Mrs. Wolkove

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Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl VIII (2/5)!

02/01/2012 in Events, Pampered Pooches, PSAs, What we're Watching by Lindsay | No comments

Super Bowl XLVI??  I care not.  PUPPY BOWL VIII??  Heck. Yesssss!!

For those living under a massive pile of rocks, here’s the Q+DD on the Puppy Bowl:
The Puppy Bowl is an annual television program on Animal Planet that mimics the Super Bowl, using puppies.  Shown the same afternoon of the Super Bowl, the show consists of footage of a batch of puppies at play inside a model stadium, with commentary on their actions.  The first Puppy Bowl was shown on February 6, 2005.  The puppies featured in the Puppy Bowl are from shelters, and the show contains information on how viewers can adopt rescued puppies and help their local shelter.

It’s the very best thing on TV all year, folks.  FACT.

Check out the Puppy Bowl VIII starting line-up HERE!

There are some very serious contenders this year, I must say.  But, these three are my top picks…

FUMBLE
Breed: Chihuahua/ Terrier mix
Sex: Male
Age: 9 weeks
Fun Fact: Has every Bow Wow song on his iPad.

fumble

CALVIN
Breed: Dachshund
Sex: Male
Age: 10 weeks
Fun Fact: Restores classic cars.

calvin

ABILENE
Breed: Australian Shepherd mix
Sex: Female
Age: 10 weeks
Fun Fact: Expert scuba diver.

abilene

AND, don’t forget the Kitty Halftime Show!  (That one is for you, Mrs. Wolkove…)

Don’t forget to set your DVR for Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl VIII on Sunday, February 5th at 3:00 p.m. E/P!

Can’t even WAIT!  :)

xx, L

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Add THIS to Your Bucket List…

12/12/2011 in Out of Town, Vacation, What we're Doing, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | 6 comments

Last month, Kevin and I took an incredible vacation.  So incredible, in fact, I think it should be on everyone’s bucket list. 

We drove the scenic Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) from Los Angeles to Napa.  It was a trip that had been on my bucket list for a while, and we thought it was appropriate for our ENGAGEMENTMOON!  Breathtaking scenery, lots + lots of fantastic wine, and not great cell phone service.  Yes, please!  So, we did some master planning, packed our bags for a nine day trip, and flew to L.A.

We stayed in L.A. for two days and had an excellent dinner at Wood + Vine in West Hollywood, perused the extensive Studio City Farmer’s Market, did some light hiking in Fryman Canyon…

…and toasted the start of our trip with the Wolkoves at the infamous Chateau Marmont hotel with a few rounds of kir royales.

Then, we hit the road for sunny Santa Barbara.  We cut over to the PCH and finally had an ocean view! 

In Santa Barbara, we chilled at Stearns Wharf, had dinner at Brophy Brothers, and wondered how it is that some people get to live in such an exquisitely gorgeous city…

We skipped to neighboring Los Olivos, to wine taste in the adorable, quaint city where Sideways was filmed.  We filled our day with stops at various tasting rooms: Saarloos + Sons, Alta Maria Vineyards, Coquelicot Estate Vineyards, and lunch at Los Olivos Wine Merchant Cafe.

Side note: Isn’t this chair at Saarloos + Sons amazing?! 

On our way out of the city, we couldn’t resist driving by Neverland Ranch, which was a stone’s throw from Los Olivos. 

Yep, we did that.

The next day it was onward + upward to Big Sur with a quick stop in the city of Cambria.  On the way, we got to see nesting elephant seals…

Take some photos of our gorgeous surroundings…

And, seriously keep our eyes on the road as the drive got increasingly white-knuckled. 

I usually fall asleep pretty quickly on roadtrips, but I was WIDE awake as the PCH drive became steeper and more mountainous.  We were literally driving 35 – 40 MPH on a road carved out of the side of a mountain.  To our left was the expansive Pacific Ocean…no guard rail between us and the water.  It was exhilarating.  We patted ourselves on our backs a number of times for planning the trip from South to North instead of the opposite, which would have put us on the outside of the road even closer to the ocean.  Take note.

