Northern Spy Food Company
511 East 12th Street
(Between Ave. A & Ave. B)
New York,
NY 10009
(212) 228-5100
www.northernspyfoodco.com
Named after New York State's Northern Spy apple-juicy, crisp and mildly sweet-Northern Spy Food Co is a greenmarket based restaurant. Buying directly from local farmers and purveyors, Northern Spy Food Co picks up any local ingredients-vegetables, fruit, breads, etc.-they can find from Union Square's Farmers Market. Priding themselves on using local and sustainable ingredients, the Northern Spy Food Co produces food that is not only nourishing, but sybaritic.
Butternut squash, clothbound cheddar cheese, and mascarpone cheese are the three mouth-watering ingredients that make up their Freekeh Risotto ($11). Creamy and cheesy, this dish can be described as a sophisticated macaroni and cheese. Polenta ($11) with braised greens, roasted mushrooms, and crème fraîche is a satisfying, guilt-free dish.
The sandwiches at Northern Spy are by no means monotonous or insubstantial. Stuffed with ham, Rupert cheese, pickled onion, and whole grain mustard, the County Ham Sandwich ($10) and the Chicken & Egg Sandwich ($11), composed of a crispy thigh, poached egg, greens, and topped with a chimichurri sauce, battle it out for the number one spot. Their vegetarian Mushroom Sandwich ($10), made of savory wild mushrooms, clothbound cheddar, confit potato, and greens, could satisfy even the most meat-obsessed carnivore. Whatever you decide to order, a side of Stewed Runner Beans ($5) must accompany. Made with cheddar and parsley, the runner beans are creamy and cheesy, and have been mistaken for mashed potatoes.
On the weekends, brunch is available. The stars of the brunch menu are the Corned Beef Hash plate ($13), a composition of heritage beef brisket, poached eggs, potatoes and onions, and the Polenta & Eggs ($10)-two baked eggs and braised mustard greens are nestled on top a bed of crème fraîche polenta.
The Northern Spy apple makes a memorable appearance in their apple pie ($6), sided with an almond semifreddo. Their Pear & Frangipane Tart is undeniably worth the extra six dollars.
The Northern Spy Food Co also houses a market. Stocked with artisanal food products, their market sells such items as candies, fresh pickles, dairy products, and even a home beer brewing kit, all made and purchased from local purveyors. Eat local and shop local all in the same place.
