Today on FiDi Lunch: FiDi Breakfast.
So, it's been a while since I've posted. During my absence, I have travelled down the Northeast Corridor a couple times, eaten a lot of turkey sandwiches at my desk, and eaten a lot of repeat lunches not worth writing up here. So, today, anticipating another exciting lunch of turkey sandwich at my desk, I am going to talk about breakfast. Specifically, about this little place called Klatch Coffee Bar. (In a rather extensive search this morning, I couldn't find an official website, but I'll look further and update if I do fine one.)
Klatch has a totally refreshing atmosphere, for this neighborhood. If it were in Brooklyn or, better yet, a college town somewhere, Klatch would not stand out. But in the Financial District, it is a welcome change from the large corporate delis and polished chains that are the norm for the area. The interior is small, with 4 or 5 mis-matched rustic tables and chairs and an upstate barn sale aesthetic. Klatch has a large selection of pastries, including non-fat, low-fat, vegan, and wheat-free options. While I can only speak for the full-fat, egg/dairy, all-wheat varieties, what I have tried there has been excellent. The coffee is some of the best you will find in this area, and Klatch also has a large selection of teas and other beverages.
Finally, to make this post more appropriate to the stated purpose of this blog: Although I have never lunched at Klatch, they do actually have a 3-item lunch menu. Klatch has a daily quiche ($4.75), a daily soup (large: $4.75), and organic hot dogs with a variety of toppings available (starting at $2.50, I believe). Klatch also apparently has a liquor license, so beer and wine are also on offer.
Klatch is at 9 Maiden Lane between Broadway and Nassau Street.
Showing posts with label pastries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pastries. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Friday, September 21, 2007
Financier for the Financial Crowd
Before my lawyer-friend Jeremy up and moved to Tokyo, I used to meet him for lunch at Financier Patisserie once a month or so. It took me over my then allocated $6 lunch budget, so it was saved for rare occasions, particularly lunch with Jeremy, because he treated from time to time. (A $12 lunch is a small matter when you have a six-figure salary, I suppose.) However, now that I've upped my budget to $10, Financier is more within reach.
Financier has a (somewhat forced) European cafe feel, which is pleasant and laid back - unusual for lunch spots in this area. I love that your meal comes on real plates and (most of) your beverages in real glasses or mugs. I usually get the Financier sandwich, which is grilled chicken, goat cheese, and I forget what else. I have also tried the Vegeterienne, which is fried green tomatoes and (again) I forget what else. Both are served on warm crusty bread, pressed slighty. Today (thanks to my temporary, self-imposed dietary restrictions) I got the Niçoise Salad. Before I go into my long list of complaints about the salad, let me say that it was actually quite good. It just wasn't a true Niçoise.* Here's why:
- The greens were frisée, probably my least favorite lettuce. (Usually, Niçoise is done with watercress.)
- The salad was tossed all together.
- There was no hard-boiled egg (despite the fact that it was mentioned on the menu as an element of the salad).
- There were exactly 2 green beans. (I know there is no rule about number of green beans in a Niçoise, but 2 is unquestionably too few!)
And then there was the tuna. I love Niçoise salads, but am careful about ordering them. I really like fresh tuna, but I haven't liked canned since I was a small child. The menu said the salad was made with "house cured tuna," which I don't doubt. It was, in fact, far better than any canned tuna I've had. But, it also reconfirmed my previously held position on tuna: stick to fresh!
Anyway, I ate it. And, as I said, it was tasty. However, when I return to Financier, I will undoubtedly switch back to my old standards.
One final note: I did not mention that whole "patisserie" aspect. Financier has amazing pastries! In fact, the restaurant's name surely has a double meaning: referring at once to its location(s) in the Financial District and also to the French pastry by the same name. I won't even begin to make recommendations in the pastry category; they are all good.
There are three Financier locations in Lower Manhattan: 62 Stone Street (the only one I've been to), 35 Cedar Street at Liberty Plaza, and there's one inside the World Financial Center.
*Yes, I am aware that there are some debates on what makes a Niçoise a Niçoise.
Financier has a (somewhat forced) European cafe feel, which is pleasant and laid back - unusual for lunch spots in this area. I love that your meal comes on real plates and (most of) your beverages in real glasses or mugs. I usually get the Financier sandwich, which is grilled chicken, goat cheese, and I forget what else. I have also tried the Vegeterienne, which is fried green tomatoes and (again) I forget what else. Both are served on warm crusty bread, pressed slighty. Today (thanks to my temporary, self-imposed dietary restrictions) I got the Niçoise Salad. Before I go into my long list of complaints about the salad, let me say that it was actually quite good. It just wasn't a true Niçoise.* Here's why:
- The greens were frisée, probably my least favorite lettuce. (Usually, Niçoise is done with watercress.)
- The salad was tossed all together.
- There was no hard-boiled egg (despite the fact that it was mentioned on the menu as an element of the salad).
- There were exactly 2 green beans. (I know there is no rule about number of green beans in a Niçoise, but 2 is unquestionably too few!)
And then there was the tuna. I love Niçoise salads, but am careful about ordering them. I really like fresh tuna, but I haven't liked canned since I was a small child. The menu said the salad was made with "house cured tuna," which I don't doubt. It was, in fact, far better than any canned tuna I've had. But, it also reconfirmed my previously held position on tuna: stick to fresh!
Anyway, I ate it. And, as I said, it was tasty. However, when I return to Financier, I will undoubtedly switch back to my old standards.
One final note: I did not mention that whole "patisserie" aspect. Financier has amazing pastries! In fact, the restaurant's name surely has a double meaning: referring at once to its location(s) in the Financial District and also to the French pastry by the same name. I won't even begin to make recommendations in the pastry category; they are all good.
There are three Financier locations in Lower Manhattan: 62 Stone Street (the only one I've been to), 35 Cedar Street at Liberty Plaza, and there's one inside the World Financial Center.
*Yes, I am aware that there are some debates on what makes a Niçoise a Niçoise.
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