Restaurant Re-Creation: Avocado Toast from Cafe Gitane

We're not exactly going to win a medal for figuring this one out, but still. We've eaten this simple, creamy, peppery dish several times at Cafe Gitane in New York City (for breakfast as well as an appetizer at dinner) and finally made it at home...

We don't know the restaurant's exact preparation, but the bread is always a thick, nutty whole grain and there's a kicker — a big sprinkling of red pepper flakes over the top of the mashed-up avocado.

For our version, we drizzled some olive oil on a piece of wheatberry bread and toasted it. We mixed the avocado with some lemon juice, salt, and pepper, then spread it on top of the toast and added red pepper flakes. A very filling, colorful breakfast on this grey New York morning.

(Images: Elizabeth Passarella)

Comments (11)

yummm Going to try this one!

posted by nikamarie on August 29th 2008 at 4:41am
view nikamarie's profile

The way I have always done it was to slice the avocado on the cracker/bread of choice, squeeze a little lemon or lime juice and salt/peppper. Your version looks delicious; the red pepper flakes are a great touch.

posted by jgphotomom on August 29th 2008 at 5:27am
view jgphotomom's profile

i had an amazing version of this at pizzaiolo in oakland, california recently. it included cucumbers and coriander and the loveliest, creamiest avocado on a thick-cut slice of rustic, wood-fired toast. yowzah!
http://flickr.com/photos/vvvanessa/2760768981/

posted by vanessa.vichitvadakan on August 29th 2008 at 5:42am
view vanessa.vichitvadakan's profile

Wow! That looks like it would hit the spot!

posted by OneWallKitchen on August 29th 2008 at 5:57am
view OneWallKitchen's profile

ooh, this looks so very good!!!

posted by orchidgirl1979 on August 29th 2008 at 6:42am
view orchidgirl1979's profile

Yeah! I loved my meals Cafe Gitane when I was in NY this winter. Thanks for the memory and the easy meal tip!

posted by MarmaladeInk on August 29th 2008 at 8:06am
view MarmaladeInk's profile

My dad used to make these for lazy Sunday dinners, one slice of avocado toast and one slice of open-faced grilled cheese per person done under the broiler. Both with a liberal addition of seasoned salt and an extra dash or two of hot sauce for the adventurous.

posted by roseslaw on August 29th 2008 at 9:32am
view roseslaw's profile

ate avocado on toast every day while visiting friends in Chile! It is a breakfast staple there and totally delish!

posted by FromTheFuture on August 29th 2008 at 10:00am
view FromTheFuture's profile

Try it with a little smashed up lime pickle for some south asian flair. awesome with beer.

posted by 212gretchen on August 29th 2008 at 11:20am
view 212gretchen's profile

I have to ask: how much is this at Cafe Gitane?

posted by renata on August 29th 2008 at 2:49pm
view renata's profile

we like to add a little balsamic to ours.

posted by bigtuna on September 2nd 2008 at 2:37pm
view bigtuna's profile