Sisterhood of the traveling Julz...

We had many visitors this summer, each of which had different experiences in our new hometown. These experiences included many a good meal, of course. It gave us the chance to highlight just a few of the countless "locavore" and unique establishments during their time in Missoula. Also, it gave me an excuse to go to some of my favorite eateries!

My sister, Julie was our last visitor of the season, so I have decided to feature her trip first since it was the most recent. The first day of her stay, Jordan and I picked Julz up from the airport and didn't waste any time. We went straight to the "L" for an intense hike...well, according to Julie at least. She wasn't really acclimated to climbing MOUNTAINS yet, I guess :)

After the hike, we got her fishing license and took her FLY FISHING in the Clark Fork River. Surprisingly enough, she caught a fish!! That provided us with our first dinner of her visit.

Actually...that was a joke. She kindly let the fish go.

I figured then that our only option was to go to BIGA PIZZA.

The ANTIPASTI platter here is to die for! Homemade focaccia, prosciutto, fresh mozzerella, provolone, olives, basil, pepperoncini, pickled vegetables, parmesiana, pears, house made pepperoni, etc.

Half artichoke, kalamata olives, feta cheese, red pepper / Half prosciutto, arugula, tomato, mascarpone cheese / Wholly delicious

Next stop: TEN SPOON WINERY

This is located in the Rattlesnake district of town up in the mountains. What a gorgeous setting to enjoy a tasting! They use grapes from their on-site vineyard but also feature wines made from berries, cherries, pears, and apples from the Northwest region.

Take note of the fact that Julz decided to try out a random scooter we found in the parking lot.

Some might find value in eating the endless breadsticks they provide at Ten Spoon. However, we like to think of ourselves as a bit more innovative...

The GOOD FOOD STORE is a local, Whole Foods-ish establishment at which one can do everything from buying weekly groceries, eating lunch, grabbing a coffee with a friend, ordering fresh-squeezed juices, or taking a cooking class! There are always so many options, so we decided to "do lunch" there. (I love that term. It makes eating together sound like more of an activity or event...which I always view it as such.)

Remember the aforementioned note of Julz attempting to try out a wheeled mode of transportation while tasting local wines? Well, her first sample of local beer was not much different. She got a bottle of Big Sky Brewing Company IPA and decided to go for a spin on Jordan's longboard. Noticing any humorous parallels here?...

The sweet highlight of anyone's trip to Zootown...as far as food is concerned, of course. BIG DIPPER!! Matching dark chocolate dipped waffle cones filled with creamy goodness! I love how we bundled up just so that we could sit outside and eat our ice cream comfortably. Because, hey...there is no other seating option BUT outdoors at Big Dipper!

So...Julie felt a bit under the weather especially on the day that we took her up to Glacier National Park. It is a bit chillier up there in the mountains, so when we got back into town she was CRAVING a particular meal. Those of you who do not have the absolute pleasure of knowing my sister probably do not understand the weight of this word when it comes to Julie. "Crave". I might "crave" chocolate, but if it's not around, I'm okay with that. I move on with life.

However, when Julie "craves" something she NEEDS it! And generally, she acts upon it. Her craving that sticks out in my mind is the one she gets (not so occasionally) for Taco Bell during which she begs me to go with her to the nearest drive-thru...at 11:00 p.m.!!

This evening in Missoula, her particular craving was for Ramen noodles with Thai chili garlic sauce like we add to our hot bowls of fresh rice noodles when visiting Thailand. At least it was a cheap craving, right?! I added some rotisserie chicken to add some substance for my sick little sister, and it actually turned out to be quite satisfying! Especially along with the nacho cheese Doritos we got because she happened to be them craving as well....

BREAK ESPRESSO is probably my favorite local coffee shop in Zootown. I love the over-sized wooden tables, exposed brick walls, and open layout. I also love the over-sized slices of triple berry pie. Dare I say it as a "not-so-keen-on-pie" foodie?? Alas...this particular pie has won me over.

