Bite-sized news: ‘Break Furst’ and Banana Leaf

by Tracy the webmaster

As soon as next week, Bread Furst is inviting us to sit down for a leisurely evening meal. But first, it’s inviting us over for a quick breakfast.

How quick? My first transaction took all of 30 seconds. It’s just as Mark Furstenberg promised in his weekend blog post announcing “Break Furst.” Furstenberg wrote that his son Francois came up with the idea: A table of grab-and-go breakfast items set up in front of the store each weekday morning. It’s cash only and no change is required. I don’t usually have much cash on me, but on Break Furst’s first day, I was in luck.

The grab-and-go items out as of 7:30 a.m. Tuesday included fresh fruit, bagels, croissants, ham and cheese biscuits, and bánh mì, a Vietnamese sandwich that Furstenberg has tinkered with for years. This version had a scrambled egg as the protein. It didn’t have the spicy heat I associate with bánh mì, but it was tasty nonetheless. The bread, crusty yet soft, was superior to most I’ve had. And it traveled well, after a fashion.

I was already hoofing it to the Metro when I realized the breakfast bánh mì wasn’t wrapped in a plastic bag like the other items, only in paper bags that did not completely cover the sandwich. During the quick transaction, I didn’t think to ask whether this would be true in the future. I made do by wrapping it in a couple of napkins and a small shopping bag I carry in my purse. So if the bánh mì strikes your fancy, ask for a larger bag or bring your own plastic bag or container so you can safely transport it to your destination.

Be sure to keep reading Furstenberg’s blog post to discover who is behind the marvelous plantings around the sidewalk cafe, and read on for his praise of another neighbor who helped him get his business over all the regulatory hurdles thrown in his path.

Speaking of which:

Banana Leaf is opening at last. The owners of the new restaurant at the site of the former Clover Market had told us they’d open in mid-June, but permitting delays came into play. Now, it’s finally happening for the Sri Lankan restaurant. Bethesda Magazine says Banana Leaf’s grand opening this week will have workers from the Sri Lankan embassy as special guests. (Update: Opening day was Saturday, September 13th. Giving it a try? We’d love your review.)

Beer menu at Little Red Fox: One of the best things about Little Red Fox, other than its food, is how it keeps customers informed of its daily specials. Its website is always up to date, and the weekly emails help with meal planning. Now included on the Little Red Fox home page are the local beers it has on tap for the week. The beers can be enjoyed by the glass on site, or you can take them home in a growler or two.