It was difficult to capture the gorgeous drive on my iPhone camera, but I tried…

I tried again with my real camera once we got into Big Sur for the night and I met some deer just hanging out - grazing and such – at the Post Ranch Inn.

We stayed at the Glen Oaks in Big Sur, which was perfect for us, but we didn’t want to be in our room very much.  There was SOOOOO much to see and do in this gorgeous city: walk around Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, meals at Big Sur Bakery, and drinks at the edge of a cliff at Post Ranch Inn’s restaurant: Sierra Mar.

It was my favorite stop along the PCH.

From there, we drove over a series of bridges like these (how did someone build this?!) to get to Carmel.

Fun fact: Clint Eastwood is a former mayor of Carmel. 

We saw the Carmel Mission, had a delicious Greek lunch at Dametra Cafe, and walked around the adorable shops in Carmel before we headed to Pebble Beach.

Pebble Beach was GORGEOUS!  We did the 17-Mile Drive which took us by massive mansions, the Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, and The Links at Spanish Bay. 

Kevin was in h.e.a.v.e.n. at Pebble Beach.

We also got to see the famous Lone Cypress.

We headed into Monterey for the night, but not before visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  I pet a shark, and I made friends with their octopus.  It was a successful visit.

For dinner, Kev had his first In-and-Out Burger experience.  In full disclosure, I was satisfied – but he was pretty seriously underwhelmed.  Oh well, at least he can cross it off of his “to do” list now!

The next morning, we drove through Santa Cruz and stopped at the beach-front boardwalk on our way to Half Moon Bay.  The boardwalk was pretty deserted since it was early in the morning on a chilly day, but at least now I can cross that off MY “to do” list.  :)

A short while later, we arrived at the Ritz Carlton at Half Moon Bay.  JUST look at this place…

It was, hands down, the nicest hotel I’ve ever stayed in.

It was so hard to leave the next morning.  It looked like it was on the edge of the world.  Perched on a cliff overlooking the endless ocean – we were in paradise.  We spent a large portion of the day in Half Moon Bay’s “downtown” area wine tasting and eating our way from one end of the strip to the other at Half Moon Bay Wine & Cheese Company, Sushi Main Street, and Pasta Moon.  When we got back to the hotel, we sat outside our balcony with our personal (outside!) fireplace warming our feet, finishing a bottle of wine, and listening to the ocean.  Absolutely incredible. 

I will always remember this hotel stay.

The next morning, it was off to San Fran where we cut through the city + drove over THIS bad boy.  (Kev, who is slightly weary of heights, was pretty proud of himself.)

We arrived in Sausalito and had the most delicious lunch at a restaurant on the pier called Fish.  We were only there for a few hours, but Kev will tell everyone that Sausalito was his favorite city because of this meal.  Go there.  GO THERE.

To work off our enormous lunch, we drove to Muir Woods National Monument for a hike through the park’s towering redwood forest.  We sang Woody Guthrie pretty much the entire time… 

These things are just unbelievable.  Seeing redwoods should be a must for everyone at some point. 

We spent our last two days in California wine tasting in Napa and Yountville.  We had both been to Napa before, but we definitely wanted to visit again and try out a few new wineries.

We tasted at Darioush Winery, Hess Collection, and Swanson Vineyards.  They were all fantastic in their own right - each so wonderfully different from the other.  Lunches at Mustard’s Grill and Oakville Grocery helped us to cut through some of the wine with delicious local eats.  Dinner at Morimoto Napa was fantastic, as well.  And, Chef Morimoto was there!  Naturally, I was in total paparazzi mode…

We splurged on the tasting menu, and we agreed that it was one of the best meal decisions we made throughout the entire trip.  Napa was the perfect way to end our vacation.  We flew out of SFO this next morning.

Driving the PCH is a phenomenal way to see some of California’s most gorgeous cities.  We didn’t get car sick on the windy drive + Kevin never got bored with our surroundings or plans.  If we had recorded a soundtrack of our conversations in the car throughout the drive it would have sounded something like this on repeat:

Lindsay (passenger): Oh wow!  Oh wow!  Oh wow!
Kevin (driver): WHAT??
Lindsay: I CAN’T believe what I’m seeing!/ Did you see that?!/ Oh wow!
Kevin: I can’t look or I’ll drive off of the cliff…
Lindsay:  Eh, I’ll take a picture.
(Repeat)

We were a captive audience to California’s beauty.  We will tell our kids about it one day – I know this for sure.  Do this trip.  Do it.  It’s nothing short of amazing.

xx, L

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Top Chef: Just Desserts Season 2!