I can confidently say that CAFFE DOLCE is my favorite all-around restaurant in Missoula...so far... Julz and I shared this dinner one night - it is the dish that drew my loyalties to the Italian-inspired establishment. I'll give you a hint...Mary had one...until Caffe Dolce came along...

Dolce's LAMB BURGER made of local lamb from the guy who lives across the street from the restaurant (no joke!) Imagine this medley: thick, tender, melt-in-your-mouth lamb burger...crispy, local thick-cut bacon...sweet caramelized onions...a tart yet creamy addition of goat cheese...fresh arugula...chewy, grilled homemade ciabatta bread... You might want to just keeping imagining...

On her last morning in Missoula, we decided to treat Julz to breakfast at a favorite hole-in-the-wall on the Hip Strip of Higgins Avenue downtown. The HOB NOB is trendy, yet low-key and innovative in their menu without being too outlandish. It is a cozy place adorned with local art, staffed by friendly hipsters, and furnished with only about 5 small tables. So make sure you really like the people you are eating with.

We couldn't decide on sweet or savory, so Julie and I split two dishes. One was a staple at the HOB NOB...Banana bread French toast. The other was called "Migas". It was a thick flour tortilla perfectly grilled and layered with scrambled eggs, cheese, salsa, black beans, and sour cream. I decided the MIGAS are quite delectable - filling but not too heavy, good variety of flavors, and besides...it has a fun name...

We LOVED having sweet Julz around again! Just like our triple dates in the olden days. I'm so blessed to have such a special woman in my life...

forever...

as my sister....

ZOOTOWN!

So...if I am little rusty at this, just remember that it's been almost 2 years and give me the benefit of the doubt :) In retrospect, it is quite amazing to look back upon how things in my life have just fallen into place...especially these recent years. When I ponder over the fact that I am an official MONTANAN when I have been a Southern belle my entire life, it is still quite surprising! What was the sequence of events that led to this scenario, you might ask. Well, there once was a girl named Jenny...

It all started with my decision to go on a mission trip with the young adult group at church. And when I say "decision", I mean that Jason Egly decided for me that I was going and that was that. It was really the best nudge I could have been given.

Early August the group headed out on a flight to Bozeman, Montana. On our drive from Bozeman to Missoula, where we were staying for the week, we stopped in Butte to have lunch at Mark Arbol's (a college minister) house as a sort of "welcome". I was hesitant to pronounce the aforementioned city's name like "butt" during the trip. However, after having been there that one afternoon, it is a completely appropriate title...and most Montanans I have met would agree.

Despite the ghost town appearance of Butte, the Arbol family was lovely! Mark, his wife (she is from the Phillipines and we bonded over some conversation about Asia), and sons were so hospitable! They fed us a lunch of homemade fish tacos, fruit, potatoes, fresh made tortilla chips, and vinegar slaw. I thought this was odd to have Mexican-inspired dishes in cowboy Montana, (where was the buffalo steak?), but soon I would learn that the Montanan treasures the taco like no other people group I have known! More to come in later posts on that...

I knew that there was a chance Jordan would be offered a job in Missoula at a church in town, so the entire trip I was looking for "turn-offs" and "highlights" of Montana. Butte automatically put the score in the negatives with its toxic waste pond and resulting mutant insects. But think positively, Jenny. Missoula is our next stop...

Oh, Zootown! How I love thee! It was a breath of fresh air...literally after that toxic waste pond :) During the summer, this city is vibrant with art, eclectic residents, music, dreadlocks, hippies, happiness, and FOOD! One of the aspects of Missoula I fell in love with was that EVERYTHING was outdoors during the summer. Caras Park (a favorite of ours) is right downtown, and there is some festival, concert, event, etc. happening any given night of the summer here. This was "Downtown Tonight" - a music and food festival that takes place every Thursday. It is such a fun way for the community to come together and enjoy local music, sample some of the restaurants around town, and see some pretty awesome impromptu dancing.

BIG DIPPER...enough said. Anyone who knows me also is aware of my love of this local, one-of-a-kind ice creamery. I don't know if I should be proud or embarassed to say that I had ice cream from here about every week this past summer. It's a great place to meet friends, take visitors, or just enjoy a treat.

