Baltimore News and Info!

A ton of news for you today!  Enjoy!
 

• Fleming’s has some new menu items.  They now feature a Steakhouse Cobb Salad entrée (with your choice of either lobster or filet mignon), a Seared New Bedford Scallops entrée (finished with a meyer lemon oil-honey glaze), and a Shrimp Cocktail appetizer.

• The Food Experiments, a series of amateur cook-offs launched in Brooklyn, is coming to Washington DC with “The Taco Experiment.”  This will take place at the Rock N Roll Hotel on May 15th from 12-4PM.  Check the website for more information – this sounds like a GREAT time!

• A new certified organic spirit called ROOT has just launched in the DC/Baltimore Area.  It’s inspired by an 18th century Pennsylvania folk recipe that evolved into Birch/Root Beer.  ROOT is available at your local liquor stores (like The Wine Source), and if not – tell them to order it!  And here’s a recipe to use it in:  
• ROOT Julep
  3 sprigs fresh mint
  1 teaspoon water
  1 teaspoon superfine sugar
  2 ounces ROOT
  
  1. Muddle 2 mint sprigs, the water, and the sugar in a highball/collins glass/silver julep cup
  2. Fill the glass with crushed ice, and pour in the ROOT
  3. Garnish with the remaining mint sprig 

• The Don Pablo’s in White Marsh has received the “Restaurant of the Year” award for 2010 from their parent company, Rita Restaurant Corp.  It’s been a LONG time since I’ve eaten at a Don Pablo’s – but I’m happy for them for this recognition!

• Morton’s Steakhouse is celebrating Mother’s Day on May 8th with a special Mother’s Day menu for $59 per person (not including beverages, tax or tip).  The menu includes a choice of salad, entrée, side dish and dessert and will be open from 2-9pm to accommodate their patrons! Their a la carte dinner menu will also be available.
• The next day, on May 9th, Morton's is hosting a Celebrity Server Fundraiser event with Matt Birk from the Ravens to benefit his HIKE Foundation.   Tickets are $250 per person (include tax, tip and valet) for a 4-course menu and a silent and live auction featuring Ravens memorabilia.

• The next cooking class in Phillips' Cook, Crack & Eat series is The Freshest Catch on May 7th.  Learn all about fresh fish and how to select, clean and prepare it!  The cost is $50 per person and includes the chef demo, wine, lunch and a swag bag to go. 

• Freshii, a restaurant that features nutritious and sustainably grown ingredients (a concept that seems eerily familiar to those of us watching America’s Next Great Restaurant!)  is coming to Baltimore in Charles Village and Downtown.  Customers can customize their own meals whether they want salads, wraps, rice bowls, yogurts or soups! I can’t wait to check this place out!

• Have you heard of Chef Mac’s and All That Blues?  It’s a relatively new BYOB restaurant in Hamilton and on Fridays and Saturdays they have live blues and jazz with a $25 buffet! 

Phewwww!  Let me wipe that sweat from my brow, I had a LOT of press releases to tell you about!

Friday Morning Haiku

(I set my tray up last night - I was so ready!)


Royal Wedding Day!

I am eating scones and jam

In Celebration!

And I DIDN'T FALL ASLEEP!

Congrats, Kate and Will!

Gypsy Queen Cafe Food Truck

I feel so lucky that the Gypsy Queen Cafe stops by my place of work once a week.  This food truck is outrageously delicious, though I shouldn't be surprised considering the owners used to own the amazing Helen's Garden in Canton (I'm still sad that it closed!).

You may have heard of the truck that sells macaroni and cheese out of waffle cones - well this is it! Aren't they so creative?  I love it!  They also switch up a lot of their menu items, which makes it hard to get tired of them week after week!

 

For my first taste of Gypsy Queen, I tried the Old-School Beef Sliders with bacon relish and cheese ($8)

  

Wow were they good.  They burgers were nice and juicy and the bacon relish was sweet and caramelized and didn't overwhelm the rest of the burger, which I slightly expected.

My next selection was the Chorizo and Pineapple Tacos (2 for $6).  You can't tell based on the awful picture above, but I've never seen so much meat on a taco before.  THERE WAS SO MUCH MEAT.  It was incredibly hard to eat as a taco because of the WOH amount of filling and the sogginess of the tortilla, so I just ate the meat with a fork.  It was still incredibly delicious and much less messier this way, though don't get me wrong, it was still a huge mess!  Let's just say that  I was happy I ate alone with no one watching me hahahahahah.  And for $6, this was a great deal - I was full for a LOOOOONG time.   

