I really enjoy reviewing restaurants for all of you. I thought my favorite part of my blog would be sharing recipes but I seem to get more feedback when I introduce you to a new dining experience.
That is why I was so pleased to realize that Sunday begins St. Louis Downtown Restaurant Week. The news came just as I was lamenting that I wished I had the capitol to try more places to share with you. I highly encourage you to check out the site for the event by following the link below. Supporting local restaurants in Downtown St. Louis can only do good things for our beloved Gateway to the West.
Here is the scoop. 25 local restaurants participate and post their menus on the event page. Each menu includes at least 3 courses of mix and match delights. Your total bill (for each restaurant), not including tax and tip, will be 25 bucks per person. That isn't bad at all considering that these are some of the nicer St. Louis eateries, ones I certainly cannot normally afford. Your menu choices are limited but they are also online for you to view before you decide where to partake.
I have mentally bookmarked a few that I will narrow down to one. The prices are unbeatable but still slightly exceed my dining out budget for a week. If you have opinions of where I should choose, voice them. Who knows, maybe I will take YOUR suggestion. Of course, I will log back on to let you know if I was delighted or disgusted.
http://www.downtownrestaurantweek.net
Friday, July 31, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Try Something New: My Adventure with Olives
I love food! I love cooking with it, tasting it, looking at it, reading about it. I love food! I HATE when people are close minded about food. Perhaps "hate" is a strong word, but it is a pet peeve of mine when someone says "I don't like that" only to discover they haven't had "that" since their crazy Aunt Martha made it at Thanksgiving when they were 12. So you can imagine how big of a hypocrite I feel like every time I walk by the olive bar in any well stocked grocery store.
My relationship with olives goes back to childhood. My mother battled weight problems and up until about 6 years ago was loosing that battle. I am very proud of the way that she has since taken on that challenge and won! That does does not diminish the image of her as a child in my mind. The image in my mind is of an overweight woman in a house coat, at the dinner table eating olives out of the jar. Now, many people have no problem eating olives out of jar, and I don't find any fault with it in itself, but for years that image poisoned my view of olives. The smell, the texture, the pickly-ness of them. It all turned me away.
A couple of years ago, the overwhelming sensation to practice what I preach washed over me and instead of feeling weary as I walked by the olive bar I felt determined. I was going to eat these olives until they didn't disgust me. I started by picking up the sampling cup and placing in it one olive (I can't remember the kind cleary at this time) and a piece of roasted garlic. I tentatively put the olive in my mouth and the most amazing thing happened.... I gagged. Yes, folks, they still grossed me out. I quickly ate the garlic to wash the briny olive down and walked quickly past my recent conquest. Of course it was a conquest. While I still gagged, I did it. After 30 years of avoiding them I faced them head on.
Did I stop there, NO! The next time I was in that grocery store I did the same thing but this time... no gag. The next time... no gag. Progressivly, I came to not hate the olive, then respect the olive, and eventually love and crave the olive. Theory has it that you have to taste something several times before you know if you really like it. That theory held true for me and my olives. maybe there is a food in your life that you have bad memories of. Get out there and make new memories with that disdained food. At the very least when some smarmy foodie, like me says "how do you know you don't like it, when is the last time you tried it?" You can say, "just last week, still don't like it." But maybe you will find something more, maybe you will fall in love, like I did. I still can't stand the thought of eating one out of the jar though.
My relationship with olives goes back to childhood. My mother battled weight problems and up until about 6 years ago was loosing that battle. I am very proud of the way that she has since taken on that challenge and won! That does does not diminish the image of her as a child in my mind. The image in my mind is of an overweight woman in a house coat, at the dinner table eating olives out of the jar. Now, many people have no problem eating olives out of jar, and I don't find any fault with it in itself, but for years that image poisoned my view of olives. The smell, the texture, the pickly-ness of them. It all turned me away.
A couple of years ago, the overwhelming sensation to practice what I preach washed over me and instead of feeling weary as I walked by the olive bar I felt determined. I was going to eat these olives until they didn't disgust me. I started by picking up the sampling cup and placing in it one olive (I can't remember the kind cleary at this time) and a piece of roasted garlic. I tentatively put the olive in my mouth and the most amazing thing happened.... I gagged. Yes, folks, they still grossed me out. I quickly ate the garlic to wash the briny olive down and walked quickly past my recent conquest. Of course it was a conquest. While I still gagged, I did it. After 30 years of avoiding them I faced them head on.