08/31/2011 in Random Musings, What we're Watching by Lindsay | No comments

Mrs. Wolkove + I have a friend from our Texas summer camp who is a contestant on Top Chef: Just Desserts Season 2! 

In case you didn’t watch it last season…Top Chef: Just Desserts is a spin off of Bravo’s Top Chef featuring pastry chefs competing in a serious of culinary challenges focusing on pastries and desserts.

Top Chef: Just Desserts Season 2 Cast

Anyway, our friend Amanda Rockman (pictured below) is a contestant on TC: JD this year and she KILLED IT in the first episode last Wednesday winning both the Quickfire + Elimination Challenges!  Way to go, Amanda!

Isn’t she the cutest, little pastry chef you’ve ever seen or what?!

Catch Amanda on Wednesday nights (tonight!) on Bravo at 10:00 p.m. EST/ 9:00 CST.  We can’t wait to see how the season unfolds!   

xx, L

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Warning: Serious Update OVERLOAD!

05/05/2011 in Baby Chic, Beauty, Buckhead, Cocktails, Deals + Steals, Events, Exercise, Festivals, Guilty Pleasures, Hair, Hotels, Inman Park, Maintenence, Midtown, On the Street, Out of Town, Random Musings, Spa, Trader Joe's, Vacation, Vendors, What we're Doing, What we're Reading, Where we're Eating, Where we're Shopping by Lindsay | 5 comments

Oy.  You might need to sit down for this one.

I didn’t post for an entire week + now I feel like there’s almost too much to update you all on and it’s not exactly stringing together clearly…  So bear with me, folks.  I’m just going to lay it all out there + make of it what you will. 

The weather is getting gorgeous, the hemlines are getting shorter + there are more and more reasons to play outside, try new restaurants + spring into summer!  (I feel like I just wrote an Old Navy commercial.)

Ready or not – here I go!  Wheeeee…..

Ms. Reynolds, Sayako + I recently recruiter summit-ed at Victory Sandwich Bar in Inman Park, which has been all over Urban Spoon, etc., and we really enjoyed it!

Pictured below are our sandwiches, all of which are meant to be eaten in multiples (i.e. you don’t order just one sandwich – they are small-ish) at only $4.00 a piece.

We tried the New Bomb Turkey: turkey, arugula, avocado spread + baconaisse; The Hambo: prosciutto, mozzarella, arugula, apple + reduced balsamic; and the Castro: slow-roasted pork, ham, fontina cheese + yellow mustard. 

I love this place for a casual lunch and strongly recommend trying it out!

Victory Sandwich Bar
280 Elizabeth Street
Atlanta, GA  30307
770.676.7287
http://www.vicsandwich.com/
Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.

Victory Sandwich Bar on Urbanspoon

Next up, Bloomingdale’s just started showing some gorgeous turquoise-y blue stone necklaces.  So cute for summer!  Here’s a shot of the one I bought on Monday.  It’s my new favorite accessory.

Moving right along…

On my Palm Springs/ L.A. flights, I started reading John Kennedy Toole’s “A Confederacy of Dunces.”  I will admit that I fall in love with most books I read + can’t put them down until they’re finished, and that remains the case with this Pulitzer Prize winner.  It’s so thoughtfully written and a great (albeit very wordy) read.  The story of how the book came to fruition after JKT’s suicide is super interesting, as well. 

Let’s talk food trucks.

Slick + I got tacos at Tex’s Tacos recently, the new food truck in Buckhead, which urbandaddy.com dubbed the “Antonio Banderas” of food trucks.  Cute.

Tex’s is a fully-equipped kitchen + restaurant on wheels serving up an array of “Nueva Texicana” eats w/ “style + grace.”

