It’s the start of another week, which means it’s also time for the latest edition of Eat Well, Grub Street’s guide to satisfying, virtuous food around town. This week brings us a standout salad in Brooklyn, a new spin on an ancient grain at Hearth, and even a good-for-you burger-and-beer special. Here’s where to find it all:
Monday, August 6: Kale Salad at a Ramen Hot Spot
In this week’s edition of Eat More Kale, we take you to Prospect Heights’ ramen joint Chuko, where the kale salad alone is worth a visit. The salad is a great contrast of textures: Raw and tempura-fried leaves — did we mention you need fat to break down all the nutrients in your greens? — mixed with golden raisins and crispy sweet potato strips in a miso vinaigrette.
Tuesday, August 7: Vegan Pastries with Serious Pedigree
If you were vegan and married to François Payard, what would you do? Open a vegan patisserie, of course. Fernanda Capobianco’s Vegan Divas opened last week, gratifying Upper East Siders with maple-syrup-sweetened, coconut-oil-enhanced treats like spelt chocolate brownies, detox trail mix, and the popular baked doughnuts — which are made, amazingly well, with tofu.
Wednesday, August 8: Greenmarket Drinks at Bellwether
A newly revamped dinner menu at Bellwether means you can choose among such wholesome dishes as curried eggplant with homemade whole-wheat flatbread, pickled shrimp with vidalia onions, and raw summer vegetables with pistachio and feta. But if you go on a Wednesday, you’ll have $5 Greenmarket Collins (gin, citrus, soda, and a wild-card herb from the farmers’ market) to keep you happy while you decide.
Thursday, August 9: First-Rate Freekah at Hearth
This hearty, ancient grain contains more vitamins, minerals, and fiber than other grains because it gets harvested while it’s still young. Try it along with olive-oil-poached salmon and summer veg at East Village standby Hearth.
Friday, August 10: Head Uptown for a Wholesome Dinner Special
Community Food is an oasis of sustainable eating in Morningside Heights. Try a bowl of summertime produce, or indulge in the beer-and-burger special, which gets you a grass-fed patty and a draft brew for $16 till 7 p.m. on weeknights.
Kate Lowenstein is the senior features editor at Health Magazine.
