Baxter Bark Twice

Do as I say, never as I do

Archive for the ‘Food & Drink’ Category

Stress SOS

Posted by AllieB on September 28, 2010

I just sent a casual email to a friend mentioning what I’d had to snack on since around two this afternoon, and now I feel like a total heifer.

The list includes:

A bag of these peanuts:

Two Coke Zeros.

A half-glass of Cabernet (NOT normal behavior – we were tasting wine for our upcoming work event – Lacy can attest)

Thee Lindor truffles:

And – last but not least – a breakfast sandwich (bacon, gouda, and fritatta on an artisan roll – delish) from Starbucks.

It’s a bit excessive. I’m incredibly stressed out with various things, mostly work, and I’ve turned to food. I’ve asked other people what they do when they get stressed, and I’ve yet to achieve enlightenment. One person suggested taking a walk around the block, but I don’t really want to do that. Someone else suggested putting a lock on the refrigerator – not only did I find that somewhat offensive, but it also wouldn’t necessarily stop me as there are many other avenues thru which I can procure my snacks.

I mean, I’m obviously going to go for a run after work, which will help – according to science, exercise helps – but I’m talking more along the lines of stress relievers in medias work day. Suggestions welcome.

Posted in Arbitrary, Food & Drink | Tagged: , | 2 Comments »

Meet & Greet: Wine

Posted by AllieB on September 22, 2010

I like wine. I don’t know anything about it, and when I find something I like it’s because it tastes good, not because the tannins aren’t too acidic, or something – I don’t even know what that means.

What occasion doesn’t warrant a sip or two of vino? Truly, I can think of none. Season premiere of Glee? Obvi. It’s Sunday? Don’t mind if I do! Of course, everything in moderation…..and that’s all I’ll say about that.

Anyway, at my age with my income and lifestyle, it is important to be thrifty and practical when it comes to the purchase and consumption of wine. I’ve done the legwork around town (within, say, a mile radius of Buckhead), and these are my go-to’s, based first on price and taste, then on label aesthetics – there is nothing cultured about my approach to wine drinking.

My favorite reds:

  • La Vieille Ferme: this double bottle of red with the charming label was first recommended to me by a manager at Pearson’s for “drinkability” or something like that. Whatever, it’s a tasty double bottle with a screw top. Allie likes! I’m even a fan on Facebook. $11.99 at Tower; $16.99 at Whole Foods.
  • Gascón Malbec: I love, love, love this wine. John at Tower says it his favorite malbec under $20, which says a lot, IMO. John is incredibly wise. $8.99 at Tower.
  • Mark West: I honestly feel kind of pedestrian even listing this, but I couldn’t leave out my buddy Mark – we’ve been thru a lot together…$9.99 at Tower. $12.99 at Whole Foods.
  • La Granga Tempranillo: It’s a screw top from Trader Joe’s with a charming label and a decent taste. Done and done. $4.99.

even the age verification on the website is charming...

My favorite whites (warning – I don’t branch out much with white grape varietals):

  • NO Sauvignon Blanc: definitely my go-to white. It’s reasonable, v tasty, and a screw top..! $8.99 at Tower.
  • Opala Vinho Verde: I love vinho verde in it’s lightness and very, very slight tinge of carbonation. The alcohol content is also about two percent less than your average  bottle of white, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing…and how pretty is the label! $7.99 at Whole Foods.

I'm a sucker for pretty labels

These six wines are literally the last six bottles I have purchased (toss in a few Two Buck Chucks here and there), and I stand by my selections. Sorry I’m not sorry I don’t venture above $13. I have no idea what foods would go well with what wines, but I can say with utmost certainty that the Tempranillo goes great with Wednesdays.

Posted in Food & Drink, Imparting Wisdom | Tagged: , | 4 Comments »

The Allie Awards

Posted by AllieB on September 21, 2010

I was reading archived articles in the Atlanta Business Chronicle online recently, and I stumbled upon a brief write-up about an event that took place in April: The Allie Awards. My interest was immediately piqued – I was already thrilled to see my name on an award that warranted mention in the ABC, but then it got even better: the award was for Best Buffet.

The Allie Awards honor the best catering companies in Atlanta, as well as other aspects of event planning – venue, tents, etc. What a perfect match for me, AllieB, line-leader at the buffet and lover of all things wrapped in bacon.