While I’ll admit that they weren’t the best tacos I’ve ever eaten, they did the job.  Tex’s will be a goldmine for late night Buckhead frat boys who need to cut through the alcohol a bit before stumbling into bed.  And it’s not just stationed in Buckhead, which is why food truckin’ is so exciting.  Check out Tex’s schedule here: http://www.texstacos.com/

Speaking of food trucks…  When I was in Palm Springs, the Nom Nom truck drove up from L.A. and I got to try it!  Not familiar w/ the famous Nom Nom truck?

It’s a L.A.-based mobile food truck specializing in Vietnamese food, especially banh mi.  Nom Nom was the runner-up in season one of the Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race.

Their food is RIDIC. 

On Easter Sunday, Slick + I had a date night at Ecco, one of my favorite Midtown restaurants to order up a load of small plates + drinks.  (Also, to potentially spot the Vampire Diaries cast…)

As usual, our meal was predictably delicious.  To accompany it, I ordered a glass of pinot gris.  Slick, however, ordered one of the most interesting cocktails I’ve ever seen.  Here’s the description of it from the menu:

ZAFARAN: Gabriel Boudier Saffron Gin, housemade Shindeldecker tonic + a custom icy hot cube will remind you that, while temptation is a reality, there are repercussions in all things we do.

It was so different and had a very special, unique flavor.  You guys have to try it!

I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again.  I’m obsessed with mochi ice cream.  Recently, I’ve been satisfying my sweet tooth with an all natural strawberry flavor found at Trader Joe’s.  Um, yum!

Y’all, today is Thursday which means…

So, back to food trucks + street food.  Can we?  Thanks. 

My favorite Midtown Street Food Thursday vendor is definitely The King of Pops!

I get so excited when I see the Pops cart!  And you know who else does…

slick: king of the mountain (stone mountain, that is)

He LOVES KoPs!  Our favorite flavors are: Mexican Chocolate, Banana Pudding, Sea Salt Chocolate + Pineapple Ginger.  You must, must try a pop!

It really is perfect popsicle weather, too.  Speaking of perfect weather, I had it in California.  The entire week was truly gorgeous!  Although the main purpose of my trip was to meet Mrs. Wolkove’s adorable new addition to her family, I did have time to enjoy the outdoors when I went on a hike at Fryman Canyon Park located in the Santa Monica Mountains with Mrs. W’s madre.  The views were amazing + the workout was seriously intense.  I work out quite a bit in Atlanta, but I almost never go hiking.  I have to say that my legs were throbbing the morning after our hike.  If anyone knows of good hiking spots in Atlanta, please let me know. 

Even while hiking in the heat, my hair looked pretty perfect.  (OMG, what a bragger!)  But, I have to credit that to Daniel Carter at Mint Salon who does my 2-day keratin treatments.  (LK goes to Mint, too, for hers.)  Daniel is a fantastic stylists who has also started to do my cuts + color.  If you happen to be looking for a new stylist, I highly recommend Daniel!  Tell him you heard about him on the Q+DD!

Mint Salon
Stylist: Daniel Carter
404.724.9669
www.mintsalon.net

Since we’re focusing now on “maintenance,” I’m really looking forward to my spray tan today at RAW Organic Bronzing Studio.  (LK is a fan, too!)  I adore the owner, Tiffany Terranova, and have been very pleased with my tans!  They are made from 100% organic ingredients that are actually beneficial to the skin.  Read more about RAW Organic Bronzing Studio here: LK’s post about RAW.

And, RAW is conveniently located right next door to Victory Sandwich Bar in Inman Park!  Bringing it all together.  :)

Skipping around skipping around…

I’m in the market for a french press.  I drank french pressed coffee several times during my L.A. trip + don’t think I can go back to my Keurig any more.  It’s like two entirely different planets of coffee!  This Bodum one is pretty cute.  (Hint, hint.)

OH!  And isn’t this the most precious picture you’ve ever seen or what?!  Mrs. Wolkove, her one week old (who obv. cannot fit into those yet) + I all rock the glitter TOMS!  Love.

We’ll focus on this much more as it draws closer, but who’s pumped for the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival?! 

THIS event is going to be nothing short of incredible.  Can’t wait! 

