FoodFash

Adventure Begins in the Kitchen

Productivity, Interrupted.

by

Returning from vacation with a cold and list of mandatory work functions created a chore-filled Saturday.  I tossed on some sweats, made oatmeal and hot tea, and opened every window in the house.  It was chilly, but I was heated with motivation –  I was on it.

I was cruising through my list like a girl on a mission, multi-tasking the fun amongst the unfun.  Laundry, dishes, and a side of sweet tunes.  And then… a curve ball to my productive day – a text.

It’s impossible to turn down an outdoor drink when spring weather is impatiently peeking at you in February.  So we marched to Wine Exchange, decided to make it a bottle kind of day, and ordered the ahi tuna.  I prefer my tuna with wasabi and soy, but surprisingly, the carmelized onions stole my vote for best supporting side.

Gluten-Free Goodness

by

Today as I headed north on Florida Ave, feelings of excitement replaced the usual feelings of annoyance that accompany the drive.  Seminole Heights is always the center of “up and coming” talk, but it’s difficult to witness the follow through as it’s not on a route often traveled.  But as I looked for 6605, I noticed more than increasing numbers on abandoned buildings, I noticed new storefronts.

The ideals of New Urbanism are ingrained in my being (another big thanks to Tammy).  And a good storefront, as nerdy as it may seem, makes me giddy.  Don’t worry, I can type and push up my theoretical nerd glasses simultaneously.  But back to the point, North Florida is on the path to being…  hip?  As I opened the door and entered Viitals Bakery & Cafe, that thought was no longer a question.  North Florida is, in fact, on the path to being hip.

I was immediately drawn to the heart-shaped cookies, but refrained.  Well, for a moment.  My lunch date was running late and my belly was raging with hunger, so I ordered one and took a seat.  “You know, I like to heat those up in the toaster oven for 30 seconds, it makes them really — “.  Sold!  I bet she’s never seen a girl in a high waisted skirt and ballet flats run so fast with cookie in hand.  And 90 seconds later, the cookie was heated, delicious as promised, and gone.

We ordered the Sophisticated Panini and the Caprese Sandwich – both beyond satisfying.  I couldn’t wait to get back to the office and tell my Heights friends about the new hot spot in their hood.

P.S.  Viitals now makes gluten-free pizza crust for Gourmet Pizza Company and that pretty much makes me do kartwheels on the inside!

Capital Cuisine

by

The snowpocalypse put DC in quite the tizzy which turned my thirty minute airport commute into two and a half hours of shared van fun.  It seemed like a guaranteed disaster, but my van mates were delightfully entertaining and entertained by my hot off the press business cards – cards which would spark an atypical conversation amongst strangers.

Who knew that the Arlington couple would have a relative recently diagnosed with Celiac’s and the Miami gent would be a microbiologist with a pescatarian girlfriend?  Who knew!  But cards fell into place, because my van mates made the trip pass quickly and lead me to the perfect vacation send off meal.

I stole my fellow Floridian’s dinner destination, Hook, for my last meal in capital country.  I ordered grilled rockfish with polenta, trumpet mushrooms, and brussel sprout petals.  Yum!  A perfect dish with perfect company is the ultimate equation for a perfect last meal.

See you tomorrow Tampa!

Grass Roots

by

Tampa is what it is, and after returning home from a year in Dallas, I appreciate the “is”.  I’ve never doubted my seemingly lacking city in the food quality department.  And even if you gave me a choice between a Tampa and Dallas restaurant, I’d probably choose Tampa 95% of the time.  Yes, really.  But the other 5%?  My heart aches for Spiral Diner, Cosmic Cafe, and Bliss Raw Cafe.

The only place here that compares in fashion forwardness is Grass Roots.  And it’s not just good because of it’s lone soldierism, it ranks nicely in my theoretical Tampa vs. Dallas game.

I ordered “Sabrina’s Favorite Sandwich” for lunch – raw onion “bread” with raw hummus, avocado, sprouts, lettuce and sheeze.  It seems as though faux cheese and I have a special relationship these days.  Interesting.  But back to the dish, 100% raw and 150% delicious!  The raw onion bread even sparked an interest in adding a food dehydrator to my extensively unnecessary food appliance collection.