Dairy-free (and gluten-free) coffee lovers…REJOICE!! So Delicious has done it again. No surprise…because they are awesome. Now…this is not new news to any of my fellow So Delicious and coffee lovers…but back in mid-2014, So Delicious Dairy Free put out a small line of shelf-stable coconut milk coffee beverages that are intended to be chilled and then enjoyed by the vegan and lactose intolerant (and even those dairy-lovers) alike.
And, my friends over at So Delicious were kind enough to send me a 4 pack of one of these new coffee beverages! I. LOVE. THEM.
Anyone who sends me a dairy-free coffee beverages (especially a latte) WINS in my book. So…even more love to So Delicious!
With every intention of devouring them around the time I got them…life happened. And when life happens, the best laid plans often don’t happen. So, this amazing pack of four sat in my pantry…and sat…and I’d think, “I’m traveling this weekend, I need to bring those…” And then I didn’t.
BUT NO MORE!
For the first time in forever, I took steps to remember to bring these little gems on the road with me, by setting them aside with other items I knew I needed to pack up for the journey from Indiana down to Birmingham, Alabama to visit my family. They made the trip with me (finally) and I put them in my parent’s fridge that evening so they could chill, and the four ladies who were venturing out that morning for some shopping could have a caffeine hit before facing that challenge.
The plan worked like a charm. That morning, after a good breakfast, my mom, my sister, my roommate and I each grabbed one of the So Delicious Dairy Free Cococcino Latte Chilled Coconut Milk Coffee Beverages from the fridge, gave them a shake to mix, and were on our way.
I was the first to crack mine open.
I was the first to down a bit of it.
I was the first to say, “Holy crap, that’s amazing! So good!”
I should have said, “So delicious!” HAHAHA! (Oh, the ways I amuse myself).
So, here is the lowdown. I have grown to love coffee ever since I was a Starbucks barista. When I started at Starbucks, I hated coffee. Everything about it. But suddenly…I it was my world. I smelled it. People asked my opinion on it. So…slowly…I grew more accustomed to it. First…the frou-frou blended drinks…then the mochas…then the lattes…then coffee. Now, I brew a cup for myself at home…no cream…no sugar. It took YEARS to get there…but that’s where I am. But when I’m away from home…café au laits and lattes are all that I want from the local and chain shops I find along the way.
The So Delicious Dairy Free Cococcino Latte Chilled Coconut Milk Coffee Beverage has that pure coffee goodness that people who drink lattes want. You drink mochas if you don’t like the taste of coffee…you drink lattes if you do. I was, actually, the first in the car to polish mine off (my mom was done first, but I really don’t think she drank hers…just sayin’) because it was just that good. This bit of coconut milk based coffee goodness is not too sweet and not too overwhelming on the coffee flavor. My sister loved hers as well. My roommate said that it was alright, but she’s not a fan of cold coffee (which she says…then orders cold coffee at times…so…yeah…). It was convenient to have, amazing to try, and delicious in the end. Totally would buy these and stock my pantry with them for those busy mornings where I just don’t have time to wait on my coffee to brew. Super tasty!
Now, let’s talk ingredients. The So Delicious Dairy Free Cococcino Latte Chilled Coconut Milk Coffee Beverage is made from organic fair trade coffee, organic coconut milk, organic dried cane syrup, organic vanilla extract, natural flavor, sea salt, potassium chloride, calcium phosphate, organic guar gum, xanthan gum, and monk fruit extract. True…there are some…not-so-natural sounding ingredients making these not-so-much a clean eating staple…but definitely a splurge every now and again. These coffee beverages of coconut milk awesomesauce are always certified dairy-free, vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO.
And now…nutrition. Hang onto your knickers, friends. Because these 11 ounces will fill you up with fewer calories than anything you could get at Starbucks that even remotely resembled this. A full serving is one single-serve (11 ounce) container. This serving will give you 130 calories and 4 grams of fat. This serving also provides 150 mg sodium and 22 grams of sugar. That…is high, I know. This drink is cholesterol free. And, finally, you’ll be consuming 2 grams of fiber and 1 gram of protein.
Like I said…coffee lovers rejoice. You don’t have to be gluten-free or dairy-free to love these little boxes of coffee goodness. You just have to be someone who loves coffee and a little variety. As for me…I’m definitely smitten.
It was a long journey home that day from an afternoon event in Dayton, Ohio. But, if there is one thing there is always time for, it is a stop into Foodie Heaven (aka: Jungle Jim’s) on the way through Cincinnati, Ohio. This is one of the most impressive stores you will ever enter. And you will leave a changed foodie, for sure.
One thing I will hand to Jungle Jim’s…they carry some gluten free products, on shelves and in the freezer, that I haven’t seen anywhere else. Reason for that – they are often from local Ohio companies. Love seeing a business help out the little local ones. For sure.
And, for some reason, that very afternoon, I really, really, really needed to have donut holes in my freezer at home. I didn’t know this, mind you, until I strolled past the gluten-free freezer area in Jungle Jim’s and saw the little plastic cup that was piled high with the little chocolate balls of cake donut goodness. Oh…I had to have them. So…I bought them. Even though I was doing everything in my power to not purchase items (such as snacks and donuts) on that trip…it happened regardless. And they made it home and into my freezer…where they remained.
Until this morning.
You see, I’m having a rough weekend. This is not me being a drama queen. I really am. I was supposed to be in Birmingham, Alabama, with good friends of mine, participating in the Mercedes Marathon Weekend. I knew a few running the half marathon and I was running the full with my training partner, Matthew. Except winter storms blew through, and while everyone else risked the roads and the weather, I stayed put. I missed seeing my nephew run in the Kid’s Marathon on Saturday (which meant more to me than anything else), and I’ve just been down and out all weekend. Seeing my friend’s Facebook feed flooded with pictures of the event hasn’t helped with my mood either.
So it was totally a donut kind of a morning. And lucky for me…I had a cup full of Sonny Marie’s Gluten Free Chocolate Glazed Donut Holes.
The world might be safe from me yet today…
Sonny Marie’s was created by Christine Coleman, whose son, Danny, was diagnosed with Celiac Disease at the age of 11. This brought about drastic changes to the family’s lifestyle as they chose to join Danny in his fight against gluten. It was hard for Coleman to see her son missing out on pizza, cake, donuts and all the other goodies his friends were sharing, which is what inspired her to develop her own donut recipe, so delicious, that even Danny wouldn’t know the difference. And she crushed it. Since then, Coleman has worked on expanding on their line of gluten-free products to help others have that “I can’t believe it’s gluten free” moment and not be deprived of the joy of food.
For me…the joy of food this morning was inside this little plastic cup that held 10 little glazed chocolate donut holes. That, my friends, was bliss this morning.
The Sonny Marie’s Gluten Free Glazed Chocolate Donut Holes are…exactly…as I remember the chocolate glazed Munchkins from Dunkin’ Donuts to taste. I used to eat the hell out of those, so when I pulled half of these out for me and half for my roommate, I was already feeling better. They were the perfect size (no skimping) and felt like the perfect density. After spilling coffee on myself…I returned to finally dig in…
Without even a warmup in the microwave (I let them thaw overnight to get to room temperature), I was hooked with one bite. Yes…one bite. First of all…the cake donut was the perfect consistency. Not heavy and dense. Not light either. But cakey through-and-through. So many gluten-free cake donuts are heavy and intimidating…not these. Not one bit. The chocolate flavor was rich and delicious and the glaze was melt-in-your-mouth perfection. Seriously. Perfection. I was sad I only had 5 of these to devour. I probably could have eaten the whole cup on a morning like today. Good thing I have friends who help keep me from over-indulging on treats. Oh, but these were so good. Mighty tasty. I didn’t even care that my breakfast was mostly sweetness and sugar…and then…I still didn’t care. Chocolate is a girl’s best friend on days like today…and this one just comforted me. For the moments of breakfast…I was content. I even licked the glaze off my fingers when I was done. Good to the very last bite.
Sonny Marie’s Gluten Free Chocolate Glazed Donuts are produced in her Coleman’s home. It is even labeled as such. That being said, they are made in a facility that uses peanuts and pecans, so if you have a hyperactive nut allergy…these might not be for you. Nuts are one of the few things I happen to not be allergic to.
The Sonny Marie’s Gluten Free Chocolate Glazed Donuts are made from sugar, rice drink, molasses, white flour, mechanically pressed organic palm oil, egg, potato starch, cocoa, tapioca flour, sweet rice flour, baking powder, vanilla bean extractives in water, alcohol (35%) salt, apple cider vinegar, xanthan gum, and cinnamon.
