Restaurants – Page 19 – The Celiathlete

November 10, 2011

Earth Friends Café serves up a little something for everyone…and all of it (locally) fantastic!

Restaurant: Earth Friends Café, New Albany, Indiana

Stop the presses! Hold the phone! Insert double take…here.

A local café…as in…where I live…that serves up not only vegan/vegetarian food…but also gluten-free options?! Have I stepped into an alternate universe?

Not quite. What I have stumbled across, however, is a fantastic little café in my own backyard. The little shop opened up in April 2011, so it’s pretty new on the scene. The owner, Stacie, placed a specific emphasis on giving the locals a place where they could get vegan, vegetarian, local, organic, fair-trade and cruelty-free items all in one place. And she did all this with gusto…in a town that has seen nothing like this before.

I had been told about this business, first by my former journalism professor, and then by a vegan co-worker who raved about it. With two glowing endorsements, I knew I needed to try it out. So, I took a long lunch one day from my office and my roommate and I headed out to give their food and drinks a try.

The menu is simple, fresh, and seasonal. It only took me a moment to decide what I was going to have. The same held true for my roommate. She ordered up the Smoked BBQ Chicken Quesadilla (which is made with local smoked chicken, mind you!), with a side of the organic applesauce ($7.95), and paired it with the most amazing White Chocolate and Hazelnut Mocha (made with organic skim milk) ($4.20). Honestly…for not liking coffee drinks, she devoured this one.

As for my lunch, I went with the Veggie Wrap (on a gluten-free wrap), which is smeared with roasted red pepper hummus and filled with spinach leaves, carrots, green peppers, toasted pumpkin seeds, and I topped mine off with Daiya vegan cheese with the seasonal fruit as my side ($6.95). And, my drink of choice, a Sugar-Free Brown Sugar Cinnamon Latte ($3.45), which was done with almond milk! FINALLY, a local café that gives the option of either almond milk or coconut milk…because sometimes soy milk isn’t gluten-free and there is no guarantee that it won’t affect you if you are gluten-intolerant. So, this made me extremely happy.

Earth Friends Café's Sugar-Free Brown Sugar Cinnamon Latte with Almond Milk

The latte was, in a word, to die for. It smelled like a freshly baked sugar cookie…and the taste matched. Brilliantly timed espresso shot, so that it didn’t overpower the other flavors that were working in the drink. The almond milk (I’m still stupid excited about having a local place that gives this option!) was steamed to the perfect perfection and I had a healthy dose of the foam on top (my favorite!). I think I fell in love with that drink. I did steal a small sip of my roommate’s drink creation and I was blown away. Honestly, she won the coffee pool that day. It was like drinking a dessert.

As for the food…well…we were blown away by it. Honestly. My wrap was so delicious…packed with flavor and food. There was no skimping on the filling here. The vegetables were fresh, crisp, and paired so well with the hummus. The gluten-free wrap and the vegan cheese were amazing compliments to the fresh flavors that filled the actual sandwich. One bite…and I was hooked. One of my favorite parts of the wrap was the inclusion of the toasted pumpkin seeds. Never would have thought about it, but it just added a bit of texture and flair. And it was amazing. As for the hummus…I was hooked. No bit of that spread was going to waste. It was a very filling, very delicious meal. The fruit that came on the side was also fresh, chilled, and ripe. I was in local foodie heaven.

Both my roommate and I polished off our meals and drinks…and were quite happy with our experience. The staff there is fantastic. Very friendly. Very talkative. I mean, we had a long conversation with our server, Remy, about U2 and concerts. It was friendly, casual, and it didn’t feel like the first time I had stepped in there. I already felt like part of the family. I felt like I belonged. And with the various options (meat, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free)…this place is heads and tails ahead of the game in this area. There really is something for everyone to enjoy and if what we sampled was any indication of what the rest of the menu is like…prepare yourself for a tantalizing foodie journey. All in a bare-bones, minimalist shop…just off the beaten path in my town. It’s a diamond in the rough.

Oh…and as a side note regarding how amazing this place can be…on a recent Facebook posting, Stacie was letting followers know about the pumpkin waffles being served up on Saturday morning. I asked if they were gluten-free and she came back quickly saying that if I let her know when I’m coming in, she can make me up gluten-free waffles. What other business goes to that length for their patrons? I am beyond impressed. I’m sold. I want to get the word out about this fantastic business…get people in there. Because I want this place to be around for a long time. Selfishly so I can enjoy the benefits of this business…but unselfishly…this is a local business run by local people doing great things for the community (the owner has a flair for animal rights!).

If you live in New Albany, Indiana…or close by…or if you happen to be passing through…get to Grant Line Road. Get to Earth Friends Café. Get amazing food and service by amazing people doing amazing things.

I am hooked. Soon…you will be too. I promise!

Earth Friends Café's Veggie Wrap (on a gluten-free wrap w/ Daiya vegan cheese) with seasonal fruit

October 23, 2011October 23, 2011

Wildly egg-static about the food, service, and atmosphere at Wild Eggs

Wild Eggs, Westport Village, Louisville, Kentucky

Restaurant: Wild Eggs, Louisville, Kentucky

Sometimes, a restaurant opens up. You hear a lot about it from people. You read a lot about it in local papers. You keep saying you’re going to try it out. And then one day…you finally do.

And your life is changed.

It has well been established throughout this blog that breakfast food, in my book, always wins. So when a place is called Wild Eggs and the menu is breakfast and brunch items…well, I’m sold!

