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OCTOBER 13, 2019, BROOKLYN WEEKLY
Olé for a healthier twist on Mexican! AL HORNO
BY CAMILLE SPERRAZZA
Al Horno Lean Mexican Kitchen in Bay
Ridge creates our favorite Mexican dishes,
but enhances them by using ingredients
that are better for us. There’s no frying
or oil, as the word “horno” means “oven”
in Spanish. Meat is hormone-free, there’s
a gluten-free menu, and a juice bar, too.
Everything is prepared fresh daily, a
wonderful way to enjoy the flavors of
Mexico, while consuming less calories.
Order a Wild Buffalo Burrito, and
the chicken dish will come with low-fat
cheddar, brown rice, and low-fat sour
cream. Substitute the rice for quinoa or
mixed greens. Burritos are made of whole
wheat tortilla, as are the quesadillas.
There’s grass-fed steak, turkey
chorizo, no-carb tilapia, and even cactus.
Enjoy vegetarian burritos stuffed with
ingredients like sautéed kale, steamed
cauliflower, baked falafel, or seasoned tofu.
I love the Power Pear Salad – a healthy
blend of Mesclun, spinach, pear slices, goat
cheese, cranberries, and walnuts, topped
with perfectly-prepared chicken breast,
tossed with a cilantro lime dressing. It
is so flavorful and visually-appealing,
a generous portion that’s colorful and
creatively arranged.
Traditional guacamole is served mild, but
can easily be intensified with splashes of
hot sauce, an assortment of which can be
found at each table. It’s served with multigrain
chips.
The restaurant has six tables plus four
seats across the ledge of the front window
that overlooks Third Avenue. Vibrant
Mayan-style pictures hang on the walls,
and one even adorns the front of the trash
can. Customers place their orders at the
counter, and food is brought over when it’s
ready. Here it is all about what you eat –
not the vessel in which it is served – so you
won’t find any fancy dishware. Meals are
served on disposal plates, and plastic forks
and knives are utilized, making it very
convenient to take home leftovers. In fact,
Al Horno does a huge takeout business.
It also offers catering for personal
parties and corporate events. Choose from
options that include a variety of salads,
like The Fiesta Grande – a mix of romaine,
avocado, roasted corn, black beans, and
pepper jack. Or, opt to get the fiesta started
with guacamole and chips, or salsa and
chips. Entrees include platters such as
wild tilapia with sautéed kale, salsa,
and avocado, or a “Muscle Repair” plate
featuring chicken, steak, cactus, pico de
gallo, pinto mash, quinoa, with Al Horno
sauce. There’s a Burrito Package and Taco
Package. Need some flexibility? Create the
package that works for your party.
You don’t have to skip dessert here – the
churros are baked, and made of wheat.
The cheesecake is reduced fat, as is the
flan. There’s a healthy fresh tropical fruit
option, too.
Mexican breakfast is served all day:
quesadillas comprised of egg whites, turkey
bacon, low-fat cheddar, and jalapenos;
multi-grain chia seed pancakes with fresh
fruit and sugar-free syrup; eggs served on
corn or wheat tortillas, and more.
Al Horno 9112 Third Avenue between
91st and 92nd streets in Bay Ridge, (347)
578-7492, www.Alhornokitchen.com.
Open daily, Sundays – Thursdays, 10 am
– 10 pm; Fridays and Saturdays, 10 am –
11 pm. There are five Al Horno locations
in Manhattan, too.
/www.Alhornokitchen.com
/www.Alhornokitchen.com