Kirkwood Public House - Lamb Burger

Today, I had lunch with nephew #2 (birth order). Over the years, somehow I've managed to convince myself that he's actually my son, because we have so much in common. Our joint love of lamb is what brought us together for our lunch date. A few weeks ago, I read about a restaurant that offered a slider trio, consisting of a veal, a beef and a lamb burger. Now, as a southern who is absolutely obsessed with meat, I quickly added it to my "restaurants list" in my Blackberry, with the sole intent of taste testing these sliders, that is until I viewed the menu in it's entirety and saw a full-sized lamb burger!!! Right away, I sent #2 a text that we needed to eat there and he was more than happy to oblige. That's another thing I love about him, he's so wide open to being dragged about with his favorite auntie-mommy.

Okay, I guess I should get to the point here, huh?? We agreed to meet at Kirkwood Public House at 11:30 and he arrived early (as usual)--the detour sidetracked me for a few minutes, but he took a seat near the reception area as the employees were setting things in motion (they open at 11:30). While waiting he saw a car screech into a spot near the restaurant entrance. The driver rushed in, saw #2 waiting and promptly asked if he could take his drink order. #2 advised him that he was waiting for someone, but the screech demon urged him to place a drink order. Oh how I wish I had been a few minutes early. This would have been great to witness, but hearing the story was enough to make me laugh hysterically, because I'm a simpleton and I can manage to find humor in almost everything. By the time I arrived, Screech was a cool as a cucumber.

Y'all need to know that #2 is truly a bottomless pit. He had eaten THREE real meals this morning before we met for lunch and swore that he was starving!!! He has youth and metabolism (and exercise) on his side. He ordered chicken tenders & fries as our appy and we both ordered the lamb burger (mine with fries and his with the orzo salad). We snacked on the quite tasty tenders and hand-cut fries while we anxiously awaited our burgers.

Boy oh boy, we were not prepared for the most magnificent lamb burger dining experience. These hand-patted babies were so moist, flavorful and delicious that the only word we could muster out of our full mouths, was DAMN!!!! Now y'all know if you hafta cuss, the food is off-the-charts-some-kinda-good--my official description of KWPH's lamb burger. The caramelized shallots and the mint aioli were the perfect condiments to bring this fantastical piece of heaven to number one status for both of us.

If you're a burger lover, a lamb lover, or have a heck-I'll-try-anything-once streak, then take yourself to the House...right now!!!

Sheila Denise

Hobo Wine Dinner at DBA Barbecue

Okay, y'all need to bear with me. I'm blogging after a flight of six wines, so I may make a couple of oopsies along the way. I promise to make corrections (if needed), when I'm sober--if that ever happens.

Tonight, my bestie, Carol and I, participated Hobo Wine Dinner, a five course wine pairing barbecue extravaganza at DBA Barbecue in conjunction with B & L Brands (Bobby & Lisa) and Herb at Decatur Package Store. I must admit, I haven't had barbecue this tasty in a very long time, actually EVER. OMG, I don't know if I'm drunk from the wine or from the sweet aroma and succulence of the barbecue and grilled creamed corn. The event began at 6:30 and we left at 10:30. Does that tell you what a great time we had?? If bestie didn't have to go to work, we would probably still be there on the patio having a fantastic time with our wonderful tablemates. Oh yeah, I didn't mention that the shindig was family style AND that we had the bestest table of the entire lot!!

Okay, now back to the task as hand. We arrived shortly before 6:30 and indulged in appetizers of boiled peanuts and fried jalapenos paired with Banyan Gewurztraminer Monterey County and chatted with Patrick of Atlantic Wine, Inc. , who by the end of the night became my new best friend. The apps and wine were a fantastic starter for dinner. We had time to mix and mingle with the brave souls who decided to be hobos for the evening. After about 30-45 minutes, we sat down for dinner on the patio and the weather (and music) couldn't have been more perfect for the evening. Luckily for Carol and me, we chose to sit at the middle table and we couldn't have made a better choice. To my left was Mr. Upstate New York, who's mother lives on Daufuskie Island. If you know anything about Daufuski Island, you'll understand why I immediately fell in love with him--it also didn't hurt that he was kinda hot too. But he wasn't the only hottie in the group, to my right at the next table (but within reach) was the equally hot, Herb. So pair two hotties with six wines on a nice balmy evening and you get a tipsy girl surrounded by two dead ends--they're married men...but hey, a girl can have delusions of grandeur, can't she? They were both perfect gentlemen and great dinner buds and they each had a great sense of humor.

