tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25208713361031040412024-02-06T18:57:15.662-08:00Carrie's MenuCarrieMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08748959131382797114noreply@blogger.comBlogger156125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520871336103104041.post-26011148232551192262012-07-13T20:08:00.003-07:002012-07-13T20:08:52.395-07:00QC Taste of Elegance 2012<span style="color: blue;">On June 9th, my friend Becca & I attended the 10th annual QC Taste of Elegance. It was our 2nd year attending. (See the beginning <a href="http://carriesmenu.blogspot.com/2011/07/taste-of-elegance.html">here </a>and then just "Newer Post" back for all our reviews from last year.)</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">This year, there were 9 entries from area chefs, some from Cedar Rapids & Sheffield. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">I picked Becca up around 4:30 & we headed down the hill to the venue. There were more reserved tables this year, so finding a seat was our first concern. We spotted a table w/ two ladies saving seats for their husbands, and decided to join them. We were soon joined by another couple, and the husband happened to be retired from my place of business! That was a neat "small world" kinda thing! : ) </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">As last year, we started out w/ dessert. There were petit fours and a multitude of different little cupcakes this year. We tested a strawberry cupcake, what appeared to be a red velvet cupcake but wasn't, chocolate cake, and our favorite - a carrot cake souffle w/ cream cheese frosting in the middle. DELICIOUS! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">We didn't go in order of number, but I will here. : ) </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Dish #1 was brought to us by Chef Martha Smith from Blue Cat Brew Pub. She offered roast pork loin in grilled tomato sauce with flan pork belly. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">The pork was a bit dry for my taste, but the sauce was quite good, with a lot of flavor packed in! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Dish #2, from Jerimy Henson of a new venue - Four/Play Pub - was one of both our favorites. Chicory Sou Vide pork shoulder with jalapeno carrot and current cole slaw. This won 3rd place, and definitely deserved a spot in the top 3! I really enjoyed the sweet and tangy flavor, and Becca's favorite part was the cole slaw. YUM! (One of our table-mates asked about the secret ingredient, the flavor we all liked but couldn't pinpoint, and was told it was likely the coffee & chicory. Splendid!)</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Dish #3 - Cheff Matt Kaperka of The Iowa Machine Shed created a pulled pork ravioli with wild mushroom cream sauce. The presentation could have been better, but he was our last table, and it was getting late in the serving, so I can understand. Neither Becca nor I were fans of the pasta. We didn't really get a sense of the pork filling. However, the sauce was excellent! Creamy & quite full of flavor! I'd like to replicate it... </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Dish #4 - Chef Tony Fulin of Offshore Grill was the nephew of one of our table-mates. He served a Jack Daniels Iowa Chop, and I think he did a good job for his first time at the Taste. The presentation was nice, and he had the FRIENDLIEST crew of the evening! We did not like his choice of cut for the pork, and were unable to eat most of the meat. :( His sauce deserved an A++, however, and I do hope he gets invited back next year so we can see what else he has up his sleeve! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Chef Jason Gomez of the Isle of Capri's kitchens gave us dish #5, Salted Caramel Smokey Pork tenderloin with roasted Poblano and corn grits. The salted caramel won Becca's heart, and I - a person who has never enjoyed grits - wanted seconds of the grits! I want him to make that for me again. : ) The tenderloin was definitely smokey & sweet, and I could eat it again. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Dish #6 won 2nd place. Chef Mon Sayasit created his version of the Modern Pork Bowl. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">I have to say, our table was not impressed with this dish at all. It was the ONE dish of the evening that we didn't take more than one bite of. Well, actually, I gave it a little more than one bite, but it still felt like a waste. Our version did NOT look anything like the judge's plate. It was like a noodle soup in a little plastic cup, with too much broth and much too salty or something. Just was not our cup of soup!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Dish #7 from Chef Eran Salzmann of Z-Best Cafe graced us with a smokey pork shoulder and belly duet with maple lacquer. It smelled divine and was very visually appealing!! The flavors didn't quite live up to the scent, but it was still VERY good and I definitely cleaned my plate! : ) </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Was disappointed our version didn't have the fried egg, tho. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">That looked good!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">The surprise of the evening came in Dish #8. We were not expecting anything much from Chef Kendra Husband of the Sunnybrook Assisted Living venue. Roasted ground pork loaf with sweet potato and goat cheese hash made us believers, tho! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">It was FABULOUS! In my personal picks, this should have won 2nd place. : ) The corn was a bit too spicy for me, but the potatoes w/ goat cheese - inspired pairing, really. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">The well-deserved winner of the evening, tho, was my dear friend Nicki's husband, Chef Doug Lear of Bass Street Chop House. Dish #9 went above & beyond. Now, I was prepared to vote for Doug as People's Choice based on loyalty and friendship. However, his Root Beer Braised pork cheek with chili crusted herb, sweet potato croquette were good enough to earn the vote on their own. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">What put him over the edge, what made him win not only People's Choice this year but also the GRAND PRIZE (SO EXCITED!) of Chef Par Excellence (1st place, ya know), was the bacon gellatto. He created it using liquid nitrogen, folks! LIQUID NITROGEN to freeze the gellato! Agh, he's a genius. It tasted like my favorite ice cream, butter pecan, but WITH BACON! :D *swoon* I called it "A love affair for my mouth." And I stand by that description. Mmm! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">It was, once again, an EXCELLENT evening of elegance and flavor, and both Becca & I are once again excited for next year's offerings! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">CONGRATULATIONS to Doug once again! You did great & I can't wait to hear all about the National Pork Summit he & Nicki get to attend next Spring. Woot!!! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">What are you waiting for? Let me know you'll join us for next year's event! ; ) </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">TTFN!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Carrie "fan of delicious flavor" Marie </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>CarrieMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08748959131382797114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520871336103104041.post-27084230958302044922012-04-16T20:04:00.001-07:002012-04-16T20:04:23.307-07:00slackerI have been a slacker on the Menu, and I apologize. <div>
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I don't have any posts planned - shoot, I still have Uncle Gene posts to edit & put out here! I am trying to work on those, and will hopefully get them up soon. </div>
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I also have to apologize for dropping the ball on other stuff. SORRY! :( </div>
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Hopefully soon this will be the happy place y'all grew to love once again!</div>
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<br /></div>CarrieMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08748959131382797114noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520871336103104041.post-26317626361939786352012-02-17T20:52:00.000-08:002012-02-17T20:52:18.877-08:00Review - Fiber One Brownies<span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><b>You guys! Have you tried the delicious 90 calorie Fiber One Brownies? Let me tell you, if you are looking for an individually packaged, easily portable, help-you-resist-temptation brownie snack, <a href="http://www.fiberone.com/products/brownies/90-calorie-chocolate-fudge">THIS </a>is the snack for you! </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><b>They taste just like a Duncan Hines homemade brownie, AND they have chocolate chips inside. It's quite a treat for your taste buds. : ) </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><b>I have tried both varieties, the fudge and the peanut butter, and have to say I prefer the fudge. I'm not a fan of many peanut butter flavored things - if I want PB, I'll just eat a PB&J something or other (waffle, sammich, ya know!) or just have a little spoon full of Jif. Cuz, Jif = best PB to me!</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><b>Until next time - give these brownies a try, and let me know what you think, eh?</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><b>** The Fiber One ppl have never heard of me. They did not ask me to review this product. I just happened to pick up a box at WM last grocery run, and had to share the scrumptiousness! Also, Trish had the PB ones for me to try last night. </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><b>thanks!</b></span><br />
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</b></span>CarrieMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08748959131382797114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520871336103104041.post-80358349309579717052011-12-26T08:00:00.001-08:002011-12-26T08:00:01.101-08:00Key West - Liquid FoodFor you non alcoholic beverage drinkers out there, you may wish to skip this post. All the food discussed here is of the liquid variety.<br />
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This is the reason many tourist come to Key West. This is Duval street.<br />