Wild Eggs turned out to be one of those places my roommate and I made a snap decision to try out as my belated birthday meal. I couldn’t’ choose a place so she suggested we give this place a shot. Why not? So, we headed that way and were greeted with a line out the door and people milling about with buzzers for when they had a table. This is a good sign, because a busy restaurant means it’s a good restaurant. I hopped out of the car to go get on the waiting list, and was told we would have a 20-35 minute wait. Not bad.

Our wait was a chilly one, but it the time flew and soon we found ourselves seated at a table…right near the kitchen, which delighted me because I could look in and see all the cooks and chefs on the line. Yeah…foodie nerd! I know. But it was COOL! Our waitress came out with a pitcher of water, got our drink orders, and left us to look at the menu. When Diet Coke’s arrived, we were ready to order. My roommate went for the Wild Mushroom and Roasted Garlic Scramble, which comes with skillet potatoes and an Everything muffin.

As for me…I went with the Surfer Girl Omelet (made with egg whites only), no sour cream, no Everything muffin, but a side of fruit would be great, and the skillet potatoes. So…what exactly is the Surfer Girl Omelet? In my case, it was fresh spinach, wild mushrooms, tomatoes, cream cheese, and onion folded into egg whites, and topped with pico de gallo, avocado and fresh alfalfa sprouts. It intrigued me when I saw the menu, and everything was safe for me to eat, and it had avocado on it (YUM) so it won.

We had a small wait for our food to arrive (which means it is cooked to order and not just dished out of big pans) but when it did…it all looked amazing. My food did arrive with the muffin and no skillet potatoes…but they were quick to fix this when I pointed it out. My roommate, who fell in love with the Everything muffin, took mine to take home with her to enjoy the following morning. It all worked out in the end.

The food looked mouth-watering good! I mean, it was breakfast art on a plate. I couldn’t wait to dig in. The omelet itself was packed with flavor. I would never have thought that cream cheese would work in an omelet, but it did. And it worked well. SO delicious, especially when combined with the flavors of the egg whites and the vegetables. I topped mine off with a dash of Cholula hot sauce, as always. The heat from the sauce and the cooling nature of the cream cheese couldn’t have been better matched. Epic breakfast win. The skillet potatoes were browned to perfection too. And there were a lot of them. Delicious on their own or with a smear of ketchup, these were soft on the inside but had that bit of crunchiness on the outside. Just what I look for in skillet potatoes. They are cooked up with some onion, which not only added flavor, but a little more crunch. Right on the money. I couldn’t have been more happy.

When my parents came into town to visit and watch me run in Louisville’s Race for the Cure, afterwards we went out to brunch at Wild Eggs, at my insistence, because I wanted to take them somewhere that they can’t get back in Alabama, and where they can enjoy a wonderful meal. My mom, who also has a gluten-intolerance, ordered the Surfer Girl Omelet (as did I…again!) and loved it. My dad tried the Violet You’re Turning Violet pancakes (which are buttermilk pancakes, topped with blueberries, whipped cream, and maple syrup) with a side of bacon. Our waitress talked him down to two pancakes instead of the full three because of the sheer size and fluffiness of them and he even couldn’t finish that. He thanked our waitress profusely for talking him down from three. And my roommate got a little crazy this time around and tried the Creole Omelet (a mix of rock shrimp, andouille sausage, bell pepper, onion, and cheddar jack cheese, topped with a Creole hollandaise sauce (which she LOVED), and served with the skillet potatoes and Everything muffin).

Breakfast is not only the most important meal of the day…but also my favorite. I love eating at Wild Eggs. As much as I love my local standbys (Toast on Market and Lynn’s Paradise Café), Wild Eggs is sheer atmosphere, paired with great service, and delicious food. I can’t wait to find another reason to go back…and bring along some more people for a delicious brunch treat.

Wild Eggs has three locations in Louisville, Kentucky and one location in Denver, Colorado. So…if you live in the vicinity of one or are just passing through one of the cities…around breakfast/lunch time…do go in and enjoy a filling, delicious meal. And then spread the word about Wild Eggs. It’s food worth bragging about!

Wild Eggs' Surfer Girl Omelet with a side of fresh fruit

October 17, 2011

Brazenhead Irish Pub’s overpriced, over-seasoned, over-dressed food not worth the authentic pub atmosphere

Restaurant: Brazenhead Irish Pub, Dublin, Ohio

It’s not every day that I have something bad to say about an Irish pub. I mean, it happens…but not often. One reason I love to eat out at pubs is that there is, almost always, something on the menu for a vegetarian that doesn’t involve a salad. I love the ambiance, the atmosphere, and the friendliness of the staff. Pubs are good for that. They make you feel like you’re visiting old friends, or right at home.

But…it was a bit different with the Brazenhead Irish Pub.

It was a beautiful weekend in Columbus, Ohio. I was in town for a soccer match with my roommate and we were visiting our good friend Jenn. As we tend to eat out once while there, and normally at a pub of some sort (as both Jenn and Cathy are huge fish and chips fans!), we opted to try somewhere we hadn’t been yet. Hence, a journey into Dublin, Ohio and our selection of Brazenhead.

