We’re officially in July which means the farmer’s market is stocked and it’s too hot to turn on my stove. June was somehow both busy and uneventful, which means I didn’t have a ton of time in the kitchen. But I did have a few delicious bites, which I’m rounding up below. (The last time I did this, I sent out the newsletter as a placeholder because Ben and I were hosting Seder, which is when he wound up proposing. So we’re bringing Best Bites back as a monthly, because that’s got to be good juju, right?)
I’m excited for July because not only is it peak produce season, but we head down on our family vacation to the Jersey shore at the end of the month. That means lots of seafood, Kohr’s ice cream, and Italian subs on the beach are in my future.
But without further ado…
A whole roasted cheddar cauliflower with tahini and chimichurri that I found on TikTok from Desert Island Dishes.
The vodka sauce pizza from Krispy Pizza in Dyker Heights. (Runner up being their Fat Krispy pizza, which is topped with french fries, mozzarella sticks, chicken fingers, mozzarella, and special sauce.)
A martini, french fries, and a Bar Sardine Burger from Fairfax in the West Village, which I was considering gatekeeping but is the best place for a New York Happy Meal.
Also from Fairfax (because I absolutely went there for dinner on a Friday and then brunch the next morning), some peaches drizzled with maple syrup, almonds, and mint that tasted extra yummy because I was sharing them with my friend Katie.
Ben’s peanut noodles, which I ask him to make on a weekly basis at this point, with a side of sautéed bok choy.
A Hugo spritz and spaghetti pomodoro from Cafe Spaghetti that I enjoyed while cackling with Hannah.
This creamy, no-cook lemony ricotta sauce that I served over linguini with a side of perfectly ripe tomatoes and basil.
Some eggplant in garlic sauce from Wo Hop, which has quickly shot up the ranks to become one of my favorite spots in the city.
The egg and cheese sandwich from Winner, which is a magic cure to any hangover.
A hot fudge sundae with cookie crisps from Carvel that I got on a particularly balmy night when Ben was out.
Tinned trout with charred toast from the restaurant Dandelion at the Eastwind Hotel in Big Indian.
And, finally, a perfect tuna fish sandwich with dijon mustard and cheddar cheese that I made for myself on a busy Wednesday at work that I ate standing up at my kitchen counter with an ice cold Diet Coke. (The trick is to chop up a handful of capers and toss them in with your tuna. Trust me.)