Baking as a refuge.

This weekend I worked Friday and Saturday nights checking IDs at a local bar. Saturday night happened to be quite busy and after sleeping in a good amount earlier that day I was still energetic and decided to stay after hours and spend some time with the employees, namely one. I ended up staying there until just past 7am this morning after a night of deep conversation, intent listening, snacks, and short naps. Needless to say my sleeping schedule was altered and I woke up mid-afternoon. I puttered around for a bit, caught up on some of my favorite TV shows, and then figured it was the perfect opportunity to bake something.

My boyfriend and his friends get together every Sunday night for what they call "Halo night" where they play the video game Halo and drink beer into the early hours of the morning. Fairly self-explanatory. I occasionally join as a viewer (never ever a player) and had been itching for some time now to bring something with me that I baked. House full of guys + video games = appreciation for munchies/baked goods, right? Plus I figured it was my way of contributing and saying, "Thanks for letting me come over and join you guys even though I, um, never intend to play."

But what to bake? I love baking. There are steps that one takes, measurements given, batters to be mixed, ingredients that are prepared and stirred in; everything is explained in the recipe to create a desirable end result. The challenge is getting there, being meticulous with each step, having an understanding and appreciation for the recipe, and knowing which additions and substitutions won't lead to the downfall of your creation. I feel competent and in control in the kitchen when I don't in other realms. Above all, baking is patient with me when sometimes others aren't. I'm allowed to take my time. I'm allowed to get frustrated and often step away. Baking is a way for me to find inner peace and balance in the rhythm of life. Half the time I don't even eat too much of what I've made, though I taste it to make sure it's up to my standards. If it isn't I'll usually figure out how to fix it next time. The best part for me is actually being in the kitchen, focusing on creating for a period of time, and feeling accomplished afterwards.

My go-to recipes are generally quickbreads/muffins and cookies. I've been making a lot of both lately so much that I can't remember much else I've made in the past year that doesn't fall into either category - a lemon tart, molten chocolate cakes, scones, biscuits, and key lime pies... that's about it. Today I was contemplating making oatmeal chocolate chip cookies (one of my favorites) but really felt like doing something different. My train of thought went something like this, "Brownies? Hmm, maybe. Chocolate's generally a crowd pleaser. But maybe I should do something seasonally appropriate? Apples? Hmmm. Oh wait, I could do those apple streusel bars I've been thinking about making for a while now."

I still went back and forth though - brownies or apple streusel bars? Did I have the patience for peeling and slicing apples before they browned with no lemon juice on hand, making a crust, and whipping up a glaze? Ultimately I listened to my food gut which told me to try something new, fall-appropriate, and cinnamon-spiced. Plus nothing says, "Please love me" like a buttery pie crust. Truth.

I'm happy to say that everything went very smoothly. The crust/streusel topping came together nicely, the apples were spiced just enough, and the glaze with a little bit of work was the perfect consistency. (I actually added some cinnamon to the glaze because I felt like it fell a little flat without it.) No major mishaps and the bars were delicious and exactly what I hoped they would be.

I love it when that happens.

End note: I brought the bars to Halo night and the guys were just getting into them as I left. I got the seal of approval from the boy, so I hope they enjoyed it.

Lucky #4: Escafe's brunch.

"We plan, we toil, we suffer -- in the hope of what? A camel-load of idol's eyes? The title deeds of Radio City? The empire of Asia? A trip to the moon? No, no, no, no. Simply to wake up just in time to smell coffee and bacon and eggs. And, again I cry, how rarely it happens! But when it does happen -- then what a moment, what a morning, what a delight!"
- J. B. Priestley, British author (1894-1984)

I had the opportunity two weekends ago to go to an invite-only soft opening of Sunday brunch for one of the historic Downtown Mall's bookends, Escafe. The restaurant is known for its lively nightlife scene, which include dance parties on Friday and Saturday nights that spill out into its patio in the warm months and bar dancing. Unbeknownst to me more than half a year ago it is also a solid choice for food. If you're looking for a restaurant with a great location on the mall and moderately-priced food that is "creative, yet accessible," Escafe is your place. Accessibility in cuisine cannot be stressed enough for me. I'm fairly adventurous when it comes to trying new foods but dine numerous times with people who are not. Muy importante, indeed.



Photo courtesy of The Hook
Escafe's slogan is "comfort food with a twist" and it certainly rings true at their new brunch. My boyfriend and I walked swiftly past the PRIVATE PARTY sign taped on the door and after being seated devoured the menu. Whenever I'm going to a new place and/or feeling particularly adventurous, I'll ask the server for his or her favorite dishes but this time I didn't need to; our server suggested we try the Eggs Benedict and said the potato medley was “the bomb” which frankly was all I needed to hear. I advise to listen to what the servers recommend especially if they suggest it without your asking first.

My dining partner ordered the traditional Eggs Benedict with bacon and scrapple as sides. (Let's now ignore the fact that there were three different types of pork on his plate.) I ordered the french toast with the potato medley and grits. We heard the Bloody Marys were excellent but neither he or I wanted to drink any alcohol that morning, so we stuck with the basics: coffee and oj.

