Of late

EATS

 

  

The Atlanta Food Truck Park. Where else can one find "The Blaxican" Mexican Soulfood stationed next to Gladys Knight's famous Chicken n' Waffles? This spot is hoppin' with good food and fun people and is the perfect place to spend an evening celebrating this cooler weather (with an even cooler beer, of course). 

 

Brick Store Pub

Charming Decatur, how I love thee. Add this neighborhood hang-out with a stellar craft beer menu (it was voted one of America's 100 best beer bars) and authentic Irish eats to the mix and I'm happy as clam. 

 

 

The Bakery at Cakes & Ale

Another Decatur gem, this exposed-brick semblance of a French bakery serves healthful lunch in addition to unique pastries and breakfast treats. Salt and pepper cookies, anyone?

Paolo's Gelato

Nestled in Virginia-Highlands, Paolo's gelato flavors are as yummy as its neighborhood is cute. Paolo is an Italy native and veterinarian surgeon turned professional gelato maker (and not to mention a creative genius). Atlanta thanks you, Paolo.

COOKIN'

 

Dark Chocolate Pecan Pie

 

Turkey-Veggie Pot Pies

 

Pumpkin Dark Chocolate Cookies

 

English Muffins

  
CRAVINGS 
~ Bar Antico gelateria and caffe...opening this Fall! (and just when we thought Antico Pizza couldn't get any better)

~ Batdorf & Bronson Roastery tour.

~ Roswell Provisions. I've already done my damage in Westside's Star Provisions, so now it's time to hit up this downtown Roswell market.


WORDS 
"...be about ten times more magnanimous than you believe yourself capable of being. Your life will be a hundred times better for it...You will learn a lot about yourself if you stretch in the direction of goodness, of bigness, of kindness, of forgiveness, of emotional bravery. Be a warrior for love." - Cheryl Strayed in "tiny beautiful things; Advice on love and life from Dear Sugar"

EAT, Drink and Be Merry

You better believe it! A fruit and veggie Christmas tree and a blingin' door wreath!

Hi, friends! Tis' the season! Guess I'm feeling jolly with Christmas around the corner because I have already used a total of four exclamation points! (five)

It's been a while since we last chatted (I do believe I was remarking about Halloween's forthcoming?), so I have many dishes and delights to share with you. Firstly, hows about that Thanksgiving holiday? Not sure about you, but I did a pretty good job of stuffing my face with deliciousness.

My cute Dad carving the turkey

My brother's new PLS (parking lot special), Watley.

My lovely mom with the new pup and perfect Christmas tree

My grandmother, Mamie!

Back in the ATL, there's been lots of merriment. My friends, Mandy and Dara, came to visit. The three of us have been buds since freshman year of college-- we ran the Nashville half-marathon together that year! I also got to meet up with my friend, Christina, who was here on a business trip (< yikes! We are big girls now!!). 

Freshman year in Nashville at Cabana

Love these girls

Post-college...in Atlanta!

Christina and I discovered the food market at IKEA...Swedish dark chocolate? Yes, please.

We also ate at Antico...an awesome pizza place downtown

Last week, I hosted my first (of many) apartment party. What do Whole Foods employee foodies do outside of work? Eat incredible food, of course! We had a potluck dinner with amazing dishes like Purple Sweet Potatoes Casserole, Quinoa with Goat Cheese, Pecans and Cranberries, Curried and Jerk Chicken, and the list goes on. My contribution? Vidalia Onion Pie. 

My friend, Josh, and his gf

My friend, Kent, and I

Kent and her hubby

Desi and me

My fave Whole Foods ladies

Christmas cookies

frands

Happenings in ze kitchen:

Gnocchi with Butternut Squash, Toasted Walnuts and Rosemary

Germinated Brown Rice Butternut Risotto

Turkey Meatballs

over yummy, healthy pasta!

And with IKEA lignonberry sauce

Jade rice (yep- green rice!)

Tomato Bulgur Soup with Warm Spices

Finally got around to cooking those tofu noodles...with asparagus, chicken and a white wine butter sauce

Sounds unusual but turned out so good!

Tidbits:

New favorite site: The Cuisinerd ("Geeking Out Gourmet Style")

Check it, yo.