As these are produced at home, I cannot give you nutritional information as none is provided on the packaging. But, I’d say close to what the Chocolate Glazed Munchkin’s run at Dunkin’ Donuts. Give or take a few calories and fat. Hey…they’re donuts. Indulge or don’t.
My theory in life is…every now and again, you have to treat yourself. I was having a bad morning…so, I treated myself. I don’t eat donuts or donut holes every day…but these were beyond worth the splurge. Sonny Marie’s products are available in many local shops in and around the Cincinnati area, including Jungle Jim’s. Make the journey…because these are totally worth eating. I wish I had purchased another cup of them.
It’s no secret anymore…nor was it after runners crossed that finish line on Saturday…the Charleston Marathon ran…long. Yes. Long. My Garmin showed me running exactly 26.69 miles when I crossed the finish line. It has been all over the news about the marathon that went long when the lead car took us down the wrong road and added, according to the official measurements on the tangents, an additional .1918 of a mile to the course. (Yep, I was almost exactly .5 over! But you take the official measurement of almost .2 miles).
Anyway, the race directors of the Charleston Marathon have adjusted all of the finisher’s times to reflect what would have been had the course not gone long. So, my new official time for the Charleston Marathon is:
3:39:05
I am very pleased with this result, as I was when I finished on the longer course. I went into this race not to race it, but to use it as a training run. Time on my feet. No goals. No must-hit time. Just relax and run. Magic!
Slightly North of Broad (S.N.O.B.), Charleston, South Carolina
Restaurant: Slightly North of Broad (S.N.O.B.), Charleston, South Carolina
With every marathon I run, there is also a celebratory meal. Usually it is on the same day of said race, but Charleston is an odd duck in that it’s marathon runs on Saturday. And we already had eating plans on Saturday. So, instead of changing everything around, we just decided to have the fancy, special meal on Sunday night. And, after scouring a list of places that Amanda sent me (all of which had gluten-free items), it came down to two options – Poogan’s Porch and Slightly North of Broad.
Cathy chose in the end…opting for Slightly North on Broad because of one item on the menu that caught her eye. This was fine with me…there was this amazing honey drizzled fruit plate dessert on their menu that sounded beyond amazing. So…when Amanda came over to help with the planning session…this was decided. And, to make the occasion even more special, Janet (Cathy & Amanda’s mom), offered to pay for our big meal out this trip.
The best part about where we were staying was that Slightly North of Broad (S.N.O.B.) was literally right across the street from the hotel. Seriously. So, this meant we could stay out and explore until we absolutely had to return to our rooms. Then, we could all clean up and head out to eat, then come back to change and go out for some more exploring! Of course, when Cathy chose this restaurant, we had no idea this was the case. Amanda enlightened us. Odd, how when it came to eats the only one we really ventured out further than the immediate area of our hotel was Brown Dog Deli. And we were over that way anyway as I was shopping for spices, tea, honey and other local goodies. HA!
So Sunday morning and afternoon was spent walking the streets and cemeteries of Charleston. Honestly, if you ever get to visit this amazing city…just walk it, duck into places, explore. You can take tours, yes, but sometimes it’s just fun to get out there and just find something that intrigues you. I was fortunate enough to have Richie and Amanda with me, to act as the local tour guides. They might as well be locals. They know where everything is…how to get there…and come to Charleston often enough it’s second hand. But, even if you aren’t traveling with your own walking guide books…try something new. We returned about an hour and a half before dinner so we could clean up and get ready to make the walk across the street. I took a shower and changed and then we met Amanda and Richie at their room before hoofing it over to S.N.O.B.
We only had a brief wait while they prepared our table for our 6:15 p.m. reservation. And once we were seated and water (and Coke for Richie) was poured, we were left to peruse our menus until our waitress came over to the table. We immediately informed her that I was a gluten free vegetarian, and she immediately opted up with the Vegetable Plate that they serve. She also said she could see what else could be done for me, but a big plate of seasonal and local vegetables sounded absolutely delicious to me. My decision was made. Now the rest of my dining party needed to ponder what they were going to have. The server gave us a few more minutes to decide.
So, let’s discuss S.N.O.B. here, while we are deciding on food, eh? Because this seems like as good a place as any. S.N.O.B. is described as “an eclectic Lowcountry bistro that brings together an abundance of local ingredients and thoughtful, expert presentation with a friendly, contagious energy.” In other words, very big on farm to table. Love that. They have a nice open kitchen, which I absolutely loved since I love being able to glance over and see what is being prepared as it is being prepared. The food they make is the product of the local farmers, fishermen, and producers. So…very Sean Brock. And I love Sean Brock. And if you don’t know who Sean Brock is…Google him now and learn! The setting is low-light, candles, white table cloth, and soft conversations. You get the sounds of the kitchen…the sizzles, the flames, the dishes clinking, all mixing with the pouring of wine and water, and the clink of silverware as it scrapes up that last bit of food from a pristine white plate. This is S.N.O.B.
So…there it is.
When our waitress returned we all had finally settled on what we were going to eat. Richie opted for the Pan Seared Duck Breast ($27.00), which includes savory blue cheese bread pudding, fig jam, Brussels sprouts, and a honey thyme reduction. He saw duck…he knew what he wanted. Amanda ordered the Grilled Pork Chop ($27.00), which is served with crispy confit potatoes, cabbage, and topped with a sorghum and whole grain mustard glaze. Cathy was the foodie of the group and wanted to try something more than just a large appetizer plate, so she did a medium plate with an appetizer, which is recommended on the menu. For her appetizer, she went with the Herb Crusted Eggplant ($12.00), which is topped off with buffalo mozzarella, green heirloom tomatoes, some sprouts, and pesto. For her entrée, she opted for the Carolina Quail ($16.00), which comes with braised greens, tasso cornbread stuffing, Muscadine glaze (that’s from a particular grape, FYI), and quail jus.
As for me…I did go with the Vegetable Plate ($20.00), which is described on the menu as being “a variety of the best vegetables we can find.” Hey…I’m a vegetarian. There are very few vegetables I don’t like. Very few. So…our order was in and we fell into the din of conversations, discussing everything from our events that day to the other people in the restaurant, to wine bottles we could see from our seats, to how much fun we were having. Lots of laughter and lots of fun going on.
Cathy’s appetizer was up first and we all cast out our appreciative ooohs and ahhhs at the tower of eggplant, cheese, tomatoes, and greens, all soaking in a small pool of pesto. She sliced into it, and said that the eggplant was actually really well cooked and that the cheese was amazing. However, as she went on eating, she got tired of the sprouts getting caught in her teeth, and eventually that herb crust got completely mushy with the mix of the eggplant juice, the pesto, and the juicy tomatoes on top. So, it started off really well…but in the end…all went to mush. She polished it off, save for those greens on top though.
A little after her plate was cleared away, the main courses arrived. Amanda had the largest pork chop I had ever seen in my life. It was only polished off with some help from Richie and Cathy. But…she did eat all her potatoes. Richie’s duck was cooked perfectly and I had never seen him clean a plate until this meal. Cathy was less impressed with her entree, finding her favorite part of the quail to be the pan seared area where it was crispy. She hated the greens with a passion (and she eats greens…I cook them at home). And her favorite part of the plate…the tasso corn bread. Everything else left her rather…unimpressed.
S.N.O.B.’s Vegetable Plate
As for me…when they said a plate of vegetables, they weren’t kidding. Upon further looking at the menu, what I have found is that this plate is a compilation of every vegetable in house and offered as a side on the menu. This plate was mounded high with high fiber vegetables that were cooked however the side was to be cooked, and paired with three different starches. It was beyond filling. This plate included grilled eggplant, heirloom tomatoes, green beans, portobello mushrooms, grilled okra (on the list of vegetables I hate with a passion, so these got left behind!), broccoli (with a sprinkle of Romano cheese), sautéed spinach, caramelized onions, caramelized Brussels sprouts, maverick potatoes, Charleston gold brown rice with some butternut squash, yellow grits (with cheese), some sprouts on top, and some sweet pepper jelly mixed in. The plate was a mish-mash of vegetables, no real plating flair…just piled high. In fact, I didn’t realize I had an heirloom tomato until I moved the eggplant. It was hidden below. That being said…the green beans were…well…green beans. I thought the potatoes were that weird overly-whipped consistency, and ate them by mixing them with one of the vegetables…like green beans or some eggplant just to give it a better texture. The spinach was delicious. I didn’t eat the okra because…GROSS. The eggplant was grilled and good enough…though a touch under-seasoned. The tomato was messy, but fresh and delicious. I love that little hit of sweetness. My favorite things on the plate were the grits, the Brussels sprouts, and the rice. All of which I saved for the last things I ate. And when I was done, I wasn’t sure if I was impressed or not…but it was a massive plate of food that was very filling indeed. I mean, I didn’t dislike it…it was just…okay. They definitely give you $20 worth of vegetables. All local and fresh…so I will give them credit for that.