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It is one mile long and stretches from the Gulf of Mexico (A couple of blocks behind where the picture was taken) to the Atlantic Ocean ( In the far distance). It is said that there are more bars in Key West per-capita than any other place in the US. ( The same goes for churches. A lot of "Sunday morning after Saturday night" I guess.) Most of those bars are right up this street. Duval street is one the main things that brought us here at first as well. We love live music, and every one of those bars has great live entertainment.<br />
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Most of the cruise ship tourists never get much beyond this crossroad of streets. That is Sloppy Joe's on the left there at the corner of Green street. The Lazy Gecko is right beyond it. On the right down Green is Cowboy Bill's and Captain Tony's next to it. On up Duval on the right is Ricks. Behind the photographer to the right is Hog's Breath Saloon. This is all you need if liquid food is what you are looking for.<br />
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You cannot beat Hog's Breath Saloon for it's drinks, it's food, or it's music. It is mostly just a big tent with trees growing through it's top. There is a smaller inside area for wimps who require air conditioning. They have their own beer which is pretty much my favorite on the island. We have spent many good hours here.<br />
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We always spend some time at Rick's. It has the best Margarita's on Duval street. It seems like a pretty small place, but it has an upstairs. Unfortunately we have never been upstairs because as you can see from the picture it is closed.<br />
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It is always that way. It is to keep tourists out. Up there is often full to the rafters with locals and really cute girls who the stair guards let through. Downstairs there is always an often raunchy guitar dude who spends as much time messing with the tourists as singing. On the pictured night they were having a pub crawl where rowdy crowds would come in and drink until someone would blow a conch shell and then they would head for the next bar. The goal was to have at least one drink in every bar on Duval street. Many didn't make it.<br />
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Captain Tony's Saloon is a Key West legend as was Captain Tony himself. He came to town from New Jersey in the 50's and had many famous adventures until he passed on a couple of years ago. Everyone has a Captain Tony story. This building with its huge tree growing through it's center (they say it once was the town's hanging tree) was the first Sloppy Joe's. In 1937 the original owner bought the slightly larger present Sloppy Joe's location. They say one day he came in the bar and made all the drunks (including that hack Hemingway) carry the bar and all the furniture the half block up Green street to the new location.<br />
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There are a lot of other cool bars on Duval like Irish Kevin's with it's continuous risque Irish music and The Bull and Whistle with it's rooftop nudist bar. Up the street a ways you will find Margaritaville, very famous, but not a place we often go because the prices are high and the food and drink are nothing special. I'm going to mention that to Jimmy the next time I see him.<br />
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If any of you want to get the feel of the music and fun of Key West bars, several places have bar cams you can watch on the web. Three that we often watch on cold winter afternoons are Sloppy Joe's, Hog's Breath, and Schooner Wharf.<br />
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Bon Ton Roulett Y'All <br />
Gene and Nancy<br />
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“I want to go back down and lie beside the sea there. With a tin cup for a chalice Fill it up with good red wine,” ---- JB<br />
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</div>CarrieMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08748959131382797114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520871336103104041.post-42495207127863402822011-12-26T08:00:00.000-08:002011-12-26T08:00:00.808-08:00Key West - The Lazy Gecko<span style="color: blue;"><i>Greetings, y'all! Sorry I've been slacking on the post a day, but between Christmas & computer issues, well... yeah. I'll be on vacation myself this week, so I'm setting up a couple posts. When I return, we'll finish out w/ the remaining ones. Thanks again to Uncle Gene & Aunt Nancy for writing such great material! Hopefully when I return I will also have some nice posts about East Coast seafood... : ) </i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Also, I hope you all had a very merry Christmas and will enjoy a blessed 2012! Until next time... </i></span><br />
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We were wandering around old town one day and decided to hit Amigos Tortilla Bar on Green street and try one of their shrimp breakfast fajitas. We were disappointed to find them closed, not permanently we hoped. We figured we would settle for some simple bar food, so we stopped into Cowboy Bill's about a half a block away. But Bill didn't serve food. The bartender told us to check out the Lazy Gecko just around the corner. The old dude sitting at his own well worn bar stool said as we walked out, “Be sure you and your gal friend come back and have a drink with us after you fill your stomach.” He thought he was Captain Tony, and he could have been but I know for sure that Captain Tony is gone.<br />
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We got some pretty normal food at the Lazy Gecko. Nancy got a tuna sandwich ( she never gets that at home when I'm around because I don't like the nasty dead rotten fish smell. How can anyone eat something that smells so bad? But, we were pretty much in the open air at our sidewalk table so I tried to deal with it. I'm a nice guy like that) and I got a French dip with Swiss cheese.<br />
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Gee, we could of got that at home in the Midwest, but it was just the mood we were in. They were both quite good and the bill came to $33 with tip and drinks, a little high for lunch, but we sat there for awhile having several drinks being lazy like the sign said and watching people stroll by on Duval street.<br />
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Just the attitude to have on a hot Key West afternoon.<br />
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Bon Ton Roulett Y'All <br />
Gene and Nancy <br />
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“Got a schoolboy's heart, and a novelist's eye” – JB<br />
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</div>CarrieMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08748959131382797114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520871336103104041.post-16576717984435231302011-12-18T08:00:00.000-08:002011-12-18T08:00:01.462-08:00Key West - Island GrillWe found that visiting the Keys in September had some drawbacks. It is the slowest month of all in Key West. There are no big festivals or events like the rest of the year, hurricane season is going full blast, and the snowbirds are still up north. A number of businesses close up and the owners take vacations. (Why do you need a vacation from paradise?) We did not realize how much this might affect our eating plans.<br />
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After walking around old town for days we decided it was time for a road trip. We took the 50 mile drive up beyond the 7 mile bridge to the nearest town of Marathon. We had planned to eat supper on the way back at Boondocks, where we knew the food was great. It was closed for remodeling. OK, we said, let's try the Square Grouper that everyone talked about on Summerland Key. It was closed too with not even a sign to explain why. We ended up back in the Key West area for supper. It is not really unusual for eating joints to close down suddenly and reopen later as something else. Our favorite BBQ place in Key West, The Meteor Smoke house closed a couple of years ago. This last year Captain Mario's Seafood Buffet closed, the only place I could get enough crab cakes at one sitting. That is hard for old folks like us who don't like no stinking changes in life.<br />
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On our trip to Marathon we stopped on Big Pine Key for lunch. We couldn't believe the “for Sale” sign on the Island Grill.<br />
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We had eaten at the grill a number of times last year when we were staying on Big Pine. It is a nice bar/grill with really good bar food. We knew it was having some troubles from comments on the Coconut Telegraph web site. (Yes Big Pine Key has it's own crazy web page) But, we didn't expect it to go out of business altogether. We had what will probably be out last ever juicy Island Grill cheeseburgers.<br />
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The bill was $32 with tip, and worth every penny.<br />
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Bon Ton Roulett Y'All <br />
Gene and Nancy <br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>“I want a cheeseburger in paradise” --- JB</i></span><br />
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</div>CarrieMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08748959131382797114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520871336103104041.post-76826628002236184812011-12-16T08:00:00.000-08:002011-12-16T08:00:07.671-08:00Key West - Sloppy Joe'sIf you go to Key West you will find that everyone knows about Sloppy Joe's. You can't miss it at the corner of Green and Duval streets.<br />
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Everyone knows that the hack writer Ernest Hemingway got drunk there on a regular basis. They hold the annual Hemingway look alike contest there in July. (No, I've never won.) It is a tourist must stop. The building is kinda cool with it's wide open sides , tropical ceiling fans, and rustic wooden walls, a place right out of an old movie set. You would not be surprised to see Humphrey Bogart and Grace Kelly smoking and drinking in a secluded corner. (For you young folks who have no clue who those people are, ask your parents. Well, maybe your grandparents!)<br />
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It is definitely not a hang out for locals though. It is certainly aimed at the tourist trade. We tend to hang out there ourselves because of the music. There is someone playing on their stage everyday from noon on. We never eat there because we had a bad food experience there the very first time we came to this town. We just decided the place was a tourist trap restaurant.<br />
