Friday, July 13, 2007

24-Hour Pirogi People

Veselka
144 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10003
212-228-9682
www.veselka.com

FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH is a great day for Ukrainian food, that's what I always say. And if you don't like being out and about on such a day, you're in luck--Veselka is open 24 hours, so if you're craving pirogies stop by as late as you like, as close to Saturday the Fourteenth as you can get.

Since Mint was cat-sitting in the East Village after work, we decided to meet up late and satisfy our own pirogi cravings. The selection at Veleska is always amazing: potato, cheese, sauerkraut, sweet potato, spinach, and mushroom--in some combination or the other--are always available; for summer, blueberry and arugula with goat cheese are also options. Mint ordered sweet potato; I couldn't resist a combination of the summer specials.



Pirogies are the perfect late night snack. The sweet potato filling practically tastes like pie, best with applesauce. The goat cheese is tangy and warm, complimented by cool sour cream. Don't dip the blueberry ones in anything--the pockets of warm, whole berries are subtly sweet.

Veselka's baked chocolate custard, however, is anything but subtle. Firm on top, soft and creamy as you dig into the bottom, the cool chocolate is powerfully rich. Mint's warmed brownie was softer, but just as rich. Both paired with huge 22 oz. glasses of Brooklyn Lager on draught (on special for $5) really couldn't have been more perfect for a summer night, at any hour. Cue the pics:

2 comments:

Marc Choi said...

I was just there last night. I had the sloppy joe and sweet potato fries. not bad. perhaps i should have had something authentic and Ukranian...like pirogies or babies.

Douglas Cress said...

this is a great place Mike - a friend of mine (a Pole) insists on eating here whenever we are in the area.