Afterwards we were asked about desserts. I already had my heart set on something, even though I was filled up to the max. You only get to celebrate once, right? So…to hell with it…desserts all around.
Amanda and Richie decided to split the Crème Brûlée ($7.00), which was a creamy vanilla custard with caramelized brown sugar topping. Cathy went with the Vanilla Ice Cream with a Shortbread Cookie ($6.00) for her dessert. It also came dressed with fresh strawberries. As for me…I went with what caught my eye originally on the menu in the first place…the Fresh Fruit Plate ($7.50), which came drizzled with local honey.
Desserts are a must for me. I love trying desserts when I can. And fruit is one of my favorite desserts to polish off a meal with. The whole drizzled with local honey was an added bonus. Our desserts arrived. Richie had never had a Crème Brûlée before, so this was his first foray into that. Cathy’s ice cream looked fantastic and she crumbled the cookie over it and dove in, enjoying the fresh berries for that added bit of sweetness. My fruit plate consisted of grapes, strawberries, sliced apples, sliced bananas, spear slices, and chunks of fresh pineapple. All of it, as promised, was drizzled with local honey, adding to the sweetness of the plate. But it worked. I mean, it was a plate of fruit, but I couldn’t be happier with it. Everything was perfectly ripe, juicy, and amazing. Delicious and perfect way to end the meal.
While I certainly enjoyed my meal at S.N.O.B., when I return to Charleston next time, I will definitely investigate other options. I am happy for the experience, and loved the company, but the food was just okay to me. Maybe it’s my dietary restrictions…but I wasn’t overly impressed. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t dislike S.N.O.B. by any means. The food was cooked well and tasted good for the most part. But…there is so much more to taste in Charleston…so while the dinner was nice, I’m eager to go elsewhere next time.
Restaurant: Brown Dog Deli, Charleston, South Carolina
The Brown Dog Deli is definitely one of Charleston, South Carolina’s little gems. It’s definitely not your average deli…but it is serving up some fantastic food.
And if that doesn’t sound like an intro to Diner’s, Drive-In’s and Dives…I don’t know what does!
But let’s face it…I don’t sugarcoat things. And when I am told over and over again by my Charleston regulars, Amanda and Richie, that I must go eat at the Brown Dog Deli…well you bet your sweet tennis balls and Nylabones that I do. HA. Dog references FTW. Don’t you love it when I laugh at my own jokes?
With this in mind, and packed schedule on Saturday, we made the decision to hit up the Brown Dog Deli on Sunday morning/afternoon for an early lunch of sorts. And after wandering around downtown, hitting up the market, shopping, and just taking in some of the history and beauty of Charleston, we were ready to sit down to a light-ish lunch. We were doing dinner out that night, so we wanted to hit this up early. Naturally, this means we got there at noon. HAHA! But, it was okay.
This funky little diner is located on Broad Street in downtown Charleston, and everyone seems to love it. When we arrived, at around noon on-the-dot, we were greeted by a server and led to a booth. The place had a few other people in there, but it wasn’t hopping. Our server, Meredith, came over to get our drink orders. And Cathy went ahead and gave her the heads up on my food allergies and dietary restrictions. She immediately came back with the fact that they had gluten-free bread and wraps and that they had a separate vegetarian/vegan menu. She retrieved that for me and then filled our drink orders.
I originally was just going to get the Gluten-Free Hummus and Veggies Wrap ($6.95), which would have been a wrap made with roasted red pepper hummus, cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes, red onions, feta, sprouts and spinach. It sounded really good…but the more I looked over the menu and the more my friends were talking about all the different things they were getting (and with the sort-of exception of Cathy…it was something you could only get at this restaurant). So, I ended up changing my mind.
As it was Amanda got what she always gets at the Brown Dog Deli…the Mesquite Turkey Croissant Sandwich ($7.95), which is made up of brie cheese, applewood-smoked bacon, sprouts, red onions, and cranberry-pepper jelly, served on a croissant. It is her favorite thing on the menu. Richie’s favorite sandwich was no longer on the menu, so he decided to try something very different, the Apple “Butter” Jeans Sandwich ($7.95), which is composed of warm melted brie, sliced Granny Smith apples, local apple butter, fresh arugula, mesquite smoked turkey, honey ham, and prosciutto, served on a panini-pressed local French baguette.
Cathy really was interested in the chili that was being offered that day, so she decided she was going to do a cup of that. It was the Southwest Beef and Beer Chili ($3.95) and she opted to pair it with a Build-Your-Own Grilled Cheese ($5.95), selecting Yellow Cheddar, White American Mozzarella, and Goats Cheese as her three cheeses for the sandwich, and choosing to have all of that toasted up on Sourdough Bread.
As for me…I ditched the Hummus and Veggies Wrap and thought to do something I hadn’t seen on a menu anywhere else. I opted for the Gluten-Free Portobello Philly Sandwich…light on the cheese ($6.95). This sandwich was made up of marinated portobello mushrooms, sautéed with peppers and onions, Boar’s Head Vermont yellow cheddar and white American cheese. They had Udi’s bread, which they toasted up to help keep it from immediately falling apart with the wet ingredients.
There was no shortage of things to discuss while we waited on food, but when it arrived, I was so excited. Like I said, this restaurant came highly recommended…and it was now packed with a line waiting to get in. We had good timing. And when food did arrive at our table, I was definitely ready to dig into my sandwich.
So how was the Gluten Free Portobello Philly? It was fantastic. The marinated mushrooms gave this sandwich a “meaty” texture. And the onions and peppers were cooked to perfection…keeping them flavorful and crisp, but also cooking them down so they weren’t raw. They were fantastic. The bread did start to fall apart, but that’s the nature of gluten-free bread. Especially Udi’s. But, with that aside, they were good about keeping the cheese light, and it probably would have been just as fantastic without it on the sandwich. I thought everything was seasoned perfectly.
And I was not alone. Clean plates…that is what we left at the Brown Dog Deli. Cathy loved her soup, and would dip her sandwich into the thick and spicy soup. She raved about the creaminess of the cheeses in her sandwich and how they all, surprisingly, worked when put together. And Amanda and Richie both loved what they ordered. Especially Richie…who had to get something he had never had before. Lunch was later than planned, but a total success. And then, we all purchased matching shirts from the Brown Dog Deli as well.
SO. MUCH. LOVE.
Anyway…if I were to point out one restaurant to anyone wanting to eat the local fare in Charleston, South Carolina…this is the place I would send them. They work with dietary restrictions, they are careful, they create great food…and you will not regret any wait you might have to get a seat inside. It’s worth it.
Brown Dog Deli…I’m coming back next time I’m in that fine city. I can’t wait to try something else!
Brown Dog Deli’s Gluten Free Portobello Philly Sandwich
Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse and Seafood, Charleston, South Carolina
Restaurant: Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse and Seafood, Charleston, South Carolina
This past weekend, I found myself enjoying my time in South Carolina. Not just anywhere though…but the beautiful and historic city of Charleston. I was going there to run in the Charleston Marathon…and then explore with Cathy (my roommate), and my friends Amanda (roomie’s sister) and Richie (Amanda’s hubby). Now, I’ve never been to Charleston, South Carolina…but this is Amanda and Richie’s favorite place to spend their time. So when they have time…this is their stomping grounds. When they originally heard that I was running the Charleston Marathon, they were very helpful in suggesting things to do while in Charleston. And shortly after leaving their home, Richie called and said they just booked a room at the resort and would be going with us. I was elated. Nothing like going somewhere with people who know the city. I was so excited.
So, we arrived late on Friday night and had to do a bunch of pre-race stuff. Saturday I ran the marathon. Afterwards, I usually can’t stand to stomach anything for a little while. My insides are just all messed up. I mean, come on, running over 26.2 miles will do that to you. So, I went back to the hotel, showered, and then Amanda came over. We settled in as I gave some Greek yogurt a try (for the protein). That stayed down…so I knew I could safely do something for lunch…as long as it was easy to digest and not too heavy.
We had mentioned sushi…and that sounded like something I could handle. And, literally just across the street and up a block was the place we went for said sushi…Wasabi!