More info here: Atlanta Food & Wine Festival

And finally (have I worn you out yet?), the Q+DD has some very special news to share!  One of our best readers, Jessica Gorman: Concierge at the Ritz Carlton – Buckhead, was featured in the newest edition of The Atlantan Magazine!

Click here to see the article mentioning Jess on page 36 of the new issue today!  (Reading Instructions for the Online Version: Click on the link mentioned in the previous sentence.  Type in page 36.  Full screen view + click magnifying glass to zoom in.  Silly technology…)  We are very proud of you, Jess!

So…did you get all that?!  It was pretty beastly.  (TWHS? Sorry, mom…)

There WILL be a quiz later.  It’s great to be back! 

xx, L

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California Vacay Hiatus…

04/26/2011 in Out of Town, Random Musings, Vacation, What we're Doing by Lindsay | 2 comments

Today, I am headed to Palm Springs + L.A. for an entire week!  Can’t. even. WAIT.

palm springs

palm springs

The weather is supposed to be between 65 – 90 degrees + sunny every day I’m there, so my over-sized suitcase is bursting at the seams w/ new sundresses and espadrilles!  (If I don’t come back w/ a golden tan…something went terribly wrong.)  AND…best of all, I can’t wait to see Mrs. Wolkove + meet the newest addition to her family, her baby girl – Sadie Rae!

momma wolkove + me

I’ll catch you all next Tuesday.  Have an awesome week!  :)

xx, L

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Sequins for Spring!

03/29/2011 in Austin, Random Musings, Urban Outfitters, Vacation, What we're Doing, Where we're Shopping by Lindsay | 8 comments

I just want everyone to know how much I love my new gold sequin TOMS. 

(Inspired by the supa-chic Mrs. Wolkove.)

The raccoon in me could only resist them for so long…

They are going to look amazeballs w/ the printed Spring dresses I picked up at Bloomingdale’s + Urban Outfitters last night to wear in Austin this weekend! 

Can’t. hardly. wait.

Just can’t.  :)

xx, L

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Weekend in The A: Impressing Out-of-Towners w/ Southern Charm + Fried Goodness

10/28/2010 in Camp Twin Lakes, Deals + Steals, Entertaining, Exercise, Guilty Pleasures, Museums, Tory Burch, Trader Joe's, Tricks of the Trade, Vacation, What we're Doing, Where we're Eating, Where we're Shopping by Lindsay | 3 comments

Mrs. Wolkove and I have been the closest of friends ever since we were kids at Jewish sleep-away camp in Texas…

… and through middle/ high school + college – all while never living within the same city.  Recently, I was the maid of honor in her incredible wedding in Montreal.

Although she lives across the U.S. (in sunny Calif.), we have remained very close throughout the years + we make trips to see each other fairly frequently.  Over the past weekend, Mrs. Wolkove came to Atlanta for a visit.  As I mentioned yesterday, I really wanted to show her a good time.  She’d been once before, and we hit up most of the Poncey Highlands (The Local, MJQ, El Bar, Clermont Lounge + The Majestic Diner), the old Coca-Cola Museum, the Georgia Aquarium, Piedmont Park, Underground Atlanta + a few Buckhead restaurants + Midtown bars - but that was years ago, and “my” Atlanta has changed quite a bit.  So, I jam-packed our weekend with farmer’s markets, funky Atlanta eats, shopping + some exciting outdoor activities. 

Our weekend itinerary is below.  Feel free to snatch some of these ideas + consult our Atlanta Bucket List page if you are planning for out-of-towners!

DAY 1
 
Mrs. Wolkove Arrived!

Cocktails + Late Night Burgers @ Holeman + Finch  (Buckhead)


DAY 2
 
Shopping @ Phipps Plaza - Using the Camp Twin Lakes Partner’s Card!  (Buckhead)
Purchases @ Tory Burch  (TY Partner’s Card!)

Lunch @ Urban Pl8  (West Midtown)

Walk Around Star Provisions + The Local Farmstand  (West Midtown)
Purchases @ B Braithwaite  (TY Partner’s Card!)