My next meal will be their Crab Tacos ($10).  In fact, I can't wait to try anything they want to sell me! I just love this truck!

Gypsy Queen Cafe

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Foodzie Box vs. Drewzie Box

FINALLY, here are my Tasting Box comparisons!  The Foodzie Box vs. the "Drewzie box"  (the box that my friend Drew gave me).  Drew went to Wegmans and spent 20-hard-earned-dollars on me just to prove a point :)  So, who won? Let's see.

February and March Foodzie Tasting boxes:

February Foodzie Box

Truffled Popcorn - NO!  Too much truffle flavor (is that terrible to say on a food blog?)!

Sweet and Spicy Candied Walnuts - Noooooo, did NOT like these.  I can't place what it was about them, but it was just a big NO for me.

Fleur de Sel & Beer and Pretzel Caramels - The beer and pretzel caramels were sooo not my kind of thing (but they are apparently a bestseller), but the Fleur de Sel one was great.

Parisian Mendiants - These are small disks of chocolate with candied orange, hazelnuts and pistachios.  These look very pretty and were tasty, too! 

Almond chocolate Trail Bar - AMAZING.  It was also perfect fuel for a run!  It contained rolled oats, almonds, nutty rice, flax seeds, coconut and chocolate.  And there was no skimping on the chocolate.  Unfortunately, if I wanted to buy them online they are $50 FOR 18 BARS.  $50!!!!!!

Cabernet Brownies - These were made with wine flour - isn't that cool?  OMG they were sooo good and fudgy.

March Foodzie Box

Kale Chips - Soooooooo not my bag of chips...

Regular and Dark Chocolate Cocomels - Coconut milk caramels! So good!

Chile Pepper and Sumac Pepper Salts - Interesting idea.  I like that it came with recipe cards, but I still haven't used them.

Blue Cheese Fig Savory Shortbreads - LOVED them, and I don't even like blue cheese.  Made for a red wine pairing which is a super cute idea!

Hot Chocolate on a Stick - Cute concept, but totally annoying to actually use since it took SO LONG to melt.  It did make AMAZING hot chocolate though.

Gogi Berry & Himalyan Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Bar - Saving this and am really excited to try it!

Drewzie Box:

Drewzie Box - From Wegmans

Cranberry and Fig Sauce - This was definitely more of a chutney than a jam (which is what I was initially expecting). It was great on sandwiches!

Seitenbacher Muesli (For Active People) - BEST MUESLI IN THE WORLD.  Went to Wegmans and bought two more bags.  Need to buy more!  I'm not sure I can eat any other kind!!!!

Pretzel Crisps - YUM!  And I'm not even a big fan of pretzels.  Went to Sam's Club and bought a HUUUUGE bag of these.  Love them plain, love them with cheese, love them with hummus etc etc etc !

Pumpkin Seed Cheddar Crackers - Interesting flavor, and I liked them with cheese as well but they were VERY crunchy.  I was worried for my teeth.

Hyderabad Vegetable Pilaf - WAY too oily and spicy. Dislike!!!

Verdict:
So who do I think was the winner?  Welll......AND YOU WILL HATE ME FOR THIS: BOTH!!!! 

OK, here is why.  The Drewzie Box wins because I bought more of the items for myself - so it did super well on New Customer Acquisition (I have friends in the business world who told me that phrase hahaha).  I've now had THREE Foodzie boxes, and never once did I ever feel the need to go online and buy the full-size products from Foodzie. 

But the Foodzie Tasting Box wins on originality. It has definitely opened up my taste buds to things I had never tried before (Coconut milk caramels! Kale chips!  Brownies made with wine flour!), even if I didn't end up liking them (Kale chips!) I think that $20 towards a fun surprise bag of treats is worth it.  I don't have a yearly subscription though, I think it will be a once in a while treat.

So there you have it! :) Do you think I took the easy way out?  :)


Disclaimer - The February food box was sent to me for free by Foodzie, but I purchased the box for January and March.  Drewzie's box was also free!

HAPPY ST. GEORGE'S DAY

Regents Street, London

HAPPY ST. GEORGE'S DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's last years haiku about my favorite dragon slayer and his day.