I was excited when our food arrived. The Eggs Benedict was delightful -- perfectly cooked. The french toast was made with baguette which made it substantial but difficult to cut (and eat) because of the bread’s texture but otherwise the flavor was there. A little disappointing since I don't like anything to get in the way of food and my enjoyment. The potato medley was essentially home fries, cubed potatoes cooked with peppers, onions, sweet potatoes, and possibly more root vegetables. Unexpectedly delicious, it was well-seasoned and the vegetables were crispy and not the slightest bit mushy. My favorite part of the meal.

And being a self-pronounced baker I shouldn’t forget that the meal started off with complimentary scones, biscuits, and a slice of sweet bread. The scones were the clear frontrunner. Baked with dried cranberries, they were just how I like scones if they’re not hot from the oven but are still very fresh (as in baked earlier that morning): hard crust, buttery and spongey on the inside. A+

All in all, Sunday brunch should be a successful venture for Escafe. It’s located adjacent to The Omni which will be convenient and appealing to out-of-towners. Regardless, the restaurant will receive a decent amount of foot traffic from people who relish a good breakfast. Like yours truly.

High points: Eggs Benedict, potato medley, scones, friendly wait staff

The frozen treat debate: ice cream vs. gelato vs. frozen yogurt.

As an ode to a summer quickly coming to a close, my thoughts have turned to frozen treats. One of my first jobs in high school was at a mom-and-pop neighborhood ice cream shop nestled in an urban village of my hometown. We served homemade ice cream, all the regular favorites and twists on them like strawberry cookies ‘n cream, dirt (chocolate ice cream with oreos and gummy worms), and head in the clouds (blue vanilla with marshmallow swirl). I made brownie sundaes and milkshakes piled high with whipped cream, sprinkles, and cherries.

I had so many good memories at that shop with its marble counters, black and white tile floors, and small refrigerator stocked with old fashioned Coca Cola glass bottles. This probably explains part of the reason why I’m partial to ice cream over other frozen desserts. And yes... that includes frozen yogurt. Arch's frozen yogurt even. (Telling someone you don’t like Arch’s in Charlottesville is like saying you don’t think Thomas Jefferson was really that big of a deal; it’s heresy.) My apologies but when I want something cold and sweet, why not go rich and creamy and with high milkfat content? That’s all I’m sayin’.

I think Chaps serves the best ice cream in town and I would take it over Splendora’s or Arch’s any day. Not only is their ice cream homemade but so are their waffle cones which are buttery, crisp, and light. I usually go with the coffee ice cream and always have it in a waffle cone. (Make sure they’re currently homemade.) Their coffee ice cream is unique and tastes different from most others, though I still can’t pinpoint exactly what it is. I think it’s the coffee granules Chaps mixes in which add texture and different flavor notes than most places which add just coffee which is generally brewed strong and mixed in. I also love their black raspberry and oreo and know people that swear by cookie dough and, depending on how sweet it is, their birthday cake flavor.

If I’m going to do frozen yogurt (which is usually out of convenience more than anything) I would go to Sweet Frog, the new kid in town, which opened just over a month ago at the space across from the movie theater and next to Mudhouse downtown. I like it better than Arch’s because it’s self-serve, you’re able to control your portions of yogurt and toppings, and you’re charged by the ounce which means I can go toppings crazy and not spend 50 cents for each one I order. It also tastes fresher to me and has more options than its competitor. Sometimes I want fruity, cake batter-y, brownie, mochi, and whipped cream. At Sweet Frog, there’s no judgement.

If I’m in a gelato kind of mood I would circle over to Milano at the pink warehouse building next to South Street Brewery on none other than South Street. I actually haven’t been there since they moved from their Main Street Market location, but their gelato always hit the spot for me. They’re not winning in the choices department since they usually only have somewhere between two and five flavors available, but their gelato has a smoothness and creaminess that Splendora’s lacks. They often have interesting flavor combinations (one of my friends a while back got something with lemon and basil I think?) and I haven’t tasted a bad flavor yet so be adventurous and order at least two flavors: one traditional and the other not.

I’ll admit frozen yogurt and gelato serve their purpose but overall the others just don't cut it. Maybe it’s not cool to like ice cream anymore over the age of 13 but I’m sticking to my guns. I want my frozen dessert to be served old fashioned in a glass dish with loads of hot fudge, whipped cream, and a cherry -- 10 to 16% milkfat and all.

Blogging therapy.

It’s time to buckle down and just DO IT. I started this blog over a month ago and have yet to do another entry despite having a few exciting food experiences. I’ve scribbled down tons of ideas for entries I want to eventually write, but really it’s just hard to start. What are the greatest insecurities of a fledgling blogger? There are a series of articles on “blogging therapy” and the psychology of starting a blog that I’m sure many people can relate to. Most of the series is listed here. Please take note of parts 3, 6, and 9. My thoughts exactly.