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A little side story about the picture. There is a guy sitting on the sidewalk playing with leaves. He is making hats out of palm leaves. It is a thriving business. You see tourists all over town wearing his creations. There are all kinds of rules in Key West about street vending. The guy has to have a permit to sell his hats. Before him, the first few times we came to town there was a guy in the same spot who would tell a dirty joke for a dollar. I hear he retired to his mansion in North Dakota.<br />
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We were in Sloppy Joe's one afternoon and didn't want to leave because the music was just so good. We both had enjoyed several refreshing drinks and decided we needed a bite to eat. We ordered some cheesy bread appetizers and they were great. (Hey, they were cheese. You can't hardly mess that up!!)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i>(Carrie says - heck yeah, cheese makes everything better!!) </i></span><br />
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We went back another day for supper to give it a try. Nancy had chicken alfredo pizza and I had a crab cake sandwich and fries.<br />
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Both meals were excellent. I'd been hungry for crab cakes and those were nearly perfect. The bill came to $45 with tip and drinks. That is really pretty reasonable considering it included several cool beverages. We won't pass up Sloppy Joe's on our next Key West trip.<br />
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Bon Ton Roulett Y'All <br />
Gene and Nancy <br />
“I ate the last mango in Paris” ---JB<br />
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</div>CarrieMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08748959131382797114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520871336103104041.post-67879123175580911382011-12-14T08:00:00.000-08:002011-12-14T08:00:02.761-08:00Key West - Snacks<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Carrie's note - sorry for the delay, folks! Technical difficulties have been figured out, thankfully! : ) </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Enjoy, and don't forget to enter the <a href="http://carriesmenu.blogspot.com/2011/12/giveaway-break-and-note-from-carrie.html">Giveaway</a>! : ) </i></span><br />
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I'm not going to lie to you, it's pretty hot in Key West even in September. It's still in the mid 80's to low 90's most days. We always try to stay inside somewhere in the middle of the day. But, this was a walking vacation, so we were caught out in the mid day swelter a few times. There is only one way to stave off the heat and that is eating key lime sherbet.<br />
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It is better than water to cool you down and refresh. There are two main places we got the heavenly stuff, the conch train depot at the corner of Duval and Front streets downtown and the Island Ice Cream Shop on the harbor walk.(They call it sorbet at the ice cream shop. I don't know the difference, they taste the same to me) They were about $8 for two at both places. We tried some ice cream at the Front street ice cream shop one day and it just wasn't the same. <br />
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Other than our sherbet fix we didn't snack all that much. Once in awhile we would get something like a crab dip at Schooner Wharf when we hung around late on the upper deck lazing around and listening to the music and enjoying a couple of brews. That cost us $22 with beer and tip. One kinda crazy late night we grabbed a couple of slices of too chocolatey chocolate cake at Harpoon Harry's and took them back to the room. Man we were sorry for that. A real intestinal battle was fought in both of us that night. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i>(D'oh!) </i></span><br />
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The last night in the Keys calls for our long standing tradition, Key lime pie while watching the sunset.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2OGWWUhJWzwAs1WgJ7uC96LqMJTs2xe0o5PysZYHW76ddlxwo5KduHjQUobF61MBW4J5ro4VOzzrh3QQ4qTOx2tKv5cXhI3pueX5xB2nU2RbBamZEQokXNkIyvoa8Mqk0kSSx2GvIPfP/s1600/3KeyLimePie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2OGWWUhJWzwAs1WgJ7uC96LqMJTs2xe0o5PysZYHW76ddlxwo5KduHjQUobF61MBW4J5ro4VOzzrh3QQ4qTOx2tKv5cXhI3pueX5xB2nU2RbBamZEQokXNkIyvoa8Mqk0kSSx2GvIPfP/s320/3KeyLimePie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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This night it was Schooner Wharf's upper deck . Two pieces of pie, a Landshark, and a Margarita (it is a requirement when you are in Margaritaville) cost us $30 with tip. (I was tipping big, it was the last night and Eric was a good friendly guy even though he said he never wanted to go back to Illinois. He had found his home here). Schooner Wharf's Key Lime pie is a little creamier than Turtle Kraals', but they are equally good.<br />
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Bon Ton Roulett Y'All <br />
Gene and Nancy<br />
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“Yeah, I wish I had a pencil-thin mustache,<br />
then I could solve some mysteries too.” –- JBCarrieMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08748959131382797114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520871336103104041.post-50290801008856888952011-12-09T22:12:00.000-08:002011-12-09T22:12:31.504-08:00Giveaway Break and a note from Carrie<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Hi folks! There are more Key West posts in the pike, but I'm having a little trouble w/ Uncle Gene's 2nd batch. Hopefully I'll have time to work on them Sunday & get some more posts out next week! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Meanwhile, I would like to thank everyone for reading! Thanks to Uncle Gene & Aunt Nancy for sharing their trip with us! : ) </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">To show my appreciation, I've chosen to do a giveaway, if anyone's interested. Whadda ya say? : ) I say "Hooray!" LOL </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">How's it gonna work? Well, I'll tell ya! If you'd like to win one of Uncle Gene's beautiful prints of Key West, just leave a comment below. I'll be taking entries on this post until the end of the Key West posts, at which time I'll pick a random number for a winner. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">What the winner shall receive - A copy of one of the photos listed in this post, framed and sent to your door. Or someone else's door, if you'd like to gift it! *laugh* </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Sound good? I guess we'll see... ; ) </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Until next time... here are the choices! (Mostly sunsets - the fish & the crab are there in case you have eclectic taste like me! *grin*) </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifH6-wEU-b134WFw5PBXr4n6dfPfaKtDwQFFLEmsnGff8zdLDl4ft-X4FlElLPpNDRW1oDa8ImCNqZ9FrITKzES9zhzBgRlS8kWtBeYpCZYYSxHZxAJrCspscI-GMbHeL2n4gk5IbKlOFM/s1600/1HogFish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifH6-wEU-b134WFw5PBXr4n6dfPfaKtDwQFFLEmsnGff8zdLDl4ft-X4FlElLPpNDRW1oDa8ImCNqZ9FrITKzES9zhzBgRlS8kWtBeYpCZYYSxHZxAJrCspscI-GMbHeL2n4gk5IbKlOFM/s320/1HogFish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7FDJXVe7Fra9soRdSBXQRS3BAhJ0vOGF-E44GiP8mT-bmLIn6WngD0Jc76KTIs8qRlZ0UY9jag4uoWvAqls4jOcZOLhpY7YZtEf32_B3w3JC_onFjJUn2lqJfUMG_rm5E11-ugtrMDG1/s1600/Sunset4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7FDJXVe7Fra9soRdSBXQRS3BAhJ0vOGF-E44GiP8mT-bmLIn6WngD0Jc76KTIs8qRlZ0UY9jag4uoWvAqls4jOcZOLhpY7YZtEf32_B3w3JC_onFjJUn2lqJfUMG_rm5E11-ugtrMDG1/s320/Sunset4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfBYHqemj6EMHmfJGjYFQWPUgPaif3gRq4jDGGQQKpjYGfxSETkWfJwPgJMVuNzhbgQgCacuCx7IA-TMjhKLfA6ER7_gfLEn13b-EvSw25cSqFnrBg9zNXIAarAODEgqN7IznRDle5QOa/s1600/Sunset6.tif.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfBYHqemj6EMHmfJGjYFQWPUgPaif3gRq4jDGGQQKpjYGfxSETkWfJwPgJMVuNzhbgQgCacuCx7IA-TMjhKLfA6ER7_gfLEn13b-EvSw25cSqFnrBg9zNXIAarAODEgqN7IznRDle5QOa/s320/Sunset6.tif.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>the one above is the picture they gave me for my birthday. it's now on the wall above my computer desk, so i can look at it all the time! i loves it! : ) </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPUBiqk6TVzDN42K2lgAO1WrkzKxgaSuobNlKo7NGbh0vNj-9GrHaBtBwRlSCm8yvT74O7Thpq2lDgILt_fhTtE5dOQZ0DV08591O6riDAz3M6BFrXvcQn__3mbz0sGuVSHv3cqvTN_8q/s1600/SunsetPier.tif.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPUBiqk6TVzDN42K2lgAO1WrkzKxgaSuobNlKo7NGbh0vNj-9GrHaBtBwRlSCm8yvT74O7Thpq2lDgILt_fhTtE5dOQZ0DV08591O6riDAz3M6BFrXvcQn__3mbz0sGuVSHv3cqvTN_8q/s320/SunsetPier.tif.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</span>CarrieMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08748959131382797114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520871336103104041.post-25474896655934177992011-12-08T08:00:00.000-08:002011-12-08T08:00:07.226-08:00Key West - Hog Fish GrillI hope nobody has a heart attack, but this post talks about the most expensive lunch of our trip. We always hit this place every time we are in the Keys. It is just across the Cow Key channel bridge on stock island, too far to walk, but only minutes from Key West by car. It is called The Hog Fish Grill.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfjY1Umjcb9ylxFn507JaJ1ZU67B1HlhVAA3lfjlNT1psAhQ1cvFAZp_cKcm0n_WBd1DI0lG1J1sHMQj4-rshHYc-bmQmmUZ85yOSoeyQDuiN0j2rjtW18fXRlg9SS-DNjSn0ac322y4t/s1600/1HogFish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfjY1Umjcb9ylxFn507JaJ1ZU67B1HlhVAA3lfjlNT1psAhQ1cvFAZp_cKcm0n_WBd1DI0lG1J1sHMQj4-rshHYc-bmQmmUZ85yOSoeyQDuiN0j2rjtW18fXRlg9SS-DNjSn0ac322y4t/s320/1HogFish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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I guess this sculpture is what a hog fish looks like. I've never seen one up close and personal. A lot of folks love the fish caught in the waters around here but I'm not a real big fan, I've tried the grouper and the dolphin. (Carrie's mouth is watering. She loves those flipper sandwiches.)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><i>(Carrie edit: Well, I like mahi mahi, but it's not Flipper! LOL) </i></span> I prefer shellfish myself. That brings up to my favorite combination, lobster and shrimp.<br />
