Sitting here writing this letter of food love to y’all, I’m huddled up in a blanket with fuzzy socks and the heater cranked trying to thaw out enough to type. However, I’m hoping by the time it reaches you, Florida will get with the program and all of these wrapped beauties can be enjoyed in their natural habitat… sunshine! So fingers crossed, March. You can do it! Without further ado, whether stuffed, wrapped, or pocketed (if you will), I give you three of my favorite handheld munchies.
Let’s start out down in the Grand Central District, at bougainvillea and evil eye adorned Baba. With a café open for lunch and adjoining dinner spot, you can’t go wrong. I adore the freshness of their Falafel Pita stuffed with homemade hummus and babaganoush. Order a side of tabouli as a healthier choice or if you’re feeling daring nab a slice of one of their rotating desserts like the lavender vanilla pound cake for a sweet ending.
Moving farther into the heart of downtown, we find ourselves at the new chef-driven salad/wrap spot brought to you by the Benstocks from Il Ritorno fame. Greenstock has curated options or you can create your own. I decided to mix it up and create my own. With this option, you get to choose two greens, four stocks, two finishes, and a dressing. I went with the pea shoots and romaine with mushrooms, carrots, parmesan, hard boiled egg, toasted pepitas, and turmeric tahini. I also opted to add chicken for protein. The wrap is definitely large enough to share with a friend or bring back to the office and munch on later.
Three’s a charm this month and we round out our list at a spot that’s been a go-to for as long as I can remember (literally, my parents used to sneak these into the movie theater in the ‘90s). You can check out Athenian Garden at either their Tyrone spot or on 4th Street. Whichever you choose, their Gyro is a must! Loaded high with slices of meat and tzatziki, these pitas are the best! (Warning: as amazingly delicious as tzatziki is, it has copious amounts of garlic that make it not super friendly as a first date food, unless you want to play survival of the fittest.)
If you can’t wait until April to see what I’m eating, then check more content out on Instagram or Facebook @baybeswhobrunch or contact me at [email protected]. In the meantime, if you need me you can find me standing on a barstool or holding my food up to a pretty wall with a camera in my hand around the Bay and beyond!
