Editor’s note: Scape American Bistro has closed.
The Braised Beef Bruschetta at Scape American Bistro might not cross your mind as an appetizer in July, but trust us when we say it’s a midsummer night’s dream, especially when enjoyed alfresco at the Backbar at Scape. Moist, tender braised beef is piled atop stout cuts of sourdough and garnished with shaved Parmesan and delicate celery plumes. But it’s the one-two punch of spicy Calabrian chile peppers and a red pepper-goat cheese tapenade that turns each bite into a satisfying pageant of slow heat and robust creaminess. In the depths of summer, hefty meat dishes should probably be shared. Just not this one.
This article appears in Readers’ Choice 2014.