DISH OF THE WEEK

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

POPINA
127 Columbia Street (between Kane and Degraw Street),
Columbia Waterfront, Brooklyn
(718) 222-1901
popinanyc.com

AboutBrian Hoffman

Brian Hoffman is a classically trained actor who is now a full-time tour guide, blogger, and food obsessive. He leads food and drink tours around New York City, which not only introduce tour-goers to delicious food, but gives them a historical context. He has written food articles for Gothamist and Midtown Lunch in addition to overseeing this blog and a few food video series, including Eat This, Locals Know, and Around the World in One City. His latest series is an international cooking show with his son which can be found on this site.