Vanilla Icing

Basil Pizza & Wine Bar

Crisp garlickly crust crackled underneath a blanket of earthy mushrooms and cool, creamy goat cheese.  Mild, fresh mozzarella held all of the toppings on as I lifted each bite to my mouth.

Mushroom, goat cheese and truffle oil pizza at Basil Pizza & Wine Bar in Brooklyn, NY.

Ideally, one would visit Basil Pizza and Wine Bar with many friends in tow in order to sample as many pizzas as possible.  And maybe even a panini or two.  My right hand neighbor at the bar counter was biting into a piping hot panini and each time he did it sent a burst of basil wafting my way.

Sitting at the bar counter provided plenty of entertainment; you could watch your pizza be made and baked right in front of you.  The only negative part of this was each time a pizza was whisked out of the oven you couldn't help wishing that you had ordered that one instead!

Happiness Is Always Bread

The last day of the Experience Columbus, A Diverse & Delicious Culinary Tour dawned bright and early and we made our way over to the North Market where we were turned loose with three things: a shopping bag full of goodies, gift certificates and 'orders' to take a look around and obtain breakfast.

Local produce from The Greener Grocer was tempting.

   

I barely resisted the turquoise plates at The Source and only managed to escape by remembering my propensity for dropping and chipping pretty dishes.  I admired the handmade ravioli at Pastaria Seconda and had a quiet chuckle when another worker at the North Market muttered something about them being 'not homemade.'  Perhaps they weren't but they were attractive and one of my fellow bloggers had some for breakfast and confirmed they were delicious!

It was a little too early for anything from The Barrel & the Bottle but several of us had the foresight to purchase some for later.  I regret not seeing if they had anything from Rockmill Brewery and picking it up to take home. 

   

After I took a walk around the market I remembered my 'orders' to obtain breakfast and began at A Touch of Earth coffee.  They had a 'Buckeye' Mocha on the menu and I couldn't resist even though I was a little unsure how peanut butter would taste in coffee.  I shouldn't have worried; pair peanut butter with chocolate and it doesn't matter what else you put it with.  It's always good.  The Buckeye tasted like a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup with a caffeniated kick.

And then, look what I found.  Or should I say...my nose?

Rockmill Brewery

Several months ago, I attended a beer tasting at the Inn at Cedar Falls.  Matthew Barbee, owner of Rockmill Brewery brought his four beers to sample and I enjoyed myself quite a lot.  A few months later, during my time on the Experience Columbus, A Delicious & Diverse Culinary tour, I found myself pulling up to Rockmill Brewery for a tour of the brewery, more beer tasting and a chance to meet Matthew again.

              

Guess what? This time I was a little less of a beer novice and enjoyed the complexities of flavors in the beer even more than I did the first time.  And Matthew remembered me which made me smile.

His home which is also the home of Rockmill Brewery is infused with golden sunlight that made me think of his beers and the different shades of gold they glow once they've been poured into glasses. Beautiful.  

And...we got to taste a new beer that Rockmill Brewery is preparing to release soon.  This fifth beer is aged in whiskey barrels from Middle West Spirits and the beer takes on some of the flavors of whisky which makes for a very interesting (and delicious!) tasting experience that I have decided is my new favorite of Rockmill Brewery.  

Matthew encouraged us to try bits of various cheeses, bread and salted dark chocolate followed by sips of beer and to notice the different ways it brought out the flavors of each individual beer.   It was amazing to me that beers are like wine in this way; there are beer and food pairings to make and the right pairing can make all the difference in the world.  The gorgonzola had a noticable skimming effect on the Tripel; the beer danced across the tongue without even the barest hint of bitterness found in beer and left lingering notes of sweetness.  

        

In addition to discovering that beer pairs as nicely with different foods like wines, I also learned that a brewery smells like baking bread.  Oh my!  I couldn't help but draw one deep breath after another when we stepped inside the brewery.  In fact, I kept at it so long that I began to worry I might get drunk from drawing heady draughts of air!   Matthew showed us around, discussing the beer brewing process and all of the steps involved.   

I would love to share all the specific details of brewing but I'll have to direct your attention instead to the Wikipedia entry.  My sincere apologies, but I must admit between the heaven scented air and the glass of the Fifth Beer I had in one hand and my camera in the other I wasn't exactly able to jot down notes on the process.  

