In Tomato We Trust
The world may be on to squash, but late-September is when tomatoes work their magic
We did it. Ten issues of The Fifth Course. Ten rounds of restaurant gems, toddler plates, side tangents, and late-night writing sessions that somehow make their way into your inbox. Thank you for opening, reading, cooking along, and helping me carve out this little corner of community.
Now, let’s talk tomatoes.
I know, I know. Your feeds are already full of squash, pumpkins, baked pears, and cinnamon sticks. But I’m not done. The truth is, this is my favorite time to eat tomatoes.
Late September always sits in that in-between place. Not quite fall, not quite summer. Although New York has been lingering with these 80-degree days…The market still smells like ripe fruit and basil, but you know it won’t last for long. Tomatoes are the last holdout, plump and sweet, dripping juice over everything they touch. And late September, when they’ve soaked up every bit of sun, is when they’re at their absolute best.
You’ve got maybe two weeks, max, to make them count. So consider this issue my ode to the final blush of late summer, told through three tomato recipes you’ll want to get on the table before the season slips away.
Meal In: Ode to the Tomato
I’ll keep this short so you can get cooking. These three are the best ways I know to say goodbye to summer—one straightforward recipe and two that I’d call medium difficulty.
Medium: Tomato Tart with Garlic and Capers. This is not my recipe; this is Alison Roman’s recipe. And it is a superior tart with a crust that basically tastes like an adult Cheez-It.
Medium: Lamb & Apricot–Stuffed Tomatoes
Meal Out
I finally gave in to the tomato Mille-Feuille with Moses Sleeper at Claud, and let me tell you, it was pure magic from the very first bite. For context, Moses Sleeper is a soft-ripened, approachable cheese, similar to brie but even dreamier. Each layer was a perfect balance: airy yet flaky, buttery pastry wrapped around the creamy richness of the cheese, all lifted by the sweet acidity of the tomatoes. Easily the top three best vegetable dishes I’ve had all summer
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High Chair Talk
Unfortunately, Mars is not a tomato fan. Not even tomato sauce. It kills me, but I’m respecting her evolving palate and serving her everything but. One day, I’m hoping she’ll discover the magic of the tomato.
For now, she’s fully committed to stone fruit, which I’m savoring too, as the season winds down. Here are four meals she devoured:
PB&J on toasted sourdough (both jam and peanut butter are homemade. Drop a comment if you want the recipe!) with blueberries and pulled roasted chicken thighs.
Sautéed shrimp in lemon and butter with plum, pancake, and Spanish olives.
Butter-baked salmon from Aqua Best with roasted beet hummus and blueberries.
Stewed coconut and lemon beans with sourdough breadcrumbs, sweet Italian sausage, goat cheese grilled cheese, and plum.
Side Plate
What’s catching my eye and palate this week:
Snack:
I recently purchased Garlic Pepper Goat Cheese from Lynn Haven at the Prospect Farmers Market this week. Paired it with roasted beets and wound up licking the container in one sitting. WOW. I’ll see you next Saturday.
Date Night:
This date can go either way, platonic or romantic, but it’s all about cheese popcorn and a movie. Going to the theater is rare for me these days, which makes it feel extra special. I’m a sucker for that holy trio: theater popcorn, a fountain Coke, and the big screen.
Here’s my move: I ask for an extra popcorn bowl, split the bag in two, and shower it with white cheddar powder before giving it a good mix. My favorite brand is Marhaba, found online or at Kalustyan’s. Honestly, if you haven’t been to Kalustyan’s, that’s a date in itself. Wander the aisles, let yourself grab everything, then head home and have your own tasting party.
Disappointment:
Alright, this might be another unpopular opinion, AND this is not a full disappointment—but my taste buds are the only ones I can speak for. I tried Los Burritos yesterday and here’s the verdict: good, not great. The handmade tortillas? Out of control. The guacamole? Possibly the best I’ve ever had. And for me, guac is never in between. It’s either great or it’s a letdown. This one was great. Now, the saucy, stewed, slow-cooked fillings that had my mouth watering.. (I tried 3 out of the 4) They were undeniably flavorful, but the salt level was off the charts. So salty that after a few bites, I had to put my fork down.
So, will I be back? Absolutely—strictly for those tortillas and that guac. And honestly, having a spot like this on Myrtle Ave is a win for the neighborhood. Grateful it’s here, and I’ll keep showing up to support.
My order: Guac, Queso Quesadilla, Colorado, Verde, Mole
Caffeine:
Had the pleasure of sipping and hanging at the hole in the wall (quite literally) Mixed.Ingrdnts (Mxdin for short) and wow—what a vibe. Roman Grandinetti, the mind behind the beloved Regina’s chain, has done it again with the ultimate neighborhood hang.
I started with their coconut water watermelon matcha—bright, refreshing, and the kind of drink you want poolside in the sun. Shared a croissant with Mars (she approved), then finished with an iced oat cappuccino because matcha alone doesn’t give me the kick I need.
It’s cool, it’s cozy, its blue, and it’s precisely what Roman does best: creating spots you want to linger in again and again.
In love with:
Sezane’s leather items, especially their skirts! I recently purchased their black leather skirt and a mustard yellow leather skirt! Both vegan leather, both soft as can be, both absolutely fabulous!
Sound Bites: September’s Playlist
Until Next Time
I always treat seasonal shifts as a chance to pause—soak in what just happened and get excited for what’s next. September is my favorite for that reason. It carries this in-between energy, not quite summer, not quite fall, and I love it. It’s proof that transitions can be beautiful, fleeting, and seriously delicious if you pay attention.
So here’s to squeezing every last drop out of tomato season while we can, and welcoming everything October is about to bring: crisp apples, slow stews, and all the cozy rituals that make the darker months feel bright.
xx
Gina