Protein-Maxxing NYC
The post-workout meal remains the most confounding dining dilemma I’ve faced in New York. For years, my Google search history has been filled with desperate variations of “high-protein meal East Village” and “clean eats Fort Greene.” It’s taken a while, but I do feel like I’m starting to figure it out.
It’s been challenging for several reasons. But mostly because the criteria for what I want to eat after a workout is so vastly different than my usual desires. I’m looking for something substantial, healthy, protein-forward, and relatively cheap. And I want to be able to walk in sweaty, eat quickly, or take it to-go. It’s a meal that’s about health and function first, taste and quality second. It’s the only time I’ll ever prioritize my restaurant selections this way. Sure, I could, and often do cook something at home. But let’s imagine the fridge is empty besides a block of feta that’s been in there for weeks, and perhaps a lemon.
The easy answer is to settle for a slop-bowl — an amalgamation of food that melds into one cohesive mass. Post-workout Chipotle, Cava, Sweetgreen, and such. It’s not a horrible solution — macronutrient-balanced, highly customizable to be as healthy or unhealthy as you’d like. I am not better than a slop bowl — I’ll crush Naya from time to time. Springbone gets the job done, too. But after, say, 6:00 pm, something feels so grim about setting food in these fluorescently-lit, soulless establishments.
Anyway, here are a few spots I often turn to after a sweltering hot vinyasa class or a lap around Prospect Park:
Chicken Stop Fort Greene, Brooklyn
$14 is what it’ll run you for a half chicken, steamed vegetables, green sauce, and 2 dense pitas. I can waltz into Chicken Stop drenched in sweat, and be on my merry way 5 minutes later with a hefty bag in hand.
Eva’s x Cinco de Mayo Greenwich Village, New York
The enduring haunt for bodybuilders and police officers alike, Eva’s Cinco de Mayo is a macro-temple in Greenwich Village. This is a no-oil, no-added-sugar, no-bullshit kind of place. The food is painfully simple, and deeply unsexy — but remarkably functional. Their housemade sauces are pretty good, and you’ll need them.
Darna Falafel Cobble Hill, Brooklyn
Darna is a tiny falafel shop in Cobble Hill with a sprawling menu that I never look at. I have tunnel vision for the kifta wrap sandwich — it’s all I’ll ever need. Packed with spiced chicken, fries, and creamy, spicy sauce — it’s not the cleanest of eats, but it’s so tasty and like $12. The salad it’s served with, romaine, black olives, chickpeas, and bottled Italian dressing, is virtually useless, though.
al Badawi Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
al Badawi is a place you could certainly plan a night around, but it’s equally casual, approachable, and welcoming to me in gym clothes. The shawarma platter is a godsend and packs in so much food. The side salad, unlike the one at Darna, is bright, fresh, and flavorful. The homemade pita is served with olive oil and za’atar. It’s somewhere you should sit down, though, because I’ve noticed the carryout/delivery quality is way, way different.
Quinoa Kitchen Williamsburg, Brooklyn
On the surface, Quinoa Kitchen sounds predictably healthy and somewhat generic. And it is! But their Wild Salmon bowl with lemon-dill vinaigrette is a tried and true winner.
Casa Adela East Village, New York
If you’re lucky enough to live in the general vicinity of Adela, please take advantage. Brilliant, flavorful, juicy pollo asado. A side of rice and beans. Maybe some plantains. A classic that always hits.
Clover Smoothies Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
A good option when you need something tight, light, and incredibly efficient. Smoothies are something you can and should make at home, but in a crunch, this place is really good.
THISBOWL Noho, New York
YOU ALREADY KNOW. LONG LIVE THE OG BOWL.
ACRE Greenpoint, Brooklyn
ACRE is the most delicious, most put-together place on this list — one I happily eat at even when I haven’t broken a sweat. But it also plays so well in the healthy, clean-eats category. A little pricier, but worth it for the quality and flavor of the bentos and sandos.
Gold Star Beer Counter Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Let’s be honest, a crisp pilsner post-workout hits harder than anything else, macros be damned.
Recently Added
The newest additions to Flood’s Worldwide
Los Burritos Juarez Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Myrtle Ave isn’t a street I ever expected to go viral. It’s a fairly standard throughfare in Fort Greene — hardly scenic, far from charming. But with Los Burritos Juarez setting up shop a stone’s throw from the polarizing chopped sandwiches at Farmer in the Deli, it’s suddenly become a highly trafficked, highly videoed stretch of the neighborhood. It goes to show: wrap anything in a tortilla and people will come in droves.
Juarez has been making the digital rounds for their hand-rolled-to-order flour tortillas, filled with one of four stewy options: guajillo-marinated pork; brisket & yukons in tomatillo salsa; pasilla–morita mole braised chicken; or pinto beans with chihuahua cheese. The tortilla is heated on the flattop until barely crisp — it’s thick enough to support the saucy fillings, with an unmistakable chew.