Did I stop there, NO! The next time I was in that grocery store I did the same thing but this time... no gag. The next time... no gag. Progressivly, I came to not hate the olive, then respect the olive, and eventually love and crave the olive. Theory has it that you have to taste something several times before you know if you really like it. That theory held true for me and my olives. maybe there is a food in your life that you have bad memories of. Get out there and make new memories with that disdained food. At the very least when some smarmy foodie, like me says "how do you know you don't like it, when is the last time you tried it?" You can say, "just last week, still don't like it." But maybe you will find something more, maybe you will fall in love, like I did. I still can't stand the thought of eating one out of the jar though.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Hands Dirty and Spicy
I have a complete brown thumb. I once had a friend give me a plant that was 10 years old, had been through several moves and a car accident. I killed it promptly. The exception to that rule seems to be growing things I can eat. I have been pretty successful with herbs and for the first time I am branching out into the world of tomatoes and peppers.
I woke early this morning and unpackaged the upside down tomato grower I purchased a couple of months ago (when I should have planted my garden). It was just as easy as the commercials suggest. I didn't stop with tomatoes though. I planted the usual herbs; basil, cilantro, flat leaf parsely. I was so pleased with my work I went back to the store and added a couple of hot peppers, and an heirloom tomato. I know I planted way too late in the season but I am a person of faith. I can't wait to see the fruits of my labor.
Mom's Salsa Cruda
2-4 large tomatoes diced
1 jalapeno minced (for hot leave the seeds in)
2 cloves garlic minced
1 medium-large onion, chopped
1 bunch cilantro (about 1/4 cup)
salt and pepper
1 lime
Optional ingredients: Avocado, red, yellow, or green pepper, cucumber, let your imagination go wild.
Mix the tomato, jalapeno, garlic, onion, and cilantro in medium serving bowl. Squeeze the juice of one lime over, season with salt and pepper. Mix and cover. Let ii refrigerate for about an hour and serve with tortilla chips, or over steak, fish, etc.
I woke early this morning and unpackaged the upside down tomato grower I purchased a couple of months ago (when I should have planted my garden). It was just as easy as the commercials suggest. I didn't stop with tomatoes though. I planted the usual herbs; basil, cilantro, flat leaf parsely. I was so pleased with my work I went back to the store and added a couple of hot peppers, and an heirloom tomato. I know I planted way too late in the season but I am a person of faith. I can't wait to see the fruits of my labor.
Mom's Salsa Cruda
2-4 large tomatoes diced
1 jalapeno minced (for hot leave the seeds in)
2 cloves garlic minced
1 medium-large onion, chopped
1 bunch cilantro (about 1/4 cup)
salt and pepper
1 lime
Optional ingredients: Avocado, red, yellow, or green pepper, cucumber, let your imagination go wild.
Mix the tomato, jalapeno, garlic, onion, and cilantro in medium serving bowl. Squeeze the juice of one lime over, season with salt and pepper. Mix and cover. Let ii refrigerate for about an hour and serve with tortilla chips, or over steak, fish, etc.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Pantry Raid
I want to take the first part of this entry to thank those of you who have read my blog and given me feedback. I am very much encouraged by your words and look forward to hearing more from you. If you have a recipe or tip to share PLEASE share it, its part of the reason that I am doing this.
Today, I had to pull together another lunch of things that I found in the pantry. We all do this almost every day and usually find ourselves falling into monotony with our meals. I fall into this trap all the time. I feel like the interesting food that I love takes time, preparation, MONEY. Lately I am lacking in the latter more than anything. That means a serious drought of interesting ingredients, and going back to that same pantry over and over again.
To combat that I began to look at what I do have differently. A cheap yellow onion became caramelized onions. Frozen flat bread became a pizza crust, a bulb of garlic began to melt before my eyes into a mellow rich roasted garlic. Throwing in the left over sliced mushrooms from a previous meal and I had caramelized onion and goat cheese pizza with roasted garlic and mushrooms. I admit, I had to make a special trip for the goat cheese, but it cost me 4 bucks. I love goat cheese anyway, so the left overs will go in a salad in a couple of days. I am looking forward to having my pizza for dinner. I can already taste it in my mind, and its delicious.
Take a look at your pantry and let me know what you find. What do you have hidden in there that becomes something interesting with a little imagination added in for spice. Maybe you will inspire others with what you share.
Today, I had to pull together another lunch of things that I found in the pantry. We all do this almost every day and usually find ourselves falling into monotony with our meals. I fall into this trap all the time. I feel like the interesting food that I love takes time, preparation, MONEY. Lately I am lacking in the latter more than anything. That means a serious drought of interesting ingredients, and going back to that same pantry over and over again.
To combat that I began to look at what I do have differently. A cheap yellow onion became caramelized onions. Frozen flat bread became a pizza crust, a bulb of garlic began to melt before my eyes into a mellow rich roasted garlic. Throwing in the left over sliced mushrooms from a previous meal and I had caramelized onion and goat cheese pizza with roasted garlic and mushrooms. I admit, I had to make a special trip for the goat cheese, but it cost me 4 bucks. I love goat cheese anyway, so the left overs will go in a salad in a couple of days. I am looking forward to having my pizza for dinner. I can already taste it in my mind, and its delicious.
