Baxter Bark Twice

Do as I say, never as I do

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Today is an extremely important day

Posted by AllieB on February 22, 2011

Happy Margarita Day!!! Today, February 22, is National Margarita Day. I can’t believe my good luck - what if I hadn’t happened to check out what those whack jobs Hoda and Kathie Lee were up to on the always insane third hour of the Today Show? What if I didn’t like margaritas? I mean…whoa.

Anyway, it is our duty, as citizens of America, to celebrate this holiday. It’s kind of like Cinco de Mayo without all the hoopla – I hate the hoopla of Cinco de Mayo…at least Rio Grande is gone. I did a “study” on the best margs in ATL a few months back: Best in Show: Margs. I stand by my assertion that Treehouse has the best ones, but The Big Ketch – which was not yet open at the time I wrote the last post – has really good Skinny ones…potato/potatto, as far as I’m concerned it’s a win/win.

Also, Buckhead Restaurant Week starts this Saturday. Standouts include Bricktops and Capital Grille – the Aria menu, per usual, fails to impress. I’m kind of pissed because about 2/3 of the restaurants participating have bumped their menus up to $35, which is uncalled for, IMO. What kind of mini-Stalin is running this show, anyway.

Sat Feb 26 thru Sun March 5 – click here for restaurants and menus

This weather is awesome, btw. I was freezing in Pakistan, which was actually a blessing because de-layering in warm weather is a non-option. Hello, rosacea.

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

Best in Show: Philly Cheesesteak

Posted by AllieB on February 1, 2011

Philly Cheesesteaks are my favorite sandwich. There are so many factors that go into creating the perfect Philly: the bread-to-filling ratio; the cheese is not a topping but more of the glue of the filling; perfect amount of mayo and seasoning…I could keep going, but my bowl of Special K this a.m. is not cutting it and I can almost taste the wonderful goodness….

Without further ado…the establishment serving the best cheesesteak in Atlanta, IMO – the real crème de la crème – is:

Mr C’s on Howell Mill.

Go to there, order one, and see if I’m not right. However, if you’ve had one elsewhere that you know for a fact is superior to Mr. C’s  based on your own personal experience, contact me immediately. Email, cell, flare gun – whatever, I need to know. Mr C’s is great in general – they have tots and fried okra and cheap beer. One other place I would like to commend for consistently top-notch fare is Philly Connection; I would also, however, like to denounce them for the lack of locations ITP.

I looked up the highest rated sammies in ATL on Yelp, and I was alarmed to read about a place called Gut Busters. I wonder if their motto is, “Gut Busters: where indigestion is inevitable” – they probably give out Pepto Bismol tablets along with their plastic cutlery. Just sayin…they could’ve chosen a different name.

Update: per the input of a BBT subscriber, I totally dropped the ball by not including the Mad Italian. And he’s right, the Mad-I, as my mom always called it, is awesome for PC’s, but I haven’t been in almost two decades and wasn’t sure it was the same deal as I remembered…to make sure I am sharing the most accurate information possible, I will go in the near future and get back to you. Holy wow, that website looks phenom…

Speaking of Philly -> Philadelphia -> Pennsylvania…tomorrow is Groundhog Day. Experts are skeptical that Punxsutawney Phil will not see his shadow thus forecasting an early spring, particularly because PA is one of several states expected to be blasted (Gut Blasted?) by what could be the worst winter storm in the history of all the winter storms – there’s even talk of canceling Groundhog Day altogether. Really, Mother Nature? I think it’s time to take things down a notch…

It is decidedly not always sunny in Philadelphia.

Posted in Food & Drink, Really? | Tagged: , , , , | 8 Comments »

Meet & Greet: Sophie’s Uptown

Posted by AllieB on January 26, 2011

I love sandwiches, and I love puppies, so there’s nothing I don’t love about Sophie’s Uptown.

Located in the heart of Buckhead on Pharr Road, Sophie’s Uptown was opened by David York in memory of his rescue dog, Sophie, who passed away at age 20 in 2009. Not only are they serving up some seriously tasty food, but 25% of all profits are donated to local animal charities. That’s awesome.