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I believe I have talked about Hog Fish's lobster bisque before.<br />
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It is the creamiest and richest tasting I have ever had. It has big old chunks of lobster floating around like icebergs in the North Atlantic.<br />
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Nancy had a Caesar salad and I had a garden.<br />
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We had both with some fat Gulf Coast pink shrimp on top. We sat at a picnic table on the dock in the warm sun slowly eating this lunchtime feast and throwing the shrimp tails in the water for the fish to fight over. Some other folks saw us doing that and started throwing bread in, The fish weren't interested in that. They were shell fish connoisseurs as well. The total cost was $55 with drinks and tip. This is a real local hangout but I don't have a clue how locals can afford to eat lunch there.<br />
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Next door is one of the local seafood retail/wholesale places. You can see the shrimp boat parked out front.<br />
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That is why the shrimp is fresh every day. You can have them ship you 5 pounds of shrimp on dry ice overnight to the Midwest for $75. We know, we checked. You can have fresh gulf pinks for your next cook out.<br />
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Bon Ton Roulett Y'All <br />
Gene and Nancy<br />
<br />
“Put it on the coconut telegraph<br />
In twenty-five words or less” --- JBCarrieMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08748959131382797114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520871336103104041.post-47536357497675029872011-12-07T08:00:00.000-08:002011-12-07T08:00:06.755-08:00Key West - Turtle KraalsOK, now you are all sure the old guy is losing it. Not only did the last post ramble on with little talk of food, but this time he is going to do a repeat of a post that he did last year. I bet he even gushes on about the brisket again, and what's with all these turtle pictures? He will probably tell more sick jokes about how they use to butcher poor little turtles here. Gee, guys give me a break, the turtles are pretty cute and the brisket is still quite good. You watch TV, just think of this as a rerun.<br />
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Yes folks, it's Turtle Kraals. (Check out last years post in case you don't remember what that means.)<br />
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We always hang out at the harbor a lot when we visit Key West. There are many restaurants around the harbor, and I must admit we have not eaten at most of them. Key West food can be pretty pricy, but the places near the water seem to be the most expensive. Most any evening you could find us sitting on the upper deck at either Schooner Wharf or Turtle Kraals. On the hottest day there is always a cool breeze blowing in from the gulf and there is much activity on the docks below to give you opportunity for people watching. Many beers and desserts were enjoyed there. There is always good music drifting in the air from the many live music venues nearby. This is what paradise is really like.<br />
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Well, we did eat the brisket with Southwestern yellow rice, vegetable medley, salad or slaw, and cornbread with jalapenos. (My beef got cold from me taking the time to pick all the peppers out of my cornbread. That is my only complaint.)<br />
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Good stuff and it only cost us $45 with drinks and tip.<br />
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Another trip scored us some of their perfect Key lime pie.<br />
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Two pies, two beers, two ice teas cost $25 with tip. Sometimes I tip too much, but our waiter Eric was a good kid and came here from the Midwest and stayed. It is hard living in this town. Most young folks work 2 or 3 jobs just to pay the rent. But, like Eric, they all seem happy and glad they escaped to the Keys.<br />
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The last image is of a place we did not eat at. The place is right next to Turtle Kraals. I don't care how much skin the happy lady on the sign shows, she ain't gonna convince me to eat fish bait.<br />
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Bon Ton Roulett Y'all <br />
<br />
Gene and Nancy<br />
<br />
“I will play for gumbo.” – JBCarrieMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08748959131382797114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520871336103104041.post-11546887528686825062011-12-06T08:00:00.000-08:002011-12-06T08:00:02.484-08:00Key West - Old Town Bakery (and a history of the Keys)I'm going to take a little intermission from food. (He can't do that. This is a food blog. Who does he think he is?) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>(A note from Carrie - I LOL'd when I read that line!) </i></span><br />
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Folks are always asking why we keep going back to the Keys. I gotta admit, It's not just the food. We have traveled a lot over the years and have visited lots of cool places. But, there is a unique cultural vibe that magnetically keeps drawing us back to the Keys. The sea breeze, awesome sunsets, and cold beer helps some as well.<br />
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Key West is not the last island in the Keys. There are lots more continuing out for another 60 or so miles South and West. But, Key West is the the last one you can get to on a bridge. The island is 4 miles long and 2 miles wide at it's widest.<br />
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For such a little place it has a big history. It was home to Seminole Indians before the Spanish came. The American navy set up a base on the island to drive the pirates out. It was a union stronghold during the Civil War. (Florida was a confederate state, but Key West has always been different from the rest of the South.) Folks got rich down there as wreckers who made piles of money recovering the cargoes from the many ships that sank on the numerous reefs that surround the island. Cuban cigars were manufactured here from Cuban tobacco. (There seems to be money in smoking. Who knew?)<br />
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The seas around the Keys were full of tasty swimming things. That brought the shrimpers, spongers, and turtlers. (My spell check tells me that isn't a word. What do you call those turtle catching guys?) That is all gone except the shrimp. The navy had a sub base there for years. It was at one time the largest and richest city in Florida. That changed when the 1936 hurricane destroyed Flagler's railroad that had brought the first tourist trade to the island.<br />
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Key West had lots of ups and downs in the twentieth century, but it became a refuge for misplaced souls from all over the world. Artists, writers, refugees, musicians, gays, Cubans, sailors, drunken poets, smugglers, and anyone else who needed to be part of a weirdness of culture found nowhere else. They say most folks who moved there from somewhere else didn't <i>move </i>there, they escaped to there. It became a place where no one was judged. It is not obvious from a brief tourist stay, but that culture still exists if you look hard enough. Jimmy Buffett, the new highway in 1982, and cruse ships made it into a tourist haven. But old Key West is still there if you just look.<br />
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Old town Key West looks old. All of it isn't. Hurricanes and terrible fires over the years have eaten away at vintage Key West. But, when they build new they make it look old. You never know until you turn on the air conditioner and see how much it rattles and check the termite damage on the siding. It is fun just walking around the streets looking at old architecture and cool tropical plants. We ain't got that kind of stuff in the Midwest. We always log at least 2 or 3 miles a day just exploring.<br />
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I don't know how old the Old Town Bakery building is. I do know that it wasn't always a bakery. It has been a couple of different cafes and I think a gift shop once or twice just since we started visiting the island. Now it is a really homey bakery that has great baked goods and sandwiches. The day the rains came and streets flooded and trapped us in our room for half the day I made an escape down the back alley and waded the half block to the bakery. We knew before we booked our rooms in old town that there were lots of nice places to eat, but the bakery was a pleasant surprise.<br />
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We had enjoyed breakfast and sweet pastries, but this time we were looking for lunch. Nancy had a Blue LT (Bacon, lettuce, tomato, and blue cheese dressing. She knew what she wanted because she had picked up a menu on another visit); I had turkey and cheese.<br />
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With drinks, chips, cookies, and tip the bill came to $21. That was the most we had ever payed at the bakery, but we didn't mind, the storm floods had us trapped and we were hungry. The geckos on our balcony were starting to look possibly tasty.<br />
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Bon Ton Roulett Y'All <br />
Gene and Nancy<br />
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“If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane” –- JBCarrieMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08748959131382797114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520871336103104041.post-17839700672928803032011-12-05T08:00:00.000-08:002011-12-05T08:00:11.937-08:00Key West - Geiger Key<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81gn70DoAvMlWZmuXYOwjZLUJ1MZtcIRhOQ3qmIoP5phq4nr15Hmqq-VntdKbzKdlWFrc5nSxna-F_J2l9t5IUngBPwPF2Fwbjflk1rBRLLlluTMc1YbMgLnc14SkpnsW2V0RL5Bn15Fn/s1600/1Geiger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81gn70DoAvMlWZmuXYOwjZLUJ1MZtcIRhOQ3qmIoP5phq4nr15Hmqq-VntdKbzKdlWFrc5nSxna-F_J2l9t5IUngBPwPF2Fwbjflk1rBRLLlluTMc1YbMgLnc14SkpnsW2V0RL5Bn15Fn/s320/1Geiger.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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There is a rustic rough hewn tiki bar in a little marina surrounded by mangrove islands where mostly locals hang out, drink beer, and talk about diving and fishing. It's called the Geiger Key Smoke House. They have barbeques every weekend with lots of beef and country or blues bands. They have great seafood as well. We got in the car and made the 10 mile drive up the Keys to get our favorite lobster BLT. Bad news. Not on the menu anymore. Oh well you shouldn't eat the same thing all the time. Time to try something new.<br />
