My love affair with the vibrant culture and cuisine of Mexico began many years ago. As a kid, growing up in South Florida, where at the time Mexican meant Tex-Mex and the restaurants were often chain, the idea of Mexican food felt so very exotic,... Continue
Pimento cheese spread. Do you know it? The cheesy, mayonnaise-y stuff was never a favorite of mine, particularly after having to make vats of the stuff, typically elbow deep in it on a daily basis when we had our market in North Carolina. Pimento cheese... Continue
I sit here at the Aloha Bar, lazily watching the parade of tanned and tattooed surfers as they pad sandy-footed off the beach, wax-coated boards balanced on their shaven and dreadlocked heads or tucked under their tanned and muscled arms. I sit here ogled-eyed each day... Continue
April is National Grilled Cheese Month. Wow, like we really need a reason to eat cheese and bread, right? Then again, comfort food means something different to everyone. For some, it is ice cream or a good, greasy hamburger or, possibly, momma’s spaghetti and meatballs... Continue
A bird was truly going bizerk outside of my window the other day, the sun already shining bright and golden at that early hour. I sleepily pried one eye open, ready to be cranky at the audacity of that bird being so absurdly joyful at... Continue
Why not make everything better? Don’t we all just hope to make our lives just a little more delicious? I possess a growing list of ingredients to add to most any dish to simply make it better, quickly more delicious. From boring leftovers, a hurried... Continue
On a recent Friday evening, as I approached the Old Creamery building, now the restaurant Burgers & Vine, a big smile spreading slowly across my face. It made me unbelievably giddy to see the golden glow of life from inside the long-vacant storefront, cheerful patrons... Continue
I always have a deep desire to connect with you all, to share only my most delicious experiences, pertinent tidbits that you, too, may want to taste, to sip, to cook. Though, lately, nothing seems yummy enough to share. My recent week began with burnt... Continue
I was gone for three days. When I left it was winter. Heavy slate clouds lay low and wet over the Valley, tree branches hung bare and black, farms sat dormant and silent. The town was blanketed in a leaden mist; a steady, substantial rain... Continue
It’s almost impossible to pry myself from the warmth of my comfy bed these days. I manage to partially open one eye and focus on the drapes covering the tall windows, hoping for light, but a bit heartbroken when it’s still dark at almost 7... Continue