from Giada De Laurentiis

I’m glad that Giada is more than a soothing voice that could drift you to sleep on a hammock. Any time I’ve tried out one of her recipes, they exceed my expectations.This Mediterranean Halibut Sandwich is no exception.

I’ve made similar flakes fish sandwiches with canned tuna (haven’t we all?) but a freshly roasted fillet – in my case I substituted lemon sole- makes for an entirely different and elevated dish. The filling with sun dried tomatoes capers zest and parsley is mellower than it’s parts but still flavorful. I added a slice of fresh mozzarella.

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Posted on September 9, 2011

160 Havemeyer St.  store 6, Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Banh mis are popping up everywhere these days (not that I am complaining in the least!) but Nha Toi‘s unique menu, offering classic and not so classic sandwiches (like fried duck egg and shrimp patty) caught my eye. It’s been in the neighborhood for a little while, but was new to me.

After discovering their website via yelp, I was excitied to find they were happy to deliver to Spritzenhaus because a Vietnamese sandwich accompanies an afternoon Sweet Action pretty darn well.

After Shaun and I had initial skepticism over the bread – which turned out to be perfect – just toothsome enough on the outside to not get soggy and stand up to the innards and just soft enough on the inside to be delicious, we found (almost) everything was superb.

To get the one mishap out of the way, we’ll admit that the original Banh mi Dac Biet was perhaps too authentic for all of us. Depends on your tolerance with spam/head cheese textures – ends up ours is pretty low. (Somehow I feel like other similar sandwiches have been less out loud and proud with this texture, with BBQ pork and other insides balancing it more?)

Anyways, not a favorite, but certainly not enough to dissuade you from trying them for the other menu options.

My unusual sounding but oh so perfect on the bun Pho Banh mi was excellent, with a rich, spiced broth/ hoisin sauce and tender cuts of beef brisket. Mike and Shaun devoured their Bi Heo (shredded pork and skin with roasted rice powder – which I plan to try next time) and Grilled Lemongrass Chicken with high praise.

With a really friendly staff and a menu that also includes an equally exciting array of spring rolls, pho and bun, I am glad it didn’t take me too long to find this place and add it to my list of local treats.

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Posted on May 18, 2011

378 Metropolitan Ave, Williamsburg

If I had to describe my palette, I could pretty much just list of the ingredients in Saltie‘s sandwich menu. Beets. pickled eggs, sardines, capers, olives, pickles, oh my yes!!!

Most importantly, though the sandwiches equal more than the sum of their parts. The flavors are balanced and the pillowy bread is a perfect compliment – after all nothing is worse than a good sandwich with a bad bun.

I had to give the Captain’s Daughter a try as a huge fan of sardines but rarely ever finding them on menus. With a green salsa, pickled eggs, parsley and olive oil, it was spectacular. One of those meals that makes you kind of dance around with joy with the first bite.

Jim, whose palette is decidedly different than mine ordered the Scuttlebutt. Packed with beets, feta, olives, capers and more – it was excellent. Even Jim was a huge fan despite the powerful flavors that are usually not to his taste (he used to consider salt too spicy).

Daily specials looked amazing – on the day we were there: an egg bowl featuring roasted turnips and some of the most fluffy and appetizing looking scrambled eggs I have ever laid eyes on. They also have baked goods that I’ve not tried yet.

I had been meaning to go here for months and months and now only regeret I never made it sooner. I can’t wait to eat my way through the whole menu and then start again. There’s lots of hype from foodies about these sandwiches, but they live up to it.

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Posted on December 23, 2010

240 Sullivan St

I’ve had cravings throughout my pregnancy: rainbow sprinkles, strawberries, granola, milk, watermelon and Arnold Palmers to name a few, but the strangest is the most recent – peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. It may not seem odd but you have to understand that I would never eat one of my own accord and barely even managed eating them as a young kid (which was probably the last time I ate one). Now I am making them for breakfast. So, I thought I’d take advantage of the phenomena and visit Peanut Butter and Co. while I can.

The family friendly spot offers many versions of the childhood fave but I couldn’t see anything except for the Fluffernutter – a simple and genius paring of marshmallow Fluff and creamy peanut butter (crunchy also available). Like all sandwiches, it comes with potato chips and carrot sticks and I went all out by also ordering a syrupy cherry coke.

While it was quite good, it’s a little pricey considering the fair and the bread could have been a tad softer for my taste (though, full disclosure, I am a Wonder Bread fan). Making this at home, I probably would have gone overboard on the innards too, piling one about double the amount of each.

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Posted on August 15, 2010

from Tyler Florence on Food Network

While I can’t have most lunch meats, taking lots of sandwiches out of the equation until my little guy is born, I still crave eating them from time to time and found this woodsy, hearty Goat Cheese and Mushroom Panini recipe on Food Network that sounded perfect. I skimped on buying the truffle oil, though I am sure it’s an excellent addition.

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Posted on June 20, 2010