That’s A Whole Lot Of “Mmmm’s”

• Posted on June 8, 2015
• by Jamie Stahl
• in Restaurants
• 1 Comment.

I believe as an American, it is my patriotic duty to celebrate as many National Holidays as possible.  No, I’m not talking about President’s Day or Flag Day (what is Flag Day?).  I’m thinking more along the lines of National Doughnut Day.

This past Friday, June 5th, 2015 was National Doughnut Day.  Now, if you’re like me, you’re probably thinking, “every day should be National Doughnut Day.  Who doesn’t love doughnuts?”  Doughnuts are pretty much perfect.  You have your basic round doughnut with the hole in the middle, ones that look like buns filled with jelly or cream, doughnut holes, and just about any other shape you can form the dough into.  There appears to be an endless supply of topping creations and doughnut flavors from the traditional glazed to a more savory doughnut topped with bacon.  If you are a human being who eats solid food, there’s a doughnut out there for you.

In order to honor National Doughnut Day properly, I traveled to Brooklyn to try some (free) doughnut bites and coffee at a new shop, The Tuscan Gun.  Located by Prospect Park, The Tuscan Gun serves Italian fair for breakfast and lunch.  With the goal of using simple and fresh ingredients at a customer-friendly price point, owner Gabriele Corcos has developed a delicious menu served in a warm, neighborly atmosphere.

After speaking with Corcos, I learned a bit more about the concept behind The Tuscan Gun as well as potential plans for future expansion.  It seems as though him and his wife, Debi Mazar are building a food empire and I am definitely on board with that!  The Tuscan Gun began as a pop-up shop back in September 2014 where Corcos could sell his book, Extra Virgin and test out some new recipes.  The shop did so well, Corcos decided to take the opportunity to plant firmer roots.  He re-opened a month ago after some re-modeling and has been seeing a steady crowd of people since.  Corcos uses the shop to train his employees, continue testing recipes, and host cooking classes and events.  Events such as the National Doughnut Day celebration, where The Tuscan Gun collaborated with well-known Italian coffee brand, Lavazza.

While Gabriele Corcos was graciously answering my questions, what looked like an order for pick up was passed in a brown paper bag across the bar.  Debi Mazar took the bag and shared that one of the best perks about her husband owning The Tuscan Gun is always having delicious food ready for her kids after school.  Living in New York City can be harsh at times, and this was a refreshing reminder of being in a community.  Mazar had explained that though there are often locals and regulars coming into the shop, she has experienced a large amount of patrons from all areas of the city, such as myself, making the trip from Manhattan.  And I will tell you what I had told Mazar, “it was well worth the trip!”

The doughnut bites that were being served were unbelievable.  My guess is that the addition of the Lavazza espresso into the batter had something to do with it.  I got them in a small paper pouch, of course each doughnut bite was dusted with powdered sugar after freshly being fried.  I think I was on my forth or fifth when I decided that it was time to save the rest for later.  My doughnut bites were washed down with a cold-brew coffee that was somehow made with the exact amount of milk and sugar I like.  I think I involuntarily, “mmmm’d” more times inside The Tuscan Gun than I have in any other food establishment.  And in case you don’t know, that is a whole like of “mmmm’s.”

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