PIROSHKY PIROSHKY

He says:
Several years back I found myself in a ravenous state while exploring Seattle’s downtown for the very first time, and I headed into Pike Place Market desperately seeking a cheap, hearty snack. As luck would have it, I stumbled right into Piroshsky Piroshsky, a tiny shop that sells the small, stuffed pies that gives the store its name. The Russian word for “little feast,” a piroshky is a handheld pie that can contain anything from beef to mushrooms to fruit. The array of sweet and savory choices in Piroshsky Piroshsky’s display case is dazzling.

On our latest jaunt to Seattle, I ordered the cheddar cheese piroshky for nostalgia’s sake, and it’s just as delicious as I remember it. Thick wads of cheddar are baked right into the golden spirals of the moist, oily bun. Every bite must have been at least 200 calories – no matter, it’s totally worth it.

Uptown Girl ordered the chocolate-cardamom piroshky, which looked sweet and filling. Yum!

This isn’t fancy food by any means … just street food at its best.




Piroshsky Piroshsky
1908 Pike Pl, Seattle, WA 98101
http://www.piroshkybakery.com/

ZINGERMAN'S (Ann Arbor, MI)

He says:
I used to live two blocks away from Zingerman’s delicatessen, and long before ever stepping inside myself, I knew that I was in the presence of greatness. Maybe it was seeing the long lines of people standing in the freezing rain on football Saturdays, happily waiting for one of Zingerman’s famous sandwiches. Maybe it was because foodie friends in New York got wide-eyed whenever I mentioned I lived in Ann Arbor, MI and immediately asked if I’d eaten at Zingerman’s yet. Maybe it was because my roommate came home one day and gave me slice of chili cheddar bread, a crusty loaf so delicious and so sublime that I never looked at bread the same way again.

To say that Zingerman’s is the best delicatessen in the world doesn’t do justice to this Ann Arbor institution. Owners Paul Saginaw and Ari Weinzweig love food, and for over 20 years they have crossed the globe seeking out the world’s best ingredients (cheeses, coffee beans, cured meats, olive oils, the list goes on ...), mastered the art of bread-baking and sandwich-making, and wedded this all with top-notch customer service. The result is nothing less than the gastronomic mecca of America.

She says:
The deli and coffee house are lodged in two red-brick buildings in the middle of the historic Kerrytown neighborhood. While Zingerman’s has grown to include a creamery, coffee roaster, and Southern diner (The Roadhouse), the owners have stuck to a forward-thinking business plan that ensures the quality of their food and service isn’t jeopardized in the name of expansion. You can, however, get their fabulous foods shipped anywhere in America through their mail order service.

Speaking of customer service … it’s one more area in which Zingerman’s excels. Their emphasis on over-the-top friendliness is legendary (heck, they even offer customer service training seminars!). It’s not unusual to have a long hungry line behind you as you order your sandwiches, but I guarantee the server will greet you with a bright smile, patiently help you maneuver the extensive menu, and even provide free samples to help you make your decision.

He says:
There are dozens of wonderful sandwiches on Zingerman’s menu, but if you asked for my favorite, I’d have to go with #48, Binny’s Brooklyn Reuben. To this day it remains the best sandwich I’ve ever had. Situated between two crusty slices of grilled pumpernickel are Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and slices of pastrami so fatty and molten that to taste it for the first time is a transformative moment. The balance of salty, sour, and creamy elements in this sandwich is unparalleled.

She says:
My favorite item is actually not a sandwich, but Stewart’s Farmer’s Hash. The mix of roasted sweet potatoes, peppers, spinach and shallots is SO delicious… The sweet potatoes and fried shallots add a hint of sweetness to the savory blend, which is all perfectly balanced with a dip of sour cream. Recently I’ve also tried Abra’s Nutty Yard Bread, a chicken salad set on pecan raisin bread. Again, the sweet/savory combo works well, and the nutty bread adds a fabulous texture. I think that’s what makes Zingerman’s sandwiches so unique (besides the top notch ingredients) – their ability to create combinations as innovative as they are tasty.

On my last visit to Zingerman’s I ordered Jay’s BBQ Chicken sandwich. The Amish chicken is smothered in Zingerman’s own BBQ sauce, topped with Vermont cheddar, and served on a bun. The rich, sweet BBQ sauce makes this new entry irresistible.

