Buy Me Some Peanuts & Osso Bucco: Previewing CitiField's 2012 Menu
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<p><em>Last week we sent Bryan Devendorf of <a href="http://americanmary.com/">The National</a> and Conrad Doucette of <a href="http://takkatakkamusic.com/">Takka Takka</a> to CitiField to check out the culinary options for the upcoming Mets season. The veteran Mets fans reported back to us with the following lineup of what to expect. Note: Opening Day is Thursday, when the Mets take on the Braves. Also note: this food may very well be the highlight of the upcoming season.</em></p>
<strong>Batting First: Nathan's âThe Originalâ Beef Frankfurter.</strong> The obvious choice to lead off. A New York veteran, the beloved Nathan's delivered familiar but solid results. The quintessential New York ballpark snackâthe Socratic Ideal hotdog-ified.
<strong>Second: El Verano Taqueria Vegetarian Tacos.</strong> Rookie phenom not to be missed. A veggie delight sure to satisfy herbivores and omnivores alike, these veggie tacos offer roasted portobello mushrooms, zucchini, corn, and poblano peppers resulting in an exquisite, and balanced, addition to the lineup. Available in Center Field and Right Center Field at Field Level.
<strong>Third: Buffalo Dog/Sweet Frites by Box Frites.</strong> One to keep your eye on, the Buffalo Dog is a multi-tooled performer. Pickled celery and carrots, spiced cheese, and a snap as satisfying as a Johan Santana fastball, this dog is paired perfectly with sweet potato Sweet Frites. Who let the dogs out, indeed. Available in Center Field and Right Center Field at Field Level.
Fourth: The New Yawkah. A natural to bat cleanup. Corned beef, sweet potato fries, bacon, pickles, slaw, and Thousand Island dressing. And just when you think it can't get any more New York than that, it's served on a massive catcher's mitt of a pretzel bun. Coach's tip: use two hands to catch pop flies, and to hold on to this humongous sandwich. Available throughout the park.
<strong>Fifth: Keith Hernandez's Mex Burger.</strong> Unlike recent Mets squads, Keith Hernandez and his namesake 'Keith Hernandez's Mex Burger' don't disappoint. Six ounces of straight-up, mustachioed burgerâplus jalapenos. Served with a Tootsie Roll pop. Available throughout the park.
<strong>Sixth: Flash Fried Beer Battered Shrimp Skewer.</strong> Like fried food? Like beer? Like shrimp? Then this skewer's for you. Available in Center Field and Right Center Field at Field Level.
<strong>Seventh: Barbacoa Quesadilla</strong> [pictured with veggie tacos]. Don't quesadillas have to have cheese? Who cares: this one delivers the goods. Slow cooked beef with chipotle and guajillo peppers. Secret weapon? It's taut tortilla wrap, which is less quesadilla than efficiently designed burrito. Available in Center Field and Right Center Field at Field Level.
<strong>Eighth: Cholula Chipotle Crispy Chicken Sandwich.</strong> A breaded, deep fried cutlet with all the accoutrements of the Mex Burger. Cholula steps up to the plate, albeit in the 8 spot. Available at Field Level in the Right Field Corner.
<strong>Batting Ninth and pitching: Blue Point Toasted Lager.</strong> A dazzling display of brews is again on offer at Citi Field this season. Fifty plus beers, including a wide selection of craft brews (seek out the Craft Beer Stands located near sections 105 and 127 on the Field Level and 413 on the Promenade Level) as well as six types of Budweiser cram the bullpen, but the number one starter has to be this local kid. Available at Craft Beer Stands near Sections 105, 127, and 413.
<strong>Manager: Classic New York Deli Pastrami Sandwich.</strong> Roll up your sleeves and settle in, people, it's a long season, and the ever stalwart pastrami sandwich is gonna be there by your side, win or lose. Wise with experience, this unfussy NYC icon features hot, hand-carved pastrami piled high (as they say) on rye with deli mustard and a kosher dill pickle. Ya Gotta Believeâand ya gotta eat! Available via Brooklyn Burger, throughout the park.
<strong>Front Office Exec: Pork Osso Bucco.</strong> Chef Michael Sobelman hits a Piazza-esque home run with his elegant take on a Milanese tradition. Saffron ties the dish together, informing both the polenta and the braising liquid which graces melt-in-your-mouth pork shanks, diced veggies, green olives, andâwait for itâtiny cubes of pork belly. In the words of Gary Cohen, âIt's outta here!â Available in the Acela Club.
<strong>Front Office Exec: Seared Tenderloin Medallions.</strong> Served atop a bleu cheese polenta and a delicious fennel-and-tomato ragout, then finished with a red wine demiglace. Cufflinks not included. Available in the Delta Sky360 Club.
<strong>Front Office Exec: Buttermilk Crispy Chicken.</strong> Called up, perhaps, from the Mets Single A Savannah Gnats, this soul food classic comes paired with mac and cheese and a pleasantly fluffy piece of cornbread, crashing the boardroom with its down-home drawl and authentic flavor. Let's Go Mets, y'all! Available via the Mets' in-house Metropolitan Hospitality At Citi Field.
<strong>Pinch Hitters: Spicy Crab and Spicy Tuna Rolls at Daruma of Tokyo.</strong> Light on its feet but big on flavor, this Far East import delivers in the clutch, combining delicately spiced crab and tuna in one Amazin' roll. Available at Field Level in the Right Field Corner.
<p>Postgame. It ain't Queens without cannolis from Mama's of Corona.</p>
<strong>Pastrachos by Brooklyn Burger.</strong> Deconstruct a pastrami sandwich, add fried tortillas, et voila: Pastrachos! A delightful dish and excellent new word in the lexicon of ballpark cuisine. April 20âPastracho Day? Available throughout the park.