Our First Trip To Michael and Delia's New City

Our driver, Larry arrived right on time.  He hurriedly loaded our luggage and entertained us with stories as he drove us to the airport.  After a brief flight, Stone and I touched down in Philadelphia, home of the Liberty Bell and most importantly, Michael and Delia.  We make our way to seize our luggage.  So that Stone and I wouldn't get lost in Philly, Michael met us at the train stop and took us to his dwelling.  The temperature in Tennessee when we left was 87'.  Here we where greeted with 67' along with Speck and Baloo, Michael and Delia's boys the dogs.  My how they have grown in such a short time.  Stone and I where shown our room in their quant little abode where we will be staying.  We unpacked and settled in, happy to be here.

For our evening meal, we visited The Blind Pig.  This is not the place to come if you are on a diet.  With it's intimate atmosphere and gourmet comfort food, you will leave here fulfilled and glad you came.  I ordered the pinot noir and a order of Blue Balls to share. .  Yes, you read that correct.  Blue Balls in my mouth, short rib surrounded by gorgonzola cheese, surrounded by mashed potatoes, then breaded and deep fried.  These are served with a tasty gravy.  Our waiter, the baby brother of the owner and her husband the chef, made for a perfect family owned eating establishment in Central Philadelphia.  After satisfying our hunger we strolled back to Michael and Delia's place calling it a night and anticipating a full schedule in Philadelphia tomorrow.

Train ride from the airport.

Speck

Baloo

Michael and Delia

My dinner salad.

The Famous Blue Balls.

Have you ever ordered the Famous Blue Balls?

Atlanta's Thumbs Up Diner

Me and Richard

My favorite meal to eat out is breakfast.  My favorite breakfast item is biscuits!  When in Atlanta my favorite breakfast establishment is Thumbs Up Diner. There is usually a wait, but its worth every minute.  To me it's usually a good sign if there is a line.  Your order comes out quickly, and is always piping hot.   I was first introduced to this diner in March, and have been a regular whenever I've been back in town.  When I think of Thumbs Up, two things come to mind.  The best biscuits I've ever had, and Richard, who is an employee at the diner.  Upon each of my visits to this establishment I have ordered the same thing, as I'm a creature of habit.  I always order the egg white omelette with tomatoes, mushroom and spinach, a side of fresh fruit and, of course, a biscuit.  The biscuits are light, with a crusty crust which is saved for last after my other items are eaten, just like dessert.   They also make different flavors of preserves.  Yesterday, they had peach, and this morning it was strawberry.   Before heading back home tomorrow, we will make another trip to the diner.  I wonder what kind of preserves they will have?  Stone on the other hand seems to always order a belgian waffle.   Cooked to perfection, a light crispy batter, with deep holes that allow the butter and syrup to puddle.  Richard, whom we met for the first time three months ago, greets you with the warmest most welcoming smile and has a way of making your dining experience personal.  I was greeted with a smile and left with a hug.  This is what southerners are all about, making you feel like you are among family.  Stone and I will look forward to returning during future visits to Atlanta.  

The best biscuits you will ever eat, along with the biggest omelette.  You wonder if you will be able to eat it all but manage along with the fruit salad.  Knowing if you don't, you'll think about it all day, regretting you left it behind.   

Stone's light crispy belgian waffle with deep holes for the butter and syrup to puddle in,  with sides of bacon and fruit salad
What is your favorite item to order at Thumbs Up?

Traveling Back In Time at The East Side Show Room

The "boldly unique" East Side Show Room http://eastsideshowroom.com with it's particular adornment has a leisurely food approach that urges you to stay for a long period.  An intimate environment with dimly lit gas lamps, fancy cocktails made by stylish but eccentric bartenders, and live music create a steampunk atmosphere which makes you feel you have traveled back in time.  This was the perfect start of our visit to Austin, Texas.

Me and Abby Gail

Me, Stone and Abby Gail

Decor inside The East Side Show Room

Bar inside The East Side Show Room

Me and Abby Gail with our drink, the French Retreat

Abby Gail and Stone

A variety of cheeses, fruits with candied pecans with toasted bread.

Yellow Beat Salad toasted in corn hush, with creme fraiche and herbs

Mussles in a savoring salsa brava, served with grilled sourdough.

Stone and I at the Black Sheep Lodge http://www.blacksheeplodge.com with Abby Gail.

Fried Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough at the Black Sheep Lodge.

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Where is your favorite place in Austin, Texas to eat?

Chattanooga's Aretha Frankensteins

Have you ever awaken and your first thought is about a restaurant you have visited in the past?  Well thats what happened yesterday, only the food we wanted was a 3 hour round trip drive.  Did we go? Well yes we did.  Was it worth the trip?  Definitely.  Let me tell you about our day. By the time Stone, Lucy, of course she went, and I left the house, it was late morning which was perfect because this place we where going is crazy busy during prime-time .  We wanted to make sure that we hit the off time, so we arrived at the restaurant about 1:30 in the afternoon.  We parked the car down by the Tennessee River then walked the 1 1/4 miles the rest of the way.  Yes, you can drive there, but it was such a beautiful day and we wanted to walk.  We meandered across the Walnut Street Bridge which is for pedestrians only.  From here you have a really nice view.  The route to Aretha Frankensteins has numerous quant eating establishments and boutiques. We then meandered through a neighborhood, arriving at our destination, to discover the wait was 20 minutes. If you have ever been here you would know that is not long at all.  During prime-time you can anticipate it to be an hour or more and worth every minute of your stay.  We took a seat on the porch to wait for an open table outside, since we had Lucy and it was such a beautiful day.  The hideaway is a small house that was converted into a restaurant.  There are four tables inside and four outside.  Finally being seated we place our orders knowing before we arrived what we where going to get and began our wait which took about an hour to get our food. During this time Lucy was visiting with any and everyone who passed our table, hearing the same questions from each, what kind of dog is she?  If I only had a nickel for every time I was asked that.  She loved the attention and stayed quit busy visiting and looking for morsels of food that had been dropped.  Our food finally arrived and it was everything we had remembered and more.  We ate slowly wanting to enjoy the flavors for as long as possible. Towards the end we where feeling full but I was not about to leave anything on my plate.  I was a member of the clean plate club and proud of it.   Describe Aretha Frankensteins, you ask, the decor interesting, atmosphere fun, excellent service, staff great, large portions,  they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the food is amazing.  Whats not to like?
Needing to walk off some of the calories we had just consumed, we sauntered toward Walnut Street Bridge and through an Art Festival. We lingered, checking out all that was for sell, then made our way over to drift along theTennessee River.  It's getting late, time to make our way back to the car and head home.  It was a perfect day.  I hope yours was to.

Stone's slim stack buttermilk pancakes with blueberries and bacon.

My egg white omelette with bell peppers,  spinach, onions, mushrooms and shrimp, cheese grits, and a biscuit that I dream about.  I always save my biscuit for last and it's kind of like dessert.

Stone's slim stack, 2 buttermilk pancakes.

Aretha Frankenstein:http://www.arethas.com

Dog on a roof, this was crazy……..

Coolidge Park

Walnut Street Bridge

Lucy and I

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Where is your favorite breakfast place to eat in Chattanooga, Tennessee?