I wonder if they are looking for a spokesperson? A face of The Allies, if you will…I would be happy to attend various events in the name of research.

Or perhaps I’ll just come up with my own, more relevant categories and have The AllieB Awards. Let’s see…

  • Best Hot Sandwich: Publix’s Philly Cheesesteak
  • Best Quesadilla: Paul’s on the Patio (you’d be surprised)
  • Best Stuffed Pasta (on a budget): Trader Joe’s Portobello Mushroom Ravioli
  • Best Stuffed Pasta (not so much on a budget): Sotto Sotto’s Ravioli Nudi
  • Best Nachos: Tavern 99

clearly I am qualified to designate awards pertaining to food

Posted in Arbitrary, Food & Drink | Tagged: , , , , | 4 Comments »

Best in Show: Margs

Posted by AllieB on August 31, 2010

Despite an auspicious beginning to my relationship with margs (El Amigo – which is somehow still open, btw – topped theirs off with a murky liquid that bore a striking resemblance to dishwater), we have grown to have a very companionable existence.

Which means to say: I love a good margarita.

So – where are the best in the city? Well. According to a May 2010 city-wide poll by Citysearch, the favorites are as follows:

  1. Taqueria del Sol
  2. Agave
  3. No Mas Cantina
  4. Zocalo
  5. Caramba Cafe

The AJC food critics say:

  1. Pure Taqueria
  2. Lupe Taqueria ( now closed, so nevermind)
  3. Agave
  4. Noon
  5. Holy Taco

I don’t have strong feelings about either of these lists, but I will say this about Taqueria: they do an excellent marg, but I had a very unpleasant experience back in ’06 wherein the bartender refused to give me my own personal pitcher, saying he had to have two ID’s per order. I offered to show him my ID twice, but he said that wasn’t the same.

I realize this all sounds a tad aggressive, but desperate times, desperate measures…either way, they failed me in my time of need. Were it not for this grudge I refuse to let go of, they’d likely be numero uno. Too bad, Taqueria, tooooo bad:

  1. Treehouse – I’m not kidding – order one the next time you go
  2. Nava – a prickly  pear + that patio = an exceptional post-work activity
  3. La Fonda – they’re always very fresh with just the right amount of tartness
  4. Nuevo Lardeo Cantina – they make the wait endurable, if not enjoyable
  5. Pancho’s – this Buford Highway gem has great ones, and they serve the really thin, light tortilla chips that are reminiscent of Rio Bravo’s (R.I.P. Rio Bravo – you are missed)
  6. HOBNOB – this primely placed spot on Piedmont and Monroe does an awesome Skinny Girl marg – I didn’t want to delve into that whole craze with this entry, but I thought it deserved mention

how good does that look.

Posted in Food & Drink | Tagged: , , , , | 3 Comments »

Morning time ‘za? Don’t mind if I do

Posted by AllieB on August 31, 2010

For years my favorite morning meal, if I happened to be craving grease, was a breakfast sammy from Panera. I’m pretty sure the main ingredient actually was grease and that the croissant, egg, and bacon were just there to help soak it up.

However, perhaps because of my old age, I can no longer handle the heaviness of the aforementioned morning treat – my stomach does not want.

I was browsing Eater National the other day – it’s a terrific website and I really hope they start one for Atlanta soon – and found a link to an article from the NYPost: “Have A Slice for Breakfast.”

“Who wouldn’t like pizza for breakfast?” asks Robert Berry, chef at Chelsea restaurant Cookshop and creator of a sophisticated bacon and egg version. “It’s got your carbs, your veggies, your protein — it’s really a nutritious breakfast.”

Who wouldn’t, indeed. The five options the article shared are all in NYC, and my favorite was Chef Berry’s: spinach, bacon, egg and goat cheese pizza.

Egg on pizza isn’t really a novel idea, either, but the idea of intentionally seeking out fresh-made pizza for breakfast, I suppose, is. I’ve done some research, and it appears that ATL hasn’t quite caught on to this trend. I’ll be waiting ever so patiently until we do, and, in the meantime, settle for a cold slice of the Fellini’s I had last night.

“Pizza for everybody!”

Posted in Food & Drink | Tagged: , , , | 2 Comments »