I had a wonderful first experience. The nice young lady at the cash register didn’t judge me at all as I helped myself to a fourth and fifth sample of the most amazing brownie I have ever had. The lunch menu has plenty to choose from and it’s very reasonably priced; I’m enjoying a BLT right now that was only $5.25. As I left, they bade me farewell by name – I already feel like a regular.

Their baked goods – cakes, cake by the slice, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and dog treats – all look delicious; if the brownie I tasted is any indication, it all tastes as good as it looks. I will be going back very soon – possibly tomorrow. Another bonus: plenty of parking in a not outrageously congested parking lot, which is more than I can say for most Buckhead lunch spots.

Sophie’s Uptown

54 Pharr Road, Atlanta, GA 30305

www.sophiesuptown.com

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

We’re not dumb!

Posted by AllieB on January 25, 2011

GREAT news: according to an article in The Atlantic, a new book by Stephen Braum, Buzz: The Science and Lore of Alcohol and Caffeine has concluded that “… alcohol does many things to the brain, one thing it clearly doesn’t do is wipe out neurons indiscriminately.” Well, I don’t know what that means, but, based on the supporting text of the aforementioned article, this guy Braum is saying that alcohol does NOT kill brain cells. Super! Those of you who’ve been blaming booze for your mental deficiencies over the years – better find a new excuse.

The article does mention lots of other bad stuff that alcohol can do – such as harming the brain’s ability to form new memories – but I pretty much quit reading after the good part. The link’s above if you’re just THAT curious to find out what maladies your lifestyle might be causing you.

On that note, I would like to mention a few of the Million Dollar Ideas pertaining to the beverage industry. I bet the people responsible for these creations are very, very smart with TONS of brain cells, but they probably can’t remember what they had for breakfast. Actually, I’m a bit worried about the guy who invented the Beer Pager (pic #3)…he might need to take it down a notch.

Meet & Greet: The Wine Rack and The Beer Belly. Bonus – worn in the winter time, the Rack and Belly could serve as an added layer of insulation against the elements (gizmodo.com)!

There is nothing more annoying than a wine spill in the purse…problem: solved.

Ok, this is overkill. I get it for your keys, but for your beverage…just go get a new one?

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

Turkey Dizzle

Posted by AllieB on November 23, 2010

I think I’m pretty much maxed out in the arena of giving thanks – at least re: the blogosphere, so instead of going on and on about perspective and how lucky we are and blah blah, I’m going to talk about something else.

Let’s see…

After much research and consideration about what to contribute to the Baxter Fam T-Giving feast, I’ve decided to stick to the age-old adage KISS and will be serving the following hors d’oeuvre. It’s beyond delicious (credit: Paula Deen by way of Boss Lady) and so super healthy….

Sugar and Nut Glazed Brie

Ingredients

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup chopped macadamia nuts or pecans

1 tablespoon brandy

1 (14-ounce) round brie

Apple wedges, for serving

Pear wedges, for serving

2 to 3 tablespoons lemon juice

Crackers, for serving

Directions

In a small bowl stir together the sugar, nuts, and brandy. Cover and chill for at least 24 hours or up to 1 week.

Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.

Place the brie on an ovenproof platter or pie plate. Bake for 4 or 5 minutes or until the brie is slightly softened. Spread the sugar mixture in an even layer on top of the warm brie and bake for 2 to 3 minutes longer, or until the sugar melts. Brush the fruit wedges with lemon juice and arrange them around 1 side of the brie. Place crackers around the other side.

I feel confident I can handle this. Two years ago I managed to ruin microwave green beans, and last year I spent approximately five hours slaving over a dish that was allegedly “easy” and only took “30 mins prep time.” Psssh. Holy crap that looks really tasty.

For how much I go on about it in real life, I feel I don’t give Trader Joe’s enough credit on this thing. From the wine to the produce to the veggie chips to the AMAZING Parmesan Pastry Puffs, there is nothing I don’t love about TJ’s. Last night I made my thrice-weekly sojourn to my local market, and I would just like to say thank you to the gentleman who checked me out: “Alexandra,” he said, as he looked at my I.D., “you’re doing okay for yourself – you still look like you’re about 17.” It may or may not have had something to do with my message tee and side-pony braid, but whatevs – I’ll take what I can get. (Note: PEARL! Sorry I’m not sorry.)

ha. hahaha.

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

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