From the outside, Brazenhead Irish Pub looks like an old house. Nothing special. Nothing that screams Irish pub. However, step inside Brazenhead, and you’re almost transported into Ireland. Take it from this girl who has been there four times and eaten in pubs there. The atmosphere at Brazenhead is inspiring. Dark wood, rustic tables, it’s the little touches that help give a pub its authentic feel. The enormous bar to your left as you walk in was absolutely awe-inspiring. And, thank the Irish gods, no crappy tourist music playing “Molly Malone” or “Danny Boy.” I hate it when a pub caters to what American’s think of as “Irish” and put on the hokey tourist music.

The bar and interior of Brazenhead Irish Pub, Dublin, Ohio

We were in for a late lunch this day, but we weren’t the only ones. Quite a few small parties filtered in for a late lunch/early dinner. We sat ourselves around the corner from the bar, near the doors leading out to the back patio. Our server handed us menus, took our drink orders, and let us look things over. My friends knew what they were getting, but I had to do a bit of searching.

While this pub didn’t have something beyond salads for a vegetarian (aka: no veggie burgers or portabella mushroom options) they did have delicious sounding salads, unlike any other pub I’ve gone to. So, my friends ordered their fish and chips (at $12.95) and I put in for the Balsamic Salad ($5.00) with a side of their chips (~$3.00).

Here is the bizarre thing about Brazenhead’s menu. Yes…you get chips with your fish or as a side with a sandwich or burger…but these are chips. Not actual fries. So…in the UK or Ireland, you’re really being served “crisps” and not “chips.” In fact, I do believe this is the first pub that I have been to where fries weren’t even an option on the menu. Very strange for a pub.

Food wasn’t rushed out, which I appreciate. We all had time to wander down to the very dark reaches of the bottom floor to use the bathroom (also dark). I do like knowing that my food, at least, was prepared fresh. I don’t mind a small wait when it comes to food preparation and serving. So, this was perfect. But when it did arrive…I was hungry and ready to eat.

My Balsamic Salad was a simple mix of greens, gorgonzola cheese, sunflower seeds and dried cranberries…which was unfortunately swimming in a healthy dose of balsamic vinaigrette. I normally get salads with dressing on the side to avoid this…but had been fortunate enough in recent history not to have my salad drenched in dressing that I didn’t ask. Aside from the overdose of balsamic vinaigrette, the various components of the salad actually worked really well together. The cranberries added a bit of flavor, which was balanced out by the gorgonzola cheese. The dressing, while a bit much, had the right hint of flavor to tie everything together in the end. So, aside from the generous helping of vinaigrette, the salad was edible.

The chips on the other hand…were salty as hell. No, really. I know it’s engrained in the head of every chef to season, season, season…but there is a difference between seasoning and sending your patrons to the salt lick. And, that’s how I felt at first taste of my side of chips. And I wasn’t alone. Both of my friends had equally salty chips as their sides with their fish. We were doing our best to brush over five days worth of sodium content off our chips with our fingers…but we grew tired of that and just eventually stopped eating them. I was glad I had ordered water as my drink because I think the salt content had sapped all of the hydration in my body. Heavy-handed on the salt is an understatement. It sort of…ruined it for us. Both of my friends said the fish was okay, but for the price they paid, they did expect more than the two small planks served to them.

So, while Brazenhead Irish Pub has the ambiance and the atmosphere, what it lacks is good food. Over seasoned, over dressed…I didn’t go out to eat to drink my salad and then un-season every chip I attempted to eat. This just shows a lack of care in the kitchen. Nothing was tasted. Obviously. Either that, or the chef has a strong liking of salt, because it was way too much. For a country being told to watch their sodium intake, those chips were bucking the new nutritional guidelines. Wow. Unbelievable.

Overall…it was okay. Not enough to make me want to go back. The food was mediocre, which is quite sad for a pub. Pub grub is supposed to be delicious. But Brazenhead fell short. It failed to impress this Irish girl. But…if nothing else, it supplied me with a full year’s worth of sodium. So I’m set now until January.

One day…I’ll just learn to send food back. Get it done right or get it taken off the check. Unfortunately…it didn’t happen that day. Too bad…as it was a high price to pay for over-salted, over dressed, overpriced food. It wasn’t bad…it just wasn’t good.

Damn.

Brazehead Irish Pub's Balsamic Salad with a side of chips

October 15, 2011

BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse brews up satisfying (but small) gluten-free menu

It was my birthday a couple weeks back.

My first gluten-free birthday at that. This made the choice of where to eat a bit more of a challenge. Since my birthday falls on International Talk Like A Pirate Day…the normal go-to spot was Joe’s Crab Shack. But…two years ago I became a vegetarian and back in February, I was instructed to go gluten-free (and, wow…I feel SO much better)…so the fried fishes at Joe’s were no longer an option for me. At all. And who really just wants a salad on their birthday?

I had found out via quite a few blogs about how BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse had added a gluten-free menu to their restaurant. And…it just so happened that we have a BJs in the Louisville area. So, my roommate suggested it to her mom, who was treating me to the birthday meal out, and the decision was made.

BJ’s was a busy place that day. We had to wait a couple minutes to be seated, but that was fine. With one of the major bridges closed between Southern Indiana and Louisville, KY…half of the dinner party was still trying to get into Kentucky. So…the wait was a good thing. We were seated, everyone made it, and we all began to peruse the menu. While the gluten-free at BJ’s is small (for the moment), it did have quite a few options for me.