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Nancy tried their shrimp scampi and I got shrimp tacos.<br />
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They were both really great. The grilled shrimp were much kinder to the stomach than the fried lobster we usually got. Seafood tacos always seemed kinda strange to me but these gave a new flavor to south of the border menu regulars. You won't find this at Taco Bell. Nancy had a more healthy meal than I did. She had some tasty yellow rice, steamed veggies, and creamy coleslaw. The bill, including some beers and tip, came to $39.<br />
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We ate slow and enjoyed the cool breeze while watching schools of fish playing their fishy games in the water nearby. We enjoyed listening to the boat dudes telling their fish stories. A couple scruffty sea hounds talked two young bar girls into taking a “ride in their boat”. Not the normal tourist stuff. We felt like locals ourselves as we watched the sun set over Geiger Key.<br />
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Bon Ton Roulett Y'All <br />
Gene and Nancy<br />
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“When you see the Southern Cross for the first time,<br />
You understand now why you came this way.” --- JBCarrieMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08748959131382797114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520871336103104041.post-41650888006867720542011-12-04T08:00:00.000-08:002011-12-04T08:00:01.929-08:00Key West - Jack FlatsThey allow smoking in restaurants in the Keys (and dogs as well, which I don't get, will horses be next?). It is not a big problem for us nonsmokers because most places are mostly outdoors and only macho cigar smokers showing off for their girlfriends blowing out foul smelling clouds of smoke cause any real irritation.<br />
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(They will be not so cool later on barfing in an ally from that strong Cuban tobacco.)<br />
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It is really nice to see no smoking signs in an indoor bar and grill. The place is called Jack Flats and it is always full of happy folks.<br />
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Jack Flats is another place that the locals think is their own secret, but anymore there are as many tourist as Conchs in the place at lunchtime. I learned about it from <a href="http://conchscooter.blogspot.com/">Conchscooter's </a>Key West Diary blog. He praises the lunch sandwiches there. I ordered the bacon and shrimp club.<br />
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Nancy wanted something that didn't swim for a living. She wanted some cow. She ordered hamburger sliders.<br />
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We were supposed to share, but she only allowed me one. They were quite good, but you can't beat bacon and shrimp. It wasn't a super cheap lunch. It came to $30 with the tip. Again the locals were right. That old web surfing came through once more.<br />
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<br />
Bon Ton Roulett Y'All <br />
Gene and Nancy<br />
<br />
“Mother, mother ocean, I have heard you call,<br />
Wanted to sail upon your waters since I was three feet tall.” ---- JB<br />
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</div>CarrieMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08748959131382797114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520871336103104041.post-36300332068923839842011-12-03T08:00:00.000-08:002011-12-03T08:00:03.659-08:00Key West - MANGIA MANGIAI think maybe sometimes waitresses spit in my food.<br />
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Mangia Mangia is a cafe recommended to us by Ray the desk clerk at our motel/hotel.<br />
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I noticed as soon as we walked in the overpowering odor of garlic in the air. It was even worse than Olive Garden where they put the strong smelling root in everything they serve. (Try their garlic ice cream sometime!) I asked the waitress if they put garlic in their Alfredo sauce. She gave me that “poor senile old fellow” look and said, “We are an Italian restaurant.” I gave her my “Italian food isn't suppose to be all nothing but garlic” lecture. Alfredo was intended to be an escape from strong herbs. (After all I am an expert. I've been to Italy you know) The young lady didn't smile as she took our orders and walked away.<br />
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Well the food was really good, spit and all. Nancy had rigatoni with shrimp and marinara sauce.<br />
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I daringly had lobster linguini in pink sauce (four different kinds of cheese. I'll eat most anything if you put enough cheese on it). I couldn't even taste much garlic, cheese covers up all evil tastes.<br />
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I really can't eat the stuff because it battles in my stomach like other spicy things. The bill was a whopping $60 with tip. I guess extra cheese and spit adds to the cost. I felt kinda guilty. I may have tipped a bit too much. Will I ever learn?<br />
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Bon Ton Roulett Y'All <br />
Gene and Nancy<br />
<br />
“Half baked cookies in the oven<br />
Half baked people on the bus<br />
There's a little bit of fruitcake left in everyone of us” – JBCarrieMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08748959131382797114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520871336103104041.post-36715558971100540702011-12-02T08:00:00.000-08:002011-12-02T08:00:04.549-08:00Key West - Harpoon Harry'sWe ate at several restaurants more than others. Across the street from BO's on Caroline street was a local hangout called Harpoon Harry's. Inside looked like any other small town cafe except the strange and wonderful art and collectables all over the place. It was often full of people with many obviously regulars and tourist as well.<br />
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Sunday night was the spaghetti and meatball dinner with Cuban bread instead of garlic bread. It tasted like the stuff mom used to make. Well, not my mom, but probably someone's Italian mom. It was $32 with tip. One day at lunch Nancy got the Cuban mix sandwich she had been longing for. She likes those spicy things loaded with strange herbs flavor. Even if I liked it, my digestive system would declare war if I shoved that stuff down. I had another breakfast. The cost was $35 with tip.<br />
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It is a fun friendly place to eat. We missed getting pictures of some of our food because the waitresses were so friendly and talkative and even seemed to start recognizing us after about the third time in. The decor was weird though. The hanging Barbies (They had a bit a Barbie fetish we were afraid to ask about) were the first thing you saw as you walked in the door.<br />
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Bon Ton Roulett Y'All <br />
Gene and Nancy<br />
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“Can't you feel 'em circlin' honey?<br />
Can't you feel 'em swimmin' around?” --- JBCarrieMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08748959131382797114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520871336103104041.post-74272241931824644162011-12-01T08:00:00.000-08:002011-12-01T08:00:01.024-08:00Key West - BreakfastWe stayed in Key West in the Old Town area. That meant you could walk just a few blocks to finds lots of food. Two blocks away was Caroline street where BO's and a half dozen other restaurants can be found in a block or two area.<br />
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We did take advantage of the free breakfasts at the Albury Court cottages where we were staying. Nancy liked the cereals and I ate bagels. It was just your usual continental breakfast served at most motels these days. But, I think it tasted better by the pool surrounded by tropical vegetation. It also taste good because it was free.<br />
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A half block away was the Old Town Bakery. With fresh Cuban bread a simple egg and cheese sandwich can be a real treat. And, at $9 for two (with tip) the price is as good or better than fast food. Pictured are cheese danishes that we had another day with a split ham and cheese croissant.<br />
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All that and a couple of drinks cost $12. It is a good thing we don't live that close to a good bakery back home. Sooner or later we would have trouble fitting out the door.<br />
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Almost hidden between the trolley stop and the sea shell and sponge gift shop on Margaret street near the harbor is the Cuban Coffee Queen cafe. It is another place that you can easily miss because it is so small and kinda hidden. <br />
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There is a city police dispatcher who has a blog that I read. It is called <a href="http://conchscooter.blogspot.com/">Key West Diary</a>. He has mentioned that police officers often grab breakfast at this cafe. As you can see in the photo, they even do motor bike deliveries.<br />
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Again the Cuban bread really makes this breakfast sandwich something special. It is really cool the way they smash the bread flat to make it easier to eat. Two of these with drinks and tip cost $12, another goooood deal.<br />
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And oh man, seafood for breakfast!!!!! Hey Toto, I don't think we are in Kansas anymore. Harpoon Harry's is another place locals hang out, but I don't know how they can afford it. Breakfast for two cost us $43 with tip. Nancy had a lobster Po Boy with sausage gravy and I had a seafood omelet stuffed with lobster and crab meat and covered with hollandaise sauce. And, nice brown home fries with both.<br />
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Then we went and took a nap.<br />
<br />
Bon Ton Roulett Y'All <br />
Gene and Nancy<br />
