More Fun Playing with Food From Mister Brisket

As you know from my two most recent posts, we've been playing with a bunch of items I picked up at Mister Brisket last Friday. I can't leave the subject without showing you two more meals.

We planned to start on the hotdogs for dinner on Monday. Bob went to Mustard Seed Market to pick up hotdog buns, and since I'd be at the office and he'd be gardening all day, I suggested he pick up a ready-made side dish from there. Well, I was glad he didn't. He had coleslaw on his mind - and since we had fresh made mayo - why not?







He shredded some cabbage, added my mayo, a serrano chile, garden basil, salt and black pepper - and a wonderful side dish was born!



My favorite way to eat a hotdog is from a charcoal fire. But we weren't about to fire up the Weber just to cook 2 hotdogs. So Bob fried them in the cast iron skillet, to get that crispy casing we both adore.


Mister Brisket's Famous All Beef Hotdog

This sheep casing frank is sourced from a New York company that has been in this business for generations. It had huge beef flavor, a great snap, and lots of juice. No photos of the inside - I was too busy eating it.



I'm a purist - just a bit of spicy brown mustard (Bertman's was in the fridge) and a bun. That's all I need.

The final item I procured last Friday that I haven't yet shown you is the turkey breast, made from scratch at Mister Brisket's market. Just looking at this product, nestled in butcher paper, takes me back to my childhood.



My mother never bought any meat products at the supermarket - only at V&F Butcher shop on Larkfield Road in East Northport (unless it was a Jewish Holiday - in which case she went to Commack Kosher). V&F still exists, though it is on the third or fourth owners since then. The memory trace is very strong - the smell of sawdust, which was all over the floor (and which is still on the floor to this day, although much less), and the smells of all the meats and prepared items. And my very favorite of all of those things: fresh roast turkey breast. No Sodium Fill-In-The-Blanks, phosphates or fillers - just turkey and some seasoning. And more often than not, it was a turkey breast sandwich mom packed in my lunchbox. Turkey that came out of butcher paper, not shrink-wrapped plastic.

In those days (the 1970s), many delis made their own meats, especially in New York City. So even when I left for home for college, I could still get real turkey breast. Alas, no one makes their own turkey breast anymore - one deli owner recently told me that he couldn't make it for less than he could buy it from GFS (food service). And to be fair, the food service products aren't horrible - but they taste artificial and salty to me.

Thank the heavens that Mister Brisket, together with his talented associate Hank, decided to make deli meats! As wonderful as the corned beef and pastrami are, though, I think I love the turkey the best. It is exquisite in its simple goodness.

So, due to the interruptions of lunch dates yesterday and today, I decided to have a turkey sandwich for breakfast today (because there are no preservatives in this - so you use it or lose it!).


Fresh Rye Bread from Appetite



A layer of my mayo on each slice, then the turkey slices, then a little bit of ketchup (kind of makes a French Dressing thing, my mother always said). Simple and delicious. And they say you can't go back!



Mister Brisket certainly gave us plenty to play with these last few days. And the hotdogs and sliced meats will last us at least a few more days. Now, if only he could get some more of that salmon!

Fun Playing with Lunch at Appetite

My business office is located near the intersection of Mayfield and Richmond Roads, in Lyndhurst Ohio. Lyndhurst is a small town sandwiched (you should pardon the expression) between Euclid to the West and Mayfield Heights to the East.

For years, 5143 Mayfield Road, a short walk from the office, held Broadway Bagels. Broadway Bagels, in three or four locations, brought a taste of a New York Bagel Store to the East Side of Cleveland. For whatever reasons, however, the Bagel Stores became run down, and one by one they closed (except for the Solon location, which was sold to several former employees and continues making delightful bagels as "D&R Bagels").

My office-mates and I had stopped patronizing the Mayfield Road bagel store, because, shall we say, it just ran down a little too far for our tastes.

Then, in the fall of 2006, Bennett Davis, acclaimed CIA-trained pastry chef at Moxie, teamed up with his fellow CIA graduate brother William, to open Appetite in this location. They scrubbed the space from top to bottom, and replaced a lot of the overly worn equipment. In this revived space, they operate a delightful bakery and deli (and also do catering on and off site). We are "regulars" there now, but somehow, I always forgot to bring my camera. Until today!


The Order Counter

Orders may be placed, and are paid for, across from this beautiful Garland range. Note the two pots of house-made soup (todays were Clam Chowder and, I think, Beef Barley). One of my pet peeves about getting soup is that it is never held hot enough - but by keeping the pots directly on the flame, William has it always piping hot at service, and it stays that way long enough to be enjoyed at that temperature all the way to the bottom of the bowl.

After ordering, I wandered down to the bakery section.


EPI Bread

This is my favorite of Bennett's breads.


Focaccia Bread

Today was my first taste of this delicacy - and it was wonderfully good!


White, Wheat and Rye Breads


Pastry Galore!


Cookies

On to the other end of the counter - bowls and bowls of made-from-scratch salads!


Front Left - Macaroni-Pesto; Rear Left - Traditional Macaroni Salad, Rear Right - Traditional Potato Salad, Front Right - Potato Salad with Bacon


Front Left - Pasta Salad with Olives and Salumi, Rear Left - Broccoli/Raisin Salad, Rear Right - Fresh Cole Slaw, Front Right - Cous Cous Salad


Front Left - Greek Salad, Rear Left - Pea & Ham Salad, Right Rear - Fresh Fruit Salad

So - what to choose for lunch? All of the lunch salads - tuna, egg, tofu, chicken, etc. are made in-house. The Roast Beef and Corned Beef are also made in house - and William tells me that house-made Turkey is coming soon!

Will calls himself "The Deli Lama" - and the title is most deserved! Every day, Will creates a lunch special - an original sandwich, choice of side, plus a cookie or pastry. All of this for only $6-$7 - such a deal!

Today's special sounded so good, both Anna and I ordered it - BLT (featuring Applewood Smoked Bacon) on Focaccia Bread.


Lunch Special w/Macaroni Pesto Salad and a Pickle Spear


Lunch Special with Cous Cous Salad (hold the pickle)


Mmmmm - Bacon!

Actually, we were both making very happy, satisfied sounds as we ate these sandwiches - I don't usually like my bacon this crisp, but somehow, it all came together perfectly in taste and texture. And the bread - it was simply heavenly - cheesey, olive-oily and tomatoey - all at the same time.

I enjoyed mine with the house-brewed iced tea, which is also most refreshing and delicious. Anna opted for DDP (Diet Doctor Pepper).

Neither of us finished our dessert - Anna wrapped hers up right at the start:


Cheese Danish

I neglected to get a photo of my Cinnamon Bun before cutting it - Anna was regaling me with tales of how fabulous they are. I don't often get excited about desserts. I appreciate them and eat them - but seldom do they "wow" me. Well, I admit - this "wowed" me - not only was it the best Cinnamon Bun I've ever tasted - it was up there with being one of the best pastries I've ever tasted!


Cinnamon Bun, cut in half

It has gotten to the point where we (and some other folks in this neighborhood, I think) have taken Appetite for granted - it is truly a little gem of a deli holding out against the numerous chains that abound nearby, and also competing with a few very good mom-and-pop type places. If you are in the neighborhood, stop by and give them a try - you'll have fun with real food made by real people and served with a smile.