Now on to course two, Bacon Wrapped BBQ Shrimp and Red Onion Coleslaw paired with Bunyan Riesling Santa Lucia Highlands. Let me stop now and SCREAM...the shrimpies were OUTSTANDING. I could have eaten three DOZEN of those suckers, but I quietly settled for the three that were served.

Course three paired Smoked Wings with Folk Machine Pinot Noir Central Coast (my favorite of the evening and I'm NOT a red wine lover). The wings had just the right amount of smokiness and were cooked to perfection. Sauce was absolutely unnecessary, as I think it would have interfered with the wonderful taste of the wings. If you're still counting, I've completed three glasses of wine and we're only halfway through the meal. Carol has been loopy since before we sat down for the shrimp, so you can imagine how loopy she is after two more wine flights.

None of this stopped us from engaging in course number four, which turned out to be the beginning of a meat lovers extravaganza. Pulled Pork & Baby Back Ribs were brought out TWO wines...OMG can you say wine whore??? We indulged in Hobo Alexander Valley Cabernet & Hobo Dry Creek Zinfandel ((I'm running out of link-searching patience, so go to their Facebook page) and this is the moment where it tends to get a little fuzzy. I faintly remember the sides of Baked Beans, Potato Salad & Mac and Cheese, but in my fuzzy haze, I CLEARLY remember the oh so delicious Grilled Texas Creamed Corn. Let me tell y'all--this is the best cream corn I've eaten in my country bumpkin life. I decided on the spot, that when I return to DBA, the only side I'm ordering is the corn. Yes ma'am (and sir) it's THAT good.

Now as if we hadn't eaten enough for a small army, out comes course number five, which consisted of Brisket and Spare Ribs paired with YET ANOTHER WINE--Hobo Rockpile Zinfandel. It was at this moment that many of us simply gave up. We couldn't eat another bite, but not greedy ole me, I had to taste it all. The brisket had to be the most tender brisket is the whole entire world and the ribs scrumptious. We all kinda sorta kicked back because we knew dessert was coming. Thankfully, we had a little lull to compose ourselves in preparation for our sweet treat.

Our sixth and final course was S'mores and not just any ole S'mores, the warmest, gooey-est, let- it-drip-down-your-chinny-est S'mores of all time. We all agreed that these were the best Smores known to mankind.

Tonight was an experience for my little history book...a great night of turning strangers into friends and simply enjoying the company of others.

If you're in the metro Atlanta area or happen to drop in for a visit, please, please, please pay Matt at visit at DBA Barbecue. If you're interested in purchasing fantastic wines, stop in and see Herb at Decatur Package Store. Also, if you're interesting is hosting a wine tasting event, please contact Bobby or Lisa at B & L Brands. I must mention my new best friend Patrick--it is my understanding that we would have been drinking out of the bottles were it not for his generous donation of wine glasses for the event.

It's Wednesday morning (12:40AM) and I'm exhausted (and a little drunkish)--I started this blog around 11:30, but got a little sidetracked along the way.

I hope you enjoyed this extremely candid review and that you'll join me in supporting these fantastic hometown businesses.

Sheila Denise

Spinach Salad...Simple & Delicious

A couple of weeks ago, an opportunity was presented that has allowed me to reconnect with many people whom I hadn't been afforded the time to truly relate to on the level that I would prefer. So in my excitement of hanging out and reconnecting, it occurred to me on Sunday that I have been eating and drinking like a celebrating idiot. I've probably eaten enough over the last couple of weeks to feed a frugal family of four--mind you, I'm not ashamed of this fact, but the truth is, I need to do a better job of making better decisions regarding food. Yes, I'm sure you noticed that I didn't mention drinking, that's because I ain't changing my "drankin" habits.

In efforts to eat better, I decided to visit one of my favorite markets for fresh produce, seafood, cheeses, coffees, desserts (that I didn't purchase) and practically everything else under the sun. This place is Your Dekalb Farmers Market, in Decatur. This place is simply a sight to behold and well worth the trip. I would have taken pics for y'all but they don't allow cameras, so you'll just have to take my word for it or go see for yourself. Besides having almost everything I needed to stock my fridge with freshness, the prices are fantastic!! I always leave wondering if they forgot to ring up half of my purchase.