Today I am afraid that England is not really thinking about Georgie, but perhaps Will and Kate.  As you can see in the photo above, the city of London is all dressed up in pageantry as they await The Big Day.

I was totally thinking about declaring this Royal Wedding Week and writing a British-themed post everyday, but in an effort to avoid mutiny, I will control myself.  I have to keep reminding myself that this blog is called Taste of BALTIMORE not Taste of BRITISH. Although....if that blog name isn't taken...........

Wanna Be On TV!?

I got word that there will be a new pastry competition show on a top cable network (don't know any more than that-  it's hush hush!) and they need people to participate!  They are casting "talented, outgoing and dynamic pastry chefs, bakers and all those who have mastered sweets to participate in a short pastry competition."  Oh - and there will be a cash prize!!!

On-camera interviews will be conducted soon (as early as next week!!!), so if you think you may be a good fit (or someone you know!) send along the following details to pastrychefscasting@gmail.com

• Name
• Age
• Contact Information
• City, State
• Photo of yourself
• Resume
• Paragraph describing yourself

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Friday Morning Haiku

 

Today is Earth Day

Switch off lights and computers

Conserve some water

Today is Earth day and I have to spend it in front of a computer for 8 hours, in a heavily lit building, then get home and use the oven to bake something and then drive for about 20 mins to a friends house.  Overall, I am not treating the Earth very well on its big day.  I do take the light rail though - that should count for something?

This weekend will be a good one.  It's Dan's birthday weekend (YAY, Love You!), I'll be seeing lots of friends, eating a TON of good food, and singing singing singing!  I am super excited.  Oh yea, and tomorrow is something special.....I may just write a little something something on my blog tomorrow to honor it.  Any guesses as to what tomorrow could be?!?

Oh, and don't forget to like my new Facebook page.  I'll be hosting a giveaway today on my page as a big Thank You for such a nice response of "Likes!"

And did you see that I have a new Blog page - my Restaurant Wishlist!  Let me know if I am missing anything and tell me why!

Look at me!  I'm doing all sorts of bloggy things lately! 

Have a wonderful GREEN-inspired weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :) :)

Taste of Baltimore on Facebook!

My blog joined Facebook.  We all knew this day would come....I was just in denial for a little while.

Please like me :)

Taste of Baltimore Blog Facebook Page

Parfections, Cockeysville/Hunt Valley

 

There are a decent number of chocolatiers in the Timonium /Cockeysville /Hunt Valley York Road corridor.  It always surprises me, but I don't mind since they are all so close to my house!  Parfections is a new addition to the bunch, though I have a feeling they've been selling chocolates for a while and this is just their first store.  I do feel strange reviewing any other chocolatier in light of this review of my favorite, but I still think Parfections has a lot to offer.

First of all, they have some really interesting flavors to their truffles, as you will see below.   They also make beer-infused truffles with local Heavy Seas beers (12 for $21), seasonal flavor truffles, they sell chocolate bark (albeit for slightly outrageous prices: $9 for 1/2lb, given that bark is so easy to make) and lots of different kinds of chocolate dipped fruits (also $9 for 1/2lb) such as strawberries, mango, apricots, pears, peaches.

 

I ordered a box of 9 truffles ($16) and Dan and I selected the ones that caught our eye.  They have a LOT in stock - check here for a list of them. 

Here is what we got (the one missing is the white champagne truffle, but I forgot what else was in it, sorry!):

• Tropical Typhoon:
• Milk chocolate center combined with fresh mango and a hint of cayenne pepper rolled in toasted coconut.    
• This was a little too spicy for me.  
• Painkiller
•  Milk chocolate center with coconut milk, orange, pineapple, dark rum and nutmeg covered with milk chocolate and rolled in crushed banana chips.   
• Though a lot of the flavors were masked by the banana chips, I found this quite yummy! 
• Grand Marnier 
• Dark chocolate, Grand Marnier liqueur, orange juice and natural orange zest for the center, dipped into dark chocolate and dusted with cocoa powder.  
• Good, especially if you love Grand Marnier.
•  Mediterranean Madness 
• Dark chocolate combined with aged balsamic vinegar.  The center is dipped in dark chocolate. 
• Dan didn't taste the balsamic vinegar and I totally did, either way we both enjoyed it.
•  Port Wine & Cinnamon
•  Ruby port and cinnamon combination.   
• Liked this dark ganache, and I also liked it wasn't overwhelmingly cinnamon-y.  
• Chai Latte 
• Milk chocolate center combined with flavors of black tea, cloves, cardamom and vanilla bean, enrobed in milk chocolate.   
• I surprisingly didn't like this, which confuses me because normally it would have TOTALLY been right up my alley.  
• Chocolate Mousse 
• Dark chocolate inside and out with a hint of vanilla bean.   
• Great standard for dark chocolate lovers.

