Recaps and Roundups

Okay. I recently became overwhelmed with how behind I am in my blogging. So without further explanation, let’s remember back to July of 2009 when I ventured to see friends and family in NC. I discussed Yum Yum in the previous post.

Crab Bisque with my Mom

My Mom and I went to Ganache for dinner and I was really pleased the see some positive changes in effect. The last time I ate dinner at Ganache it was 2006 and my sister and I were presented food that was definitely over salted by what must have been an angry, sabotaging chef. It was so gross. . .and painful, huge salt crystals all over everything. It looked like Christmas in Vermont. Ugh. However, Ganache was once just a tiny dessert (walk-in, no table service) cafe that was right next door to the Greensboro Music Academy where my sisters and I studied notes and tunes after school. I have fond memories of the dainty berry tarts that followed my jazz flute lessons. The crab bisque in the photo is garnished with crab roe, fresh chives, an “Old Bay dipped” spoon and Sherry on the side. Truly tasty.

My dear friend Katie Southard, owner of the Green Bean Coffeehouse visited me last June and she was inspired by the John’s Collins cocktail at my neighborhood tavern, Savoy. She created the same drink back home and poured it in a Mason Jar – the KT Collins was born. It contains bourbon, fresh ginger, something else I can’t remember, and some ginger beer. I miss Katie and the KT Collins!

 

The infamous KT Collins.

 

I know, let me explain. . .

San Luis is a Mexican Restaurant that borders a neighborhood in Greensboro where most of my friends in GSO live. Therefore, everyone I know loves this place and has for years. I like it here too. I was feeling more adventurous than enchiladas, and I know the city of San Luis is known for seafood so I tried a seafood special. Don’t ask me what is was called, I can’t remember. It’s a bunch of scallops, oysters and clams swimming in a house-made cocktail sauce, garnished in avocado, cilantro and lemon. Not your average ceviche. I might have worried about eating raw oysters in a land locked town but I was more skeptical of the cocktail sauce. It looked like tomato soup and the whole ostentatious gobblet of bottom feeders was surrounded by a bed of Saltines. I felt like I was in the 1960’s and I wished I was wearing an appropriate wool suit with matching handbag. I digress. . .I loved this dish, the sauce was very tomato-y but it packed a load of bright citrus flavors. It made me happy, and the oysters were completely fresh and delicious.

Also, they have tiny margaritas for a dollar.

Okay! That’s it for my NC wrap up! Is it okay that I am relieved? For the foreseeable future I will be catching up on blogs about Portland. In a few weeks I am going to Canada for fun and no doubt food. Check back soon!

Yum Yum Better Ice Cream

Yum Yum Better Ice Cream is the formal name for a small hot dog and ice cream stand that is located behind Beef Burger in Greensboro, NC. Both are stellar examples of antiquated fast food (Southern) cuisine. During my trip to visit my parents my Dad made me promise that I would so get ice cream with him at Yum Yums (as the locals call it).

Yum Yum Dog.

Even if I’d used my good camera this picture would look the same. White bun, pink dog in the center, a  boiled down yet meaty chili sauce with the faintest hint of heat, raw onions flecked on top, crisp slaw barely pickled with white vinegar. That’s it. That’s all you need in a Yum Yum dog. This is what it looks like later. .

All Gone

But here’s the secret. When you order the dog, add a bottle of Cheerwine to the total. Sip the bottle slowly and sparingly. After you’ve digested your entree go back to the counter and order a single scoop of the lemon ice cream (made on the premises in a small room in the back) bring the cup of delectable lemony airy goodness back to your table and eat the ice cream in some sort of pattern.

Me? I'm a volcano gal.

Some people like to eat the center out. . .as if you were clearing flour for eggs to make pasta. I like to create an trench on the circumference. Pour the Cheerwine over the lemon ice cream.

Big Rock Candy Mountain.

Another view from the top.

The Cheerwine fizzes with the lemon ice cream in a way that bubbles and thrusts like a root beer float, but this is. . .tropical. . .cherry and lemon instead of burdock and vanilla. It dances instead of seducing. To give credit where credit was due, I didn’t make this up. My twin sister Anna (the muse of this blog) ran with a crew of rough and tumble Southern red-necks who would skip school to partake of these delicacies. Anna passed the legend on to me and now, dear readers, I am sharing it with you. We’re so lucky.

New City, New Blog Intentions, and TIGER WINGS.

I have missed you, my dear food blog.

I am now living and eating in Portland, OR. I can’t wait to bring you good tales and poor pictures of new places.

But first I have to tell you about the TIGER WINGS at the East Village Grille in Asheville, North Carolina.

Age Grille!

My dear friend Amanda is a vegetarian and has been ever since I’ve known her, for nearly a decade. When she suggested we go for wings I assumed she would eat one or two fried vegetables while I worked through several chickens. Not the case. After a bad break up last winter Amanda started going on solo dates to the East Village Tavern and in a matter of weeks she was chowing down on chicken. It’s important to note that this is the sole exception to her vegetarianism and that, my friends, is saying something because Amanda is a woman of conviction!

The tables are vast and comfy. They even have old gossip magazines on the tables!

We really wanted to find a quiz to take but this REDBOOK didn't have any!

The menu includes an wide selection of items, but as I understand it, everyone knows that you go to the East Village Grille for one reason. . .TIGER WINGS!

I mentioned ordering a salad and Amanda looked at me like I had taken leave of my good senses.

We ordered a basket of fried mushrooms and a basket of onion rings. I noticed the garlic Tiger Wings on the menu so we ordered 8 original Tiger Wings and 8 garlic. We each ordered a beer and I rarely drink beer but if Amanda was willing to make a dietary exception so was I!

Highland Oatmeal Stout and a PBR.

The fried veggies were great, especially the mushrooms. The onion rings were not really rings, they were  basically shredded and very messy to eat – that’s not a complaint, I eat lots of messy things. . .including wings. On a second visit we opted out of the onions and replacd them with potato skins. Go easy on me people, I was moving and clinging to food like a blanket. I promise I’m working it off in Portland!

Eat Your Veggies!

Okay, the wings are outstanding. Aaron has dubed them the best in North Carolina, maybe even the world! They have a zesty citrus flavor and a spicy element similar to Mae Ploy sauce, but different. They are tender and saucy, messy and sticky, they are glorious handfuls of everything that is right about bird consumption.

Tiger Wings!

More Tiger Wings!

Special thanks to Amanda for suggesting this place. I love that she turned meat consumption in to broken heart therapy. . .and dogs, she also turns dogs in to therapy.

 

Amanda and Olive forever. Awwww.