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“Changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes, nothing remains quite the same” --- JBCarrieMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08748959131382797114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520871336103104041.post-40237262444663282392011-11-30T08:00:00.000-08:002011-12-03T21:34:29.206-08:00Key West - BO'S FISH WAGONWe used to depend on Air Tran airline to get us out of the Midwest and into the Keys before noon, but that early morning flight no longer flies out of our airport, so we had to catch a noon Delta flight. Because of all that, our first meal in Key West was supper. We hit BO's Fish Wagon. It was only a couple of blocks from where we were staying and one of our favorite places anyway. (I know I did an entry on this place last time, but I got better pictures and it is such a funky place)<br />
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The fist few times we were in Key West we did not eat at BO's because we couldn't find it. We went past it lots of times on the way to the harbor market (now closed, there is talk of making it into a bowling ally) and never saw it because it looks pretty much like an old truck covered with trash. That is called Key West rustic. It is mostly outdoors with rocky dirt floors, mismatched tables and chairs, decor that could be called driftwood deluxe, and rattling fans all around. It doesn’t look much better inside than out.<br />
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The last time I wrote on these pages I think I mentioned BO's shrimp on a stick. Yes, in heaven all shrimp will come on a stick either grilled plain, barbequed, or blackened. There will be six big juicy sea critters so fresh you can taste the sea with every bite, just like you get at BO's.<br />
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I like a side of homemade fries or coleslaw with mine, but Nancy, being not so finicky as I and of German descent as well, got black beans and rice with her's that she said were quite good. Oh, yea, you gotta have a cold beer with that. ( Landshark in the bottle works just fine).<br />
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We ate at BO's several times while we were in Key West. We always do. Usually ate pretty much the same thing every time. The price for two suppers for two as described was $32 and $29 with the tip. That is with beers. Lunch can be had for less that $20 if you drink pop and share some fries. Fresh seafood for not much more than a trip to the golden arches.<br />
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Speaking of fresh seafood, watch out for the sand crab that lives under the table by the door.<br />
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We tried to feed it but the little guy did not seem to like seafood. (unlike the chickens who wander around aimlessly and grabbed anything we dropped) The waitress said the crab's favorite food was toes. That is why I never wear sandals. <br />
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Bon Ton Roulett Y'All <br />
Gene and Nancy<br />
<br />
“Chew a little Juicy Fruit<br />
Wash away the night” --- JBCarrieMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08748959131382797114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520871336103104041.post-17409358534155022502011-11-29T20:29:00.000-08:002011-11-29T20:30:32.012-08:00Key West Introduction<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><i>Hello, my friends! Welcome to another installment of The Key West Chronicles! </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><i>Thank you to Uncle Gene and Aunt Nancy for their awesome contribution. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><i>I TRULY appreciate it, and them! </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><i>I'll be posting one a day til they're done. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><i>Be a dear & comment, would you? </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><i>Have you been to the Keys? Are you planning a trip?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><i>What's your favorite color? No, wait, not that one! </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><i>What's your favorite dish featured here?</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><i>What's your favorite JB quote?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><i>There may be a contest for comments going on in one of these posts, so keep your eyes peeled and fingers ready! : ) </i> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #20124d;">And now, without further ado...</i></div><br />
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Carrie has once again asked her somewhat addled uncle to contribute some entries to her much celebrated food blog. It is back to that 100 mile chain of islands that stretch from the tip of Florida into the gulf of Mexico.<br />
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Yes, it is back to the keys!<br />
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This time we will be eating our way around that wild and mysterious place called Key West. (The Spanish called it Cayo Hueso, translated “Isle of Bones”, because is was covered with bones of many Indian battles that took place there. Drunk Americans couldn't pronounce that, so they called it Key West … Close enough)<br />
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There are lots of cool places to eat in Key West. Hope we can pass on some useful information and get you a little hungry along the way.<br />
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The picture is Key West harbor near sunset. We did a lot of eating and enjoying this view at the same time. Food always tastes better with the ocean in the neighborhood.<br />
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Bon Ton Roulett Y'All <br />
Gene and Nancy<br />
<br />
“But there's this one particular harbour<br />
So far but yet so near.”<br />
--- JB<br />
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</div>CarrieMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08748959131382797114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520871336103104041.post-70067898892052193222011-11-26T21:24:00.000-08:002011-11-26T21:24:27.113-08:00Las Margaritas - New Mexican restaurant in town<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>Hello, my foodie friends! </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>Uncle Gene gave me a disc w/ the Key West posts - but my computer is being anti-social & not letting me download from the disc. In fact, it won't even OPEN the disc... *pout* </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>So, I'll be attempting to email the posts to myself from a different computer. We'll see if that works!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>: ) </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>Meanwhile, I thought I'd do a little review of the latest Mexican restaurant to open in town, Las Margaritas. The owner used to have another restaurant, El Rodeo, which I LOVED. I was sad to see it go, altho it was sold to another of my favorites, Azteca. So I was happy to hear they were opening a new restaurant, and close to my house, too! </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><br />
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</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>Mom, Leyton & I ventured over there Wednesday night. The service was very friendly, with our waitress even letting Leyton take her picture! : ) </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>The chips were brought to us warm and were just the right texture and thick/thin-ness. Salsa was perfect! I'm not one for a spicy salsa, I like it to be more sweet w/ a hint of cilantro. We also ordered white cheese dip, which came out almost immediately after we ordered it, and it, too, was the perfect temperature and flavor. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><br />
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</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>Leyton ordered a taco, beans & rice - altho he decided he didn't like his beans. Mom had a vegetarian quesadilla, which she said was delicious. It had mushrooms, green peppers, all sortsa goodies in there!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><br />
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</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>I had a combo, which included enchiladas, a quesadilla and a taco. I don't always like the red sauce traditionally served w/ enchiladas, so I requested to sub cheese. To be quite professional about it - Nom Nom Nom! ; ) I added some more cheese & salsa & enjoyed it very much!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><br />
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</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>All in all, I would call this a successful dinner. And with it being so close, I'm thinking carryout for lunch might be a good idea! </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>Until next time - when eating at a Mexican restaurant, do you prefer salsa, cheese dip, or both?</i></span></div>CarrieMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08748959131382797114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520871336103104041.post-55111682593677620002011-11-19T23:46:00.000-08:002011-11-19T23:46:02.661-08:00Birthday (cake edition)<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Today (well, November 19th - it's technically the 20th right now!) I turned 35. To celebrate, we party! : ) </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Lunch was at a little Italian Bistro called Biaggi's. Or, as Sarah called it - the fancy restaurant. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Heh. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i>I liked my dish a lot, it was one of the daily specials, a linquini w/ white sauce, chicken and - this is what cinched it as my choice today - olives. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MMcGK3nWUZNLjq6R4QiJlQiA8CQ4Ajao6W_INNWKMoMlSARis3LoccO0ljehXgffBuN_Fohl9-wBiPtT5yExar2-47Rg87TqLlgc4-zavqJqHiYg4QiNn6qvHnz75VuQYvfjy2wlhbFJ/s1600/501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MMcGK3nWUZNLjq6R4QiJlQiA8CQ4Ajao6W_INNWKMoMlSARis3LoccO0ljehXgffBuN_Fohl9-wBiPtT5yExar2-47Rg87TqLlgc4-zavqJqHiYg4QiNn6qvHnz75VuQYvfjy2wlhbFJ/s320/501.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #0c343d;">The chicken was cooked well, the noodles were the perfect tenderness, and the olives added just the right bite of salt to the dish. (I mention the chicken being cooked well because at some restaurants, the chicken has NO flavor, and it's always sad!)