Plenty of salads…a vegetable stuffed baked potato…a huge baked potato…soups (Tuscan tomato bisque or broccoli cheddar)…or a thin-crust pizza with any choice of their gluten-free toppings (which is all of them except the meatballs…which this vegetarian wasn’t interested in anyway). There is even a dessert option (something rarely seen in restaurants around here) for a gluten-free “pizookie” or basically a giant chocolate chip cookie served in a deep-dish pan and topped with vanilla ice cream. Pause for a moment…to drool.

I went with the pizza. After all…that would mean leftovers because…there was no way I could eat a 10-inch thin-crust pizza in one sitting. Well, I could, but I wouldn’t feel too good afterwards. I opted to top mine with mushrooms and roasted garlic…because that sounded really good. Everyone else did a variety of things…from sandwiches to pork chops, to a deep-dish pizza….to fish and chips. So, we had quite the variety on our table when all was said and done.

Food was delivered and my pizza looked and smelled amazing. I have always preferred thin-crust pizzas to pan or deep-dish pizzas, so this was exquisite! I waited for everyone to get their food, then as we all dove in for our first tastes, I picked up a slice, moved it to my plate (it was hot), and picked up a fork and knife to have my first taste.

It was…delicious. The gluten-free pizza crust was crispy, yet still had a bit of give to it. Just how I like my pizzas. I want them to hold up to the sauce and toppings and not fall apart when picked up. But I don’t want to be crunching on my crust either. And BJ’s had just the right consistency with theirs. The cheese, tomato sauce, roasted garlic, and mushrooms just melted together, the flavor just incredible. Pair it with the herb-infused crust and it was gluten-free magic. Honestly…this pizza was something to rave about. And I do…often. Because this experience made me want to go back to BJ’s and bring other people with me to try it out.

With leftovers in hand, we skipped dessert (but I will go back with a couple people and get that gluten-free chocolate chip pizookie!) as I had some homemade strawberry shortcakes at home for my birthday treat.

The service was fantastic. The restaurant caters to people with food allergies. And I felt safe eating there. I knew…what was put in front of me would not make me feel sick or hurt after eating it. And that was a confidence I wish I had when I ate out at more places. Big kudos to BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse for their foray into the gluten-free market and helping gluten-free diners like me feel confident in eating there.

Can’t wait to come back and try another gluten-free treat!

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse gluten-free thin-crust pizza — BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse's gluten-free thin-crust pizza (my toppings, roasted garlic & mushrooms)

October 14, 2011

I scream (and you should too) for ice cream from The Comfy Cow

There was a gem right in my backyard and I didn’t even know about it. I had no clue it even existed until I saw it was being featured on Man v. Food Nation on The Travel Channel. And it involved ice cream. ICE CREAM. Only my most favorite thing in this world and I didn’t know about this place!! Thank God for Adam Richman and those crazy food challenges!

The place I am speaking of is The Comfy Cow, Louisville, Kentucky’s very own ice cream destination. It’s here that customers get to sample and enjoy creative flavors of handcrafted, super-premium ice cream that is made right there on location. In fact, the Web site states that only the freshest and finest ingredients are used in each of their flavors. I can assure this is true, because on my last visit there, I saw staff hauling in the fresh ingredients to take to the back of the Westport Village location to begin making more of their delicious flavors.

One big draw to The Comfy Cow is the food challenge. Called The Comfy Cow, this sundae comes with fifteen scoops (or 90 ounces) of any of their signature flavors, which are then covered in fresh whipped cream, maraschino cherries, and served with four sidecars of any of their sauces and toppings, and finally finished off with chopped nuts. I learned from someone who actually ate this to choose the flavors wisely…as they were so excited about a bourbon flavor and a lemon flavor, that they had those added first, so they were the last to get eaten, and after she and her friends consumed the other flavors, all that was left was a melting bourbon lemony mess. But they managed to finish, despite the odd flavor at the end.

But what drew me to The Comfy Cow was a different sort of sundae. It has always been my go-to treat when it comes to ice cream. The Banana Split.

At The Comfy Cow, this treat is listed as A Monkey’s Delight. Gotta love the clever names on their menu! And what it includes is three scoops of their signature ice cream flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla, and their “Strawberry” Fields Forever (MY FAVORITE!). These are then topped with a different topping (chocolate – hot fudge; vanilla – pineapple, strawberry – strawberries), covered with whipped cream, sprinkled with chopped peanuts, and then topped off with a maraschino cherry…all laden on top of one split banana.

It was the most exciting thing to eat. The flavors explode in your mouth. You can tell the ice cream is handcrafted and fresh. And I cannot say enough good things about their Strawberry Fields Forever flavor. Honestly…the best freakin’ strawberry ice cream I have ever eaten. Anywhere. Ever! Pair it with the vanilla and chocolate and you have Neapolitan Dynamite (heh…I made that up!), because they are the richest, finest flavored ice creams. Paired with the toppings and the ripe banana, this is simply one of the best sundaes you will ever consume. Fresh. Cold. Amazing. And save the Strawberry Fields Forever flavor as your last bite. Trust me. It’s awesome! But bring a friend or two…these sundaes are not meant to be consumed alone!

But why just go there for sundaes? This is an ice cream shoppe. There is so much more to try and I intend to work my way down the menu however I can. With my food allergies, however, anything with a cookie, cake, brownie or bar is off my radar. But that’s why I have friends!

This last visit, my parents were in town visiting, so my roommate and I decided to bring them here to try this ice cream that we’d been raving about. We all decided to go for regular scoops…and then sample each others. My mom got the Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip. My dad took my advice about the Strawberry Fields Forever flavor and stuck with that. My roommate went for Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, and I got the Lemon with Raspberries flavor.

