I've learnt so much on my feed me NY adventure. Did you know there are 2 kinds of waffle? You most probably did. I did not. Binta, the lovely and talented bartender at Petite Abeille in Tribeca introduced me to the delectable world of Belgium waffles from the town of Liege.
After explaining my project to her,Binta offered a pastry and a latte. After asking me what kind of pastry i wanted»: "almond croissant, chocolate croissant,or cinammon danish", she looked over at a stack of smaller than your ueual waffle and said: "Oh no, I am going to prepare you a waffle - Belgium style. These waffles are from liège; they are imported. The larger waffles you make in a waffle maker are Brussels waffles." ... "Sit and watch some tennis."
The US Open wss on tv. Nadal was playing Almagro.
She really knew her waffles. She explained the origin of the name of the restaurant. "It comes from a children's book the owners read when they were kids," she said.
"Who are the owners," i asked.
"They are 3 Belgium brothers."
To my right was a book shelf with the Children's book series, Tintin.
"Do you want strawberry sauce or chocolate sauce," she asked.
"Strawberry."
But later, i ordered the chocolate as well."
Minutes later, she came out with a gorgeous looking dish with a mountain of whipped cream and strawberries atop the waffle.
Binta ssked me if i wss managing to keep myself fed every day.
"Mostly. But when I'm hungry, sometimes i try to get samples from markets." It takes the edge off.
"Trader Joe's on 14th has samples. There always giving stuff away."
There was ice cream hidden under that mound of whipped cream. I could not be happier. Court side seats at a Federer match might make me happier. And the chocolate mixed with the strawberry sauce was really good.
A waitress was wearing a t-shirt that read: Bienvenue chez les Belges. (Welcome to the belgiuns)
On the wall hangs a sigh: dry belgiun beer half price noon to closing.
Binta offered me water. "You need to hydrate."
A customer sitting at the bar explained the difference between malt and lager beer and the reason she loves Belgiun beer.
The guy sitting there before her said he ate the croque-madame and really liked it.
Binta said the bread and chicken were organic. The chicken is free range.
She too is from Montreal (born there) but left at a young age for Sénégal and then Toronto.
Thank you Binta and Petite Abeille!
Petite Abeille
4 locations:
54 west broadway (tribeca)
401 east 20th st.
466 Hudson st.
44 west 17 th st.
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