11 Recipes for People (Us, You) Who Miss Restaurants
We might not be able to eat at all of our favorite restaurants right now, but that doesn’t keep us from dreaming about them. These days the BA staff spends a lot of time scrolling Instagram longingly while recounting memories of epic meals past and Slacking each other about where we’re going to travel when we feel safe doing so again.
Until then, we’ve got this list of irresistible recipes from the dining destinations that we—and some of our favorite food people—can’t wait to return to. Take your taste buds on a restaurant road trip from the comfort of your own kitchen with a bright and tangy charred broccoli salad rich with notes of New Orleans, comforting marsala chicken toast from one of San Francisco’s most storied institutions, a decadent chocolaty tart from a tiny patisserie in Birmingham, Alabama, and more. It’s big flavors with none of the carry-on baggage.
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio1/11Grilled Lemongrass Lamb Chops
“The dining options in San Francisco are too many to count. I often let my bookseller friend Paul Yamazaki take me to whatever new restaurant in North Beach, near his shop City Lights, has caught his imagination. But here’s one stop I insist on: The Slanted Door. Its appetizers will make your mouth water, but the grilled lamb is not to be missed.” —Dawn Davis, editor-in-chief
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio2/11Charred Broccoli Salad With Figs
“When I was filming a series in New Orleans, the crew insisted we go to Bacchanal Wine. This outdoor oasis had live music, shareable small plates, and a feeling of celebration. The Charred Broccoli Salad with Figs has bright notes of lemon, and the tahini creates this smooth texture alongside the crunchy broccoli. They really gave broccoli a facelift, not that she needed one.” —Lazarus Lynch, chef & performing artist
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio3/11Winter Squash and Kale Pasta With Pecan Breadcrumbs
“I really love the seasonal pasta at The Lantern Inn in Wassaic, NY, a hamlet on the Connecticut border where a lot of our city friends decamp during the weekends. The last time I had their pasta was in the spring, so it was filled with peas, and I could feel that happiness in the food. The Lantern is making delicious food, buying from farmers, and treating everyone well—if this place were in Brooklyn, it would be mobbed.” —Akira Akuto, chef & co-founder, Konbi
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio4/11Omusubi With Soy-Butter Mushrooms
“Venice is probably the area in L.A. that I stay in the most to be closer to the beach. Main Street has lots of different dining options, and you can walk along and do your own tasting menu, like I do with my wife and son. Start with omusubi at Sunny Blue–it’s the perfect snack, and who doesn’t like perfectly cooked rice wrapped with some nori?” —Marcus Samuelsson, chef & co-owner, Red Rooster
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio5/11Chocolate-Almond Pear Tart
“One of my best friends recently moved to Alabama, and for months she would send me photos of stunning pastries from Bandit Patisserie in Birmingham. The bakery was closed for my first two visits but the third time was a charm. I fell hard for the delicate pastries—like this incredible pear and chocolate tart. I want to come back every season to get the full range of fruit offerings (is it strawberry season yet?).” —Sonia Chopra, executive editor
Laura Murray6/11Clam Toasts with Pancetta
"My ideal Friday night in Brooklyn involves a cozy corner table at Hart’s, a heck of a load of natty wine, and an order (or two) of clam toast with powerhouse pancetta. It’s an iconic trio: creamy shellfish, salty meat, and a honkin’ slab of sourdough. I am far, far from Brooklyn these days, but you best believe I’ll be making this recipe on repeat until I’m back." —Ali Francis, associate editor
Gentl & Hyers7/11Roast Chicken with Crisp Toasts and Ricotta
“Tosca Cafe is a century-old San Francisco institution that my parents—and grandparents—frequented long before I was born. They'd go for the jukebox that played only opera and the ‘cappuccinos,’ which oddly contain no espresso but a lot of booze. It wasn't until 2013, when April Bloomfield took over, that people would go for the food—including these marsala chicken crostini. Bloomfield has since left the restaurant, but the cappuccinos are still as good as ever.” —MacKenzie Chung Fegan, senior commerce editor
Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Sue Li8/11Chicken with Schmaltzy Rice and Kale
“I first ate Fancy Nancy's schmaltzy chicken and rice with my friend and BA contributor Amiel Stanek, and immediately asked the owners for the recipe. I've made it countless times at home in the last year and a half, but I'm aching to go back to the Brooklyn restaurant, where it always feels like a party, and where they'll bring you an extra serving of schmaltzy rice if you ask nicely.” —Amanda Shapiro, digital editorial director
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Pearl Jones9/11Broccoli Spoon Salad With Warm Vinaigrette
“Whenever I can finally book my first flight home to Chicago in far too long, I'll be making a beeline for Parachute, chef and activist Beverly Kim's sleek Korean American restaurant (and Bon Appétit favorite). Luckily, I've got the recipe for this just-right salad—crunchy raw broccoli mixed with sweet, chewy dates; crunchy, toasted pistachios; and smoky ras-el-hanout—to tide me over until then. It's not quite the same experience without my family and friends around, but at least it means that I don't have to share.” —Sasha Levine, digital director
Matt Duckor10/11Dirt Bombs
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I love-love-love the Dirt Bombs at Bantam Bread in Bantam, CT. They are the ideal merger of a cake doughnut and a muffin, with an almost-crunchy cinnamon-sugar exterior and a buttery, rich, nutmeg-flecked interior. If you’re in the area, you should definitely stop in and buy them from the bakery (along with the countless other delicious tarts, cookies, and breads), but if that’s not an option, you’re in luck: we’ve got the recipe.” —Meryl Rothstein, deputy editor
Photo by Emma Fishman11/11Khai Jiao
“If you know me, you know (and are probably irritated by) how much I love to wax poetic about the places I used to live: namely, Chiang Mai, Thailand, and Atlanta, Georgia. This crispy, fluffy, fish-sauce-kissed Thai omelet from chef Parnass Savang at Atlanta's Talat Market transports me back to both of these long-lost happy places—and it's incredibly easy to make, even in my tiny Brooklyn kitchen.” —Hilary Cadigan, culture editor
