What's Cookin'

Job-searching, house-packing, and various other events and projects have put me into slow-mo when it comes to blogging. I do have a few updates though.

First, in case you were wondering, I had a black thumb this year. Thus why there weren't ever any photos of luscious lettuce and perky peppers. Sadly everything pretty much stopped growing when it got a few inches high. To green thumbs next year!

Second, we've hit Cafe Estelle and Tiffin on the restaurant list below. This week we're doing Q.T. Vietnamese Sandwich and Brauhaus Schmitz. Next week: ? Though I'm pulling for either Pumpkin or Tinto. Or both. Hmm, that would be a good-eating week.

Third, here are three photos from Headhouse Farmers' Market and one of the meal that resulted from the market's bounty: grilled halloumi, roasted corn off the cob, and radicchio salad with heirloom tomatoes and cucumber.

Fine Food and Free Rice

At the end of August we're leaving Philly for Washington, DC. Before that happens we plan to go to the following bars and restaurants (narrowed down from 120):

A La Maison
A.P.J. Texas Wieners
Brauhaus Schmitz
Cafe Estelle
Carman's Country Kitchen
Chicks
Chris Jazz Cafe
Coquette
Dock Street Brewery
Earth Bread and Brewery
Ekta
Famous Fourth Street Deli
Grey Lodge
Honey's Sit n Eat
Horizons
James
Joe's Peking Duck Original 1984
Lee How Fook
Marigold Kitchen
Pumpkin
Q.T. Vietnamese Sandwich
Ron’s Ribs
South Philly Taproom
Tiffin
Tinto
Vic
Villa di Roma

If anybody has any further suggestions or thoughts, let me know. Philly's such an incredible food (and drink) town. Here's to hoping that DC can fit the bill.

And now for something completely different...I read about this in my hubby's Men's Health (don't ask, I was curious). In just a couple minutes' time, I donated over 200 grains of rice (and I plan on donating a lot more)! Everybody should know about this site. It's got to be the simplest way to make a bit of difference.

Transcendent Talula's Table

Yes, it's true. A couple weeks ago I dined at Talula's Table. (Don't hate me.) Arguably the toughest reservation in the country. In Kennett Square, PA, coined the "mushroom capital of the world," though it doesn't feel like the capital of anything. The town (village really) is tiny and quaint. But the food at Talula's is colossal (in flavor) and enlightened (in concept, method, and presentation). Even words like "ethereal" and "transcendent" fail to describe the experience of sitting around the restaurant's single farmhouse-style table, surrounded by friends and loved ones, enjoying one of the best meals you'll ever have. Sincere thanks to R and E for inviting us to celebrate their anniversary with them. It was a delight!

The menu changes monthly. Here's what we ate. Again, don't hate me. And below are pictures of a few of the courses. I especially liked the barbecue-style duck.