Hello again! Welcome to our new regular feature called “Stuff We Like from Parrot Coffee” (working on catchier name). We will periodically share several can’t-miss items from our favorite neighborhood grocery, Parrot Coffee — a modest little storefront on a sleepy stretch of Myrtle that features a dazzling array of homemade and imported goods from Europe, the Middle East, and the Balkans. Half the stuff we eat comes from here!

Our top picks from Parrot:

1. Goat Gouda

Creamy, tangy, and delicate, this lightly firm cheese is a staple in our house. It’s unique, and best on its own or simply presented with some crackers and fruit. And like everything at Parrot, it’s cheap — you can get a huge wedge for $8 or so.

2. Schweppes Bitter Lemon Soda

It’s tart like the more widely available San Pellegrino Pompelmo (my #1 favorite, also available here), but the flavor is really powerful. You can mix it 50/50 with soda and it’s still really good and less sugary. Great mixer!

Bitter Lemon Fizz

Ingredients:

• 6 oz. Schweppes Bitter Lemon
• 1 oz. tequila or vodka (buy at Queens Wine & Liquors down the street)
• Optional: mint, basil, jalapeno

Directions:

Muddle herbs in glass filled with ice. Add rest of ingredients and stir. Enjoy!

3. Spinach Pie

Parrot sells spinach pie two ways: ready-to-eat sheet-pan style ($3 a square), or frozen coils of burek ($10 for 6 pies). Both use a similar spinach and cheese filling and filo dough, but the fresh pie is brushed with a heavy egg wash and seems more casserole-y, whereas the burek bakes up really nice and crispy. I enjoy both types. To prepare the frozen burek, bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes or until deep golden brown. Cut into quarters and serve to delighted guests!

Parrot Coffee and Grocery

5822 Myrtle Avenue  [map]
(718) 821-2785
www.parrotcoffee.com

Queens Wine & Liquors

5903 71st Avenue [map]
(718) 821-4769