We stepped inside and were greeted by the hostess, who I think at the time was unwrapping a snack in the nearby closet. She apologized and picked up three menus, carrying them over to a booth near a window that overlooked the street. We settled into the table and began to peruse said menu. I am BIG on vegetarian sushi. Cathy…not liking much fish in sushi was also looking at vegetarian options. Amanda…she was just trying to decide on what classic roll to get. She’s the non-vegetarian traditionalist who isn’t afraid of some fish in her roll. I asked how many rolls we were getting. Amanda, the regular, said she usually got two. So, I began making decisions based off of that. But the more they talked, the more it sounded like everyone was getting one roll. And Cathy seemed interested in the same one as me. HA! Knew that was going to happen.
Then, Amanda came up with a great suggestion…we could all get one roll each and then split the roll Cathy wanted to try three ways. Amanda is brilliant like that, for real. So, when our waiter returned and was prepared to take our order, we had an idea of what we wanted.
Amanda chose between the two she was eying and ended up ordering the California Roll ($5.00). With the decision made to order an extra roll of the one I had my heart set on, Cathy went off the beaten path and ordered the Calamari Tempura Roll ($6.00). As for me…I went with the Avocado Maki Roll ($5.00). Then, we ordered a second Avocado Maki Roll to split between the three of us. Order was in…now we just sort of sat at our booth and talked about the city and what Amanda had in store for us.
Pretty soon, our sushi rolls were arriving. And we were more than happy to dig in. There was nothing stand-out or noteworthy of this sushi just looking at it. It was perfectly rolled nori, surrounding perfectly packed rice and our filling. Cathy commented that her calamari was giving her the finger…so she set out to devour it before it could insult her further. HA! That’s what happens when your food has appendages and the like. By the steady stream of “Mmmm”…we definitely enjoyed what we were having.
I must say…the 8 slices of the Avocado Maki Roll I had from Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse and Seafood were absolutely delicious. A little creamy with the fullness of the rice and the texture of the nori. Mmmm…seriously good. I topped each of my slices of with some of the pickled ginger and a touch of the wasabi offered on the side of the plate. It was sheer perfection in roll form. Honestly…amazing. I mean…nothing that any other good sushi place couldn’t do…but it had been forever since I had sushi…and this settled perfectly into my marathon stomach. Lots of flavor and great texture. The avocado was perfectly ripe. It was a heavenly slice of sushi roll for sure.
I was so happy with this place. Amanda had recommended it because it was gluten-free friendly. And it left me wanting to go back for more. I, sadly, didn’t have enough time this time around, but when I return…it will definitely be a stop. If you’re visiting Charleston, South Carolina…and you love sushi…go and try Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse and Seafood!! Simple food, but done really, really well!
Me crossing the finish line of the Charleston Marathon – Charleston, South Carolina
Race: Charleston Marathon
Place: Charleston, South Carolina
Date: January 17, 2015
Time:3:40:54
First race of the year. Why not make it a marathon, right? Right! Actually, I had this one on the radar since last year…so, I was very excited to finally register for it (which I did late…like in December…whoops!). I already had a place to stay (thanks Janet Dailey!) and two amazing tour guides (shout-out to Richie and Amanda!) who spend as much time as they can in Charleston, South Carolina, taking out any sort of travel apprehension because…they know everything! So things were definitely falling into place.
The only thing that wasn’t was, naturally, my foot. It had been doing so well, but the week before the race, my plantar fasciitis decided it wanted to flare up again. Not the foot that caused me issues this past summer. Original foot. The one with the plantar issue to begin with. I think I need to get some new shoes…because I have worn the hell out of both pairs that I am wearing currently.
Anyway, I’d continued to train, easing up on pace and doing my speed work slower. And it seemed that after the first two miles, it stopped hurting. I didn’t tempt fate though…just did what I could while maintaining my training. Foot was no bueno…but it wasn’t knocking me out. Nope. I could still run. Granted 7 treadmill miles is definitely different from 26.2 miles on the road (tready running is VERY different from road running…and I prefer the road!), but for now I’m keeping speed work inside on the treadmill. Most of my runs leading up to this marathon have been indoors due to the extreme cold. Call me a wimp, but once the temps fall below 20 degrees, I don’t consider it safe for my body to be out running, even if it is a couple of miles. My longest run leading into this race was back before Christmas…14 miles…after that, nothing went over 10. Not the best way to train, but I think subconsciously, I was ignoring the fact that I signed up for a marathon.
That’s what happens when you deal with a debilitating injury for 3 months. You get…a little nervous. Nevermind that I ran the TCS NYC Marathon back in November. I have a goal this year to make it out injury free. I’m doing what I can to maintain that goal. So, definitely under-trained for this one, for sure.
On Friday, I got up and did an easy 3-mile shakeout, still babying the foot. I wasn’t worried about speed. I went outside and just did 3 miles. Home, shower, breakfast, finish packing, and then Cathy and I went to work. We weren’t there long. Only for a few hours, to close out accounts and enter as much as we could before the clock hit 10:30 a.m. Then, we were out the door, to the bank, and then on the way to the Louisville airport. Parked the car, headed inside. I checked my bag, praying that it would get to Charleston as it had all my race gear in it (I know…never do that, but I had no choice!), and we got into the security line. I was randomly selected to do TSA Pre-Screen…which meant I got the shorter security line, didn’t have to take off my shoes, my hoodie, or remove my laptop from my backpack. LOVE IT! Cathy was not as fortunate, and it took her quite a bit longer to navigate the regular TSA security line. But, she eventually made it through. We got to our gate and she went to grab some loaded baked potato soup from Chili’s and grabbed me a fruit cup. We ate lunch and polished it all off just before we had to board the plane. Good timing! Our first stop was Atlanta…ugh. We were also boarding in Zone 3…and had a feeling Cathy would have to check her bag due to lack of overhead space. She did…but at least she got to do it for free. It would meet us in Charleston as well. With that done, we hopped on our flight and found our seats.
First stop…Atlanta. Very brief stop at that. We had long enough to get off the plane, go to the train, take it from A to B gates…find our gate…go to the bathroom…eat a snack bar…and then get ready to board. At least we had time for that. We took our seats, took flight…and read until we hit the runway at the Charleston International Airport. The airport was really small for being an international hub, but we made our way to Baggage Claim…got our luggage than headed to Enterprise for the rental car. Longest line ever. For real. It took us longer to get a rental car than it did to do anything else in any of the airports that day. None of the other car rental places had lines, but we had already reserved a car with Enterprise, and we trust Enterprise. So…we stuck it out. Finally, it was our turn and we ended up with a Hyundai Elantra. We went out to retrieve said car, piled our stuff inside, and made our way to Burke High School for the Health & Fitness Expo and Packet Pick-up. It took us about 15 minutes to navigate to the high school, following horrible Google Map directions. But, we made it…parked…and had to walk all the way around the building to get inside the area where the expo was being held.
That being said…we made it. I immediately headed over to the packet pickup for the full marathon. I got out my wallet to show my ID and was just asked for my bib number. This was sent to me via e-mail earlier and was really easy to remember. I replied with “Bib 113.” And they got it down from their system of hanging bibs and handed it to me. No ID check or anything. They said that the t-shirt and bag pick-up were across the auditorium. Awesome. I went down to the end of the table to scan my chip and ensure that it was, indeed, functioning. Then…off I went to retrieve my race shirt and bag. The bag only contained some pamphlets for local businesses and races. The shirt was white with a painting of Rainbow Row houses on it. Gorgeous. I tucked the shirt inside the bag and then went on the hunt for some GU. Luckily the Fleet Feet booth had some for sale, and I snagged 2 Strawberry Banana, 1 Triple Berry, and 1 Mandarin Orange. I had one with me in my luggage…so that would do. After I left, I spotted the rack of CEP Compression Gear…and had noted that I had forgotten my recovery socks…so I went to see if they had anything in my size. They had a pair of black and grey CEP socks…so I went back to the Fleet Feet booth and purchased those as well. HA! They were getting my money for sure. With that done, Cathy went to see where she could get shuttle tickets to get from the start to the finish and then from the finish back to the start (runners got to do this for free)…and I went in search of my NYC Marathon Hard Core Runner buddy, Jennie. We met up near the Community Coffee booth and had hugs all around and discussed how the weather would be chilly, but after NYC…eh…this was nothing. We talked about running, families, training, outfits, and even our injuries. She was doing a run/walk method due to an issue with her back. We hung around and talked and Cathy returned to steal my phone and place a delivery order with the Charleston Mellow Mushroom for a gluten-free and vegan Cosmic Karma pizza for that night. She returned and we talked a bit more with Jennie before we all said goodbye. Cathy and I needed to hit up the local grocery store (and race sponsor), Harris Teeter, for some things for the hotel room (fruit, water, yogurt) and then get to the hotel before the pizza did. So, we left the expo and then headed to the grocery store, following even worse Google Map directions. I got out my cell phone and directed her.