You can feel the fresh, hot waffle cone in your hand. Imagine that it is filled liberally with scoops of cardamom & huckleberry ice creams then dipped in bittersweet chocolate and mixed nuts. The chocolate hardens just enough to encase your treasure and protect it from the hot summer evening. It is 9:00 p.m. yet the big Montana sky is still colored with sunlight. And you are happy.

This is why I love Big Dipper.

Our group had the opportunity to go visit the local Ronald McDonald House and meet some of the families staying there during their hospital visits. Some fun kids were staying there, and I volunteered to bake them a treat. The director of RMH took me into the kitchen, and upon searching the pantry said to me, "Well, what can you bake with no flour, butter, or eggs?" In my head I thought "Well, not a lot", but I surprised myself by saying "Oh, I have a perfect idea!". Really, Jenny, really? Left alone in the kitchen I was forced to be innovative. Peanut butter...oats...sugar...but no chocolate! Oh no! I concocted some form of no-bake cookies that the kiddos gobbled up and my friends on the trip devoured as well. Magic, I tell you.

Jordan and I got a chance to experience one of the "Downtown Tonight" festivals at Caras Park during the trip. I enjoyed a falafel pita in the soft grass on the side of a hill. We watched kayakers practice in the river, listened to music, and people watched. Little did we know, we would spend many evenings on this hill with family visitors, friends from Tennessee, and new friends alike!

Jason Egly treated the group to a nice dinner out one of the last nights of the mission trip. When he first said that he was taking us to JAMES BAR, I was a little hesitant as to whether or not this would be appropriate for a church group. However, I am glad it was the restaurant of choice.

This was the "Aidenator" - aka: "Not messin around" burger. Start with a quality roll, add Montanan beef, thick bacon, caramelized onions, jack cheese, prosciutto, and top it all with a fried egg!! Brilliant! Good thing I got the side salad instead of fries...

...But wait. My table ordered a couple conical stands of fries not knowing quite how distorted the portions at James Bar were. We had enough garlic fries and tater tots to swim in. But we just ate them instead. Our other option would have resulted in greasy clothes...

Strangers...

Okay, okay. I know it has been almost 2 years since I have visited and contributed to my blog. As hurtful as I am sure this has been to the multitudes of followers who have been eagerly awaiting my next post, I assure you it is just as shameful to me. So here it goes...

In the last 18 months, a LOT has changed in my life! I got MARRIED (a miracle, I know!) to the most wonderful man, I moved to MONTANA (another miracle...who knew people really LIVE in this state!), Jordan and I bought a house, and we have built a new life together. We love the city of Missoula where we have ended up, and we love sharing experiences and great adventures!

Therefore, I would like to highlight our FIRST trip together to Montana as my next post. My emotions and senses on this trip were amplified because of future possibilities and my current situation at the time. You are invited along, so join me for a taste of Montana...

I left my heart in San Francisco...or maybe Sonoma...

SONOMA, CALIFORNIA!

My friend, Lindsay, invited me to Sonoma where we stayed with her aunt, uncle, and two cousins. I knew that it would be an experience full of fun, excitement, beautiful scenery, learning, and great cuisine.
Deep into the nation's official "Wine Country", we explored multiple vineyards in Sonoma as well as Napa Valley. Here we are pictured at Gloria Ferrer overlooking the 95 acres of vineyards on the property. It was an incredible view of the countryside, and I already miss the smell that fresh air fragrant with the scents of olives and grapes!!
It was an education visiting the different wineries, as there are so many different fermenting processes, types of grapes, flavors, aromas, styles...etc. It was so very interesting! I have never been greatly interested in wine, but learning more about it and realizing the complexity of it all really gave me a high appreciation for the beverage.

"Taylor's Refresher" is a staple establishment in the Napa Valley area. There are only two locations of this quaint eatery. The ordering takes place at a walk-up counter off of a huge wall menu that includes burgers, salads, sandwiches, and milkshakes. I had the freshest California Cobb salad I have ever eaten along with deliciously crispy chili-sprinkled sweet potato fries.

