Restaurants in Brooklyn
IF YOU KNOW | SEPT 18, 2020
Tara Thomas
WHO
Restaurants
WHAT
Brooklyn
WHERE
About
Tara Thomas is a chef, consultant, and food empowerment activist currently living in New York. Her path is rooted in the value in empowering marginalized communities, food systems, and mission based economy bringing equity into the community.
Currently developing the restaurants Che at Sincerely, Tommy Eat & Stay in Bed Stuy, Premium Blend in Clinton Hill, and The Break Bar in Greenpoint.
I came across my neighborhood bakery about a year after living in the area. As a vegan I usually avoid most bakeries, but this one makes it easy for everyone to enjoy some good French baked goods made with incredible local ingredients by the lovely staff. My love affair began with the vegan chocolate chip cookie, the bread, and the vegan pumpkin spice cake. During quarantine it has expanded to vegan croissants, vegan chocolate chip cookie dough, and trying their whole vegan pastry offerings - I’m obsessed. If one thing is gonna keep me in New York it’s L’imprimerie.
This bright and lively cafe is right around the corner from the community garden I spend time in. These Jamaican patties hit different, so fresh and flaky! The jerk plantain patty is such a banger, it’s filled with spicy and warm flavors just highlighting. The kale patty is filled with fresh kale within the flaky crust, perfect with a smoothie. This food is just food that feels good and tastes good - nourishment.
This homestyle Japanese spot is just my answered prayer for healthy fast food. My order is the veggie bento box that comes with protein, two sides, and three onigiris of your choice. In my box you’ll find atsuage tofu 12 – gently fried in sesame oil topping w/shoyu koji onion sauce with wakame salad (so fresh, no green color dye!), curried cauliflower, basic rice ball (onigiri), scallion and miso paste rice ball, and Ume sour plum paste onigiri. This bento box fills your belly up perfectly! I always add an order of sweet corn grilled rice ball to have for later, with a matcha to sip on the side.
Hilariously this is also right next to a McDonald’s and I always question why people go to McDonald’s over Ali’s, same price, much more delicious food. My twin flame Asia used to live close and we would always put in our orders and just have a chill evening being cozy. My order is a veggie roti with tamarind sauce and two doubles.
Back in my neighborhood of Bushwick I found this Venezuelan eatery. My order is the vegetarian empanada - it is impeccable. It includes toasted coconut flakes, black beans, jalapenos, sweet plantains and paisa cheese. (I ask for no cheese.) They make them fresh to order so they’re always glad to omit any components.
Another Bushwick neighborhood spot that feels like a cozy escape. With dark wood paneled walls and classical music glazing over it reminds me of one of my favorite shows Midnight Diner. I love to come here by myself or with someone special – my order is spring rolls and ginger tea as a starter. Then an order of sushi rolls of inari avocado, tempura sweet potato, tempura asparagus, shiitake cucumber, peanut avocado. They have an amazing lunch special, just gotta pay cash!
SIMILAR ARTICLES
“Head bartender at Camparino In Galleria , Tommaso Cecca, is quite possibly the best in town and makes a perfect Negroni.”