An engaging and generous host and an amazing glass of beer really do deserve one's undivided attention.  

Columbus Gives Me Mixer Envy

Three of my favorite things-

                                                  Photo credit: Skillet

How could I not be intrigued when I saw that Skillet was our destination for breakfast?  Rumors of Skillet's breakfast have made it east to Pittsburgh and I had been looking forward to finally trying it out.  Would it rival Pittsburgh's own Pamela's?  Could it rival DeLuca's in the Strip District?  I had to see for myself.

       

Chef and owner, Kevin Caskey welcomed us to Skillet and talked about the food he prepares for his guests.  The menu is seasonally derived and makes use of many local purveyors such as Laurel Valley Creamery and produce from nearby farms.  Skillet opens at lunch time during the week but Chef Caskey was kind enough to open privately for the Experience Columbus, A Diverse & Delicious Culinary Tour food bloggers.  While we were enjoying breakfast, a few other people poked their head in the door excited to find Skillet open early.    They were gently told that the restaurant would be open to the public at 11 and I must admit I felt a little bad when they reluctantly turned away.

But not so bad that I didn't scoot this delectable omelet closer to me each time someone attempted to venture inside!  Farm fresh eggs were carefully folded around house smoked andouille sausage and Laurel Valley cheddar.  The cheddar was a little sharp but provided an interesting contrast to sausage which was heavy on the smoke flavor and light on the spiciness.  Cremini mushrooms and blistered fresh okra spilled off the top of the omelet and I poked at a bit of the okra skeptically before I put one tiny piece of okra in my mouth.  Um, how come no one has ever told me about okra before?  I couldn't finish the generously sized omelet but you better believed I ate every single bit of okra.  Next time...do you think I could just have a plate of the okra?  And maybe some of the mushrooms?

We spilled out of Skillet and I had the comfortable knowledge that Skillet is indeed better than Pamela's but you can't really compare Skillet to DeLuca's as they are two entirely different styles of cooking.   Notice the big smile on Laura of Cincinnati Nomerati .  I think that pretty much sums up Skillet.  (Terry of Blue Kitchen holds the door & Rachel of Hounds in the Kitchen follows.)

Comfortable full and properly fueled, we got in our bus and began a day of being overwhelmed in the best possible way by Columbus and a sampling of its offerings.

Experience Columbus

Recently, I was invited to further explore Ohio with Experience Columbus by attending "Diverse & Delicious, A Culinary Tour of Columbus' and it was an eye opening experience.  Columbus, Ohio has been one of the leaders in the farm-to-table movement that is slowly sweeping our nation.  The restaurants, cafes and other food and drink establishments support and encourage local farms by choosing to use the seasonal produce, meat and dairy products that can be obtained from the many, dedicated local farmers.  It's a self-sustaining method that ensures the best for the community but also allows for the best possible dining experience by using the freshest ingredients gathered and prepared at their peak.   I was continually surprised to discover how passionate the people involved in the Slow Food movement in Columbus were and it was sheer delight to meet these people as I happily ate and drank my way through Columbus with several other food bloggers.

A welcoming reception was held at Milestone 229 on the newly redeveloped Scioto Mile Riverfront Park.  Large, floor to ceiling curved windows brightened the dark classic colors of the bar and offered a perfect opportunity to gaze out on the silvery fountains that send arcs of water sparkling through the air. 

    

Every good time starts with a drink, right?  

Double Decker Coffee & Company

The first time I visited Asheville was eight years ago when the children were still quite small. Immediately I fell in love with the city as the four of us traipsed all over but as the sun went down and the city darkened and cooled the mild desire for coffee that I possessed turned into a raging caffeine withdrawal headache.  I tried to suppress this obnoxious need but my eyes rapidly scanned the street back and forth looking for a coffee shop, a cafe, a late night diner or for goodness' sake even a convenience store! to get a cup of the evil, addictive black brew that my body wanted so badly.  No such luck.  I stumbled stupidly in a caffeine craving trying to pretend that I didn't desperately desire  the noxious brew that was responsible for my severe addiction.  Rick stopped and in a fog I continued past him for a few steps before he called me back.