He says:
I usually order the deep-fried knish as well, the best off-the-menu item in any restaurant, ever. A regular potato knish is deep-fried so the interior turns piping hot and the usually doughy skin becomes golden brown and extra crunchy, perfect for dipping with the accompanying spicy mustard.

If I’m not too full, I head over to the coffee shop next door and order my second favorite off-the-menu item, an ice cream sandwich made from graham crackers and Zingerman’s Creamery gelato. The thick, crunchy grahams are made in-house and the gelato is among the best you’ll find outside of Italy.

She says:
Zingerman’s Next Door is my favorite place to linger. There you can sample their uber-rich gelato, browse a global selection of chocolates, admire their cakes (Hummingbird is the best!), sample their yummy pastries, or order some of the best coffee around.
I am absolutely in love with their mochas. The quality of the coffee contributes to their perfection, but even more important is the excellent chocolate they use. The end result is a sweet, rich, caffeinated treat with no hint of any icky aftertaste you often get with a less superior mocha.

We say:
We’ve barely begun describing all of the wonderful items available at Zingerman’s. We could go on and on, but really, this is a place you must experience for yourself!




Zingerman’s
422 Detroit St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104
http://www.zingermans.com/

ALON'S

She says:
Ever since we discovered Alon’s, this fabulous bakery has been one of our mainstays in Atlanta. It’s the closest thing to Zingerman’s (our all-time favorite deli in Ann Arbor, MI) this town has to offer, and fortunately is much, much nearer to our house. From gourmet paninis to high-quality coffee and scrumptious baked goods, Alon’s has just about everything wonderful in life.

As you enter the shop from the left, you immediately hit the bakery counter. Here you can load up on French bread, oh-so-moist muffins (I recommend the carrot-apple variety), scones (the cinnamon ginger is terrific, with bits of crystallized ginger mixed in), croissants (I love the chocolate ones), and cookies.

About those cookies… Downtown Boy can attest to my near-psychotic obsession with their double-chocolate chunk cookies. Ultra chocolatey and moist, they are perfection in cookie form.

He says:
Uptown Girl said it all. Alon’s bakery is nothing short of fabulous. I have an unhealthy craving for croissants, and wherever I travel I tend to try one out. I’ve had stale croissants in Cannes and delicious ones in New Hampshire. I can assure you that Alon’s serves some of the best. They have a flawless blend of crispness at the exterior and a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth interior. I get hungry just thinking about them.

And don’t be fooled by Uptown Girl’s advocacy for the double-chocolate cookies. They are indeed awesome, but the true standouts on the cookie rack are the chocolate chunk pecan cookies. A rare balance of sweetness, saltiness, and chewiness, they are the best cookies you can buy in Atlanta.

She says:
Next you come to the dessert counter, a case filled with fancy French desserts, a beautiful site. I’ve sampled several, most of which are rich and delicious and somehow involve chocolate. The also have some great non-chocolate options, like fruit tarts and tiramisu. These make for great contributions to dinner parties, or you can get an entire cake for a special occasion.

Am I beginning to sound like an infomercial?

The dessert counter is also where you order coffee. Alon’s has the best mocha in town, hands down.

He says:
Across from the dessert counter is a small cheese stand where we regularly steal samples from … Yum!

Moving forward you reach to my favorite part of Alon’s, the sandwich counter. The specialty paninis on the display racks come on a firm ciabatta mini loaf and are incredible in their own way, though the best is the one with arugula, gruyere, and olive tapenade. I order it almost every time I come in.

On rare occasions I may indulge myself and order the garlic-roasted lamb sandwich. Thick, tender chunks of roasted lamb are served with garlic, rosemary, and a zingy red onion marmalade between French bread to a sublime effect.

She says:
And finally, you reach the deli. After hitting up the bakery and sandwich counter, we’re never quite hungry enough to order from the deli, but everything in it looks amazing… And they have a little bit of everything, from fresh lump crab cakes to sun-dried pasta salad to Baba Ghanoush.

We say:
Treat yourself to a pistachio croissant or double-chocolate cookie or a hot Panini at Alon’s and you will leave a happy customer. We promise.




Alon’s
1394 N. Highland Ave, Atlanta, GA 30306
http://www.alons.com/