Everybody’s seeking the truth about this place — I don’t think I’ve ever posted an IG story that got more “What did you think?” replies.
I think it’s a winner. Damn good burritos — craveable, even. It’d be hard to be a hater. The chicken mole is the best of the bunch — shreds of juicy chicken in a rich, nutty sauce. The two salsas on offer — one red, one green — add depth and spice to each bite of the foil-wrapped beauty. Brisket and potato is my runner-up. But even the simple, creamy bean and cheese hits hard, which is always a good sign.
Are they worth trekking across town and standing in line for? Probably not. But Juarez is a spot that fills a glaring fast-casual void in the neighborhood, which I’m quite stoked about. And… this feels like a concept primed for a West Village expansion in ‘26. So maybe they’ll be coming to you.
Alba Detroit, Michigan
There’s a collection of cafés I’ve been meaning to check out in Detroit. But driving downtown from the suburbs just for a coffee has always felt like a lot. One morning, I packed my bag and headed down I-75 toward Alba, planning to start my day there before bouncing around to a few other spots in the city.
Alba took over the beloved Astro Coffee’s space in Corktown a year after its closure in ’22. In Detroit terms, those are the biggest shoes imaginable to fill. You can’t truly replace an institution, but you can do it justice — and Alba does.
The café is bright, plant-filled, and thoughtfully designed — small, but comfortable. The classic espresso drinks are excellent, all made with Alba’s house-roasted beans. The specialties, like the sweet, cinnamony café de olla, are truly a treat. To round it out, there’s a mean soufflé egg sandwich slathered in spicy mayo on pillowy brioche. Pairs nicely with a strong, rich coffee.
Even though I planned for Alba to be a stop on the itinerary, I ended up spending the entire morning in the warm, welcoming space. It’s a place worth venturing to on its own — it shot straight to the top of my Metro Detroit café list.
These hits, and many more, are included in Flood’s Worldwide:
Best Dishes
Some of the best things I ate (or drank) recently
Falafel Pita — PAOLINA Williamsburg, Brooklyn
The best (and only) thing on the menu at PAOLINA is the falafel pita. It’s $14. When you’re doing one thing and one thing only, you’d better have it dialed. And I’m happy to report this sandwich is locked in.
Each component of this hefty pita is best-in-class. The falafel is freshly fried to order — perfectly crunchy yet airy. The vegetables are crisp, adding freshness and a bit of brine. The spreads and sauces are balanced — creamy, smoky, spicy. And the pita itself is freshly baked — chewy, but sturdy. The result is a near-idyllic falafel sandwich. I don’t think you could draw it up any better.
Thai Tartlet — Luthun East Village, New York
Singling out a top dish from a multi-course tasting menu is usually tough. At the wildly interesting, unconventional Luthun in the East Village, it’s even harder — the globally-inspired dishes are all over the damn place, yet still, miraculously, cohesive.
Reflecting on the ten or so dishes, the Thai Tartlet edges out the rest. Crispy eggplant is packed into a buttery tart shell, layered with strips of bright papaya and caramelized sambal. The tartlet comes with a cup of zesty, spicy coconut milk broth meant to be sipped between bites. This punchy broth was the first of a few holy shit moments throughout the dinner.
As the night progressed, it was the sauces, broths, and stocks that continued to shine the brightest. They’re what Chef Nahid Ahmed has built his career on — and they’re the backbone of Luthun’s identity.
Flood’s Hi-Fi
Artists and records for moving and grooving
Natalia Lafourcade — Hasta la Raíz (album)
It’s been ten years since the release of this warm, velvety Latin pop-rock record from Mexican singer-songwriter Natalia Lafourcade, and it sounds as lush and comforting as ever. It rocks, it grooves, it sways. A smooth listen around the house and a lovely companion for a road trip.
Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra — Promises (album)
A 46-minute introspective, dreamy journey — electronically rooted, lifted by the London Symphony Orchestra’s strings, and taken to another dimension by Pharoah Sanders’ sensual saxophone. This record feels special because it is special — a shockingly beautiful piece of immersive art. It deserves your full attention: turn the lights off, lie on the floor, and listen.
Avalon Emerson — 9000 Dreams (live set)
I caught this dance music masterclass live Under the K Bridge last summer, and I’m thrilled to have found the full recording on SoundCloud. Like so many of Avalon’s sets, it has serious range — a very fun listen that’ll get you moving.
Up Next
Places on my radar
Cafe Lily Bensonhurt, Brooklyn — A Korean/Uzbek restaurant in Bensonhurst sounds like a damn good time. Good find from
. Can’t wait to check it.DOLORES Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn — The tacos look good, the drinks look strong, the vibe looks right!!
Claud x Cafe Mutton — Anyone got an extra ticket for tomorrow…?
