Jacques Derrida's Favorite Banana Bread

Legendary philosopher Jacques Derrida spent his life deconstructing language, but he minced no words when it came to banana bread.

During a 2002 visit to the Greenwich Village movie house Film Forum, Derrida tried a slice of the concession stand’s signature treat. The 72-year-old was so delighted he told Joel Stein, a Time reporter, to document it. “You can write that,” he said. “I love banana bread.” A sign bearing this enthusiastic endorsement is displayed at the snack bar to this day. While some loaves come packed with nuts, raisins, and chocolate, Derrida’s favorite iteration deconstructs banana bread down to its essence.

The moist, pillowy confection is still available to order at Film Forum. The non-profit movie house also offers food discounts for annual members. Film Forum may be best known for its eclectic movie screenings, but only its banana bread has personal approval from a father of postmodern thought. As one concession employee said, “That banana bread has possibly sparked more discussions than any film we’ve ever shown.”