In honor of my first day of "being good" with my eating habits, I decided to make a Spinach Salad. You know the green stuff that many people overlook on salad bars...yep that stuff. This is one of the simplest salads to make. You only need a few ingredients.

Spinach
Strawberries
Pecans
Red/Purple Onion
Goat Cheese or Bleu Cheese

Add a basic vinaigrette and dinner is served. Tonight, I used EVOO, strawberry balsamic vinegar, stone ground mustard, honey, coarsely ground black pepper and this was the perfect combination to bring all the salad ingredients together.

Y'all pretty much know by now that, besides baking, I'm not a measuring kinda girl, so I have no idea how much of each ingredient I used to make the dressing, but I can tell you that the best mixing method is a good old-fashioned mason jar--I used a recycled Classico Pesto jar. I know what you're thinking... on top of being really cute, I'm rather crafty huh??

Please send good vibes in my quest for better eating.

Sheila Denise

Mary Ann Cake - Spring is Here!!!

I will simply ignore the fact that I've broken a couple of promises to you...yeah, I know I said I'd resume blogging, but never did. Well, I think I'm back and I've missed you terribly.

Yesterday, I discovered a cake pan that I hadn't used. As a cake pan collector, I have no idea when I purchased it, but I immediately knew I needed to use it. The recipe included was a chocolate concoction, so I had to do a quick search to find something non-chocolate. Thanks to Williams-Sonoma, I stumbled upon this recipe with the most beautimous photo of a Mary Ann cake.

If you're wondering what the heck a Mary Ann cake is, well I have no idea who she is, but the pan is designed to create a cake with a convex top. After the cake is baked and turned out, you have a cake with a hollowed out top which may then be filled with fruit, cream, ice cream, or whatever your little heart desires. So off to work I went at about 11 o'clock last night. Baking it at night gave me time to think about my choice of filling and fruit. So it simply sat naked until this evening. Here are a couple of photos of the cake as it's cooling and waiting to be dressed.

I really couldn't decide what to do with this cake, so I simply went about my day. I joined my my girl-bestie, Carol, for brunch and a Braves game and it was during our outing that she mentioned blackberries. Okay, that determined the fruit selection, but what will I do for the filling? I knew what I didn't want, that's always the easy part, but had no idea what i did want. As I walked into Costco for the blackberries, I had an idea--I'd make a creamy, lemony concoction for the filling. So I pulled everything out of the fridge. I used, mascarpone, lemon curd, sour cream, heavy cream and a wee bit of vanilla sugar. I didn't measure anything, but next time I'll use more of everything to fill it closer to the edge. The mixture kinda sorta tastes like a very lemony cheesecake and it compliments the blackberries extremely well. Isn't it lovely??

Honestly, I have no desire to eat this cake--the act of making it/using my pan was the focus. Tomorrow, I'll take it for a drive to, JD, my most favoritest brother-in-law in the whole ENTIRE world.

Sheila Denise

Back in the Saddle...Soon

I hang my head in shame, as I sit here and be brutally honest with myself. I have a confession to make--I've been a bad, bad blogger. I'm not really even sure that I can refer to myself as a blogger anymore. I'm not sure what's going on, but I'm ready to end this dry spell, so never fear, my trusty followers, hope is on the horizon.

I'm participating in both Buckhead Restaurant Week (March 6-14) and Inman Park Restaurant Week (March 8-14). I have a date with a dear fellow foodie to dine at Sotto Sotto and I'm REALLY looking forward to enjoying a wonderful meal with someone who is as obsessed with the wonders of food and drink as I am. Hopefully, I can squeeze in 3 or 4 dining experiences during the upcoming Restaurant Week(s), so stay tuned for lots of photos and feedback.

A very special thanks to The Broke Socialite for posting the Buckhead Restaurant Week info. Sad thing is, my office is in Buckhead, but I'm out of the office more than I'm in so, I guess that's how I missed it. Y'all need to drop in on Ms. Socialite--she's absolutely adorable and has officially made a place for herself on my "bloggers to meet" list.

Sheila Denise

White Dishes and Why Does This Always Happen To Me???

Okay...the good news first. I have more white dishes!!!! They are the KA-yutest little things. I have the mama sized version and the babies have joined the party. Thank you for allowing me to carry on about such nothingness, but I am one excited chicklette.
Just look at how tiny the little baby is.