The Comfy Cow's Lemon with Raspberries ice cream

OMG…mine was fantastic. So fresh and creamy. The lemon and raspberry flavors really meshed well. It was a delightful treat and just so packed with fresh flavors. I couldn’t get enough of it. I did sample everyone’s ice cream as well and they were all AMAZING! But my lemon one was so delicious, I’m going to have to make myself try another flavor and not just stick with it or go with the Strawberry Fields Forever. Yeah…amazing, vibrant, light, and delicious!

The Comfy Cow is Louisville, Kentucky’s best ice cream shoppe around. Hands down. You can’t beat the atmosphere, the customer service, and the flavors that this place has to offer. How I didn’t know about it before, I’ll never know. Now that I do know about it…I’m hooked. And I’m always looking forward to going back and trying something else.

And maybe one day…me and about 15 other people will tackle that Comfy Cow Sundae (with flavors that won’t taste odd when melting together at the end). Maybe. Until then, I’ll happily share a sundae with a friend or lap up one of their fine scoops of ice cream. Calories don’t count when something makes you this happy.

And ice cream…good hand-crafted ice cream at a local location…makes me stupid happy!

The Comfy Cow's banana split (aka: A Monkey's Delight Sundae)

August 7, 2011August 7, 2011

Coffee Perkfection!

Perkfections — Perfections Cafe & Bar, Jeffersonville, Indiana

Just when I think I have had the best coffee anywhere…I find somewhere that does it better.

I’m growing quite fond of the myriad of different local coffee shops in our area here. I have known about Perkfection for awhile. After all, a lot of journalism majors at my university hung out there or held meetings there. But, I never quite ventured out that way. However, a Groupon came over my e-mail for half off drinks and food from this coffee shop and diner, and I was quite eager to purchase it and give it a try.

So that’s what I did.

The actual Groupon sat for months because of my busy schedule. Things had finally settled down and the expiration date was approaching…so my roommate and I headed down to Jeffersonville, Indiana to see about some morning caffeine.

The actual shop is quite open and very welcoming. Lots of natural light. We were greeted immediately by the barista behind the counter, who took a moment to explain a little bit about the drink menu. I guess we looked like newbies to this place. Then again, as a former barista, you do get to know your customers. New faces…new chance to impress.

So, orders in. My roommate got a tall (which is a medium here) mint mocha with skim milk and I ordered a tall sugar-free chocolate latte with soy milk. Simple enough decision. So, our lovely barista went to execute the orders. She did the mocha first, double-checking to make sure that whipped cream was wanted. When it comes to my roommate, whipped cream is not an option – it’s a necessity. That made, she went to pour my soy milk to steam it…and then realized that she didn’t have any soy milk in stock. It had been used up the night prior and no one told her. She asked if I could have milk at all. So, I took a lactase enzyme and said it would be fine with skim milk this time.

With both drinks made she rang us up…and we were just under the total on the coupon. But this is also a diner…and there were cookies. I couldn’t have one, but my roommate saw the chocolate chip goodness in the case and said she’d love a cookie. We were now over by $0.13, but the barista told us not to worry about it, handed over the cookie and the drinks and we were on our way.

Now, while I do love my coffee…my roommate is a little harder to please. She actually got in a sip of her drink before I managed with mine, and immediately declared this to be “The Best Coffee Ever.” Strange words coming from her, but not ones to be taken lightly. I took a sip of my own and what I noticed was the blend of flavors. It played on my palate. The roast of espresso had a nutty tang to it, which meshed perfectly with my sugar-free chocolate syrup. The entire drink was smooth, and heated to perfection: not too hot so immediate gratification could be met.

I dislike that Perkfection entails a drive to Jeffersonville, but with coffee this amazing…I do want to go back. I do want to try other things there. And I do want to support a local business. Speaking of supporting a local business…their coffee is local as well.

And as for that cookie…my roommate saved it for later as a snack. But it was gone as quickly as she had unwrapped it from the wax paper. She actually said, “Damn…their cookies are amazing too.” I will only have to take her word on that, unless they start getting (or baking) gluten-free treats.

Jeffersonville has a gem of a coffee shop downtown in Perfections. Great service. Great coffee. Great experience. Great prices! Enough to win me over and declare that we would have to go back as soon as possible for more. And I intend to hold to that.

Local business. Local roast. Local coffee. Nothing short of Perkfection, indeed!

Perkfection's Sugar-Free Chocolate Latte — Perkfection's Non-fat Sugar-Free Chocolate Latte

August 5, 2011

The best of the British Isles served up well-done at Pittsburgh’s Piper’s Pub

I know…it’s another pub. But pubs are interesting, shady places and the atmosphere that you find inside them is as addicting as the drinks they pour. What is it about a crowded little dive that smells of booze, is loud, and at times full of soccer fans and rugby fans that continues to bring me back?

Pub grub. The food.

Healthy…more than likely not. But no one goes to a pub expecting low-calorie, low-fat goodness. You go to a pub to eat. Seriously eat. And sample a draft (or two or three or four) while you are there. And if you’re fortunate with your timing, you catch a match on the television and bond over who will win and lose with the other patrons and regulars.

Yes…pubs are their own little world and these imports from the Isles continue to lure me inside their doors, seat me at their dark tables, and serve me their food.

