I’m talking about literal dogs because I got to dog-sit for a friend a couple of weeks ago and had not 1, but 2 to call my own for a weekend- heaven for me. Opposite for finding a place to eat out that’s dog friendly with shade in the heatwaves of 2022. That’s why The Grey Dog remains loved on my list of go-to’s, they love the pups! The namesake comes from the founder’s own dogs Moose and Goose (could that be any cuter???) and has expanded to 5 different locations around Manhattan offering reliable American fare with a staff that makes you want to come with your furry best friend over and over again.
A good seasonal salad is not hard to find. But one that you could start every meal with just might be. The Spinach and Strawberry salad for me is that. Fresh spinach with farmers cheese, red onion, candied pecans, & balsamic vinaigrette- it is simple and * chefs kiss *. No ingredients too crazy or complex, the secret is the candied pecans. Of course, investing in quality fruits and vegetables is a must for a salad so simply made. Strawberry season is here, and these are vibrant, fresh, and wonderfully sweet. Mix that with the tang and saltiness of the feta and you have two of the most contrasting flavor profiles creating a big punch! You’d be surprised even without adding any of the optional proteins how much you get out of this salad and how filling it is. Vinaigrettes are difficult for me to stomach, no matter how homemade or mild they are. This one unfortunately is no different, so I opt for “light” amount, enough for the salad to not be a dry bowl of crunching at least. I have a feeling most trying this out will love it though. Overall, great summertime lunch or starter and not difficult to make at home, I have taken a couple of tries at it myself. Just need to get those candied pecans down right…
But alas, salad cannot hold us over all day and the Grilled Chicken Rueben sounded like just the thing that could. Served on grilled challah with melted Swiss, sauerkraut, & thousand island dressing, this chicken version of the standard Rueben caught our attention immediately. First and foremost, challah bread should be substituted onto every sandwich. Different from regular bread because it uses a yeast enriched with eggs, but oil instead of butter like brioche does, it is unique on its own and adds a slight sweetness but big goodness to the Reuben. So, while I like usual rye, the challah replacement already has me preferring this sandwich to the traditional. Then substitute sliced corned beef with chicken and you’re speaking my language. To be fair, I am not much of a meat lover and stick to chicken and fish, but the overall taste is still rich and salty, how a Reuben should be. If you’re like me, you’ll love this sandwich too then with the addition of the sauerkraut and thousand island dressing for the tangy and savories. The whole shebang is grilled so the Swiss cheese melts perfectly with everything else, creating a winner in the Reuben twists.
Sweet potatoes are a common order with my boyfriend and I since we started dating. It kind of became our “thing.” After trying these fries, he insisted that these are “the best sweet potato fries I have ever had.” That may not sound like much but considering the rabbit hole we have gone down to try and taste all of them in the city, this is a huge statement. Considering how lackluster bar-style food can be, it goes to say something too. Really solid food all around!
And for good measure, showing off our weekend visitor. The most beautiful boy, Beau.
