In this most recent Veggie Burgers Diaries, we visited Jimmy’s Diner on Franklin St. There aren’t a ton of lunch options in the area, so we figured we’d give it a shot and try the Black Bean Burger. Plus Gina and I had some talking to do about moving into a new space – an exciting but mentally draining ordeal for my brain. Continue reading
The latest veggie burger escapade took myself and a friend to Champs Junior (620 Manhattan Ave), near Nassau Ave in Greenpoint.
This is an all VEGAN burger, which brings us to the topic of this entry: the humanity! Continue reading
I had a secret ladies lunch at Mrs. Kim’s (160 Franklin St) and used it as an opportunity to sample the veggie burger that came highly recommended from a reader. I can’t tell you why the lunch was a secret or who I was with because then it wouldn’t be a secret, but I can tell you there was major girl talk going on that paralleled my decision to order the veggie burger. Continue reading
It was our first week shaping our “social life” around our new pup “D” – ain’t she a cutie? Basically unless we find a dog sitter, we can’t go anywhere for more than a few hours because her bladder is the size of a pea and she really doesn’t think it’s that big of a deal to sneak into the living room and take a mini dump on the floor when Jon and I are passed out on the couch at 9:30pm. See what I mean about our “social life”? Continue reading
Last week was a rough for me. 911 always brings me down plus I got doored with a capital – slam me into the middle of the street – D! It was one of the scariest and alienating experiences of my life. After I got up and picked up my bicycle, the first thing the driver said was not, “are you okay?” but “you were going to fast.” After the rage subsided I started shaking and crying uncontrollably, which is a little awkward on Graham Ave with all the staring passersby. Thankfully, I’m totally fine, bruised up but alive. The mental trauma and my general disenchantment with NY set in for a few days afterwards – it’s such a rough and unforgiving place sometimes. Continue reading
Not sure if I ever told you that I participated in a Mastermind Group. I’m not a big fan of self-help or group activities for that matter, but I was drawn to this idea because of the “accountability” element. Anyone can start a Mastermind and you can even give it its own catchy title. Jon coined the term “Vagina Cult” for ours since it was myself and three other talented wonderful women.
We agreed to keep it all confidential: “The first rule of vagina cult, you don’t talk about Vagina Cult,” so I will leave the details and participants out of it, but the main idea is you meet regularly and at each meeting you have a specific amount of time when you talk. It’s timed so you don’t ramble on like a lunatic. Someone takes notes and at the following meeting you talk about whether you have accomplished those goals you set the meeting prior. Continue reading
Enid’s is the first restaurant in Greenpoint I noticed before I ever imagined I would live here or run Greenpointers. I remember thinking, “that place is cu-ute.” Despite that it never became my regular spot even though so many friends swear by it. They also have some awesome events, like the Annual Pie Bake-Off and in the winter they have a Snowflake Making night. I also feel like I never hear about the events, but if I was a regular I would know. It’s that kind of place.
After a photo exploration with my photographer amigo Miguel, we stopped in for a meeting with Jeanne Hilary another wonderful photographer and founder of Bicycle Utopia. Don’t know about it? You should know about it.
It was a great spot for informal day drinking introductions – next to the big bright window facing Manhattan Ave with a view of one of my favorite installations – the golden camel.
Before I get into the burger, I will preface it by saying that I screwed up the order and when it arrived without cheese and avocado I asked if they wouldn’t mind melting some cheddar on top. They were sweet hearts about it. I am trying to keep an even playing field among the veggie burgers, and it’s a back-up in case it isn’t that amazing – cheese and avocado make everything okay, you see?
I am not sure if reheating had anything to do with it, but the burger had major mush factor. I appreciate that they make it in house and could see the fresh chopped vegetables and peas in the patty, but there was hardly any flavor to it. I kind of pushed it around on my plate. Veggie burger fail.
The fries were good old crispy salty fries and the afternoon of talking cameras and drinking beer was stand-out.
Until next week…
When a reader recommended Lokal’s Pinto Bean and Mushroom Burger, I was excited because shamefully I have never been to Lokal, except for smoothies. The reason: why would I go anywhere aside from Five Leaves when I’m that close?
This was a good reason for me to finally sit down and take it all in. The place had a pleasant vibe and I absolutely loved the shell and sand below the plexi display tables. Continue reading
While I appreciate the wholeness of a portobello mushroom burger in the sense that it’s not a bunch of random chopped up ingredients, for some reason I steer clear of it. Portobello’s are big mushrooms and along the way I’ve come across big flavorless, chewy portobellos, so the The Habitat “Build Your Own” Portobello Burger was my big coming out. And it was big!
The last mushroom burger I had was at Shake Shack in Madison Square Park at least 5 years ago – and that was a cheese stuffed and fried mushroom burger with cheese fries and a strawberry shake. Needless to say I was left in a state of disgusting cheesy ecstasy.
You should have to prove that you’re not a guiltless glutton before being granted the decision making power to build your own burger. Continue reading