Piper’s Pub was a gem of a find. Ranked in the top 20 out of over 1000 restaurants on Trip Adviser, while in Pittsburgh for the U2 show, my roommate and I stopped in to get our last decent meal in before we endured the endless day of standing in the general admission line starting before most people would crawl out of their slumber. A good meal the night before makes that task a little easier.

Located among a row of various shops and restaurants, Piper’s Pub stands out simply with its black awnings and dark wood façade. It looks like a genuine pub, so right there, you already know what you’re getting into. You enter through the bar. The entire building is a narrow corridor, with a bar to your left, packed with people, as you enter. However, if you are looking to dine, continue past the bar to the hostess stand in middle, just as you reach a mass of tables and booths. The ambiance is pub-like…dimly lit and buzzing with chatter and the sound of drink glasses against the wood of the bar and tables. We were seated quickly and given time to peruse the menu.

Piper's Pub's House Salad with a Raspberry Vinaigrette

As with every pub, my roommate ordered up her usual fish and chips, but wet her appetite with a cup of the Gaelic Four Onion Soup. While there are quite a few different vegetarian options on the menu, I found one that was entirely gluten-free so nothing would have to be done to change it up. I started off with a House Salad, no croutons, with a raspberry vinaigrette and for my meal…I got the Vegetable Curry and went with it seasoned hot instead of medium. With the orders in, we took a moment to take in the actual surroundings and chat.

Our starters arrived soon after. The salad was beautiful. Everything had such bright and vibrant colors in it. And this salad had a bit of a twist: capers. You read that right. And I am not even a fan of capers, but the flavor blended so perfectly with the tomato, sweet cherry pepper, cucumber, red onion the bed of greens all of that topped. The raspberry vinaigrette was the right level of tart and tangy. Perfect for a vinaigrette. The produce was fresh. The greens had that crisp snap when you bit into them. The red onion offered up the perfect bite. And all the rest just made up a delicious salad that I really enjoyed working my way through.

After our starters were done, the entrees were brought out. I was quite interested in how a pub specializing in British, Scottish and Irish food would do with a curry. It looked absolutely fantastic. It was a balance of eggplant, portabella mushroom and zucchini, cooked in their spicy Vindaloo curry sauce and served over half-mashed redskin potatoes. When it was set down in front of me, I could smell the heat from the curry. I knew this was going to be amazing.

First bite…I wanted all the flavors…the vegetables and the potato with the curry. Scooping it up on my fork, I took a bite and was treated to a spicy burst of flavor. It was the perfect level of curry hotness. Enough to spark the fire without burning the lining of my stomach. And the vegetables were cooked to perfection. They weren’t underdone and spilling wet juice everywhere. And they weren’t overcooked and rock hard. They were soft, easy to cut through with a fork, and paired so well with the redskin potato mash that each bite tasted even more fantastic. And it was just as satisfying if I only gathered up one of the vegetables or a bit of potato, as it was when everything mingled on the fork. One of my favorite things I’ve ever eaten at a pub…hands down.

I was quite pleased with the experience at Piper’s Pub while I was in Pittsburgh. I wouldn’t hesitate to stop in again. Nor would I hesitate to order that Vegetable Curry from their menu again. When flavors and textures mix and mingle in perfect harmony not only on the plate but in my mouth, I’m forever in love. This meal was fantastic and I think I might be hard-pressed to find another pub that does up a vegetarian and gluten-free plate to this standard.

Trust the reviews…and trust me. Piper’s Pub may seem like a small little dive in the center of town, but in Pittsburgh, it’s top of my list and reviewer’s lists on places to go to eat. Give it a try. And go off the beaten path…try something you normally wouldn’t. I did. And now I just want more!

August 3, 2011

Airport not easy to navigate with food allergies…and Luigi Stefani’s falls short on food options

Ah…the airport! It can be a nightmare to navigate on its own as it is. Try finding a lunch while being a vegetarian and having food allergies. Lunch becomes nigh on impossible. Sure, some airports are easier than others. I admit that…

But Chicago Midway can be a nightmare! It’s a nice airport, sure. And the food court does offer up a plethora of dining options…as long as you can have foods containing gluten and/or eat meat. Since I can do neither, my lunch experience here had my blood pressure on the rise, my stomach rumbling and had me on the verge of tears since I was starving and had little actual food I could enjoy.

You’d think I’d be used to that by now. And I am…but when I’m hungry, I’m hungry and those little shops with the unhealthy and overpriced snacks aren’t going to cut it. Overpriced actual airport food was what I needed.

My roommate decided she was going to get a slice of pizza at Luigi Stefani’s Pizzaria in Midway. So, while she was in line, she spotted their salad bar. Okay…a salad is better than nothing, so I hiked over there to take a look at it. It looked okay…so I got into the long line, waiting through the people ordering pizza and bread sticks…and finally placed my order for a Caprese Salad.

I admit…I really wasn’t feeling a salad at that moment. But I had no other options. So, after paying an ungodly amount of money for a small salad, I was handed a tiny bowl with cherry tomatoes and mozzarella balls, drenched in a vinaigrette. No greens. Just tomatoes and cheese. I know that’s what caprese is…but usually if I order a caprese salad, I at least get it on a bed of greens.

So, I took my little bowl of tomatoes and cheese and unhappily sulked back to the table my roommate was sitting at, enjoying her slice of pizza. I wasn’t impressed with the salad at all. The tomatoes were okay, but not really ripe enough. The cheese was good. But, to be honest, what I was eating was just not what I wanted. It was one of the most miserable meals I sat down to. The food was okay, but it didn’t blow me away. And a small serving of tomatoes and balls of mozzarella wasn’t going to hold me until dinner much later that evening.