A friend at work has started his own hot sauce company-- Hellfire Y'all. It's awesome but is the equivalent of holding a blow torch to the tip of your tongue.

Sweetwater (not the beer!) local infused olive oils... I'm so hooked!

It's going to be a Whole Foods Christmas!

^Just in case you've missed this^

Tis the Season

Wishing everyone safe travels, lots of joy and merry making with family and friends, and, of course, good eats this Christmas and holiday season. LOVE to you all!

What to do When You Lose a Purse + other life musings

Happy October!

I am totally in Halloween mode. My work station is all decked out:

This morning I bought black lipstick and tried on fishnets for my witch costume (it will be epic). And now I am watching House of Wax. By myself. Alone in my apartment. 

And now I am watching D.C. Cupcakes.

I've come across some bands I can't get enough of lately. Do you know any of these? Worth checking out if not.

Dr. Dog 

 

Saints of Valory

 

 Mayer Hawthorne

 

 Portugal the Man

along with Young the Giant and The Sunshine Factory (from Mobile!)

 In other news, I met Alton Brown the other day! Wish I had a pic but I tried to keep my cool (I still failed miserably).

I also have seen several old friends lately. My friend, Caitlin, came to visit for a weekend that included a trip to Greek Fest. 

While indulging in Greek wine, dishes and baklava, we also came across Mr. Constantine himself from The Bachelorette. I shamefully admit I did not watch the show and barely knew of the dude, BUT I very gladly took a picture with him...

Stay tuned for a report after I visit his Atlanta restaurant

My roommate from when I lived in D.C. last summer was in town from Germany! We met at lovely Marietta Square for some meat pies (please don't let Sweeney Todd come to mind or it will ruin it) at The Australian Bakery Cafe. Reliving our D.C. days of frequenting cupcakeries (ahem, a bit too frequently said my jeans), we stopped by Miss Mamie's Cupcakes, Cakes and Such.

 I also got to meet up with some Bama boys visiting the ATL. They made me miss college life!

Blurry pic but take my word for it: we look really good. Mistaken for celebs a couple times.

  Callie and I recently paid a visit to a fab-o pizza place- Double Zero. We split the house pizza on their famous "double zero flour" crust. I also had an Ommegang Three Philosophers beer- it was awesome. 8/10 on my craft beers ratings :)

Photo courtesy of doublezero.com

Another new restaurant find is Canoe. I went here when my parents came into town-- it is way down yonder on the banks of the Chattahoochee (never knew how much that muddy water meant to me...). What we enjoyed: Hand Rolled Basil Fettuccine with Summer Garden Vegetables and Grana Padano ~ Watermelon and Vermont Feta Salad, Toasted Almonds, Giuseppe Balsamic & Basil Vinaigrette ~ Heirloom Tomato Salad ~ Popcorn Ice Cream Sundae with House Made Cracker Jack ~ Chocolate Grotto with Salted Caramel and Pretzel Dust ~ lots of vino

 

Lastly! I went to Red or White while in Mobile for small plates and wine with the fam. Pizza, mushroom ravioli, olive and cheese plate...One of my new favorite places!

~

Pause. Just realized this is an incredibly long post. Bear with me. Much to report as I have been an unfaithful blogger.

~

I've been cooking. Like, really cooking. It makes me happy. It relieves stress when your purse is stolen. It helps you reflect and realize there are worse things than texting on a crappy go-phone. It helps you meditate on the positive (missing purse < missing person) over the negative (ATL police really don't give a care that you lost a purse at a bar). Cooking, especially with a glass of wine, makes everything better.

So, here are my good eats.

 Spiced Apple-Pear Butter

 Spinach and Barley Risotto

Spicy Fish Tacos with Purple Sticky Rice

 Can't take credit-- Mom made this one. Fresh Chicken Pasta Salad

Chocolate Halloween Cookies while in Mobile

 Brussel Sprouts. First time to cook them and first time to eat them. Not bad, not great.

 I tossed them with turkey meatballs, basil marinara and quinoa.

Turkey Pumpkin Chili

  

Click here to smell this. 

 Sorry, that was cruel.

Butternut Blondies with dark chocolate

 

Til next time: Happy Halloween, Watch your purse, Cook when you need some "me" time, Give brussel sprouts a chance, Fall in love with Dr. Dog, and Refrain from watching House of Wax.

Much love.