Mrs. Powell’s

From about 6thto 9th, maybe 10th, grade I was a total mall rat.  If I was not in school or ballet class, I wanted to be “hanging” with my friends at the mall.  A trip to the mall with friends included: trying on prom dresses we were not old enough to properly fit into, boy…

Malibu/Miami Chicken Sandwiches

This recipe was a play on Malibu chicken sandwiches.  I love the idea of chutney on burgers and sandwiches.  Years ago I found a recipe for a turkey sandwich that had apricot/cranberry chutney and an herb cheese spread on a crusty baguette. I have been obsessed with using chutney on a sandwich ever since.  This…

Portrait of an Addict As a Young Man by Bill Clegg

 I believe that every human being possesses at least one or more weaknesses and/or addictions.  I used to say vice but the definition of vice hinges too heavily on morality, and I do not believe these cravings have anything to do with morality unless they harm or have a negative effect on other human beings….

Mickey Ray’s

This was another stop on on our Boise Idaho Tennis Tour. I have never been to a BBQ restaurant, before now, that plated their food so simply and beautifully. Mickey Ray’s was also strikingly clean for a BBQ joint. But, the delightfully overpowering telltale scent of smoking meats dangled in the air well before you…

PB&J Beef Satay

A beef satay appetizer was one of the many ideas, a restaurant I used to work at, came up with to use up leftover trim after portioning out steak cuts.  Most customers were never aware, but as an employee, I thought it was fun to order this appetizer and then try to determine what cut…

The Cheesecake Factory

Crispy Crab Bites Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes Firecracker Salmon I actually try not to go to chain restaurants.  I like to discover new spaces, find unusual culinary delights, and support local economies and small businesses.  Every once in a while, though, I make exceptions.  Sometimes my exceptions involve cravings for specific items at certain familiar…