Me with Jennie at the Charleston Marathon Expo! So great to meet one of my Hard Core Runners!
We made it to the Harris Teeter and started loading up a basket with bananas, apples, Greek yogurt, water, and a Sprite Zero. After I run a marathon, it helps calm my stomach. It’s the only time I drink soda anymore. We checked out at the grocery store and hopped back into the car. And went the wrong way to the Lodge Alley Inn, where we were staying. So, we turned around, and just as we pulled up in front of the hotel on East Bay Street, Mellow Mushroom’s delivery guy called. He was outside of the hotel. I told him we just pulled up and he met me on the corner. We did some shady (not really) dealings and I gave him money and tip for the pizza and thanked him very much. Cathy wasn’t sure what to do with the car now that we were there and put on the blinkers and left me standing there with the pizza while she went inside. It took her about 5 minutes…and here I am with a car that was definitely not parked well and all that…just waiting. She returned, said we were good to go, and the valet met us with a cart to put our luggage and groceries on. He then took the keys and went with us up to our room on the third floor. We got inside…got things put down…and gave the valet a tip. He left to go park the car after unloading our stuff. And I put away what needed to go in the fridge. Then, as it was nearing 7 p.m…I said, “Can we eat pizza now? It’s getting SO late.” I don’t like to eat too late when I have a race. I like everything to be digested. So, we went into the living room, turned on Diners, Drive-In’s & Dives, and dove into the pizza. I think I devoured it in record time. It is so much better at the restaurant. With it getting a little cooled off on the delivery and the wait for the room, the crust got a little soggy. MEH. Oh well…I ate it. Fuel for the following morning.
Cathy’s sister and brother-in-law, Amanda and Richie, stopped by after we finished eating to make sure we were settled in. We stood around and talked for awhile, but Amanda said she knew we had an early morning. She said she would try to make it down to the finish, but no promises. I told her no worries either way. Hugs all around and promises of lots of site seeing after I ran. I went to brush my teeth and get into my pajamas so I could climb into bed and zonk out for the night. I didn’t sleep well that night. I kept worrying that the two alarms I set to wake me up for the race wouldn’t go off. And, at some point, Cathy had gotten out of her bed and turned the clock down because it “emitted too much light.” So, as I was tossing and turning, I went to check the time and couldn’t find it. I thought she unplugged it and was now pissed because I couldn’t reassure myself that I wouldn’t oversleep. UGH! The alarm went off a bit later…I got up…did my usual first alarm stuff…then climbed back into bed for less than an hour. More tossing and turning. Second alarm. Up to change and get ready for the race. I never felt so tired and unenthusiastic in my life. I grumbled a bit at her after I woke her up so she could get ready about the clock thing. The next few nights, the clock was left untouched.
We were up…and I ate my serving of cereal, as I often due on race morning. She had a breakfast bar. I filled up my water bottles with my water and electrolyte drinks, tucked my GU packets into pockets, and got pinned up with my race bib. It was 36 degrees that morning and I went back and forth on wearing a tank top or a short sleeve shirt. Given it was in the 30s, I opted for the shirt. I made sure my anklet with wings on it that my mom and dad got me for Christmas was on my ankle, then put on my hat, gloves, and coat. I was as ready as I was going to be. Grabbing two bananas for the road, we headed out. The valet had our car ready and we got inside, heading off to the start line, near where packet pickup was at Burke High School. We parked in one of the nearby parking lots with over an hour in time to spare, so I leaned the seat back and took a nap. Seriously. I was grumpy and tired and my foot had been bugging me slightly, so I said, “Screw it…I’m napping.”
Me taking a nap before the Charleston Marathon
No argument from Cathy, although she took a picture on my phone and put it up on Facebook. HA! She made me open my eyes around 7:15 to get out, stretch, eat my banana, and get acclimated. So…I reluctantly peeled myself out of the car. It was chilly, but not too bad. I walked over to the starting area where runners for both the marathon and half marathon were clustering. Some were being interviewed on camera. Some were talking with friends. I handed Cathy my banana and did some actual stretching. Especially with the foot…although it really didn’t help. Meh. Then, at about 7:30, I ate my banana and then continued to stretch until I decided I was done with that. We then looked around at all the runners, noting that most of them were doing the half marathon. I saw some great running tights that I now need to find and purchase for myself. And I noticed a guy near where I was standing who was going to go running in…sandals. Ouch. But, hey, to each their own.
The announcer said we were getting close to go time and that there were 49 states and 7 countries. The holdout state who didn’t show up…Hawaii. Naturally. Cathy said she was going to go get her spot to watch the start…so she wished me luck and I went to move further back into the pack. My goal for this race was to run it smart, run what I felt, and to run the entire way. With the foot acting up as of late though, I wasn’t sure how much of this I could accomplish. In the end, it’s just about crossing that finish line. No time goal for me…just to run well. I was also dedicating this race to a friend of mine, who I won’t list by name, but simply call her out by her first initial – N – who is going through a rough patch and I wanted to just run this for her.
The Charleston Marathon benefits the arts, so two students of a local school of the arts beautifully sang the National Anthem. And, moments after that…we were told to get ready…and GO!
We were off!
I started my Garmin as I crossed the start line, flashed a wave at Cathy as I ran by, and joined the very crowded start for an easy pace. It had to be an easy pace…which was good. Everything at the start was just crowded with both the marathon and half marathon runners, that it was just a slow start. Perfect. This kept me from going out too fast.
And that sort of set the pace (literally) for the remainder of the race. With one little glitch. After perfectly hitting that first mile, something went wrong. My watch beeped heading into Mile 2…and it was .25 miles further down the road that the mile marker stood. Um…perhaps they were getting a perfect 26 mile marking? I was trying to figure it out, but my brain wasn’t wrapping around it. Ah well…sometimes this happens and it fixes itself later on. I just kept on going. Miles 2 – 3 were spent on the beautiful coat line, with the palmeto trees, the battery, and the gorgeous mansion houses. I was just loving the scenery. Beautiful morning and a beautiful run.
Miles 3 – 9 were all spent on King Street. The first part of King Street being the shops and stores that you would find around most downtowns. There were clutches of people there to cheer on runners. I even noticed a Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams shop just before my watch beeped to Mile 5. I love Jeni’s…
Ahem.
The other half of King Street was more industrial and a lot quieter. Once all the people and the shops were passed…and the houses gone…there was only the industrial district. Granted, there were race volunteers, police, and even entertainment scattered throughout, but much of this was definitely out of the way and going to be a bit of a lull in the small crowd that had been spectating before.
Just before Mile 10 there was the split for the half marathon and full marathon happened. This was slightly confusing as the race official said, “Split after the water station.” It meant…right after the water station. I was running along and both half and full marathoners were weaving over to get the water/Gatorade…and quite a few of us thought that the turn was up ahead where the half marathon continued on. But a race volunteer saw my yellow bib and said, “Full marathon turn here…RIGHT HERE!” Sharp pivot and off I went in the correct direction where some orange cones were set up. This was sort of a gravely area that gave way to broken pavement and then made a bit of a turn to an area that was an old Navy base. It was really fun to run in an area where all the signs said that proper identification was needed to enter. HA! This section of the run was pretty brutal…just because there was no one out there. Up until you make a turn to head out to Cooper River Marina. There was a group of cheerleaders out there as you headed onto the marina. This section was hard because about 3/4 of the way up the marina, there was a sign that had you turn around. Pinpoint turn. One of those turns my friend, Natalie, hates. I hate them too. This totally messed with the cadence and pace I had at the time, but I turned…and then took back off the other way. As we came off the marina, our time chips were read off. This was supposed to be around Mile 11.9…but as we know…I was ahead of the mile markers.
As I was around my halfway point, I saw Jennie, heading toward the old Navy base where I had just come from. We high-fived as we passed and I told her she was doing great. She was. And I hoped I would get to see her at another point. With this being said, let me point out that at this point, we have runners running one way and then the other way…in the same area…without cones up to keep the groups apart. In straightaways, like this part…it was fine. But when you’re trying to make turns on the tangents…this made for a right mess. Seriously. You had runners going opposite ways trying to occupy the same area. It was messy. Just before my watch beeped for Mile 15, we rejoined the half marathon route and headed up towards North Charleston.