Friday Morning Haiku

From Design Editor.  This is the most amazing FREE printable party set!

Let us be honest

Do you really want to host

A party at dawn!?

On April 29th (2 Fridays from now!) is the Royal Wedding between Kate and William.  This is a pretty epic event in our lifetime (if you care about this kind of stuff), and you can be sure tons of people are trying to cash in on this.  To be honest, I am excited about the tradition of it all and I can't wait to watch, but I really don't care about what Kate's wearing or about the celebrity guest list or any of that crap.  I just care about watching history as it unfolds.  Besides, I freaking LOVE the monarchy and anything Uber-British.

All this being said, there is NO WAY I can even fathom hosting a watch party at 6am.  I am in awe of all those who are going to do it and who actually have friends willing to come over that early to do it with them.  Of course, you could always DVR it and watch it at a normal time....but I like to watch things live and besides, I don't own DVR :)

So this is how I anticipate my day:

Wake up at 5am

Hit snooze 5 times until 6am

Grumble

Get out of bed and make some tea

Crawl in the guest bed

Switch on the TV and sip my tea

Fight the urge not to fall back asleep/throw things at the TV at the commentators

Get hungry at 7am

Get pissed that I didn't make fancy scones for the occasion

Go to the kitchen and make some toast and jam, pour more tea

Get back into bed

Watch the wedding/get annoyed at the commentator talking about outfits and hairstyles

Get a bit patriotic and sing God Save the Queen

Fall asleep

Miss the processional and parade

Do you have any plans to watch the Royal Wedding?

Tiffin Boxes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One Sunday I HAVE to go to the Catonsville Atwater's for their Tiffin Box Brunch!!!  For $11.95 you choose 1 item from 3 courses and they come in a TIFFIN BOX!

What a great idea :) :)

I would choose:
1. Granola Parfait
2. Open faced Chicken Salad (especially because it's my favorite)
3. Mixed Fruit Scone

Read more about it here.  I like that you have the option of buying your own :)

Kona Grill, Downtown

Kona Grill is an upscale chain right in the middle of Baltimore's Inner Harbor.  It's in a seriously great location, the space itself is huge and it has a modern, yet classy feel to it.  In fact, it's so huge that it was perfect for a large group dinner that Dan and I went to.  Well, it was perfect sizing wise....however, our meal, unfortunately, did not measure up.

Before coming to the restaurant, Dan and I decided that we were going to try and limit our spending that night.  This meant no cocktails and no signature entrees (though we noticed that the prices they had on the online menu were LESS than the prices they had on their menu at the restaurant).  It should have also meant no dessert, but no one can tell me that I should skip dessert :)

Flatbread with Apple, Brie, Walnuts and Figs

I ordered a special - Flatbread with apple, brie, walnuts and FIGS for $13.  What could possibly go wrong (well......)?!?  Add figs to anything and I'm set for life. Unfortunately that was not the case.  I LOVE me some salt, but this was entirely too salty. It was also so overcooked that the dough was chewy and tough.  How disappointing.

I had some bites of Dan's Big Kahuna Cheeseburger (pictured above) which was tasty, but burnt around the edges :o/ The shoestring fries were yummy though.     

Red Velvet Cupcake

The picture above doesn't do justice for how big the Red Velvet Cupcake was.  It was HUGE!  What was hilarious is that we ordered the "hoard" size ($4) rather than the "share" size ($7) to save money and calories, and the smaller size was DEFINITELY enough for two people to share.  I wouldn't suggest getting anything bigger, especially since it's such a good deal for $4!  The cupcake was tasty, but not my favorite.  I liked the cake better than the icing.  The icing tasted like fridge.  Yes, fridge is a taste.

Now, I have to give them credit here.  We had 22 people in our party and all our food came out at the same time (which was probably led to my issues above) and they also split our checks for us.  I also heard good things from my fellow diners about their meals.