I can’t speak about their pizzas and pastas, but I wasn’t blown away with their salad options, portions, or presentation. Perhaps I’m just nitpicking now, but, even if food isn’t what I want (I’ve had to make substitutions at restaurants before…and not get my fries), I usually don’t let it get to me. But this bothered me for some reason. Perhaps it was the lack of greens. Or the fact that tomatoes and cheese does not a meal make. Or that it took so long to find something for an food-allergic vegetarian to eat while at the airport. Any way you slice it, I was not a happy foodie that day.

So…a word to any airport managers or higher ups…at Midway or other airports around the country…please, with the rise in food allergies, open up a few more options in the food courts. Sitting down at a restaurant is good if you have the time, but we didn’t so after already being limited, I was even further limited on food choices.

Nothing against Luigi Stefani’s…but I could have had that same food anywhere and probably had it done better. Maybe it was the airport. Or maybe it was the service and food. Whatever it was…it didn’t blow me away. In fact, it left me hungry for something else. So, after eating something I could have made at home…I went in search of something that would satisfy me.

Meals are big deals. This was worse than bland. This was forgettable.

August 1, 2011August 2, 2011

The 5-8 Club serves up “juicy” Minneapolis original and vegetarian burger options

I blame Adam Richman of Travel Channel’s Man v. Food. No. Seriously.

If not for his stop in Minneapolis one season, I never would have even known or thought to look up a restaurant known as the 5-8 Club. Now, being a vegetarian, this meat-heavy menu normally wouldn’t appeal to me at all. But unlike some restaurants, this one-time speakeasy can prepare all but their two signature burgers (the Juicy Lucy and the Saucy Sally) as a veggie burger. WIN!

Make sure if you plan to eat at the 5-8 Club, you plan ahead. Because it gets busy…and stays busy! This is not a bad thing, unless you are absolutely starving. Granted, while the wait we had wasn’t too bad, the place was packed. So, my aunt held the spot for snagging a table and my roommate, my cousin and I all ventured outside to the nearby park to relax before being called to sit down for dinner.

The 5-8 Club, Home of the Juicy Lucy, Minneapolis, Minnesota

This place is known for their burgers. The Juicy Lucy being the prime one that is featured on Travel Channel’s Man v. Food and Food Wars. One other establishment that claims to have invented the burger is Matt’s Bar, which has an alternative spelling as well (Jucy Lucy). So…the battle began over whether this burger was born at the hands of the owners of the 5-8 Club or Matt’s Bar. But after simply watching an episode of Man v. Food, the burger at the 5-8 Club looked much better than Matt’s…plus it used proper spelling (always a plus with this journalism major!)…so…decision made.

We did have a couple try to persuade us to go to Matt’s instead. They claimed Matt’s had the better version of the Juicy Lucy…but we were set on the 5-8 Club. And I’m glad we stuck to our guns on this one.

After finally snagging a table in the bustling restaurant, we looked over the menus and made our decisions. I was getting the Mushroom Swiss Veggie Burger (no bun) with fries. My aunt got the California Burger with fries. My cousin, Natalie, got the Juicy Lucy with American cheese and fries. And my roommate…she got the Juicy Lucy with American cheese and onion rings.

So…what is a Juicy Lucy? After all that set-up, I suppose I should at least explain the signature dish. Well, it’s simple, really. The Juicy Lucy is a half-pound burger that is stuffed with cheese. That’s right, the burger is folded around the cheese. And at the 5-8 Club, you get your choice of either American, Swiss or Blue cheese for the center of your burger. The magic is when you cut the burger in half…which you’ll want to do to avoid scalding. You see, the burger is then grilled up, so that the meat is still juicy, but that the cheese that is inside melts down. When you cut it in half to cool it off, the cheese oozes out of the burger. It’s meaty, cheesy magic and people eat it up (literally!).

Most burgers at the 5-8 club are quarter pounders. However, the Juicy Lucy and the Saucy Sally are both half a pound. So…come with an appetite. They also don’t skimp on the sides. I had more fries than I knew what to do with, as did both my aunt and cousin. And my roommate…well…after eating her entire Juicy Lucy, she still tackled her fries and only left one behind. What a foodie trooper!!

But the whole purpose of my blog isn’t to showcase meat. I mean, I don’t even eat it. So, what about my meal?

The Mushroom Swiss Veggie Burger was a veggie burger patty, topped with sauteed mushrooms and melted swiss cheese. Basic. Simple. But still…bursting with flavor. The veggie burger is actually packed with real vegetables. It was nice to slice into the vegetarian patty and see the fresh ingredients that were part of it. And the cheese was melted to gooey perfection over a bed of perfectly seasoned and sauteed mushrooms.

The fries were AMAZING! Most people recommend this establishment’s Jojo Fries…but I’m not a fan of wedge fries, so I went with the standard ones and was very impressed. They weren’t over-salted. Seasoned, yes…but not overdone. And crisp on the outside with the perfect mash of potato on the inside. Yes…these people have been cooking up delicious food for decades and it shows with the quality of the food they put out. When people say the 5-8 Club has the best burgers in town, it’s probably true. I can at least say I enjoyed one of the best veggie burgers I have ever had the pleasure of eating. And my carnivorous dining partners all praised the burgers that they had.