Me heading into Mile 18 of the Charleston Marathon – Charleston, South Carolina
Just before Mile 16, we branch off once again from the half marathon runners. The half marathon runners kept going straight. The marathon runners turned left onto McMillan Avenue. Now, Cathy had said she was going to try to catch me somewhere between Mile 17 and Mile 18…so I started looking for her as my watch hit Mile 17…and then further up the road…the Mile 17 marker was standing. There were a few clumps of people here and there…but not many. But as I was heading into Mile 18, there she was…under a bridge with a small clump of people. She started yelling, “GO TWIN! GO MY SON!” It was awesome. As she snapped a picture, I flashed some thumbs up and she said, “Come on…look happy!” LOL!! But, it turned out to be a great photo. And as I was heading out she shouted, “SEE YOU AT THE FINISH!”
So started the miles of looping through neighborhoods and schools. No…seriously. It was just this back and forth through turns and twists and it was just mind boggling. As I was heading into Mile 19, I saw runners come back my way, which meant…more doubling back was ahead. I heard the photographers complaining about having a race that criss-crosses like this. And I totally saw the validity in their point. It just became chaotic at points with runners occupying the same space, once again, going different directions. So, we wound up and around these roundabouts, of what I think they call Park Circle. As the miles ticked down, we ran past Academic Magnet School. So many twists and turns and out and backs. It was dizzying. Thank goodness for the arrows to direct us the correct way.
It was about Mile 22 that my pace started to slow. And it wasn’t that I was tired. It was that my foot started to act up. It had behaved for the most part all the way up to that point, but now each step was starting to hurt. I wasn’t going to give up. I was four miles away and hadn’t walked yet. I was doing this thing. So, I gritted my teeth, literally, and just focused on getting to that finish line. Mile 23 was much the same, and I eased up a bit more. Mile 24 felt like it had a bit of a downhill to it, but I slowed up some more, while still keeping with my plan to run the entire race. The course turns back toward the old Navy base and to the Noisette Park. This area was stunning, with views of the Cooper River, huge houses, the old base, etc. We were back on the same course as the half marathon runners. And there were a few still out there. Two miles. I told myself two miles.
Before I knew it, I was making a turn and being told that I had one more turn ahead to the finish. My watch had long since beeped Mile 26. I had no idea how much further I had to go, but I knew I had to be almost to the finish line, which was located in front of North Charleston High School. There was a definite crowd down here. And as I spotted one more final turn, I saw Cathy right on the corner, screaming for me to GO! I dug deep, and pushed it. That finish line was right ahead. And as I crossed that finish line, I threw my arms up in the air and just…took in the moment. I had finished my 9th marathon! Charleston Marathon…done. I paused my Garmin and moved through the chute to obtain my medal. I grabbed some water and made a turn and saw Cathy heading my way. She gave me a hug and told me how well I did. I told her I was hurting really bad. But…I felt good. I checked my Garmin…26.69 miles it said.
We meandered out of the crowd toward where the after party was happening. Runners were given free beer (not my thing…for obvious reasons) and free shrimp and grits (also not my thing, for obvious reasons). I went to go elevate my feet and call my mom and dad to tell them how I did…but as we were heading that way, I said we needed to get my official time at the results booth. We doubled back a little and went to do just that.
And there it was…3:40:54.
Me after finishing the Charleston Marathon – Charleston, South Carolina
BRILLIANT! I couldn’t believe it. I was so happy with the time for my first Ultra Marathon (HAHAHA!). Well, it was my first marathon I went into feeling semi-ready. The only problem was my nagging plantar fasciitis, which I only aggravated in those last 4 miles. But hitting that finish line still feeling strong was an amazing feeling. With my official results now listed, I went to get my feet up and call my parents. Cathy went to claim the free shrimp and grits, which she said were watery and not all that good. She picked out the shrimp and ditched the rest. After I got off the phone with my parents, I was ready to head out. Amanda hadn’t made it to the finish…but after a shower and a change of clothes, we were all heading out for some sushi and then sight seeing. So, Cathy and I hopped onto the shuttle bus to go back to the start where the car was parked. I was moving slow, each step a little painful. But we got on the bus and found a seat. We were near the emergency exit and when we sat down, the seat pretty much sank. Leave it to us. Also, apparently after hitting a hard bump, the lever lifted up on the emergency door and the buzzer and alarm started sounding. Cathy managed to get that turned off eventually.
We were returned to the start line and I hobbled with Cathy’s help back to the car. I settled in, turned on the heat, and she drove us back to the hotel. I got cleaned up, Amanda came over, and we went out for the rest of the day. It was an amazing day. I couldn’t have asked for a better time.
So, the official results of the Charleston Marathon are that I ran 26.69 miles in 3:40:54. I was 112/1230 finishers over all. I was 26/580 females to cross the line. And I was 10/464 in my age division. I am over-the-moon with these results. I felt so good (save for the last four miles) for this entire race. And I feel it’s because I’ve taken a step back on the intensity of my training. I am resting and recovering better. It’s been awhile since I felt I could even do that. It was a great confidence booster.
Later, it came out that the lead vehicle took a wrong turn after Mile 1 and that’s what tacked on the extra .25 miles to the race. The race directors at the Charleston Marathon are remeasuring the race and adjusting everyone’s time to the 26.2 miles. But that might not happen until next week. So stay tuned for a new official time. Regardless…I’m damn proud of my performance and how I did on this run. Long, slow distance. Gorgeous scenery. Not perfect…but not bad either. It was great to run in Charleston. What a fantastic way to explore this historic city.
And N…(you know who you are!)…this one was for you!
Product: Jac’s Bakeshop and Bistro Pumpkin Pecan Muffin – $3.50+
Many of you know by now that back in May, I signed up for this amazing delivery service that sends a box of gluten-free goodies to my doorstep. All for a very reasonable fee. The company is Cuisine Cube, and the seek out lesser-known gluten-free companies and the products that have to offer. It’s great, because I know that a lot of us hang onto the same brands and are hesitant to branch out and try something new and different. Cuisine Cube totally takes the guess work out of the equation and each month is like Christmas, opening up this box and seeing what products await you inside.
It’s my favorite delivery day.
Well, it is the end of November, and while I was away at Walt Disney World, running in the Wine & Dine Half Marathon, my cube arrived. Never fear, it was waiting for me upon my arrival home. A special box this time…all Thanksgiving themed. I loved pulling out the variety of items and tying it back to the Thanksgiving table…which now will provide plenty of options for me! However, I knew one particular product that was included inside wasn’t going to survive long around me.
Three of my favorite words: Pumpkin. Pecan. Muffin.
HELLO!!
The business that is responsible for bringing these into my life is Jac’s Bakeshop and Bistro, which is Long Island’s first certified gluten-free bakery. How about that?! And to think, I was in New York City back at the beginning of the month to run in the TCS New York City Marathon…and I didn’t even know this place existed. Trust me…this knowledge has now been filed away for my eminent return to the Big Apple. A little bit more on Jac’s Bakeshop and Bistro though…
Jac’s was opened back in 2009 by owner, Jac, who was diagnosed with Celiac disease and then, later in 2010, an egg allergy. Being a professional bakery, Jac had to now find new ways to prepare the same foods she already loved…now sans gluten. After years of trial and error, she perfected her recipes and opened up a 100% gluten-free bakeshop and bistro on Long Island. All of her products are natural, 100% whole grain, use no refined sugars (only organic sugars), are 80% organic, and, according to her Web site, 500% extraordinarily scrumptious. In addition to the items she sells in the shop itself, she also offers cooking classes. That is super cool.
In this vacuum-sealed pouch, inside the November Cuisine Cube held what looked like the biggest, most amazing pumpkin muffin I have ever seen. Literally, it fit into the palm of my hand. It was epic. And…honestly, two of my favorite ingredients are pumpkin and pecans. And in the fall, I really do want ALL THE PUMPKIN FOODS AND DRINKS. I mean…it’s that time of year. And these things are only available during certain times of the year. So when a muffin turns up…a muffin I can eat that I didn’t have to make myself and is ginormous…oh yeah…I take immediate notice.
Which is why this treat inside my Cuisine Cube has already been devoured. Obviously. I’m blogging on it, right?
It was…of course…a gym morning. I mean, what better time to indulge in things than after hitting the gym, right? Hey…I’ve been out of town…it happens. Anyway, I brought the Pumpkin Pecan Muffin to work with me and sliced into the packaging. A bit of the top layer came off the crown, but, all in all, the muffin traveled well and held up. I set it down on my plate and gave it a short warm-up in the office microwave. Then, I returned to my desk, muffin ready…and settled in with my fork to take my first bite.