Visit to the Atlanta Humane Society  (West Midtown)
I have nothing to say for myself.  I drag everyone there…
 
Dali Exhibit @ HIGH Museum of Art   (Midtown)

 
Dinner + Drinks @ The Sound Table  (Edgewood)


DAY 3
 
Piedmont Park’s Green Market  (Midtown)

Brunch + Bocce Ball @ Empire State South  (Midtown)


Shopping in the Highlands – Using the Camp Twin Lakes Partner’s Card!
Purchases @ DabberDoo + Festivity  (TY Partner’s Card!)

Yogurt @ Yoforia  (Highlands)
 
Dinner @ Serpas True Food (Inman Park)


House Party….including a magician!  Yeah, you read that right!   :)


DAY 4
 
Brunch @ Belly General Store  (Highlands)

 
Stone Mountain “Hike Up” 1.3 Mile Trail  (Stone Mountain, GA)
Mrs. Wolkove spotted Kandi from The Real Housewives of Atlanta!


DeKalb Farmer’s Market  (Decatur)

Snacks @ Farm Burger  (Decatur)
 
Patio dinner @ Pancho’s Mexican  (Buford Highway)
FYI:  My #1 choice, Taqueria del Sol, is closed on Sundays…
 
Movie @ Midtown Art Cinema  
 
DAY 5

Brunch @ Swan Coach House (Buckhead)

Vintage Store Shopping  (Little Five Points)

Additional Shopping in Buckhead Station 

Yogurt @ Yogurberry in the Terminus Bldg.  (Buckhead)

Mrs. Wolkove Departed…  :(

Success!!  It was such a fun, extended weekend, and Mrs. Wolkove had a b.l.a.s.t!  She was really impressed with what our city has to offer.  So, when your friends are in town for a visit, don’t be afraid to over-plan a bit.  There’s so much to see + do in the “capital of South.”  Take advantage of it!

(Your friends can rest when they go home…)

xx, L

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True Food, Extreme Excellence.

10/27/2010 in Appetizers, Inman Park, Old 4th Ward, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | 5 comments

My closest girlfriend, Mrs. Wolkove, was in town last Thursday – Monday.  She lives in L.A. and has a pretty incredible West Coast lifestyle, so I really wanted to show her what Atlanta had to offer over her long weekend trip!  (I was wildly successful, but more on THAT tomorrow…)  Anyway, I made a v. long list of important things she had to see + do while she was here, one of which was a big Saturday night dinner @ Serpas True Food – one of my favorite Atlanta restaurants. 

Slick + I invited a few friends to join us for our feast.  (Flash forward…)  Everyone – every single person – was head over heels for the restaurant by the time the bill arrived!  Phrases like “best new restaurant in Atlanta, “most delicious meal I’ve had in years,” and “I can die happily now” were casually thrown around our table.  Frankly, I couldn’t agree more.  Serpas IS fantastic, and has solidly secured a spot in my prestigious Top Five Favorite Atlanta Restaurants List. 

LK + I have been to Serpas for brunch before, and she blogged about how much we loved it, but dinner - OH dinner – blew. us. away.

The Q+DD on Serpas:  The restaurant is named for the owner and chef, Scott Serpas, who trained under Kevin Rathbun in Dallas + Atlanta, was in cahoots with the Concentrics people as the executive chef at TWO Urban Licks, and also served as the executive chef at Sia’s in Alpharetta + sister restaurant Mitra before opening his own digs last January.  The space itself is VERY cool.  It’s located at the Pavillion at Studioplex (Irwin and Auburn Ave.) and used to be an old cotton storage facility built in the 1900s.

Not only do Atlantans love Serpas, but also it was recently named one of the 10 “Best Restaurants in America” by GQ Magazine. 

Here’s a peek inside:

Serpas

Without further adieu, here’s what we ate…

Beginning

Tuna Tartar: chili sesame dressing, green apple, house chips

Flash Fried Oysters: pickled chiles, mirliton

BBQ Pork Flatbread: pork shoulder + belly, creole cole slaw, coriander flatbread

Shaved Calamari: chili syrup

(By this point, we were discussing how our entrees could possibly be more delicious than our starters…  Everything was absolutely fantastic + incredibly flavorful.)

