DISH OF THE WEEK: Carolina Gold Rice Arancini at POPINA

Every week, I document another dish that impressed and satiated me during my food adventures around New York City

I’m all for outdoor dining and will probably continue to do it once I am fully vaccinated (which will be in two short weeks) But the big issue, of course, is not being able to get a real sense of a restaurant’s vibe.

Popina had been on my list for a while now and their outdoor set-up is as COVID-safe as it gets. You don’t even need to enter the restaurant – you just wander through the side door into a very large patio.

And it was comfortable and nice, but it felt like it could have been the back of just about any food/drink establishment. It could have been a divey bar or a beachside lounge or a fast casual neighborhood joint or a fancy Michelin-rated restaurant. Hard to say.

Thankfully the food and service gives an idea. And along with photos and their website (and my previous knowledge), I understood that Popina is a chef-driven seasonal restaurant with a strong neighborhood following. And a true hidden gem.

The menu is sort of a mash-up between Southern American cuisine and Southern Italian cuisine. Very Brooklyn if you ask me.

I came for brunch when much of their rotating menu is available. As usual, I had a difficult time choosing what to order and at the last minute decided to add a portion of their renowned arancini. Rice balls are not usually something I choose at a place like this, especially when I’m dining along.

So glad I did because these were fantastic. Three petite balls were impeccably crisp and filled with a light creamy filling of Carolina Gold rice. It was toothsome and satisfying. To enhance the perfect little fritters, they are drizzled with a bold honey delicately flavored with luxurious saffron and plenty of cracked black pepper.

So while the outdoor seating set-ups may add a bit of mystery to a restaurant, the food still speaks for itself. Price: $11