Another picture at Gloria Ferrer. This is a sparkling wine vineyard. Technically, only sparkling wines from a certain district of France can be called "Champagne".
Here I am enjoying some herb focaccia bread, an apple, and fresh gruyere cheese from the famous Dean & Deluca market in Napa Valley.

Okay, okay, so I am usually not a fan of Mexican food. But when in California...on Cinco de Mayo...among a large Hispanic population...there is only one thing to do. (Or eat.)
I dined at MAYA with Lindsay and her family on May 5th, and it was a wonderful meal. The food was lighter and fresher than the usual Mexican fare in Tennessee and other parts of the country. It was not all smothered in white and brown goop, and there were a lot of vegetables involved!
I enjoyed a pulled chicken taco salad with fresh guacamole and pico de gallo.

"ASIA DE CUBA"
A chic, upscale restaurant in the CLIFT HOTEL downtown San Francisco.
Also the location where I enjoyed one of the best meals I have ever had in my life!! Yes, most definitely one of the top three!!
Asia De Cuba is super trendy, and the ambiance definitely plays a role in the overall experience.
-Crispy tofu with asparagus, pear-mango sauce, mango-cucumber-jicima salad
-Cuban BBQ chicken, mango salsa, coconut sticky rice in banana leaf
-Plantain fried rice with avocado
The delicious flavors EXPLODE in your mouth, and the mixture of textures and tastes creates a culinary pleasure unlike any I have ever experienced. I am actually still craving that tofu...

Imagine: Waking up, getting on your bike, riding on country roads through vineyards and olive trees...the sun is shining and your hair is blowing in the crisp breeze...no deadlines, no appointments...The perfect morning.
But then, to make it even better, you ride into Sonoma Square where there is an adorable European patisserie called "Basque Boulangerie".
This was reality for Lindsay and me during our stay in Sonoma. The homemade oatmeal, fresh fruit, and freshly baked country sourdough bread with butter was quite a start to our morning. We sat in the park of the square and enjoyed the rose gardens while enjoying our breakfast. Ahhhhhhh!!!

B.R. COHN was one of my favorite winery stops. This unique establishment is located in Sonoma Valley and showcases wines and olive oils. We participated in our first olive oil tasting here...pictured are some of the many olive oils and vinegars that B.R. COHN produces and offers for sale.
I tasted a balsamic vinegar that has been aged 25 years!! It was absolutely delicious - mellow and sweet. I could totally pour it over ice cream as a syrup!
I purchased a bottle of an olive oil (made from B.R. COHN olives) that was mixed with balsamic vinegar and infused with herbs. Perfect for bread dipping!

On the flight home, (which was a bit sad), I ate a delicious, juicy orange that I had packed for the trip. It was from Lindsay's aunt and uncle's orange trees behind their house! How nice would that be! My last little taste of California...

Spice up your life...In THAILAND!!

Well, I just spent the past month frolicking about Thailand with a side trip to China!! It was an absolutely incredible trip...there are so many fun stories, cultural exposures, lasting memories, and new experiences that were gained on this trip. So much more than just the food made a lasting impression on my life. But attempting to explain all of this would require a novel. Therefore, I will simply write about some highlights from the cuisine of the "Land of Smiles".

This was my eighth time to visit Thailand. During every trip that I make, one of my favorite dishes there is a dessert, (imagine that!) However, it is not a typical sweet, totally unhealthy dessert. Warm sticky rice covered in coconut milk served with sweet, smooth mangoes. The combination results in a mellow, fresh, creamy treat! Above is a big bowl of sticky rice beside a pile of mangoes ready to be peeled and sliced. This was taken at a street market at night where you can find so many unique street foods.
I was in Thailand at the peak of mango season, so I ate this multiple times. Thai mangoes are of a completely different category than the mangoes we get in America from Mexico. There is no comparison to the soft, creamy, sweet flesh of a Thai mango!

This picture was also taken at a night "walking street" market. Take your pick of the various assortment of bugs!! I have tried these before on previous visits, and they are basically a crunchy, salty snack. However, my cousin told me it would be best not to eat them this time since they have had problems with people getting sick from pesticides the bugs have ingested.

