#25: Turkey Sandwich

There is something I must admit to all of you, perhaps contrary to the tradition and meaning behind breaking bread: I love to eat alone. Even when in a relationship, I cherished the rare opportunities when I could snag a great solo brunch, or beer, with the company of myself and a book. Truthfully, I think solo dining does not work in all settings. When I was living briefly in DC I tried it out, but it just didn’t feel as great as it does in New York. In New York, dining solo is like being part of a secret club. Bartenders offer up free beer, and the cute guy sitting next to you his Sunday Times. The other day, while sitting at a bar enjoying a burger and an oatmeal stout, I looked next to me to find a intellectual (aka thick rimmed glasses wearing) older women reading a rather dense looking text. I felt instantly connected to her as a fellow single lady, strong, independent, happy to face the world alone… that is until her boyfriend showed up and she preceded to blabber on and on with him in the shrillest voice known to man (My mental bouncers kicked her out of the club immediately).

The point of this (which if you have been reading my blog you know I get to eventually) is I have found a great spot in my new Brooklyn Heights neighborhood to go with or without company. Henry Public is right on trend, with suspender wearing waiters and old country classics crooning from the speakers. This gastropub (sorry if those words make you cringe) has been the perfect welcoming spot on these snowy days. The great beer, cocktails, people, and atmosphere would be enough, but they also happen to have the most amazing turkey sandwich I have ever tried. Years of cold cut commercials are leading you to imagine processed turkey slices and mayo on wonder bread (I must be hungry because that also sounds pretty good). But this is a Turkey Leg sandwich, made with juicy strips of dark meat, onion, pickles and toasted thick sliced bread. The textures of the tender meat, bakery fresh carb and crunch are spot on, and the flavor is both surprisingly complex (definitely some spice in there) and decadent. Apparently there is some braising in milk involved (thanks better informed food blog).

I guess giving it the best turkey sandwich, versus sandwich, award is a bit of a cop out. But man I don’t know, there are so many amazing sandwiches out there. Two of the best I have ever had to this day are in Vermont (in case you happen to be up there: Purples Pleasure from Noonie’s in Middlebury and Jamaican Avocado, Four Corners of the Earth, Burlington) and in New York its like all the sandwich shops mated to produce an exponential growth in delectable choices. No no the gourmet sandwich is too complex a category to generalize as one thing. So Henry Public, take what you can get. This food blog is cut throat.