Unique Eats Season 5 Episode 10 Brooklyn
- October 14, 2012
Brooklyn is the tenth episode of season 5 of Unique Eats, a culinary travel show that explores the most unusual and one-of-a-kind restaurants in America. In this episode, host Tamara Reynolds takes viewers on a tour of the eclectic food scene in Brooklyn, New York, where chefs and food entrepreneurs are pushing the boundaries of conventional cuisine.
The episode starts at Roberta's, a renowned pizzeria in Bushwick that has become a symbol of Brooklyn's DIY, artisanal food movement. Reynolds meets with chef Carlo Mirarchi to taste some of his signature pizzas, made with locally sourced ingredients and baked in a wood-fired oven. Mirarchi tells Reynolds about the experimental spirit of Roberta's, which has led to their creation of unique toppings like charred onion and bone marrow.
Next, Reynolds visits Brooklyn's Smorgasburg, an outdoor food market that attracts thousands of visitors every weekend. She samples a variety of dishes from different vendors, including Ramen Burger, which combines Japanese ramen noodles and American beef; and the brisket sandwich from Mighty Quinn's Barbeque, which has been named the best in the city.
Reynolds then heads to Williamsburg to check out the innovative ice cream flavors at OddFellows. Owner Sam Mason shows Reynolds their rotating selection of unusual flavors, such as chorizo caramel swirl and cornbread. Reynolds tries the Thai iced tea flavor and comments on the perfect balance of creaminess and sweetness.
The episode also features a visit to Battersby, a small Mediterranean-inspired restaurant in Carroll Gardens that has garnered critical acclaim for its inventive small plates. Reynolds talks to chefs and co-owners Joseph Ogrodnek and Walker Stern about their creative process and tastes dishes like roasted cauliflower with pine nuts and raisins and crispy octopus with chickpeas and chorizo.
Finally, Reynolds stops by the venerable Brooklyn institution Peter Luger Steak House, which has been serving up some of the best steaks in the country since 1887. She talks with owner Jody Storch about the restaurant's history and tradition of dry aging their beef for weeks before grilling it to perfection. Reynolds savors a juicy porterhouse steak with a side of their famous creamed spinach.
Throughout the episode, Reynolds showcases how Brooklyn's diverse and dynamic food scene has made it a gastronomic destination for both locals and visitors. Whether it's pizza, ice cream, or steak, Brooklyn's chefs and restaurateurs are constantly experimenting with new techniques and flavors, creating a unique culinary landscape that reflects the borough's unique spirit.