If you are headed up to Minneapolis and want to try out an interesting, eclectic place with a fascinating history and fierce competition within its city…hit up the 5-8 Club. Even if you are a vegetarian like me, you still get an amazing burger at a great price. And the atmosphere and history just make the experience all the better. Best burgers in town? They have the awards on the wall to prove it, but I suggest going in and trying it for yourself. I got the vegetarian option and was blown away!

The 5-8 Club Mushroom Swiss Veggie Burger (no bun) with a side of fries

July 29, 2011

Food allergies not on point at Eagles Point Diner

There are restaurants that get it…and restaurants that don’t. Food allergies are everywhere these days. More and more people are being affected with an intolerance to food items, and at various ages and stages in their lives. Any restaurant worth its salt should have a working knowledge of the most common food allergies and have items that can compensate or be easily substituted for those patrons that may have an issue with the food on the menu.

While in St. Louis, Missouri, on a recent trip, my roommate’s family decided to do dinner at a local restaurant known as Eagles Point Diner, located in Grafton, Illinois. I love to eat out (obviously), but let’s face it…being a vegetarian with a gluten intolerance isn’t always the easiest thing to work around. Double that level of difficulty when the restaurant you go to is one of those “good ol’ home cooking” kind of joints.

I had attempted a little research into the diner prior to going to eat there. There wasn’t much to be found. No Website for the actual restaurant. All I could find were a mix of reviews on Trip Adviser and Yelp. A couple were favorable, but I also stumbled across a few that were written by people who have or were there with someone with some sort of food allergy. There was a strong leaning on how the staff was unable to really help them and the owner/chef was less than responsive to the issue. This didn’t make me feel very confident about the evening’s meal. But trying to find another place to eat with an iPhone on a limited battery is no easy task. So, in the end, after a few alternative suggestions…we ended up going to Eagles Point regardless.

Upon entering and seeing the specials on the board, I could tell this was going to be an interesting…and difficult…dining experience. We were seated at a table and given the menu to look over. Most items were pasta, or fried…which a gluten sensitivity negates immediately. Other dishes were all meat…which doesn’t work for a vegetarian. I was more than a little flustered. When the waitress arrived at the table, we informed her that I was a vegetarian and told her of my food allergy to which we were asked…”What is gluten?” Alright, it’s a pretty common allergy these days, but I explained it and she said that she would go check with the chef to see what they can do for me. What she came back with shocked me. She inquired if I liked tomatoes. I do. She said the chef said he could stuff tomatoes with a bit of cheese and breadcrumbs…

And the gluten alarms go off. Breadcrumbs…not a good option. I explain this again and just wave the waitress off, saying that I’ll just find something. So, my roommate and I begin to look over the menu for safe options for me to have. I was so aggravated at this point and really not feeling confident about eating here but…what can you do? Everyone else was set to order and waiting on me. So, after a little consulting, we came up with an option.

Salad. And double potatoes. Yeah…I wasn’t happy about it either.

Our starters arrived. The entire table did salads, and I emphasized, as did my roommate…no croutons or cheese on mine. They got that right. They didn’t have a vinaigrette dressing, so I got the oil and vinegar to put over my salad. It was…a typical house salad. The vegetables were fresh, but I was disappointed in their choices of salad dressings. I don’t mind oil and vinegar, but a balsamic vinaigrette does wonders for flavor! So, the house salad was…good, but nothing amazing. And I’ve had some pretty amazing salads in my lifetime.

Our entrees arrived. And the first thing that struck me was the size (or lack thereof) of them. My roommate got the fried shrimp plate with a baked potato. She received five pieces of shrimp. The bowl of cocktail sauce was larger than her food portion. I was shocked. And this was a $14 meal she got. Not the best value there.

My double potatoes were a baked potato and the sweet potato fries. The baked potato was rather small and a bit overdone, I think. It didn’t just crumble apart when I sliced into it. I had to fight a bit with the skin and ended up leaving most of that (despite it being one of my favorite parts of a baked potato!). So, I moved on to one of my favorite things in the world…the sweet potato fries.

First of all, country-style cooking must mean they make sweet potato fries up to mimic a sweet potato casserole. Mine were coated in cinnamon. Which is okay…but I like to dip mine in ketchup. So…I had to brush off the sweet topping and make them a bit more to my liking. They were a bit soft, not having that crisp bite on the outside that I like in good sweet potato fries. At least they were edible. I wasn’t a fan of the cinnamon seasoning, so did my best to brush that off and mask it with ketchup. So the food…was okay. Nothing really made any of us go, “WOW!” It was your basic sub-par, overpriced food…

No dessert for any of us that night. We paid and left.

Needless to say, while the staff did make an attempt to accommodate my diet, they were clueless when it came to preparing a “safe” meal for someone with a food sensitivity/allergy. I was disappointed with the chef not having a good back-up for someone who can’t have meat, or anything fried, or pasta…as well as his own lack of knowledge of what someone who can’t have gluten can and cannot have. I wasn’t blown away by the food selection on the menu…so if you are a vegetarian…this may not be a good choice for you either. And the value of the portion size you receive is definitely not there.

In the end, the time with my roommate’s mom and aunts was worth it…but a different venue would have been preferred. If home-cooking meat and potatoes are your thing, then this is your place. But if you are a vegetarian and would like something other than a small house salad…or if you have food allergies…I recommend shopping around for a different dining option. Eagles Point Diner is definitely a quaint, home-cooking kind of place, but the value and the risk for some isn’t worth the trip.