Now for the rest of the story...

I've come to realize that I have a real knack for discovering food items and falling head over heels in love with them, only to have them discontinued. What gives?? My Aunt Maxine and I had this discussion a few days ago and we listed several items that have fallen along the wayside that I enjoyed tremendously.

Here's a short list of gone but not forgottens:

1. Ruby Tuesday's bread sticks (some of y'all may be too young to remember these).
2. Bonnie shortbread cookies by Lance.
3. Lemon and Strawberry powdered sugar by Domino.
4. French Vanilla Creme coffee (the manufacturer escapes me - it's been almost 15 years and I STILL remember the oh so perfect taste of this coffee).
5. Cabot's Horseradish Cheddar. Mind you, I just discovered this in 2009 and could only find it in Publix stores in Macon. I was recently shattered to hear that it will no longer be available (per Mr. Publix Man).
6. Tostitos Sweet & Spicy Summer Salsa. I purchased a jar at Big Lots in Valdosta YESTERDAY only to do a little Googling tonight to find out that it's discontinued.

WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY do bad things happen to good people??? Okay, I know I'm being bit dramatic, but I'm heartbroken once again. I'll enjoy this one little jar and will be on the lookout for it in every nook and cranny of ALL the Big Lots in the state of GA.

This stuff is tasty, tasty, tasty. If you don't believe me, maybe you'll believe this guy. From what I've read about him so far, he's quite the guru on all things hot and spicy and he is definitely right about this salsa.

I think I'll try it on blackened fish tacos this weekend. Stay tuned...


Sheila Denise

306 North - Valdosta, GA

Happy New Year y'all!!! I'm finally back to blogging. I've been MIA for quite some time and I'm excited to be back. I thought I'd start with my first business trip of the year and in my EXTREME excitement, I didn't bring my camera along for dinner. It was taking a nice siesta in the hotel room. I do apologize for not having photos, but at least I'm blogging again, so please be happy for me.

I'm in Valdosta for a few days and I was on a mission to find great food and tonight I hit the jackpot. I discovered a very nice little gem, 360 North. I love everything about this restaurant from the bar to the wonderful food to the outstanding service. Oh, the name 306 North is also the address--306 Norh Patterson Street. Kinda cool huh??

Since I don't have photos, I'll describe dinner the best I can. My work boy bestie, Charles, and I, started with cocktails, of course. I had my usual Lemon Drop and Chuck had his usual Ketel One and tonic. We were both very happy with the outcome. They each had just the right amount of the necessary ingredients.

Now let's move on to dinner. I ordered the Roasted Pork Butt Quesadilla and Chuck had the Frito Misto (calamari). The quesadilla was served with Chipotle Salsa and Cilantro Creme Fraiche and the calamari was served with a Tomato Lemon Aoili. Both were very tasty, but I personally think the pork butt needed barbeque sauce to jazz it up a bit and the calamari was a wee tad on the crispy side.

The entrees, which were FABULOUS, were spot on. We ordered Chicken Cordon Bleu (early bird special and only $10.95) and Pan Seared Scallops. Both entrees came with a salad. I had a Spinach Salad and Chuck had the Mixed Greens Salad. The chicken was served open faced with a very nice mustard sauce and two sides (sweet potato mash and broccoli). An interesting deconstructed version of Cordon Bleu. The oh so succulent scallops were complemented with garlic mashed potatoes and the best grilled asparagus I've eaten in a very long time. Everything was perfectly prepared and beautifully presented. Y'all already know that I'm an all day sucker for presentation, so I was a very happy camper.

We managed to leave a little room for dessert and decided on the Caramelized Angel Food Cake with Raspberry Sorbet and the Pumpkin Pie Creme Brulee with Apples. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised by both dishes--in a very GOOD way. I've never been a huge fan of pumpkin, but this dessert may change my mind. Creme Brulee is one of my all time favorite desserts and the pumpkin twist was a nice change. The angel food cake was a crispy, sugary package on the outside with fluffy softness inside. The sorbet was just the right combination of sweet and tart. They were both a great way to end tonight's meal.

306 North is definitely a spot you should check out if you find yourself in the Valdosta area. I'm very happy that I discovered it and am thrilled to pass along my dining experience. Stop in and tell them Sheila sent you...they won't know who I am, but it kinda has a nice ring to it.

Sheila Denise