Slick @ Serpas

Middle

Duck Breast: glazed baby sweet potatoes, toasted pecans, yellow filet beans

Open-faced Ravioli: layered w/ braised short rib, local arugula, red wine jus

Jumbo Sea Scallops: lady peas, panang curry

Trout (Crab & Mushroom Stuffed): lemon thyme butter, new potatoes, asparagus, mushrooms

Veggie Pot Pie: grilled root veggies + asparagus + squash, baby sunflower sprouts, arugula tossed in arugula pesto, sunflower seeds, shaved apple salad

Braised Short Rib: cream cheese herb whipped potatoes, breakfast radishes, tempura onion ring

Blackened Salmon Tacos: crispy wonton shell, pickled radishes, arugula, tomatillo mayo

Finale

Brown Sugar Cake: poached pears, cinnamon ice cream

Fried Apple Pie: vanilla ice cream

We were stuffed, but still had enough energy for a quick “hello” w/ the brains behind the extreme excellence that is Serpas: chef + owner, Scott Serpas.

The Man.

And a few pictures, of course…

Not a bad lookin’ group, eh?  :)

Ugh, we had such a great meal – and we are all STILL talking about it!

If you haven’t been already, run – don’t walk - to Serpas ASAP!  You are seriously missing out.  Also, don’t forget that it’s open for brunch every Sunday!  See you there super soon!  Enjoy, foodies… 

P.S.  Be sure to say “hello” to Bartender Matt!

xx, L

Serpas True Food
659 Auburn Ave. NE #501
Atlanta, GA  30312
404.688.0040
www.serpasrestaurant.com

Serpas True Food on Urbanspoon

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Fan-TA-bulous Fiber.

07/31/2010 in Health, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | 7 comments

Dude, these are DELICIOUS.

I really think they taste even better than Quaker’s chewy granola bars. And, you can quote me.  No really, you can.

Here’s the Q+DD on Fiber One bars’ nutritional facts:

Serving size: 1 bar
Calories: 140 g
Fat: 4 g
Carbs: 29 g  (not fantastic, but i’ve seen worse…)
Protein: 2 g
Dietary Fiber: 9 g  (35% of your daily value!)

I go through a box a week, and pick them up whenever I see them. They are e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e.- Kroger, Publix, CVS, gas stations…

for you, Ams.

Try ‘em, you’ll see.

xx, L

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More from Sloane (+ Sarah)

06/18/2010 in Random Musings, What we're Reading by Lindsay | 5 comments

Attention!  I have two more books to add to your summer reading list…

Sloane Crosley (pictured below) is one of my favorite young authors/ girl crush.  I just adore her.

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, Sloane wrote a book I’m obsessed with: I Was Told There’d Be Cake.  If you haven’t read this book, you absolutely must!  She’s hysterical – in a very David Sedaris-manner.  It’s a excellent poolside book, too, because the essays are incredibly engaging and easy to get through so you can read-dip in the water-read-talk on the phone-read-dip again-read-check out lifeguards-read-drink a cocktail-read-FINISH w/o feeling like you are having trouble keeping track of what you’re reading.

If you’ve already read I Was Told and you are looking for some more of Sloane’s brilliance, you are IN LUCK b/c she’s recently released her new book, How Did You Get This Number.  I can’t wait to read it!  (Thanks for the heads up, Mindy, and many, many congrats on graduating from law school last week!  xx)

Here’s the Q+DD on How Did You Get This Number:

Nine thoughtful, unfussy essays by the author of the collection I Was Told There’d Be Cake navigate around illusions of youth in the hope that by young adulthood they’ll all add up to happiness.  The account of Crosley’s footloose adventure to Lisbon on the eve of her 30th birthday starts things off in rollicking fashion in Show Me on the Doll: without proficient language skills, getting hopelessly lost in the labyrinth of Bairro Alto, and panicking in front of the myriad QVC channels offered by her hotel, Crosley recognizes that Lisbon was a place with a painfully disproportionate self-reflection-to-experience ratio.  There is the requisite essay about moving to New York and replacing her anorexic-kleptomaniac roommate with a more acceptable living arrangement: in Crosley’s case, delineated in Take a Stab at It, she is interviewed by the creepily disembodied current occupier of a famous former brothel on the Bowery, McGurk’s Suicide Hall.  As well, Crosley delivers witty, syncopated takes on visiting Alaska and Paris, and finding much consolation from a two-timing heartbreak in New York by buying stolen items from her upholstery guy, Daryl, who found them fallen Off the Back of a Truck, as the delightful last selection is titled.  These essays are fresh, funny, and eager to be loved.  (Publisher’s Weekly)

If Sloane isn’t quite your cup of tea - I have something else for you from another one of my favorite Jewish funny ladies…Ms. Sarah Silverman, herself.