DURIAN. This is a unique fruit for sure! Inside of that spiky outer shell, there are little morsels of a yellow, velvety fruit surrounding large seeds. What is so interesting about durian is its smell. The odor is so strong that this fruit is actually prohibited in many hotels and other public places!! There are signs up that have a picture of the durian with a red slash mark through it. (Like a "no smoking" sign.) The flavor is also extremely strong and remarkably unexplainable. Not bad...just not like anything else in this world.

These are the freshest prawns I have ever eaten! We actually picked them out while they were still swimming around before they were prepared on a wood-burning grill. Each of them was as big as a lobster, and the charred flavor of the delicate meat was delicious!
We enjoyed these at BUA restaurant in Bangkok, Thailand.

Dalat Tanin was the nearest fresh market that I frequented while in Chiang Mai. They sold everything edible...from frogs to fresh noodles, fruits to fermented pork, lotus seeds to pig feet, aromatic spices to fresh blocks of tofu, prepared rice dishes to black sticky rice... You can just imagine the sights and the SMELLS of the fresh market on a hot summer morning in Thailand!
These chickens were about as fresh as one could ask for.

This fish dish is a favorite of mine and my sister's. It is a deep fried Ruby fish served with a light sauce of onions, peppers, tomatoes, and herbs. My aunt, (who is a wonderful cook), prepared this for us on our last night in Chiang Mai. The two of us ate the entire fish!

It may seem like Dairy Queen is not a very cultural aspect of the cuisine of Thailand. And I actually have a rule of not eating "American" foods while in foreign countries. This way, I can have more opportunities to experience authentic dishes of the place I am visiting. I figure I am only there for a short period of time, so I should take full advantage of that.

However, when I saw "Green Tea Almond Blizzard" on the menu, I gave in. It was a delicious flavor combination that I sincerely think American DQ's should consider!
Another interesting detail is that my Blizzard is a "Large" size. The Thai "Large" is smaller than an American "Small". This illustrates our skewed portion sizes in the U.S.

My friend from high school, Spencer, now teaches English in Nagashima, Japan. When I found out about my trip to Asia, we planned a rendezvous in Thailand! He brought along his sweet girlfriend, Kyoko, who is from Tokyo. It was a wonderful four days with great friends!

Here we are in Pai, Thailand eating sticky rice. It comes to your table in the traditional bamboo containers so that it stays warm and sticky. And it MUST be eaten with your hands, of course!

"Pad See Eiuw" is one of my all-time favorite Thai dishes. It is composed of fresh, wide rice noodles...a green, leafy vegetable similar to collard greens...thick, sweet soy sauce ("see eiuw")...a meat (mine had shrimp)...egg...various vegetables...and lime juice has to be sprinkled on top along with white pepper in the Thai tradition.

At any fresh market, street corner, attraction in Thailand you can find fruits that are already cut up and packaged for your convenience. I love this about Thailand!!

L-R: Mango and Sticky Rice; green, sweet mango (a different type of mango than the yellow fruits); shumpoo (rose apple); and papaya

The package of spices, sugar, and salt with the green mango is a popular condiment to dip fresh fruit into. Thais love the mixture of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy.

This traditional snack is very rare these days. We could only find them at one stall in Dalat Tanin fresh market. Next time I visit Thailand, who knows if they will still be available. I hate to see cultural aspects start slipping away like this as foreign countries become more "Western" and "Americanized".

This is basically a starch-cake made of glutinous rice flour. There is one filled with spinach...another comprised predominantly of spinach, garlic, and onions...and one with turnips and boiled peanuts. They are a quite tasty and uniquely sticky snack!

Mom and I enjoyed Sticky Rice and Mango ice cream sundaes at Swenson's.

Our family friend, Yoshie, just retired in Chiang Mai. She is a travel journalist from Tokyo, Japan. She prepared a lovely Japanese meal for us one afternoon. We had cucumber & fish salad, daikon radish & scallop salad, a rice dish with lotus & egg, boiled beef, and tea.

