Favorite Dishes #78: Cafe Cluny’s Avocado Toast

At this point in 2015, it’s safe to say that avocado toast has surpassed trend status and become a thing. The healthy snack, originally hailing from Australia, moved beyond its burgeoning role as a Brooklyn “it” food; variations of it are now to be found in cookbooks, on social media and restaurant menus all over the Western Hemisphere —  especially in this great city of ours. According to those who keep track of such things, New Yorkers exist in an avocado-toast mecca, apparently craving it more than the residents of any other U.S. city.

While we’re willing to admit the simple fact that the dish is basically smooshed-up (or artfully sliced) avocado on a slice of bread, it must also be said that avocado toast has merits – it’s filling, tasty and nutritious. Come on! The version served in the comfortably lived-in dining room at Cafe Cluny (284 W. 12th Street; 212-255-6900) is a stand-out contender on NYC’s list; the avocado is mashed to a good, chunky texture, seasoned with a subtle, sparky hit of citrusy yuzu, spread on seedy, thick-sliced multigrain toast and topped with a softly poached egg. It’s one of our favorite things to eat, any day, any time.

The Village Voice is counting down to our Best of New York City issue in October. We’re combing the city every day, one dish at a time, to guide you to the most delicious food in NYC. These are our 100 Favorite Dishes for 2015, in no particular order, save for the top 10.

Here’s our countdown up to now:
#100: Laminated Blueberry Brioche at Dominique Ansel Kitchen
#99: Egg Shop’s Golden Bucket Fried Chicken
#98: Ramen Lab’s Torigara Shoyu
#97: Cannoli at Ferdinando’s
#96: Breakfast Sandwich at Dimes
#95: Banana Royal at Eddie’s Sweet Shop
#94: Fletcher’s Burnt Ends
#93: Almayass’s Mante
#92: Empellon Taqueria’s Fish Taco
#91: El Rey’s Sardine Tostada
#90: General Tso’s Pig’s Head at the Cannibal
#89: The Vegetarian at Meat Hook Sandwich Shop
#88: The 21 Club’s Creamy Chicken Hash
#87: Deep-Fried Olives at Via Carota
#86: Pougi at Loi Estiatorio
#85: Shelsky’s Hot Pastrami Sandwich
#85: Pearl & Ash’s Smoked Bread with Chicken Butter
#84: Gluten-Free Pizza at Rossopomodoro
#83: Perry St’s Chocolate Pudding With Candied Violets
#82: Whit’s End’s ‘Fuckin’ Bluefish Dip’
#81: Morgenstern’s Salt and Pepper Pine Nut Ice Cream
#80: Levain Bakery’s Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie
#79: Delmar Pizzeria’s Pizza