Bite Of The Day: A Day At Outpost Lounge

Clinton Hill and Fort Greene are full of go-to restaurants and cafes for everything from breakfast and on-the-go snacks to lunch specials, delivery, after-work drinks, and low-key dinners. Outpost Lounge (1014 Fulton Street) is one of those rare spots that covers almost all of these categories, courtesy of its front bar, comfortable couches and wood tables, local artwork, spacious backyard garden, free wifi, no-frills vibe, and affordable food.

That food menu is comfortably thorough, but not overly extensive, full of freshly squeezed juices, a range of hot coffees and teas, hearty soups and chilis, fresh salads and sandwiches, and eye-candy pastries and cakes. It’d be easy to spend hours there, working and catching up with friends and neighbors.

That’s exactly what we did one recent weekday, walking in at 9am and ordering an Egg Salad and Arugula sandwich with a side of sliced apples and caramel ($5.95; you can opt for a salad instead of apples). The peppery arugula and sweet caramel go well together, as do the crunchy bread and creamy egg salad.

Paired with a Chai Latte ($4/$4.50/$5), Drip Coffee ($1.75/$2.25/$2.75) or Loose Leaf Tea ($2.50/$3 in various flavors), you’ve got a great balanced breakfast or lunch.

If you want something heartier, one of the soups, like the Chili Mac with Goat Cheese ($7), is a great option. This is one of our favorite menu items here because of the size of the bowl and the comforting cheesiness mixed with the meat-and-bean chili.

We recommend pairing this with one of the fresh juices, like the Pear Cucumber Lemonade ($3.50/$4) or Ginger Apple Lemonade, which are refreshing and cut through the heartiness of the chili.

If you still have room, polish off a pastry ($2.50 for plain or $3 for apple/cherry/almond) or a slice of one of the rotating cakes. This Coconut Pineapple cake (slice prices vary) has great texture and feels surprisingly decadent, with its thick icing and fruit-mixed filling.

Verdict: Great food, great atmosphere, and great service from morning to midnight at a great neighborhood spot.

OUTPOST LOUNGE
1014 Fulton Street
718-636-1260