Saturday Splurge: Miriam (Brooklyn, NY)

I'm lucky enough to live one block from Miriam. I'm not exaggerating - one block - that's it! It takes me half a minute to get there, which means I get a jump on all the best tables. For girl's night this week, Arionna (of Harlem Food Local) and I decided to set up camp at the huge communal table at the front of the restaurant. This is the best spot in the house because you get to people watch while you dine. And let me tell you, Park Slope's got some very, very interesting characters. 

It was Ari's first time to the restaurant. Truth be told, I always get a little nervous introducing Ari to a new restaurant. For one thing, she's one of the best cooks north of the Mason-Dixon line. But that's not all... Ari is also very particular about where her food comes from, what the labor conditions were like, etc. I admire her dedication, but it's taken me years to get on the same page. She has incredible patience, clearly. 

I'm pretty sure Ari loved Miriam from the moment she sat down. Miriam is an Israeli restaurant, offering generous main courses, meze (small dishes for sharing) and a wonderful selection of wine. The atmosphere is a huge part of the appeal. It's dark, but warmly lit with small lanterns. It has large wooden tables, brick walls and a glass front so that you can enjoy the hustle and bustle of Fifth Avenue in Park Slope. Oh, and the servers are always very attentive. That counts for something in my book!

Ari and I decided to share a few meze (4 meze for $12) and a salad. If you can make it there before happy hour ends at 7 pm, they even have 2-for-1 meze. As it stood, our bill was still only $21 for dinner. Now that's a dinner my wallet can get behind!

The pictures never do the food justice (especially at night), but I can't NOT show you our spread! It was too good...

We started with the falafel with green tahini sauce...

Then onto the merges, a spicy Moroccan sausage with green tahini sauce...

Next up, the burekas, a flaky pastry stuffed with roasted peppers, eggplant, basil and feta cheese with a skordalia dipping sauce...

And finally, the kadayif wrapped shrimp with harissa aioli...

I meant to order my favorite, the goat cheese salad, but had a major brain fart and ordered the Mediterranean salad accidentally. Not to worry though, it was excellent too! Just look at that beautiful piece of art on a plate!

Miriam is one of my go-to spots in Park Slope. It offers something offbeat for the palate. The food is always fresh and the flavors are always colorful and satisfying. I highly recommend an intimate dinner at Miriam or an early weekend brunch. And by 'early', I mean early. They are one of the few places in Park Slope with a hungry mob congregating outside on Saturday and Sunday. That's how you know it's good!

MIRIAM
79 Fifth Avenue (at Prospect Place)
Brooklyn, NY 11217
718.622.2250

Saturday Splurge: Chorizo (Asheville, North Carolina)

I'm a sucker for a good story. If it involves an underdog struggling to overcome adversity, I'm done for. Finished. Maybe that's why I enjoy eating at Chorizo whenever I'm in Asheville, North Carolina. Chorizo blossomed from adversity and is a testament to Chef Hector Diaz's resilient spirit.

Diaz, a native of Puerto Rico, moved to the United States when he was just eleven years old. He began working his way up the ranks in well known kitchens in New York City and Miami. Eventually Hector moved to Asheville, a city that reminded him of his mountainous home in Puerto Rico. He began working in a restaurant there but unexpectedly lost his job. He was wandering despondently through the city one day soon thereafter, wondering how he was going to feed his family without a job, when he met a man who gave him the opportunity to open his own place and be his own boss.

Hector opened Salsa's that same year (also in downtown Asheville). Salsa's was warmly welcomed into the community, and now 16 years later, Chorizo is only ONE of the many restaurants he owns. Talk about A for effort!

My hat's off to Hector...not only for his entrepreneurial spirit, but for his delicious Latin fare. This past weekend was only my second time at Chorizo, but I am quickly learning that it will be a regular stop on my future trips.

I started off with a fresh mojito, which didn't disappoint. Not too strong, not to weak and definitely full of flavor. 

For my entree, I ordered the chili relleno with a combination of manchego and goat cheese. Chorizo does this dish perfectly....it's lightly fried, the peppers are extremely fresh and the surprising mixture of cheese is delectable. Even my grandmother, who is a chili relleno snob (sorry, grandma!), had great things to say about this dish (she liked it so much that I had to keep giving her bites). The relleno came with an array of colorful sides... rice, beans, guacamole, pico and a salad. I rarely finish a plate that big, but I'm happy to report that I showed that relleno who's boss.

Not only is the food fabulous, but the restaurant itself is open to the outside and very airy. Even if you sit inside, you feel as if you're on the porch. Now that's what I call a win-win situation! The waiters also have that Southern charm that you learn to expect in Asheville.

If you find yourself in North Carolina, definitely give Chorizo a try. It's pretty fantastic. You have my word... cross my heart and hope to die.


Chorizo
One Page Avenue, Ste. 139
Asheville, NC 28801
828.350.1332