Baxter Bark Twice

Do as I say, never as I do

Archive for the ‘Food & Drink’ Category

My Favorite Week of Food (One of Several)

Posted by AllieB on August 24, 2010

I love to go out to eat, but my austerity budget doesn’t leave much extra kashmonay for such frivolities. Options in my price range tend to consist of Willy’s, Fellini’s, and ramen. Enter: RESTAURANT WEEK!! These wallet-friendly food holidays are the highlights of my year, and I’m very excited.

This year, Midtown Restaurant Week is September 4, 2010 thru September 12, 2010, and, with 27 participants, offers a greater selection of any other restaurant week to date. JTomm, K, A and I enjoyed a lovely meal at Pacci last fall, topped off with a dessert tray that I won’t soon forget.

I’ll have to wait until the menus are posted before making a final decision, but my current front runners are:

The full list is posted on Open Table.

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

Thirsty?

Posted by AllieB on August 23, 2010

It’s good to know what’s out there so you can make an informed decision.*

Too soon?

drink specials in Atlanta

*I’m sure I’ve left off countless places – enlighten me, if you would.

Posted in Food & Drink, Imparting Wisdom | Tagged: , , | 6 Comments »

Grocery Store Shame

Posted by AllieB on August 4, 2010

Here’s how it usually goes down*:

I arrive in lounge wear that may or may not be appropriate public attire and get a basket. I always choose a basket in lieu of a cart because obviously a basket will keep me from buying too much, or at least keep me from buying a large frozen pizza (they don’t fit). It doesn’t; I still do; and I just end up carrying things in my arms.

Anyway, my immediate go-to’s are Velveeta Shells ‘n Cheese and a two liter bottle of ginger ale. I then pick either a bag of Cape Cods or those awesome Terra veggie chips, or both. Next I visit the frozen foods section, where I pick out a pizza to carry around and a sweet – usually a pint of something Haagen Daaz makes (I’m on a dulce de leche kick right now).

If the line isn’t too long, I hunker down for a philly cheesesteak. I would do just about anything for a philly cheesesteak from Publix…anything except waiting in a line with more than three people in it.

It’s towards the end of my shopping, when my basket is overflowing and my hands are full, that I inevitably run into someone I know. Usually it’s in the manner of me chasing down an errant can of crescent rolls as it goes rolling beneath another shopper’s cart –  obviously, I know said shopper.

“Oh, hello Mrs. You’re In My Mom’s Bible Study! It’s great to see you!”

“This weather is ridiculous, Mrs. I Dogsit For You & Sleep At Your House When You’re Out of Town, but you still look so cute! Can’t wait to see Rover next week!”

Everyone laughs, and we go our separate ways, but I know they’ve judged me. It’s okay because I am judging me, too.

And that is why I don’t buy my wine at the grocery store.

*I would like to note that this applies to SUNDAYS only. I do not eat like this every day…just Sundays. Obviously.

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

I’m outdoorsy in that I like having drinks on patios

Posted by AllieB on July 29, 2010

Having drinks outside is my favorite activity. Of all the activities one can do – for me, it is number one. Thank you, someecards, for recognizing the validity of such an avocation. Having a Hoegaarden (I have an unhealthy affection for this absolutely delicious and excessively caloric beer) whilst sitting on a patio in the company of friends is honestly as good as it gets, IMO.

We live in a city where this is possible for a better part of the year. Even now, in this utterly oppressive, suffocating heat, patio seating is still an option so long as there is appropriate shade and insect repellent.

The q is – where to go??

A screenshot from my beloved spreadsheet...

So – there are some options…also, a sneak-peak of what will be coming soon to Baxter Bark Twice…! In html friendly format, not a ghetto screenshot of an Excel spreadsheet.

Of course, you can always just go sit out back at 5p. Because, as everybody knows, at the end of the day:

“…it turns out not where, but who you’re with that really matters…” -DMB, 1997

I did that just for you, Billy.

This post was inspired by/kind of plagiarizes A’s blog post from today, which I highly recommend reading:

Thirsty Thursday

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

Morzo, please

Posted by AllieB on July 27, 2010

When it’s time for Supper Club, chances are I’m in charge of the wine.

While I have very little experience in the kitchen,  now that I am something an adult I believe it’s important to have an arsenal of “go-to dishes” that one feels confident will turn out well and can be proudly served to others.

I’m still working on the appetizer, main course and dessert part of said arsenal, but this recipe, in all of its simplicity, is completely delicious. It’s super light and is a great complement to red meat – kabobs in particular…or, add in more veggies and some sliced chicken and it could be a nice main course for lunch…I’m guessing – I’ve certainly never tried.

Pine Nut and Lemon Orzo

Serve this dish at room temperature or chilled.** If you make the orzo ahead, keep it refrigerated, and toss with the dressing mixture, parsley, and pine nuts just before serving. Yield: 12 servings.

Ingredients

  • 4  cups  uncooked orzo (rice-shaped pasta; about 1 1/2 pounds)
  • 3/4  cup  fresh lemon juice (about 4 medium lemons)
  • 1  teaspoon  salt
  • 3/4  teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper
  • 3  tablespoons  extravirgin olive oil
  • 3/4  cup  chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1/2  cup  pine nuts, toasted

Preparation

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain into collander.

In the same saucepan used to cook orzo, heat olive oil and add pine nuts. Cook until golden; about five minutes. Add parsley. Then add orzo back into pan, tossing with lemon juice and salt and pepper.

**Notes from Allibert: I find this dish is best served slightly warm or at room temperature. Also, either parsley or basil can be used – whichever you have on hand.

Source: from the kitchen of Allibert’s mom – she combined various recipes and came up with this combo; I goog’ed the crap out of it and came up with nothing…

Morzo, please…GET IT?!

From: The Food Network

Posted in Food & Drink | Tagged: , , , | 1 Comment »