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Nicki chose the Muffaletta sandwich - ironically also because of the olives! She said it was very good, and I actually took home 1/2 & had it before I left mom's - it WAS very good!! </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyKxe-5W9TbksOMaGZ2Bw3JRlC-ylclrRxLNcqEk_9dGfIUIv-TLJENrj4Yaubur2X1E8fmF7ws5ZUTeIj2zHt6pDb9HIs6GtXr1T62drcfBwB7fnNfsDouRoE1vZcnzMg9VOm3fhpUk0/s1600/503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyKxe-5W9TbksOMaGZ2Bw3JRlC-ylclrRxLNcqEk_9dGfIUIv-TLJENrj4Yaubur2X1E8fmF7ws5ZUTeIj2zHt6pDb9HIs6GtXr1T62drcfBwB7fnNfsDouRoE1vZcnzMg9VOm3fhpUk0/s320/503.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Along with the restaurant's provisions, we had birthday cake, baked and decorated especially for me by my friend, Nicki. I think she did an AMAZING job - what do you think?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOywaeiLvGqPaC6hpLnIadWoQsrsvyYOsB972jpoQB_jWI2k3TCaPqA4h1tHn8U-HKVg6h74khi4QHpljjvcXiA3QSy4cs9RsyQeYtwJr3JQWsT5AJBpkzCTpOe-NLieKkowYMvtSHt_a/s1600/490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOywaeiLvGqPaC6hpLnIadWoQsrsvyYOsB972jpoQB_jWI2k3TCaPqA4h1tHn8U-HKVg6h74khi4QHpljjvcXiA3QSy4cs9RsyQeYtwJr3JQWsT5AJBpkzCTpOe-NLieKkowYMvtSHt_a/s320/490.JPG" width="263" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLSJ9-89ZNOkO9WZVzsPcGuDPEE0NXVtDERHZN9RH_lms3cpB9Y1qH6LYJD7ox7LovdoBBOwDpjeiHc4SKdVyX_k6hriIaHLVsV_jiGYuQmQiNRRsGSpWyeQNnV9HrQ9vypo_VPbnnTdc/s1600/491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLSJ9-89ZNOkO9WZVzsPcGuDPEE0NXVtDERHZN9RH_lms3cpB9Y1qH6LYJD7ox7LovdoBBOwDpjeiHc4SKdVyX_k6hriIaHLVsV_jiGYuQmQiNRRsGSpWyeQNnV9HrQ9vypo_VPbnnTdc/s320/491.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Aunt Nancy certainly couldn't wait to dig in!! ; ) </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiT3NzdDVGC6U2Y3SVzK8_esRCFCks0jhlud6t8KRez0k00Nab5xytrffQ0SezVP_vY_2gLpvsHTWyt6fLlA0JGfJ12jdJ6a-52tXyHHM9GVrzD8h6ZOPlozorbr90wUmprN5ryq8Ip8I/s1600/504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiT3NzdDVGC6U2Y3SVzK8_esRCFCks0jhlud6t8KRez0k00Nab5xytrffQ0SezVP_vY_2gLpvsHTWyt6fLlA0JGfJ12jdJ6a-52tXyHHM9GVrzD8h6ZOPlozorbr90wUmprN5ryq8Ip8I/s320/504.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i>There was even a frosting surprise in the middle, and it was quite tasty!! If you're in the area & need a cake for any occasion, let me know & I'll get you in touch w/ Nicki. She has done not only turtles, but shoes, pizzas, popcorn, Elvis, Toy Story, and many, many more! </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Until next time - what's the most unusual shape you've had in a cake? : ) </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i>P.S.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Stay tuned - Gene gave me a cd full of posts from their adventures in Key West this year. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i>I'll be starting those posts as soon as I can!! : ) </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i>*EXCITED* </i></span></div>CarrieMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08748959131382797114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520871336103104041.post-87353563342331755472011-09-20T08:00:00.000-07:002011-09-20T08:00:09.811-07:00Chicago in July/August - The Meals, Episode 2<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">On Friday, we went to the Field Museum. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">Beautiful museum! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">On site, they have an eatery called the corner bakery cafe. It's sorta like Panera... </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5MH8fLyt0Rlme8RmBimTKdZJI6A5xb8x__OdabPwDWFDXTb-CoTP4oCULoj0bivmbtB_Sdw7RkAalawlUPBP62ohdpaHEsAlA4gxNkK60RUwp9a309t10Vjb8F4UbY3hee1hi_Vdz55Y/s1600/Chicago+182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5MH8fLyt0Rlme8RmBimTKdZJI6A5xb8x__OdabPwDWFDXTb-CoTP4oCULoj0bivmbtB_Sdw7RkAalawlUPBP62ohdpaHEsAlA4gxNkK60RUwp9a309t10Vjb8F4UbY3hee1hi_Vdz55Y/s320/Chicago+182.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_tAvzz6hid01rILGQopIaEBQapMR3oBOLzjV6AFGb66-j2jybjqML0hcn_2UmHddd4AIUxqdtAYOU_f6c2J6L_ntkYz9nNraD-3GuQEPC8MTTQcmXv0BULSJnxrqtfC18EW9wWjCR4Wh/s1600/Chicago+183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_tAvzz6hid01rILGQopIaEBQapMR3oBOLzjV6AFGb66-j2jybjqML0hcn_2UmHddd4AIUxqdtAYOU_f6c2J6L_ntkYz9nNraD-3GuQEPC8MTTQcmXv0BULSJnxrqtfC18EW9wWjCR4Wh/s320/Chicago+183.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">I had a California panini. Leyton is attempting to steal some chips... : ) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">This panini consisted of tomatoes & artichoke hearts, and was definitely a different taste than I'm used to. I didn't hate it - I ate the whole sandwich - but I wouldn't order it again on a return visit. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZ5onv975VvDsaWtW-h0XIp2Xfq9Sb2T_YlqfUn30CeV5LwIhW_Y4l0a4Hvn5WhkqPPEcJaP_L1uhiVRQDLRvVaYi6PgVtrLS-M51wNlwwWV7Zn_t_VMe1XheEXLc0wfasZfff1gOLMx2/s1600/Chicago+185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZ5onv975VvDsaWtW-h0XIp2Xfq9Sb2T_YlqfUn30CeV5LwIhW_Y4l0a4Hvn5WhkqPPEcJaP_L1uhiVRQDLRvVaYi6PgVtrLS-M51wNlwwWV7Zn_t_VMe1XheEXLc0wfasZfff1gOLMx2/s320/Chicago+185.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Dessert of these lovely pecan caramel pastries. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Delicious!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Definitely would order again. Just the right amount of nutty for my tastes! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFa13rDvnMNprhYvIhVdTJhz-nMCZCpOkGNVJfMUgpm4kkMlmQ8Tk0jF2nY4VpCvjuUgmapTMoNDjqro6XveIJQb9JaDXNClTMkrboXTmUxSHcRHER0z6kAIYMNmpANIStDrRL8dauaH_/s1600/Chicago+186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFa13rDvnMNprhYvIhVdTJhz-nMCZCpOkGNVJfMUgpm4kkMlmQ8Tk0jF2nY4VpCvjuUgmapTMoNDjqro6XveIJQb9JaDXNClTMkrboXTmUxSHcRHER0z6kAIYMNmpANIStDrRL8dauaH_/s320/Chicago+186.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Amazing croutons! The salad was pretty good, too. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Spinach & mixed greens, strawberries, grapes, oranges, pecans... </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">And a strawberry vinegrette. I liked one cup but not the other, so am wondering if they were made in different batches. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAJwlsjT67QRR1IFvu8n5SxTF4k5SJO6Vi8ntcdeDutEAlSnmxjWuDJhyphenhyphenPK-GV1lwrhKRfkLQxfY1bztrRqAzpbgTxKo7WvzaTQJXCwRsC12pU10VQdwuVBzHjOziBYMHwSzjJCYfyxXG/s1600/Chicago+187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAJwlsjT67QRR1IFvu8n5SxTF4k5SJO6Vi8ntcdeDutEAlSnmxjWuDJhyphenhyphenPK-GV1lwrhKRfkLQxfY1bztrRqAzpbgTxKo7WvzaTQJXCwRsC12pU10VQdwuVBzHjOziBYMHwSzjJCYfyxXG/s320/Chicago+187.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Leyton ate pretty much his whole salad, except the strawberries! : ) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">He even really liked the dressing. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Mom & I weren't sure he would, since it's kinda a different taste.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">(And also, he doesn't like strawberries, but will eat strawberry flavored things just fine?!) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz87xY2pCkIsJb8J1oxaZ_JzuLA-mmC3AlPXZKirq_k62xiRGtMglpULEsdE5GuKG9-Ac2yf5alSFwThPfqSJrWge799PFfW4YCmMQuKiGSLpqOjLtr-mnoOvjKd5_YFD1jwKA9m3h3TfO/s1600/Chicago+188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz87xY2pCkIsJb8J1oxaZ_JzuLA-mmC3AlPXZKirq_k62xiRGtMglpULEsdE5GuKG9-Ac2yf5alSFwThPfqSJrWge799PFfW4YCmMQuKiGSLpqOjLtr-mnoOvjKd5_YFD1jwKA9m3h3TfO/s320/Chicago+188.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">There was a cheese spread for the croutons.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">I want some, RIGHT NOW! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">They were crunchy and sweet, and with the cheese spread, they brought me over the moon! </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaT0iCT-2JXrpu4njH6kNe1kr58TnecuUO5vZC4BqvlkBGGuccKBcVDDz8pzm3QDtzcD8GJg5RkaXu-xCX7gx5TjPqWfdv_-a3O0TxH77tQZnWFdltO1K3hlbAm-lNlPDynkp0igTr6u7u/s1600/Chicago+190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaT0iCT-2JXrpu4njH6kNe1kr58TnecuUO5vZC4BqvlkBGGuccKBcVDDz8pzm3QDtzcD8GJg5RkaXu-xCX7gx5TjPqWfdv_-a3O0TxH77tQZnWFdltO1K3hlbAm-lNlPDynkp0igTr6u7u/s320/Chicago+190.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jWDsEkTn5AO9nhFQUxqu4QvPj8zKFWB7c0x_1y2FhQBC53xMuOmvjcqQM7SNwAPaxJ4EogB0l9Sd__yTRK_T2hlBXCoVdoAy9j9ig9rpvXKXml3rXYFMuQLe5DD7cmhT2rmG-MTkdIgN/s1600/Chicago+189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jWDsEkTn5AO9nhFQUxqu4QvPj8zKFWB7c0x_1y2FhQBC53xMuOmvjcqQM7SNwAPaxJ4EogB0l9Sd__yTRK_T2hlBXCoVdoAy9j9ig9rpvXKXml3rXYFMuQLe5DD7cmhT2rmG-MTkdIgN/s320/Chicago+189.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Leyton's dessert - monstrous M&M cookie. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">It was tasty, but could feed a small village...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Yes, we all shared the cookie... LOL </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOKtF93yxvSWLrx7GXXQP97FWsUnGI6BMKnZTLq9UbMsjWN4TZICDk3bU_OwcrSW8fFanZmnys1GcXNo3fOVFSbFzOARiNA4i2Becu6CA_XDgJA6mQofKXQUgrPTTj6KJZnKamPZVHK8N/s1600/Chicago+192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOKtF93yxvSWLrx7GXXQP97FWsUnGI6BMKnZTLq9UbMsjWN4TZICDk3bU_OwcrSW8fFanZmnys1GcXNo3fOVFSbFzOARiNA4i2Becu6CA_XDgJA6mQofKXQUgrPTTj6KJZnKamPZVHK8N/s320/Chicago+192.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglI1R93Is1V0JV8C-QWzWR1YKKi_cESZNgQoWmyEcOW03ooG3LYTPgsfCt43Y4m_YWZx7hJOLQjGZ96VyltE4onYg8oYcRcuebHLAyUKn50A2o_j519-_LCPWQ6hzOz5G191Ly_MU1VdtJ/s1600/Chicago+193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglI1R93Is1V0JV8C-QWzWR1YKKi_cESZNgQoWmyEcOW03ooG3LYTPgsfCt43Y4m_YWZx7hJOLQjGZ96VyltE4onYg8oYcRcuebHLAyUKn50A2o_j519-_LCPWQ6hzOz5G191Ly_MU1VdtJ/s320/Chicago+193.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX14RtzG6H9L0CfI6xqzh2PPCmOTqRGk_KfZlj-Aq_1IgTVeM_kR4CU0eGTah7nbiLXsJ-nY002Hpp3BUhSFfhePTcNO6Hd8FdfIW2_LqTUAFF86SchdjMhC15IXW4h0vIeU2vb7r0EGKL/s1600/Chicago+196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX14RtzG6H9L0CfI6xqzh2PPCmOTqRGk_KfZlj-Aq_1IgTVeM_kR4CU0eGTah7nbiLXsJ-nY002Hpp3BUhSFfhePTcNO6Hd8FdfIW2_LqTUAFF86SchdjMhC15IXW4h0vIeU2vb7r0EGKL/s320/Chicago+196.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Leyton likes to, erm, commandeer other ppl's drinks. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">: ) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">And we love to share! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjq2gvNXLakz4bCbutZ-ddzMig4w3gPSh6mPlqkxfFRy2_7RarHA3o1wEzlMbp1Kv7YxmA4ejT-4OpJWfig9Mr1g6flRZmTkV42h5jYq_Kn0mvlea9V173iV4QpRKgACormOXFlo2P2gX/s1600/Chicago+232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjq2gvNXLakz4bCbutZ-ddzMig4w3gPSh6mPlqkxfFRy2_7RarHA3o1wEzlMbp1Kv7YxmA4ejT-4OpJWfig9Mr1g6flRZmTkV42h5jYq_Kn0mvlea9V173iV4QpRKgACormOXFlo2P2gX/s320/Chicago+232.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Haven't eaten here as of yet, but with a name like YANNI's, I'll have to try it eventually!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Next up - Weber Grill, oh yes indeedy do! </span></div>CarrieMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08748959131382797114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520871336103104041.post-34722028157274527192011-09-19T12:30:00.000-07:002011-09-19T12:30:01.101-07:00Chicago in July/August - The Meals, Episode 1<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">I am really quite shocked that I didn't even have this post started! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">I'm fairly certain I must have dreamed writing this post, because I can see it in my head (including the pictures I used!) but can't find it in my archives.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">So - if you've seen this before... erm... point out to me where I published it, because I am lost!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Thank you kindly! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">And so, here we go... Back in July, Mom, Leyton & I went to Chicago for an extended weekend of fun, and also to pick up Anthony from the airport. We left on Thursday & stopped in a little town in Illinois for lunch. Family restaurant type deal. Normally this would be a source of excellent, homemade food, right?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">*buzzer*</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Well, their soup was good at least! (Split pea. Mom & I both enjoyed it.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGRrKuVwkfulv5hzx8eA0IMSBJiFmQQU5p9tyXHKdjU9AZUEEFNAdEAujwsFbwtkxaCXL1i0yYQFyULmxP-cyhv-rVlaDPymwJEsSw3ppvXTi9Gs8ZlbmzHoL5InZow6dzprVxgODxkUl/s1600/Chicago+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGRrKuVwkfulv5hzx8eA0IMSBJiFmQQU5p9tyXHKdjU9AZUEEFNAdEAujwsFbwtkxaCXL1i0yYQFyULmxP-cyhv-rVlaDPymwJEsSw3ppvXTi9Gs8ZlbmzHoL5InZow6dzprVxgODxkUl/s320/Chicago+052.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Unfortunately, that was the only good thing. Leyton didn't even eat his cheeseburger! Mom tried a Monte Cristo sandwich, which on the menu appeared to be what one would normally associate with that name... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLso58Qlds9rPFmHEmSgmiw6c0jAkVuU0nERGZTmL78P12T3Zux47taB2LeZv306mJbbP5nPk4rlj163g66pr2cdpcOE9uUj9kcZ6ktqd6aFYYVqYGoIH-oik8M4x_sn6vd1qRpr3siHG7/s1600/Chicago+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLso58Qlds9rPFmHEmSgmiw6c0jAkVuU0nERGZTmL78P12T3Zux47taB2LeZv306mJbbP5nPk4rlj163g66pr2cdpcOE9uUj9kcZ6ktqd6aFYYVqYGoIH-oik8M4x_sn6vd1qRpr3siHG7/s320/Chicago+058.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JElAuXJO6sJGIefaniDpNFX42UqmKFf_6wQVTOaMp-3bjlPgoVqi7pWb1hpP9E4dMNawaao0i1Xs3GofIT4Z_1gjvc454LiCBQhAo3soS1EAatoNkrttH7GJa8KXnzUq3VAFWNhvRKhQ/s1600/Chicago+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JElAuXJO6sJGIefaniDpNFX42UqmKFf_6wQVTOaMp-3bjlPgoVqi7pWb1hpP9E4dMNawaao0i1Xs3GofIT4Z_1gjvc454LiCBQhAo3soS1EAatoNkrttH7GJa8KXnzUq3VAFWNhvRKhQ/s320/Chicago+057.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">I decided to give their corned beef a try, as the picture in the menu looked quite appetizing. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4srltpBoaP8AjzOgEl9iq-e8JzK9n93H6H6WmrfFqPEb60ygRtRMztkss784WPzEWTPFSasMT23DfenjeQu_-eixKwP_ZarOR2V-hydiDrTBLO-fGP_JOm_yWdCXqvryGxbKxpA1W2q_Q/s1600/Chicago+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4srltpBoaP8AjzOgEl9iq-e8JzK9n93H6H6WmrfFqPEb60ygRtRMztkss784WPzEWTPFSasMT23DfenjeQu_-eixKwP_ZarOR2V-hydiDrTBLO-fGP_JOm_yWdCXqvryGxbKxpA1W2q_Q/s320/Chicago+061.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">*buzzer again* </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Not so much! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">What is on that plate does NOT look appetizing at all. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Well, except for the fries. Those weren't awful. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">A very disappointing meal, and not a great start to our adventure! Thank God that soup had at least been delicious, so we had eaten something filling! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Our next meal was a bit more enjoyable... </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span></div>CarrieMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08748959131382797114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520871336103104041.post-44249145750416205462011-09-19T08:00:00.000-07:002011-09-19T08:00:06.555-07:00Sundae<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Step 1: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Vanilla ice cream in a cup.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Step 2: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Add BBQ sauce.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Step 3: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Add Ketchup.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Step 4: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Laugh diabolically at the genius of your creation.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Step 5: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Add leftover caramel sauce. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GtNA7WheD9kf0luJOb0KFkaaz-DtD1idWMUGXjg8bE5Hy1G546kkWX754jRaHCY0Mc9zv1dWTdvAF5Xk0swN7LCzigXIGlnduRJL2RN_m0JRwzrcdVZaOihnTeFkzoiBoISIQkberPJW/s1600/092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GtNA7WheD9kf0luJOb0KFkaaz-DtD1idWMUGXjg8bE5Hy1G546kkWX754jRaHCY0Mc9zv1dWTdvAF5Xk0swN7LCzigXIGlnduRJL2RN_m0JRwzrcdVZaOihnTeFkzoiBoISIQkberPJW/s320/092.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikV6THp5-DXHyLA8qUSHtK564vNhyWLtx8YMGYCWnI6Wopdk1UEeogVFbF4MCWmDOeNVVfO3h7pj_6RXrmEr_8KN3UO94s_5t6AupdH3Z1QQqG8WMF-awmS_MMPaUfRWxVBtNWaOzJNu2O/s1600/097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikV6THp5-DXHyLA8qUSHtK564vNhyWLtx8YMGYCWnI6Wopdk1UEeogVFbF4MCWmDOeNVVfO3h7pj_6RXrmEr_8KN3UO94s_5t6AupdH3Z1QQqG8WMF-awmS_MMPaUfRWxVBtNWaOzJNu2O/s320/097.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPB5vesbaqtkWnjRX6T43sYTWsp5uMBVa3jwgD3xU19lcAX_u06_I3Sh-dfUpeJp2GZ3kDbJvvtyPxaAkV_iQCpK91_ttcbzThatpAUzoSQX6_RIBD1m_CL_y1XDbdPAO7cohJXmSC4cJ/s1600/102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPB5vesbaqtkWnjRX6T43sYTWsp5uMBVa3jwgD3xU19lcAX_u06_I3Sh-dfUpeJp2GZ3kDbJvvtyPxaAkV_iQCpK91_ttcbzThatpAUzoSQX6_RIBD1m_CL_y1XDbdPAO7cohJXmSC4cJ/s320/102.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Step 6:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Taste.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7W57BB-DB4UjFi0VtKVlyd2kcdfjmb5CbUrVLXpUiUsqNyH54av-dI1hi1KXpu6vphq-EFLYPOJ6FvmP5P1egwTqpn9O6C-GdmrJmcwMZ2Ux4tazNdjQ4BBEICLej312YKgsoQbXEnLV/s1600/103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7W57BB-DB4UjFi0VtKVlyd2kcdfjmb5CbUrVLXpUiUsqNyH54av-dI1hi1KXpu6vphq-EFLYPOJ6FvmP5P1egwTqpn9O6C-GdmrJmcwMZ2Ux4tazNdjQ4BBEICLej312YKgsoQbXEnLV/s320/103.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8wqh9MFtOV0Fq5rNUY_4lLgQuZuZZYGVfW6vBoChr1zGf98p1_P-20siYVK1xmZb17j-kzvXGXtOgXtSDdm6Q11DiRimNznYSkVS_BiyN8AaNfvL2LvYHI_a10oqK-xO-0QVn7nsQ-ak/s1600/104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8wqh9MFtOV0Fq5rNUY_4lLgQuZuZZYGVfW6vBoChr1zGf98p1_P-20siYVK1xmZb17j-kzvXGXtOgXtSDdm6Q11DiRimNznYSkVS_BiyN8AaNfvL2LvYHI_a10oqK-xO-0QVn7nsQ-ak/s320/104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5K6pdk5lMFz24sS-dsUXQeaR9PlY9-b6Qkb4BnZzFDhf-MWWO9VjENgaDl1xZn8lnKaZG1CadqzyLYNfcFQtM88yQuf5i4Hnn6xuS8OllkLHHXDoxr_xfL3Adwq8pneYmciTuJxXQf_vC/s1600/105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5K6pdk5lMFz24sS-dsUXQeaR9PlY9-b6Qkb4BnZzFDhf-MWWO9VjENgaDl1xZn8lnKaZG1CadqzyLYNfcFQtM88yQuf5i4Hnn6xuS8OllkLHHXDoxr_xfL3Adwq8pneYmciTuJxXQf_vC/s320/105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Step 7:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Wash that "genius" idea right off your taste buds.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvH-toSNIqYCHZTzpNlPRRZx2SpoAaGRk5iTTvFsjX0np8S7QC8eXDmU3-MTpX25KRQxCphHsGVGIx1c1J3w021exFze1nQITEw1yZLPKKgWzqChu7MKExhy0333FZQi0T2bW1VD4kSnT/s1600/107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvH-toSNIqYCHZTzpNlPRRZx2SpoAaGRk5iTTvFsjX0np8S7QC8eXDmU3-MTpX25KRQxCphHsGVGIx1c1J3w021exFze1nQITEw1yZLPKKgWzqChu7MKExhy0333FZQi0T2bW1VD4kSnT/s320/107.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Until next time - what's the craziest combo you've come up with? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">And what did you think after you tasted said combo??</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span></div>CarrieMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08748959131382797114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520871336103104041.post-5294516565535940122011-09-18T21:55:00.000-07:002011-09-18T21:55:30.916-07:00Coming Soon!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Greetings to anyone who is still hanging in there & reading my Menu! I have been a slacker lately, and for that, I extend my apologies! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">The good news is that I have a couple of posts in the works! Hooray! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Are you ready for even MORE good news? My dear Aunt Nancy & Uncle Gene have agreed to be guest contributors again this year, sharing more adventures in food from Key West! Double Hooray!! : ) </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">I'm more excited about that than I am about the posts I'm working on - but don't worry, those will be good, too. Heh! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">So, check back later this week for some interesting tales of things made to eat at home (some worked, some most certainly did NOT. Pity!) and things tried out & about! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Until next time - where have you been eating lately? Has "the economy" forced you to eat more meals in? Have you had a windfall & been eating more meals out? Do share, if you'd like! </span><br />
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</span>CarrieMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08748959131382797114noreply@blogger.com0