.
Something to cook:
Did I cook a lot this week? Absolutely not. Did I eat random odds and ends to try and use up random items to avoid moving them? Absolutely. I made a pot of rice and used it to make my version of the Emily Mariko bowl (if I have broccoli in the house, I feel infinitely more nourished).
After we found out we got approved, I needed to celebrate but was too tired to be in public. I made myself a little cheese plate and drank wine from a fancy glass. It still felt exciting.
Last night, I watched Succession (these twitter threads are my favorite) with a nice bowl of popcorn, seasoned with sumac and za’atar and flakey salt.
Speaking of using things up, I cleaned out a jar of chili crisp by putting slices of cucumber directly in the jar, shaking the jar, and then putting them in a bowl. It’s a great snack.
Julia, a very supportive friend, made us brownies for our Bachelorette viewing. We are team brownie mix and she jazzed up the boxed brownies with a swirl of tahini and flakey salt. So delicious.
Something to order:
Per Casey’s recommendation, Julia and I tried a new taco spot, Taco Edition, and we loved it. They have three vegetarian tacos to choose from (I got the tofu and black bean and plantain) and the salsa is so good. There’s also a big backyard if you want to dine in.
I took a morning walk detour to a new coffee shop, Alita, which was so cute. They also have fresh biscuits, which looked delicious.
Dale and I got sushi to celebrate our new spot from Ako, which we will soon live slightly closer to. I love the peanut avocado roll and the oshinko roll.
I have an affinity for byob restaurants after going to college in Philadelphia (related, I will be there next weekend if you have any recs) and Dale’s friend had his birthday dinner at one: Maison Bangkok uptown. The food was pretty good and it’s always nice to have a byob option for a group.
On Saturday night, Julianne, Julia and I went out on the town. Well sort of, we went to Bamonte’s, a Brooklyn institution that opened in 1900. It was so much fun and really nostalgic. The food was also surprisingly good and the service was excellent. We started with eggplant involtini and a bottle of Montepulciano and I got linguine with clams and they got lasagna and spaghetti and meatballs (the portions are huge and they preferred the lasagna, we all took home leftovers). We finished with a slice of American cheesecake and frangelico and walked home in the best mood.
Something to read:
Hurricane Ida’s forgotten victims
Bryant Terry’s Grub Street diet is full of vegetarian meal ideas, even though I normally prefer the New York diets
The common belief that steals our joy
A thorough review of Megan Thee Stallion’s Popeye’s collab. I love the design.
A cookbook dedicated to the Day of the Dead
New York restaurants will have to get through winter without propane heaters
High school students make a magazine to promote local businesses
A great pep talk that’s very true: timing is everything
The rise and folly of the refugee cookbook
I want to try Irina’s recipe for tofeta. Their food always looks so good!
In Rameh, some of the best olive oil is made
Thank you to Rachel for sharing the pumpkin bread recipe!
The kids the pandemic left behind
Loved reading Andrea’s reflections on Dia de los Muertos
Chef Zoe Adjonyoh on her first food tour of Ghana
Are you feeling a fall regression?
Now, lets’s talk Sunday routines. I know mine will be in flux for the next few weeks but it will all be worth it.
Julianne knows a good breakfast is essential: My Sunday ritual is usually reading for classes and outlining, laundry, and probably picking up breakfast for the roommate (aka Ian, my boyfriend of 11 years LOL) from the fabulous Stella di Sicilia bakery outside the Montrose stop. But sometimes I get ~crazy~ and also do my homework on Saturday too, aka every single day! Oooo!
Allison’s ritual is similar to mine, an errand filled walk can be so satisfying: I love my Sunday compost drop-off ritual too! I usually start the morning by cutting my hair (I buzzed my head early pandemic and haven't looked back...but it does need to be cut frequently), then stroll to the park with my compost. The best version of this walk continues with bumping into friends at the market and grabbing coffee, and a stop at the little cheese shop nearby on my way home.
This week, I’d like to hear about your favorite Halloween candy! Remember, you can buy yourself sweets whenever you want but it’s always nice to have a seasonal reason. I love snickers, Reeses and Take Five bars (salty/sweet is a theme).
There will be no bonus newsletter this week as I focus on moving and a few deadlines but paid subscribers, I am always here to answer your questions promptly. And I so appreciate your support. Next week, This Needs Hot Sauce turns 4 and I am so excited and grateful.
Have a great week!
xo, Abigail