Australian food – Downtown Magazine

Two Hands is an Australian café in Little Italy, serving breakfast all day. The coastal inspired café is always packed with people, but don’t let the crowd put you off. The wooden tables, white brick walls and cloud lamps create a dreamy, relaxing atmosphere. The light filled space and cool Australian vibe transport you to the beach in Sydney. Anything good is worth the wait, especially when there’s food involved.

The menu

The food at Two Hands is nutritious, fresh and beautifully presented. Most dishes revolve around eggs, bacon or avocado – all three together if you want.
Their avocado on toast is served on a thick slice of whole wheat sourdough toast, topped with spicy chili flakes and lemon zest. The smooth avocado combined with their creamy scrambled eggs are a match made in heaven.
Bloggers and Instagrammers are drawn to the pretty acai bowl: a blend of frozen blueberries, banana, acai powder and almond milk. The frozen fruits are topped with gluten-free granola, coconut flakes and other super foods that will make you feel like a superhuman. The refreshing breakfast bowl is perfect for a hot summer day.The corn fritters with smashed avocado, pickled beets and sour cream is as flavorful as it is colorful. It’s also one of the bigger breakfast options on the menu, which will make you feel full longer.

Looking for a something sweet? Order the soft banana bread with walnuts, ricotta and honey as a side dish or delicious ending. Don’t worry if other dishes than these choices catch your attention — anything you order at Two Hands paired with a good cup of coffee will set the tone right for the rest of the day. This Aussie cafe really lets you unwind from the hustle and bustle in New York City.

Address: 164 Mott St
Closest subway station: Grand Street

Photos by Siobhan Gunner

Le Coq Rico's Vegetable Baeckaoffe — Le Coq Rico’s Vegetable Baeckaoffe

As we are still in the first half of January 2017, many of us are still following the New Year’s resolutions which we had announced in late December 2016. For the Downtown readers still looking to dine out and be sociable, it may seem challenging to find healthy fare at great New York City restaurants.

However, five great New York chefs are helping to prove that food can be both fun and healthy when chosen correctly:

Le Coq Rico's Antoine Westermann — Le Coq Rico’s Antoine Westermann

Le Coq Rico – Chef Antoine Westermann

Chef Antoine Westermann’s signature Westermann’s Baeckeoffe and the Friday plat du jour Vegetable Baeckeoffe are two recommendations. Both dishes combine all-natural, ethically raised lean protein and fresh, flavorful vegetables for the ultimate cold weather comfort meals that still manage to respect your New Year’s food resolutions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJx0IT-RTso&t=7s

Left Bank – Chef Laurence Edelman

Some people may think that eating seasonally means eschewing their favorite salads during the colder months, but at Left Bank in the West Village, Chef Laurence Edelman has created a crisp and bright Winter Caesar that is seasonal, refreshing, and delicious. Over a base of endive leafs and razor-thin slices of kohlrabi, Chef Edelman using a healthy dressing of egg yolks, garlic, anchovies, lemon, and water to create a clean alternative to heavier winter indulgences.

Industry Kitchen – Chef Braulio Bunay

Although it’s known for its wood-fired pizzas, Industry Kitchen offers a healthy Winter Kale Salad — priced at $13 — that tastes just as indulgent. Do your body good with this delicious mix of quinoa, pomegranate, watermelon radish, pickled red onions, persimmons, feta, candied almonds and cider vinaigrette.

Flinders Lane – Chef Chris Rendell

Many of Flinders Lane’s modern Australian dishes draw inspiration from the bold flavors of Asian cuisines, including their Chicken San Choi Bau, a popular Aussie spin on lettuce wraps. Bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, and water chestnuts give the light, yet satisfying dish a healthy dose of crunch while fresh ginger and Vietnamese mint add brightness. The San Choi Bau pairs perfectly with the restaurant’s Spiced Carrot Margarita, a smoky and delicious cocktail made with fresh Carrot Juice, Tequila, Mezcal, Chili, Cardamom, and Lime.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0Mv9MXDUlQ

Rider – Chef Patrick Connolly

The brainchild of James Beard Award-winning chef Patrick Connolly, Rider is a contemporary American bistro that serves sophisticated cuisine in the heart of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. From skate wing schnitzel to squash agnolotti to a hot fried chicken sandwich, Rider serves food that is simple and iconically American yet textured, dynamic and globally-inspired. The menu’s clean-eating stand out is surely the Vegan Gemelli Pasta made with mushroom bolognese, black truffle tofu, and gremolata. It’s satisfying, textured, and deceptively simple to make at home. It also happens to be vegan, though it’s rich enough that you’d never know.