'Michelle?  Do you want a cup of coffee?'   

Yes!  I looked back at him.  He was paused at the gate of courtyard that had a big red double decker bus parked in it. I sniffed.  Oh yeah, I could smell coffee .....and it was coming from the bus!  Sweet beautiful bus beacon of coffee nirvana....I'll always love you....no matter the time of day.

An oasis in a hot city, Double Decker Coffee & Company has mist sprayers that cool everyone off-

 

                              even the smallest of dogs--                               

                               in their shaded courtyard.

But wait, there's a lesson to be learned: Sometimes coffee comes on buses.

Cheat River Race 2011

Every year, at the beginning of May, white water kayakers and a few canoe & raft paddlers come to Albright, West Virginia for the Cheat River Race.  It's one of the events of the weekend that benefits Friends of the Cheat, an organization that raises awareness and funds for the Cheat River.

Cupcakes in Vegas

Recently, I made attempt #2 at finding good food in Las Vegas and not really having much success. Buffets aren't really my style ever since I worked at one in high school and learned what really goes on and celebrity chef restaurants leave me skeptical and tightfisted.  Actually, all of Vegas turns me into a miser that doles out the coin grumpily and usually only in exchange for coffee.

Until I got lost in the Venetian Hotel's casino looking for the doorway that lead to the elevators that would take me to my room.  There, on the edge of the casino, was a darling little cupcake shop called 'Sweet Surrender.'  I couldn't resist.  I also couldn't resist attempting covert pictures.  I managed but was terrified all the while that the casino people who don't allow pictures in the casino were going to come flying out of nowhere and confiscate my camera.  That feeling persisted all afternoon, actually, because I imagined some set of camera hating goons in a security room somewhere 'spotting' my actions on a surveillance camera and busting down my hotel door.

I digress.  Sweet Surrender had nearly a dozen different flavors of cupcakes and other candies and sweet things to choose. I chose a basic vanilla cupcake because I always feel that you can get an immediate feel for a place by choosing their most simple dish (or cupcake) because there are less things to cover any potential flaws.  After my cupcake was boxed, I beat a hasty retreat.

Safe and sound back in my room or so I hoped! I pulled up a chair to the window and sat down with cupcake, coffee and a good book.  Don't be alarmed, I know it was Vegas and there are more exciting things to do but cupcakes & coffee are more my style than betting and dicing.

Even if the cupcake turned out to be a bit of a disappointment.  The gold balls were rice krispies dipped in white chocolate and coated in a gold shimmer powder.  A lot of work but surprisingly tasty!  The vanilla buttercream was whipped until quite light before it was piped onto the cupcake in a decorative, but unfortunate manner.  The edges of the cupcake were not covered and the cake below was well on its way to stale.  This is a trend I've noticed since cupcakes have gotten more popular; frosting is placed to be decorative in complete and total disregard for its more important job of protecting the cake's freshness, but more on that another day.  I set the cupcake aside.

It was probably for the best.  Isn't there some rule about not eating an hour before you go in the pool?

Hocking Hills, Ohio

                                Cedar Falls

Remember that hiking I mentioned a few times that I had to do because of all of the wonderful food and drink I had during my stay at the Inn at Cedar Falls?

No, I don't mean riding the ziplines with the Hocking Hills Zipline Canopy Tours because just as the guides kept telling us 'we don't want to see you exercising, just having fun' I can't even pretend that was hiking because it really was all fun and no work.  I mean real hiking where I use my own two feet and it's all work....in the breathtaking natural surroundings of the Hocking Hills in Ohio.  

And this Pennsylvania girl even learned something.......

Hocking Hills Zipline Canopy Tours

We all have fears.  Clowns.  Spiders.  Heights.

Clowns don’t bother me but spiders?   Ick.

Heights?  Yikes.  

Sometime in my adult years, I developed a fear of heights which seemed to be quite the ridiculous development because I spent a lot of my girlhood climbing trees and dangling upside down from tree limbs and flipping out of them to land upright on my feet.   These days, leaning over a second story balcony railing can make my stomach quake.   But there comes a time when one must look a fear in the face and make a not so polite gesture.

Do notice I did not say conquer the fear.  Small steps.