So overall, the food was disappointing, though the service and company were great!  What's sad is that Dan and I were really trying to keep a budget and yet our food was sadly below par because of that.  I'm sure I could have had a totally different experience (and a review) had we chosen entrées in the $20+ range.  I have heard they put on a great Happy Hour, which I wouldn't mind trying, but other than that, I can't imagine either of us will choose to come back here again, especially when it's so close to so many other delicious options. 

Teavolve Cafe and Lounge, Harbor East

 Mango Fruitea Smoothie

A friend and I went to Teavolve Cafe and Lounge in Harbor East for a wonderful Saturday brunch.  This place is airy and open with a lot of seating.  I also need to point out that this is not a tearoom, in fact, you don't even need to like tea to like this place, and trust me, you will like this place.  

I ordered a Mango Fruitea Smoothie, which was basically a mango slushie.  I could hardly tell it was made with tea actually, but it definitely was a refreshing way to start our visit.

Crab and Egg Croissant

I then ordered the Crab and Egg Croissant ($9) which came with chipotle aioli and a side of fruit.  This was a hefty sandwich, and I loved it!  There was plenty of crab for a breakfast sandwich, and I liked the kick of the aioli to round out the sweetness of the crab and croissant.  I was pleasantly full after this, so I had to bow out of trying all the delectable pastries and cakes that they serve.

Of course, we still ordered a pot of tea to sip while we continued to chat :)

This was a lovely and relaxed meal in a gorgeous, laidback setting.  I was also really impressed with the prices, especially for being located in Harbor East.  I would absolutely come again, and in fact, I can't wait until I do!

B&O American Brasserie's New Menu Items

Executive Chef Thomas Dunklin was hired by B&O American Brasserie in December 2010 and I was invited to try his debut menu!  I think you will love it.  The dishes are fresh, inventive, seasonal and FABULOUSLY delicious.  I can’t wait to show you! 

Oh, and by the way, Dan took all these pictures, just in case you thought my photography skills suddenly blossomed :)

Bread & Butter Basket

First off, they now bake their own bread and serve it with whipped butter and sea salt.   Lovely start to the anticipated meal :)

DRINKS

 

Morning Dew

My Morning Dew drink, made with gin, St. Germaine and lime juice (and other stuff ahahahah) tasted exactly like a cucumber, a cold and incredibly fresh cucumber!  I loved it and imagined myself sipping it while sitting on a porch in mid-summer. 

Dan tried the Hobo’s Cola & Bourbon ($9) made with Bulleit bourbon and housemade cola.  He loved it – and he’s a bourbon and coke guy, so this was a big stamp of approval :)

RAW MENU ITEMS 

Ahi Tuna Crudo

Ahi Tuna Crudo ($12) – Ahi Tuna with citrus sponge, puffed rice, cucumber and cilantro.  This dish had a wonderful citrus flavor, and I loved the crunch (and idea) of the puffed rice with the soft fish.  The texture of the dish was incredible.

Hamachi Tartare

Hamachi Tartare ($10) – red pepper broth, fried jalapeno, lime gremolata.  Fresh fresh fresh.  That is all I thought while I ate this.  Dan absolutely loved it too, which he was surprised about since he’s not a raw fish person. I loved the crispy jalapenos, which went well with the subtle flavor of the fish. 

CHARCUTERIE MENU ITEMS

Duck Breast Pastrami

Duck Breast Pastrami ($10) – Served with rye toast, candied turnip and fig puree.  Absolutely incredible.  Duck pastrami, you say?  Yes!!! Try it!  And with the fig puree, this was amazing!!!!  I made little open faced sandwiches and was in heaven. 

Besides, it had me at Fig Puree.

Trio of House Made Sausages (L-R: Chicken Kielbasa, Duck Chorizo, Lamb Andouille)

Trio of House Made Sausages ($11) – Duck chorizo, lamb andouille and chicken kielbasa. The chicken kielbasa was served with pickled cabbage on the bottom.  Yum.  The duck chorizo was served in this corn dog coating, which was delicious and spicy!!! The lamb was also spicy, but with a great flavor and I loved the addition of the cranberry (?) jam.  Oh wow, order this if you LOVE sausage - you will love all the different flavors!!!!

SMALL PLATES MENU ITEMS

Roasted Beet Carpaccio

Roasted Beet Carpaccio ($8) – Goat cheese, avocado pistachio and meyer lemon oil.  It was so delicate and light, especially with the flavors of the meyer lemon oil and soft goat cheese.  The pistachios gave it a good crunch!