Oh…wow. This muffin hit all the right notes at all the right time. The pumpkin flavor was perfect. It wasn’t too much, nor was it overly spiced. The nutty flavor came through as well, and gave the muffin a bit more texture and kept it from being “squishy-soft.” It was perfect. And I am particular about the amount of moistness in a muffin. Whatever Jac’s Bakeshop and Bistro does when they bake their muffins, they need to keep doing it. I was loving each and every bite, savoring it as much as possible. I am certain I was consuming more calories than I should, but it was perfect from the first to last bite, and when you’re enjoying a baked goodie for breakfast…just enjoy it. Let go of the calorie count for one meal. If it’s delicious, it’s worth it. I can’t tell you the nutrition information on this product as none was provided…but it was GOOD (yes…caps lock good!).
The Pumpkin Pecan Muffin from Jac’s Bakeshop and Bistro is made from almond milk, applesauce, organic evaporated cane juice, organic brown rice flour, oat flour, arrowroot, organic almond flour, organic coconut flour, golden flax meal, guar/xanthan gum, eggs, organic coconut yogurt, baking soda/powder, vanilla, pumpkin, and pecans.
Trust me…whatever amount of calories and fat may be inside this muffin, you won’t care. I don’t care. It was scrumptious!
So, yet again, my Cuisine Cube brought a product that I otherwise would never have known existed into my life. From there, I learned more about the business, and have every intention of getting over to the actual shop the next time I am in New York City (*crossing my fingers for March*). I love that this particular muffin not only engaged my taste buds, but also my curiosity. And that’s the wonderful thing about Cuisine Cube.
As for Jac’s Bakeshop and Bistro…you wowed me at first bite. And now…I only want more!
Jac’s Bakeshop and Bistro Pumpkin Pecan Muffin (unwrapped)
I totally broke tradition. I did. I was in New York City to run the TCS New York City Marathon…and so far I had managed really amazing gluten-free pizza the night before the race. Normally, after I race, my friends and I go to a pub to celebrate the occasion.
Not. This. Time.
But, it was of my own doing that we ended up in Harlem just after 6 p.m. on Sunday evening.
How?
Well…since we were going to be in New York City, I thought it might be fun to check out a restaurant that belongs to one of my favorite chefs of all time.
The venue: Red Rooster.
The chef: Marcus Samuelsson.
After all, we were celebrating my finish at the marathon earlier that afternoon. Why not make it special. So, yeah…I broke tradition and decided to forgo the pub for something…a little different. And I have never made a better decision in my life.
Prior to heading to New York City, I had told Cathy that I really wanted to go into Harlem and eat at Red Rooster. She knows how much I adore Marcus Samuelsson. And, honestly, we’re both foodies…she was right there with me. So, she went ahead and called the restaurant and talked to them about reservations on marathon eve. She mentioned that I was a gluten-free vegetarian and they said that food for me would not be an issue. With that done, Cathy set up a reservation for 6 p.m., giving me plenty of time to run, shower, walk around, come back and change, and get there with my group of friends. We had reservations for 4 people…me, Cathy, Heather, and my good friend Marisa.
So, that night, I dressed up in this elegant vintage dress…but kept on my recovery compression socks (and wore them with my heels, HA!), and my three friends and I went down to the subway and hopped the train to Harlem. We emerged steps away from Red Rooster. Literally.
And about 10 minutes late. Whoops. But…we got there…before they handed our table away.
We were seated near the kitchen, which was fantastic for me because I could see the people bustling around in there, working hard at the various stations. I loved the feel of Red Rooster…very chic casual. A fun, vibrant, laid back, but classic vibe. It was the kind of place I would want to return to and bring everyone I know…at least once. Totally my style.
Our server, Ryan, came over to greet us. He said that if we had any questions regarding the menu to let him know. I mentioned that I was a gluten-free vegetarian, and he said that wouldn’t be a problem. In fact, he would go and talk to the chef and see what they could do for me. I thanked him and we all studied the different menu options. At one point, I know Cathy was trying to convince Marisa to try the soup with tripe in it, but that wasn’t happening.
Ryan returned, and said that he mentioned that I had run the TCS New York City Marathon and was a gluten-free vegetarian, to which he said the chef would like to create a dish for me. I was thrilled and thanked him for checking.
Glasses of Brotherhood Riesling
With that said, Cathy took one matter into her own hands. We were, after all, celebrating. So, she ordered a bottle of wine for the table. We went with a sweet wine (Heather prefers dry…but she was a good sport), opting for a local Riesling – the 2013 Brotherhood from Washingtonville, New York ($48.00).
We were ready to order, it seemed. Ryan already had mine. He said the chef was going to do up a Vegetable Plate ($21.00) for me. So, I was excited to see what would emerge from the kitchen. Cathy went with Marcus Samuelsson’s signature dish – Helga’s Meatballs, which are served with lingonberries, braised green cabbage, and buttermilk mashed potatoes ($23.00). Heather ordered the Triple-Double Burger, which is served with bacon, jarlesburg, and rooster sauce ($19.00). Marisa did a little picking and choosing, and went with the Upstate Farms Squash Soup, which includes yogurt, honeycrisp apples, and lentils ($12.00) with a side of the Cornbread ($4.00). And, because they sounded good…Heather and I split a side of the Hearth Roasted Brussels Sprouts ($8.00).
Red Rooster Entrees: Helga’s Meatballs, Upstate Farms Squash Soup, and Triple-Double Burger
Ryan went to put or order in and we all got down to talking about New York, about work, about life, about the race, about food, about events…whatever we wanted to talk about. We were in no rush and the restaurant was not rushing us. I loved being able to just drink in the atmosphere.
Just before the food arrived, Ryan returned with our Riesling bottle, pouring a little bit into Cathy’s glass. Cathy lifted the glass and took a sip. And it was love at first taste for her. So he poured some in each of our glasses, and I made sure to keep drinking my water too. No dehydration here.
And then…our entrees arrived, each one settled down in front of us carefully.
The plates…were gorgeous!
Chef Creation: Vegetable Plate – Curried Black Eyed Peas, Charred Broccolini, Berbere Carrots and Parsnips, and Roasted Brussels Sprouts
The chef created a fantastic dish for me. In a bowl on my left was Curried Black Eyed Peas. And on the platter beside it…Charred Broccolini, Berbere Carrots and Parsnips, and Roasted Brussels Sprouts. Oh…I will note, these Brussels Sprouts tasted different than the side that Heather and I were splitting. It was chef magic. And it was a beautiful and gorgeous plate. One that I looked forward to eating.
Let’s start with the Curried Black Eyed Peas. Just…WOW. WOW! So much flavor. Lots going on. And yet…simple. I like to traditionally have black eyed peas on New Years Day…and this is how I would want them this year. For real. Just this incredible depth of flavor with the curry spices. Not hot…just simply bringing out more of the peas themselves. One of the best dishes involving peas of any sort I have ever had in my life. And, trust me, I’ve eaten plenty.
The vegetables that the chef prepared were a delicious and filling treat for me. The broccolini was gorgeously cooked and vibrant green. It had the right amount of crisp to it, yet, still soft and easy to bite through. I love broccolini, and this was just as it should be…simple and delicious. The Brussels Sprouts were roasted to perfection, giving that outer layer some depth of flavor, yet keeping the vegetable itself soft on the inside. Fork tender perfection.
My favorite thing, however, on that plate was the Berbere Carrots and Parsnips. HOLY COW! This side is exactly why I rushed out to a spice store in order to purchase berbere. This spice is awesome. It has this great flavor to it, followed with a little bit of heat at the end. It paired beautifully with this root vegetables. In fact, these were what I saved for my last bite. Completely in love with a plate of vegetables. How amazing! My compliments to the marathoning chef. My meal was sheer perfection.
Red Rooster’s Hearth Roasted Brussels Sprouts
And I know you’re wondering about the Hearth Roasted Brussels Sprouts that Heather and I split, right? Of course you are! These were different from the ones that were on my plate. These sprouts had this amazing char to them, but also hit up with a bit of a lemon or citrus flavor. Sprinkled on top were macadamia nuts. It was a combination that I hadn’t had before with Brussels sprouts…and I liked it.
But, wait…there is more!
