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.

Eating Coastal Maine

We spent the second week of June in beautiful, coastal Maine. Even though it was overcast with occasional rain nearly the whole trip, the scenery was breathtaking--especially the view from atop Mt. Battie. The fog rolled out from the Camden harbor as we watched from high above. But what really floored us was the food in both big-city Portland and sleepy-town Camden (with a few stops in between). Let's just say we ate well--and often. Here's a list of what we did food-wise (in chronological order):

• Street and Co., Portland
• Whole Foods, Portland
• Coffee By Design, Portland
• Portland Lobster Co.
• Vignola, Portland
• Fore Street, Portland (Wood-burning oven, grill, and turnspit. Enough said.)
• Frosty's, Brunswick
• Red's Eats, Wiscasset (Lobster rolls and fried zucchini with ranch dressing. Yum.)
  
• Gilbert's Publick House, Camden
• French and Brawn, Camden
• Hartstone Inn, Camden
• Cappy's Chowder House, Camden
• Chase's Daily, Belfast (Farm-fresh fare done right.)
  
• Francine Bistro, Camden (First-rate in every way.)

OK, last post I said that three Maine restaurants lead my favorites list (Francine, Fore Street, and Chase's Daily--in that order), but I qualified that by noting it was as of that day. As of today, Talula's Table tops the list. My next post will attempt to describe the ethereal experience I had on Saturday night in Kennett Square.

Up Next: Mainely Eating

Look for this weekend's post on what we did during our recent vacation. Hint: Check out my clever (read lame) post title.

From the most incredible Whole Foods ever (well, except for maybe the flagship store in Austin) to a coffee roastery (?) to fine dining white tablecloth-style to a dockside lobster establishment to the most blessed (think Billy Graham) doughnut shop ever.

Maine's state motto "Dirigo" means "I lead." As of today (because it changes frequently), three Maine restaurants lead my favorites list. Yes, Maine.