Why do so many people start blogs yet stop them? Or more generally, why do we fail to start or continue things that we’re at one point so determined to achieve? The more I think about this video I saw last night the more I can see the validity in it. The gist is that mentioning your goals to others can make you less likely to reach them because you’ve already experienced the instant gratification of having someone give you a (verbal) “pat on the back” and thus part of the satisfaction of having reached that goal. Basically, one feels less of a need to achieve the goal because they feel like they already have. I think this probably accounts for part of the reason why I started the blog and left it hanging in the air. Knowing about this social psychological phenomenon will lessen the likeliness of its occurrence, so now I know (or rather, now I remember since I majored in psychology and concentrated in social psychology for my undergraduate studies and learned about this) and I have no excuse.

But enough about me, for now. On to the food. I’m going to start simply with a few lists. A warm-up if you will.

Some of my favorite dishes in town:

- fried tofu green curry at Monsoon (Note: Has been known to turn tofu skeptics into lovers)

- bacon-wrapped dates at Mas (I don’t care if you can make them at home. I can’t. They are worth all the hype and have won a much-deserved Best of C-VILLE “Best Dish” in the past.)

- steak chinoise at C&O (An old favorite and reliable choice at one of my favorite restaurants in town. So far has been featured on all of their Restaurant Week menus.)

- gingerbread pancakes at the Tavern (These are seasonal and available during the winter months. You will soon learn if you already didn't know that I love me some breakfast food, so yes, pancakes made this short list.)

Recent yums:

- pupusas from La Michoacana Deli

I had been wanting to try this place for a while and my coworker and I just decided to do it for lunch one day. I ordered chicken tacos with their homemade guacamole, a cheese pupusa, and rice and beans. We both agreed that next time we would try the beef or pork since the chicken was a little dry. The pupusa on the other hand was delicious. I’m from Arlington (northern Virginia) as well where there is no shortage of places that serve authentic Latin American cuisine. I basically grew up eating pupusas and yucca from the womb. As my coworker said after tasting it, “Oh my god... that’s the best thing I ever put in my mouth.” Yup. It was cheesy, crispy, melt-in-your-mouth pupusa-deliciousness.

- crabcake sandwich from Bizou

I’m going to be honest -- I think this deserve its own post, but I’m going to wimp out. I was with my cousin who was in town about three months ago and we decided to go to Bizou for lunch as a belated birthday treat for her. The crabcake sandwich was one of the specials of the day and I ordered it on a whim. My server actually told me 10 minutes after we placed our orders that it was three more dollars than she had originally said but it was fine. Holy hell I still think about it... I think about it as I’m falling into sweet slumber. A few things I remember though it’s unfortunately become a distant memory: it wasn’t too big, it was flavorful, it had just enough breading (screw that "too much breading, not enough crab" business, breading is what often makes a crabcake for moi) and the aioli served with it was perfection. The sandwich was served with a side of mixed greens that were lightly dressed in a vinaigrette. I now walk by Bizou and casually check the menu and specials hoping that it will make another appearance. No luck yet.

So there’s my roll-up so far. My toes are officially dipped.

Intro.

Simply put, I'm obsessed with food.  I love to bake, get stressed out when cooking, but ultimately love to eat.  I've lived in Charlottesville for almost six years now and I've been able to explore my surroundings and all this great town has to offer by... well, eating.  I can confidently say that I know the restaurants in the area well and I think I have a knack for being able to pick the right restaurant for the right occasion.  I'm starting this blog as a fun way for me to document my dining experiences in town, from the horrible disappointments to the little gems that you may not have heard of.

A little bit of background:  It all started in college.  A good friend of mine would ask me periodically for restaurant advice, such as where he and his girlfriend should go for their anniversary dinner, a good place to bring his parents while they were in town, etc.  I'm not sure when it was but at one point I inquired rather frankly, "Why are you asking me?"  His answer was along the lines of "You know all the good places around and you talk about food a lot."  "Really?"  I thought to myself. "Do I really talk about food that much?"  I was mildly embarrassed but flattered nonetheless.  Funny how other people view and notice things about you that you hardly realize about yourself.

The idea for starting this blog sprung from thinking about passion.  What are we each passionate about and how are we incorporating these things into our daily lives?  Some people are lucky to have their passion be their job -- the ultimate "when business meets pleasure."  Some of us have to find ways to sneak it in.  A recent conversation made me come to the conclusion that I wasn't doing enough of this for myself.  I figure when your passions are as general as people and food, it is harder to incorporate them in your daily life because it's difficult to differentiate the passion from the everyday.  Ultimately, I'm not starved for either so I have to find a way to make them my own.

Most guys and haters can tune out now:  One of my favorite shows is Sex and the City (if you can appreciate that, good for you, if you can't, you should really educate yourself) and I can't help but randomly quote lines from it, often just in my head.  The main character Carrie, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, gets a freelance job at Vogue to help pay for her once rent-controlled apartment which she know owns and has to put up with her boss/editor, played by Candice Bergen, who is somewhat of a tyrant.  At the end of this particular episode, Ms. Editor criticizes Carrie's article about shoes point blank by saying, "Shoes?!  What does Carrie Bradshaw know about shoes?!"  Carrie then stops abruptly while they're walking through the office and confidently replies, "I may not know much about men, but shoes -- shoes, I know."  That about sums it up for me if you replace "shoes" with "food."