Eating Well in Brooklyn

It had been raining all day in New York, a deluge that left the sidewalks of Brooklyn’s Flatbush Avenue covered in a slick of orange leaves. Despite the weather, Sustainable Table took a field trip across the East River for a “Slow Food Harvest Dinner”. Arranged by Slow Food NYC, the location of our harvest dinner was Flatbush Farm, a recently opened restaurant that uses only locally grown, organic ingredients. Beer was provided by Sixpoint Brewery, also located in Brooklyn. Chef Eric Lind and brewmaster Shane Welch came up with a wonderful, sustainable four course meal and craft beer pairing:

* Warm Fall vegetable crepe, yogurt dressing, and arugula paired with Sweet Action Cream Ale

* Pumpkin risotto, smoked duck, and spices paired with Brownstone Ale

* Beer braised beef, red cabbage, and young potatoes paired with Righteous (Rye) Ale

* Pear spice cake paired with the Express (a Belgian style with 13% ABV)

Everything was excellent, but Sustainable Table was especially impressed with the pumpkin and smoked duck risotto and could have easily eaten an entire bowl of it. As for the other courses, the crepes were a great start and the beef unbelievably tender. We made sure to leave room for the pear spiced cake, which did not disappoint.

Flatbush Farm has only been open since September 21st, but they are already creating a name for themselves in Brooklyn’s bourgeoning sustainable food scene. Sustainable Table will definitely return in search of more risotto.

Check out the Sustainable Table recipes section to make your own risotto and other sustainable food! And to find restaraunts in your area serving sustainable food, check out the Eat Well Guide — our free, online directory of sustainably raised meat, poultry, dairy and eggs from farms, stores, restaurants, inns and hotels, and online outlets in the US and Canada.

-Katie Sweetman