Slow Roasted Pork Belly

Slow Roasted Pork Belly ($10) – Served with saffron potato, pearl onion, chorizo, serrano chili glaze.  WOW.  The belly was crispy, meaty and salty.  Dan said it tasted like a gigantic piece of bacon and he wanted a second plate!!  I loved the potatoes and chorizo, and surprising bits of pineapple.  LOVED this. 

Butter Poached Oysters and Chickpea Spaghetti with Quail Egg

Butter Poached Oysters ($10) - Served on chickpea spaghetti with sea urchin and quail egg.  This definitely wasn't a small plate by any means! Personally I am not a fan of oysters (yes, yes, I know, I am ridiculous), so this wasn't a favorite of mine, but I have to say that the chickpea spaghetti in the creamy sauce was great!!!  It was light, yet filling.  I couldn't believe it was made out of chickpeas - how adventurous!

Brick Oven Roasted Prawns with Chive Biscuits

Brick Oven Roasted Prawns ($11) - Ginger BBQ sauce, green onion sausage and chive biscuits on the side.  Look at that gorgeous presentation!!!   The roasted prawns were gingery and savory, and the sausage was a perfect complement.  Excellent flavor all around! And sopping up the juices with the chive biscuits was yummmmm!!!! I loved this dish. 

MAIN MENU ITEMS

Chickpea Fritters

Chickpea Fritters ($18) - Harissa yogurt, fava beans, pearl onions, greens. Mama, did you make this? The chickpea fritters are dense and chewy and have a lovely fennel spice to it. It's a great vegetarian option, though I do think it's a little too expensive for what it is and would be better as a Small Plate. 

Diver Sea Scallops

Diver Sea Scallops ($26) - Crab "fried" rice, radish, caramelized onion oil, crispy ginger and squid ink.  There was some SERIOUS crab meat in that fried rice.  At some points I couldn't even tell if there was any rice!  Wow.  The scallops were perfectly seared - soft in the middle and crispy on top.  The squid ink.....well...it scared me. But once again, cool presentation!

Veal Short Rib with Grits

Veal Short Rib ($26) - Grits, asparagus, olives, veal tomato sauce. This was a hearty entree, perfect for those cool spring nights.  The short ribs themselves had a much different flavor than regular short ribs I've had before.  I loved the crunchy asparagus mixed with the creamy grits and salty olives.

DESSERT MENU ITEMS

Flourless Chocolate Cake

Flourless Chocolate Cake ($8) - Toasted meringue, graham cracker and raspberry caramel. This dense, rich chocolate cake was so moist!!!  The toasted meringue tasted like marshmallows!  Served with the graham cracker, I felt like I was eating SMORES!!!!!  LOOOOOOVEDDDD this!!!!!!  So satisfying, even after eating a million bajillion things before it!

Lemon Thyme Creme Brulee

Lemon Thyme Creme Brulee ($7) - Dehydrated blueberries and molasses shortbread. I loved this citrus take on creme brulee!  Though the dehydrated blueberries or the shortbread didn't do much for me, I loved the creamy lightness of this dish. What a lovely ending to an incredible meal.


So there you have it.  I can't even begin to tell you how impressed Dan and I were with our meal at B&O American Brasserie.  Chef Dunklin is clearly a perfect match for this restaurant, and I think we are going to see so many amazing things from him as he continues his career here!!!!!

DISCLAIMER: Though this was a free tasting, I was not asked to write a positive review and felt no inclination to write anything which did not reflect my true opinion of B&O American Brasserie.

Friday Morning Haiku

 Taken from here

I hope Spice Coast wins

because I want a food chain

that serves samosas

 Truth.

Good morning everyone!!!

Does anyone else watch America's Next Great Restaurant?  I loooove that show!!!!! I am not sure how it compares to all the other reality food shows like Top Chef and Chopped since I don't have cable, but I think it's great!  As I said in my Haiku, I loooooove the Spice Coast concept. South Indian food = YUM!!!!!  There are not enough South Indian places!

Look at his menu, I would like all of them please:

(Taken from here)

So, what are your plans this weekend?  I am "running" the Cherry Blossom 10-miler.  Running is in quotations because I hurt my foot/ankle and I've been out of commission for about a month.  I am all better now, but I'm still nervous that I won't able to finish :o/  Oh well, the slower I go, the more I get to enjoy the cherry blossoms!

Have a lovely weekend :)