During our week in Beijing, China I witnessed some very interesting foods and eating habits! Here, I discovered scorpions squiggling around on skewers waiting to be grilled up for eating! They were in the same food stall as skewered seahorses, beetles, and starfish. Yum! :)

This was one of the most memorable, delicious things that I ate during my month in Asia! It was a dessert that is traditionally Chinese, although I had it in Bangkok.
Imagine a sticky, creamy ball made of taro and coconut milk. It was almost the consistency of a dense cheesecake. Then, the ball is rolled in toasted watermelon seeds! These are similar in taste to toasted pumpkin seeds. It is such a simple dessert yet complex in texture and flavor.

Also a dish on the "favorites" list. Curried crab. It is a whole, fresh crab stir-fried in a curry sauce with egg and green onion. Delicious and FUN to eat, too!

I ate so much of this fried rice!! The funny thing is that I despise fried rice in America. It is always hard, dark brown, and ridiculously salty. True Thai fried rice, on the other hand, is made with fresh "al dente" rice and is flavorful...not drenched in salt. The rice is fried up with scrambled egg, vegetables, soy sauce, and your meat of choice. Also, Thai fried rice MUST have three things: 1. Fresh lime juice squeezed on top...2. Cucumber slices on the side...3. A fried egg on top. It is curious, but it is THE MOST delicious combination of flavors! And, like they say, "When in Rome"...

"Pad Thai" has probably become the most recognizable and popular Thai dishes for Americans. It is made of stir-fried, thin, fresh rice noodles...chicken...shrimp...bean sprouts...scrambled egg...green onion...peanuts...
The sweeter flavor, crunchiness, and lack of hot spices probably make it more palatable for Western tastes.

I could not get enough of fresh, young coconuts! Served cold, you first crack the shell and drink the sweet coconut water from its natural container. Then, you can scoop out the delicate meat of the coconut and enjoy a snack. It is the neatest thing, and I probably had about 12 of these during my visit!

Julie and I with some of Thailand's bountiful fruits. Those tiny bananas are super adorable, and I love to eat the flesh off of the pit of the mango. When I was a toddler, my parents brought me to Thailand for the first time. One day, I was discovered hiding behind a refrigerator while eating off of a mango seed. I did not want anyone to take it away from me! Some things never change, I guess...

Chocolate Gravy???

This post may come as a shock to some, an intrigue to others, or perhaps just seemingly unappetizing. The idea of chocolate gravy is a curious one that I would guess the majority of people in the world do not entertain. I must admit that I thought it was a crazy concept upon my first introduction. Then, I discovered that cocoa, flour, sugar, butter, and milk are the simple ingredients that comprise this decadent "breakfast" treat.

If you must see it to believe it, below is a picture from my latest experience of chocolate gravy and biscuits. Directions: tear your hot, homemade biscuit; place it into a shallow bowl; ladle enough warm, thick chocolate to drown the biscuit in rich sweetness; enjoy every mouthful of the buttery biscuit drenched in gooey cocoa. It may not be the "Breakfast of Champions", but it will certainly make your morning a happy one!

I always call this dish "Maw Maw's Chocolate and Biscuits" because of my best friend, Elizabeth. We have been great companions since freshman year of high school, and she is the first person who ever mentioned this southern breakfast food to me. Her grandmother, Maw Maw, is the beloved cook of the chocolate gravy. Every time I have eaten breakfast with Maw Maw, (which has been many times now), I have enjoyed her chocolate and biscuits. It is a decadent treat that I do not have the opportunity to eat often and that is always thoroughly enjoyed by all!

Maw Maw grew up on a farm in Tennessee on which her family grew their own wheat to make flour, ground corn for cornmeal, milked cows and churned butter, raised livestock, and worked their land in order to provide a means of living. Therefore, meals were hearty and heavy to provide energy for all the laborious work that had to be done. Breakfasts including chocolate gravy were a frequent occurence for her growing up. It seems so indulgent in a time when we have desk jobs and have to make time to "work out". Then, it was just a method of getting the calories necessary for daily activities on the farm.

