Brooklyn has many unique and lively neighborhoods, but my favorite these days is Greenpoint, where I spent Saturday afternoon in foodie heaven.
We started the afternoon at the farmer’s market in McCarren Park, a year-round market that is bustling with people, produce, and locally sourced products like Ronnybrook Farm’s cinnamon toast butter. I assumed vegetables would be more expensive in Brooklyn than in Memphis, but was surprised by the reasonable prices. These beautiful radishes were only a dollar a bunch.Carrots rang in at two.
After our stroll through the market, we headed for Five Leaves, located two blocks away on Bedford Avenue. Cramped and stylish in that Brooklyn way, Five Leaves describes its food as “simple Australian fare,” which for my daughter means the “best burger ever.” Thanks to her enthusiastic endorsement, my decision was simple: the Five Leaves Burger cooked medium.
Since the burger cost $14, I was ready to be critical, but all I could say were things like OMG, this is so good, muffled but mouthfuls of grass-fed beef, fried pineapple ring, house-pickled beets, and harissa mayo. The mixed green salad side was also delicious, as were the truffle fries I kept stealing off Anna’s plate.
If burgers aren’t your thing, Five Leaves offers lots of other options, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Plus, the restaurant has a celebrity spin (this is New York, right?). Heath Ledger was an original investor, and although he died before the restaurant opened, his estate continues as a principal. In fact, Ledger’s father suggested the restaurant’s name, drawing on the song “Five Leaves Left” by English songwriter Nick Drake.18 Bedford, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, 718-383-5345 (fiveleavesny.com)