Because when we celebrate we get dessert too! We were handed the menus so we could peruse the options. Ryan was taking care of another party at that moment, so I asked the new server about gluten-free options. She highly recommended The Green Apple Viking Delight ($11.00). I was game. Heather actually ended up doing that too. Leave it to the Scandinavian Minnesotans to order something with the word “viking” in it. HA! Cathy knew she wanted to have cheesecake in New York City, so her choice was the obvious one…Vanilla Cheesecake, served with yogurt, a granola crumble and pomegranate sorbet ($11.00). Marisa went for the signature dessert of the restaurant, the Red Rooster Doughnuts, which are filled with sweet potato and coated in cinnamon and sugar ($12.00). It came with an icing to dip them in as well.
Red Rooster’s Vanilla Cheesecake and Red Rooster Doughnuts
Red Rooster’s Green Apple Viking Delight
Desserts arrived shortly after and…yeah…we were quite happy with our choices. I thought The Green Apple Viking Delight was like a cold crème brûlée. It was a green apple sorbet set on top of a white chocolate fennel cream. On the side was chopped apple and fennel. And a little tuile was set on top, giving it a little crunch and texture. I was totally in love with the flavors, even though I wasn’t completely certain, at first, that they would work. They complimented each other perfectly and each bite was a burst of sweetness, with a bit of richness from the white chocolate. Divine.
Cathy loved her cheesecake (it looked deconstructed…so cool!) and Marisa was more than pleased with the doughnuts. Needless to say…we are girls. Desserts are awesome. But these…these took awesome up to the next level. Which I guess is phenomenal. Or, in the culinary world, a sweet note to end the night on.
We left the restaurant completely satisfied with the meal. The ambiance of Red Rooster was like no other restaurant that I have been in to date. A live jazz band had started to play during our desserts and we really just took a moment to not only savor the food, but savor the experience as well.
I have been a Marcus Samuelsson fan for years…being able to eat at his restaurant was a dream come true. Having a dish created for me, and having a careful and very caring staff made it unforgettable. I was congratulated so many times on finishing the marathon. It was an amazing day, but that night really just sealed it as one of the best days of my life. Good race…good friends…good food…good times.
Restaurant: Don Antonio by Starita, New York, New York
Restaurants are not hard to come by in New York City. Not at all. It is the birthplace of many a Michelin star restaurant and James Beard Award nominee and/or winner. It is the land of dreams…and a burgeoning hub of chefs and restauranteurs looking to make a name and a statement.
No, restaurants are not hard to find.
GOOD restaurants, however, can be difficult to find with all the options that greet you on every street, avenue, corner, block, etc.
When I was in The Big Apple for the TCS New York City Marathon at the beginning of November, I already knew I wasn’t going to be there long enough to really explore the vast and diverse food scene. Not this trip. What I did know was that I was in town for a marathon, and what that required of this beautiful city was…gluten-free pizza.
The original plan had been to go to this place called Nizza. It had good reviews on Find Me Gluten Free and wasn’t too far from the hotel where we were staying. The problem turned out to be that we were only able to get a reservation for 4 p.m. Granted, I appreciate eating early the night before a race. The problem was…this was too early. Heather was meeting up with her cousin at 1 p.m. for lunch…which would mean she wouldn’t even be hungry at this point. The time couldn’t be adjusted. Cathy and I tried back at the hotel. No later reservations until much too late for my liking.
That being said, I had gotten onto Find Me Gluten Free when we were on the shuttle bus coming back from the race expo and found another option. It was this place called Don Antonio by Starita. And it has only three locations: New York City, Atlanta (Georgia), and Napoli (Italy). Cathy gave them a quick call as there was no place to see about reservations. They informed her that they do not take reservations, but even on a Saturday night, they turn through tables quickly and there is never more than a 45 minute wait.
We took them for their word, and around 6 p.m., began to make the easy walk down to the restaurant.
The place was hopping. There were people standing out on the damp and windy streets. I ducked inside to get my name in with the hostess and was told they would call my name when our table was ready…which would be around 45 minutes. Fair enough. We were told as much on the phone when we called that afternoon.
The popularity of the place was amazing. But part of the reason the front of the restaurant, near the bar, was so crowded was there was a party of 14 there for a birthday party. No joke. So, they were pretty much what was holding up a lot of the tables and movement of the patrons through for their meals. We were in no rush…so we just sort of tucked in against the wall inside and people watched.
Due to the longer than normal wait, one of the waitresses came out with a sample pizza for those who were waiting on a table. I didn’t get to partake, but both Cathy and Heather tried one of the slices. I could tell from their reactions that we made a good decision to come here instead.
Soon, my name was being shouted over the loud din of the diners and bar…by the guy, we assumed, was the general manager. We took to calling him the Italian Adam Levine…because he really reminded us of the Maroon 5 singer. Go figure. And honestly, he could have called my name out again and I wouldn’t have complained.
But…we were nearing 7 p.m. now and I was starting to get hungry. After I stepped forward, he guided us toward a table at the top of a couple of stairs, right in the corner. I took the seat next to the railing, with Cathy taking the bench and Heather taking the seat in the walkway. We were handed menus and all ordered water for something to drink.
Marathon night. HYDRATION!
Cathy and I already knew we were doing a gluten-free pizza. It was just a matter of choosing which one. Part of the draw of this place, in addition to serving gluten-free pizza, was that there were also vegan options. And one of them really stood out to me on the menu. Decision was mine, as it was my pre-race meal. So…we were now ready.
Don Antonio by Starita’s Montanarine Genovese (front) and Montanarine (back)
Heather ordered the Salciccia e Friarielli ($16.00) which was composed of smoked buffalo mozzarella, Italian rapini, sausage, and extra virgin olive oil. She paired it with the Montanarine ($1.00), one of Don Antonio’s famous fried dough puffs, topped off with the signature Starita tomato sauce and pecorino romano.
Cathy decided to try one of the dough puffs as well. She went with the Montanarine Genovese ($2.00), which is a fried dough puff topped with onion, pancetta and pecorino romano. She called it the best savory doughnut she’s ever had. LOL! For the pizza though…I ordered the Gluten Free Marinara ($15.00), which is a simple and basic pizza on the gluten-free crust, that is composed of tomato sauce, oregano, garlic, basil, and extra virgin olive oil.
NO CHEESE!! No discomfort from dairy. Happy day.
As Cathy placed the order, she confused our waiter, Antony H, just slightly. Because the friend dough puff was not gluten-free. The pizza we were getting was. So he kept telling her the Genovese was not gluten-free. And she kept assuring him that it was fine…because she was not gluten-free, I was, and we were splitting the pizza…not the fried dough puff. I appreciated him making the effort to ensure safe dining.
We were left to socialize for a little while, and soon, both Heather and Cathy were delivered their appetizer dough puffs. They each took their little ball of Italian friend goodness and took a bite. Like I said…Cathy called it the best savory doughnut she’s ever had. I think that’s a high compliment. Both she and Heather only had good things to say about their choice.
The appetizer plates were cleared away and soon our pizza was being delivered. Heather’s pizza had this rustic, amazing crust, charred to perfection in the wood-fired oven. It looked amazing.
Don Antonio by Starita’s Gluten Free Pizza Crust
When our pizza was set down, I had to look very closely at it…because this was only the second time in the almost four years I’ve been eating gluten-free, where the crust was actually a crust. No cracker crust here, folks. This was a true, honest-to-goodness, pizza crust. The only other time this has happened has been at my local gluten-free bakery, Annie May’s Sweet Café, in Louisville, Kentucky. Can you imagine my glee to see an actual pizza being placed in front of me! I snagged one of the four large slices, placed it on my plate, and went to take a bite.
Not only was the crust an actual crust…it was good too. Not quite “Annie May Amazing”…but right up there. Probably the second best gluten-free pizza crust I have ever indulged in. Quite honestly. I loved that it had this crispy, yet still chewy texture, especially on the ends. It didn’t get soggy with the pool of amazing marinara sauce poured over the top. The herbs elevated the flavor. And the olive oil was the perfect finishing touch. That marinara sauce, though…that was the star. Followed by the crust. I dove into my second, and much larger slice, soon after I devoured the first. It was not a tiny pie either. It was substantial. And it was amazing. And I was pleasantly stuffed at the end of the dining experience.
I still talk about that pizza. To this very day.
I have to say, if you find yourself in Manhattan and are looking for exceptional gluten-free pizza (or just pizza in general)…head over to Don Antonio by Starita, on West 50th Street. You will be so glad you did. This far exceeded my expectations for sure. And next time I’m in the city…it will be hard not to go back. And, who knows, maybe when all is said and done…I will anyway. Food so good, it is definitely worth the repeat.
Thank you, Don Antonio by Starita. You’re doing gluten-free justice!
Don Antonio by Starita’s Gluten-Free Marinara Pizza
The Celiathlete 