Caveat: I haven’t read it yet, but Amy told me that she absolutely cannot put it down.  Amy is brilliant.  She knows everything.  Trust Amy.

Here’s the Q+DD on The Bedwetter:

Demonstrating that her penchant for swearing began at an early age, comedian Silverman begins her hilarious memoir by describing how, at age three, she gleefully responded to her grandmother’s offer of brownies with shove ‘em up your tush.  Growing up in New Hampshire (where cows are well done and Jews are rare), Silverman naturally gravitated toward performing and moved to New York, where she attended and eventually dropped out of New York University to pursue a standup comedy career.  Mixing show business moments (she wrote for Saturday Night Live for one season, but none of her sketches made it past dress rehearsal) with stories of her childhood and adolescence (punctuated by a persistent bedwetting problem), Silverman never shies away from poking fun at her own expense.  Though she’s best known for sexually explicit jokes, Silverman is able to address more serious subjects in the book without losing her edge, particularly her teenage struggle with depression and that her often abrasive public persona allowed her to say what she didn’t mean, even preach the opposite of what she believed…. It was a funny way of being sincere.  (Publisher’s Weekly)

I can safely say that neither of these books will likely be nominated for a Pulitzer anytime soon, but they will certainly make you think, giggle + they are perfect for the beach/ pool. 

Enjoy!  :)

xx, L

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WE HAVE BUSINESS CARDS!

05/17/2010 in PSAs by Lauren | 3 comments

Yep! Designed and selected, of course, by our ridiculously talented graphic designer, Amy Wolkove, they are the itty bittiest most adorable bid’ness cards I have ever witnessed!

Q+DD mini cards designed by Amy Wolkove from Moo

We are, as my friend Joanna would say, lah-jit.  Kinda makes me think of a very famous scene from one of the most important films in American cinematography, Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion.


Romy: Do you have some sort of business woman special?
Truck Stop Waitress: Come again?
Romy: Well, were business women.
Michele: From LA.
Romy: And you know how some places have like a lunch special?
Michele: For business women…
Truck Stop Waitress: We don’t have anything like that.
Romy: Ok we’ll take 2 burgers, fries, and medium cokes cause were in a hurry.
Michele: We’re due in Tucson later… some business thing, you know.

I thought you were the Rhoda?

xx, L

P.S. THANK YOU, AMY!

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Semi-Pro Snacker

05/07/2010 in Appetizers, Entertaining, Guilty Pleasures, Health, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | 2 comments

Allow me to tell you about my new favorite salsa + hummus vehicle:

I may be a proud Texan, but tortilla chips (even the blue ones) are a thing of the past.  Risotto Chips are where it’s at!  They come in three flavors: sea salt + parmesan and roasted garlic + spicy marinara. (Sea salt is my personal fav.)  Here’s the breakdown on these guys:

Risotto Chips – Sea Salt Flavor
Nutritional Facts Per Serving
Calories: 140
Fat: 7 g
Carbs: 19 g
Protein: 2 g

Best of all, they are gluten-free (Ams – you can eat these!) + they have 11 grams of whole grains (so basically they just burn your fat… :) ) + they taste really great!  Next time you’re throwing a party and need munchies, hosting a dinner and need something to go with your appetizer dips or you went to the grocery store when you were hungry (don’t EVER do that), try out Risotto Chips.  They are delish! 

(I would never survive on an Atkins diet…)

Pick them up at Publix, Kroger or Sam’s Club – or check them out here:
http://www.newyorkstyle.com/newyorkstylerisottochips.php

xx, L

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