This unique, delicious meal is so special to me mostly because Maw Maw and Elizabeth are so very special to my life! I have now shared the chocolate and biscuit experience with other wonderful friends and family throughout the years. This most recent breakfast was with Maw Maw, Elizabeth, and my sister as a farewell for my sister and me...we are traveling to Thailand next week for a month-long adventure! It was such an enjoyable morning that faded into afternoon much to quickly! I absolutely cherish the times I get to spend with people I love like these three women, so the fellowship just added to the sweetness!

Warmer weather calls for ice cream EVERYDAY!

I recently took a trip to Gainesville, Florida with my boyfriend, Jordan. We escaped the 40 degree Tennessee weather to enjoy basking in the 80 degrees of sunshine in our destination. It was glorious! The vacation also provided some MUCH needed relaxation, quality time with friends, laughter, outdoor activity, and great meals. And honestly, I really did eat ice cream everyday...

ATHENA'S Greek restaurant in St. Augustine, FL. This gorgeous town was colonized by the Spanish and is the "oldest city" in the United States! The cobblestone streets, Spanish architecture, and the original fort give St. Augustine a unique feeling of going back in time.

At Athena's, Jordan and I enjoyed a lemon-chicken soup that had an interesting tartness contrasting with a light creaminess. Also, there were hard rolls with olive oil & oregano, big Greek salads with kalamata olives & feta, stuffed grape leaves, and I ordered the spinach & feta filo pie. All very delicious!

Our waitress at Athena's was just as authentic as the cuisine. With her olive skin, striking blue eyes, and interesting accent, we could see that she was the real deal. I loved how she said oregano "ory-ganno". Were we really in Greece?...

TROPICAL SMOOTHIE
I have decided that this is my all-time favorite smoothie bar...sorry, KEVA Juice. They make a particular smoothie that I believe was made with me in mind. It has mango, banana, blueberries, almonds, and soy...some of my FAVORITE things! Also, some of the healthiest foods for you.
I am contemplating starting a franchise in Hendersonville. It would be nice to be able to enjoy the "Health Nut" smoothie more often than when I visit Gainesville. Or perhaps absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I will just enjoy them more when I have the opportunity.

SATCHEL'S PIZZA
This is what I consider to be the quintessential Gainesville establishment. Envision sitting outside at a mosaic table with a big umrella shading you from the Florida sun. There are random pieces of artwork surrounding you in the gardens in which your table is set. These are not your typical pieces of art - huge 10-foot sculptures comprised of baby dolls, kitchen utensils, and other random items all held together by cement. The sign to Satchel's is a wooden structure with flowers made of cans and windmills all spinning in the breeze. There is also an old VW van with two small tables inside that serve as seating for guests!

Besides being creative, ecclectic, and interesting, Satchel's also happens to produce some of the best pizza in the world! Probably the best I have ever tasted, but I have not tasted all that many pizzas in retrospect. We had a spread of slices: ricotta cheese & spinach, brocolli & roasted red peppers & garlic & artichokes, pepperoni & garlic. Each slice starts at a low $3 and you can add whatever toppings you desire - from tempeh to meatballs and vegan cheese to anchovies. The crispy crust is chock full of oregano and garlic which adds to the overall flavor of your pizza pie!

Upon our return to Hendersonville, we were welcomed home by a shocking 40 degrees outside and a party at a friend's house. He called the event the "Bacon Explosion" in honor of the two rolls of meat he had prepared for the occasion. Basically, he took spicy Italian sausage, filled the sausage with cheese, and wrapped the logs up in braided bacon before baking them. They were crispy, meaty, bubbling rolls of "exploding" carnivore treats.

This really sounds like a heart attack waiting to happen, but in all honesty, they were tasty! And I am not even the carnivorous type usually opting for vegetables or fruits. However, when put on a hot biscuit, a thin slice of the "Bacon Explosion" is quite savory. Much of the grease had escaped during the long baking process, and the concoction was delightfully spicy. It is not something I would care to eat much of, or possibly not care to eat ever again. I am glad that I tried it and that it gave a bunch of us a reason to get together. Food = Fellowship it seems!