7 Monks’ Sprouts
Tastemaker
You know what goes unbelievably well with beer? Brussels sprouts. Specifically, the Sprouts starter available for carryout from 7 Monks Tavern in Traverse City. Hear us out. In the vein of glazed or saucy chicken wings, salty fries dipped in vinegar or ketchup, or even the almighty burger (7 Monks’, Bacon Jam Burger, incidentally, is one of our all-time faves), the mega-tapped tap room’s Brussels sprouts ($9) — fried to perfection, drizzled with rich, syrupy balsamic, and sprinkled generously with parm and sliced almonds is, at once, all things our beer-rinsed tastebuds crave: salt, sweet, an ever-so-slight but stimulating acidic sour, and an utterly earthy contrast.
It’s also a happily married texture of thin, toasty exterior crunchiness with a soft but never spongy interior. And best of all, we think, is that unlike any wings, fries, or burger, a starter plate of these particular Sprouts sate your urge to snack without ever overwhelming your capacity for beer — or greasing up your paws.
Remarkably versatile, they also pair as well with creamy chocolate beers (hint: those with just a bit of bitterness highlight the earthy veg flavor) as they do with crisp pilsners and Belgian wits, all of which happen to be available for carryout at 7monkstaproom.square.site. (231) 421-8410.