Take a look at your pantry and let me know what you find. What do you have hidden in there that becomes something interesting with a little imagination added in for spice. Maybe you will inspire others with what you share.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Tuesday at Friday's (South)
Its Tuesday, you're one day into your work week and the one thing on your mind is a big juicy cheeseburger with fries. PERFECT! Friday's South has your fix.
Friday's South is located amongst the downtown bars in Collinsville Illinois. Their daily specials keep the locals packing the place all day and all night. A long gunshot interior, remodeled from an old hardware store, houses high top bar tables, a long bar, familiar faces, and a staff that remembers your drink orders from week to week.
I started going to Friday's South with Gene a couple weeks after we started dating. Its a tradition of some of his friends to meet there on Mondays for 25 cent wings. By the second week I was there Rachel (our regular waitress) had my diet Coke on the table before I even knew I wanted one.
One week, looking for something other than the perfectly cooked fire hot wings, I ordered a burger. Its a moment that I will never forget. Expecting a half decent bar burger I got something so much more. The bun was soft and toasted. Inside it sat a thick, juicy, flavorful burger. The toppings come on the side and is normally served with chips, I replaced them with fries. The fries are the perfect shoe string seasoned with what seems to be simple salt and pepper.
On Tuesday's you can get that burger with a choice of cheese, and those yummy fries for 4 bucks! If you are looking for a perfect burger, friendly service, a comfortable and relaxed setting then head to Friday's South where everybody knows your name. The pizza happens to be incredible too!
Friday's South is located amongst the downtown bars in Collinsville Illinois. Their daily specials keep the locals packing the place all day and all night. A long gunshot interior, remodeled from an old hardware store, houses high top bar tables, a long bar, familiar faces, and a staff that remembers your drink orders from week to week.
I started going to Friday's South with Gene a couple weeks after we started dating. Its a tradition of some of his friends to meet there on Mondays for 25 cent wings. By the second week I was there Rachel (our regular waitress) had my diet Coke on the table before I even knew I wanted one.
One week, looking for something other than the perfectly cooked fire hot wings, I ordered a burger. Its a moment that I will never forget. Expecting a half decent bar burger I got something so much more. The bun was soft and toasted. Inside it sat a thick, juicy, flavorful burger. The toppings come on the side and is normally served with chips, I replaced them with fries. The fries are the perfect shoe string seasoned with what seems to be simple salt and pepper.
On Tuesday's you can get that burger with a choice of cheese, and those yummy fries for 4 bucks! If you are looking for a perfect burger, friendly service, a comfortable and relaxed setting then head to Friday's South where everybody knows your name. The pizza happens to be incredible too!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Dare To Blog
Yesterday Gene and I were sitting at Borders, he was looking through stacks of books about bio-diesel, and I was copying down recipes from cookbooks and magazines I couldn't afford to buy. Gene looks up and me and says "you should blog about this".
"Blog about sitting at Borders?"
"No, blog about food."
At first I thought this a ridiculous notion. I have read other people's blog's. They are usually boring, and who wants to read my boring blog about food. I don't know enough about food to blog about it. I'm not a chef. I am not even a very accomplished home cook. Watching the Food Network, messing up recipes, and planning my vacations around eateries does not qualify me to write about food.
Then we got in the car to go to my house. He was full from lunch and prattling on about a hotel he stayed in that had an uninstalled toilet sitting in the middle of the room. All I could think about was what I was going to pull together for a snack when I got home. I was taking a mental inventory of my refrigerator and pantry. A bit of yellow pepper, a can of black beans, some chopped onion, cumin, wish I had a jalepeno.....mmmmm Hot Black Bean Salsa.
So here I am writing about food. Not just cooking, not just eating, all things FOOD. Food I try to make, food I try and love, try and hate, restaurants, discovered ingredients, eating healthy, TRYING to eat healthy, and loving food. So grab a fork and dig in!
"Blog about sitting at Borders?"
"No, blog about food."
At first I thought this a ridiculous notion. I have read other people's blog's. They are usually boring, and who wants to read my boring blog about food. I don't know enough about food to blog about it. I'm not a chef. I am not even a very accomplished home cook. Watching the Food Network, messing up recipes, and planning my vacations around eateries does not qualify me to write about food.
Then we got in the car to go to my house. He was full from lunch and prattling on about a hotel he stayed in that had an uninstalled toilet sitting in the middle of the room. All I could think about was what I was going to pull together for a snack when I got home. I was taking a mental inventory of my refrigerator and pantry. A bit of yellow pepper, a can of black beans, some chopped onion, cumin, wish I had a jalepeno.....mmmmm Hot Black Bean Salsa.
So here I am writing about food. Not just cooking, not just eating, all things FOOD. Food I try to make, food I try and love, try and hate, restaurants, discovered ingredients, eating healthy, TRYING to eat healthy, and loving food. So grab a fork and dig in!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)