anti-diet comfort food
Sabotaged my spring diet with Square Peg
A majority of the world looks at spring as a time of rebirth, the return of the Robin, the first Crocus blooming, and warmer temperatures. Then there’s the body dysmorphic world [my world], the onset of spring sends them screaming to the gym dropping leaf lettuce from salad bowls as they run. Cleaning up the diet, sweeping away the Christmas cookies; the New Year’s treats; the Valentine’s Day candy; and finally, the Easter Candy. Making amends for all the empty calories consumed that were safely hidden under the protective covering of bulky sweaters and layers. It’s time to pay recompense to the idealistic Greco-Roman body type and begin the slow process of eliminating literally everything good from one’s meal plan while simultaneously submitting to the masochistic demands of fitness professionals that are paid top dollar! Read More…
llama-tata
brunch in eraserhood
As my neighborhood continues to grow there’s more and more great spots to choose from for a good brunch. While Cafe Lift was the first to pop up in the desolate industrial ‘hood, there’s a few new spots that have popped up in the past few years. Llama Tooth Cafe is on Spring Garden between 10th and 11th.
My friend Bowman and I hit it up for a brunch this weekend. They have a limited brunch menu: french toast, eggs your way, and “llama-tatas”, haha. They also offer their regular pub-style menu during brunch and an extensive beer menu.
I think the brunch menu could have a few more “fun” brunch selections: eggs benny, pancakes, or maybe huevos rancheros? The llama-tata and homefries were good [i had swiss, mushroom and arugula] I opted for a light brunch and not the stuffed french toast. I want to go back for their Mojo Cuban 11 Sandwich or one of their Mac-n-Cheese selections. If you look at their regular menu – it’s really creative and cool, I’d love to see that creativity in their brunch menu.
They have a great outdoor dining area enclosed by painted murals. The outdoor environment was really nice, I’d go back to be able to eat outside and to try the Stuffed French Toast [peanut butter & jelly with fried banana] maybe after a 15 mile bike ride. hahaha.
I found a unicorn on Gray’s Ferry Avenue
It’s NOT too good to be true!
The epic struggle – enjoy something delicious that tastes amazing and won’t leave this gay boy gasping for air as he button flyes his jeans.
Well, I ‘ve found it! On Gray’s Ferry Avenue of all places. It’s not really a unicorn, as we all know unicorns don’t really exist, but a sweet, delicious treat really does!
The Igloo features frozen, soft serve Greek Yogurt, that the serve with warm honey and granola! BAM! 4 oz of the yogurt is 120 calories with 15 grams of protein. Go gently on the honey and granola and you can be guilt free in your skinny jeans.
Hard Rock peaked in the 80′s
Grand Re-Opening of Philadelphia Location
I was 16. A fledgling gay on my pilgrimage to the holy land, and by holy land, I of course mean New York City. I was closeted and with my ultra conservative christian, republican cousin Beth. Ahh, good times. But I digress. After a day of shopping at Bloomies we had to replenish ourselves and what better place than the hottest, coolest, hippest restaurant ever – Hard Rock Cafe. By the way, it was 1986.
Recently, I was invited to the Grand ReOpening of their Market Street location here in Philly and after the fishy tasting shrimp and soggy Philly Cheesesteak Egg Roll, I decided that The Hard Rock Cafe peaked in the 80′s. They do however, get an honorable mention for the mini cheesecakes.
Bobby’s BBQ’ing
Get Bobby’s Autograph!
Bobby’s gonna be at Williams-Sonoma in King of Prussia on 4/26/13 for a special book signing. He will be signing copies of his new cookbook, Bobby Flay’s Barbecue Addiction.
Bobby Flay, a New York Times bestselling author, is the chef-owner of six fine-dining restaurants, including Mesa Grill, Bar Americain, and Bobby Flay Steak, and numerous Bobby’s Burger Palaces. He is the host of many popular cooking shows on the Food Network, from the Emmy-winning Bobby Flay’s Barbecue Addiction, Grill It! with Bobby Flay and Boy Meets Grill to the Iron Chef America series, Throwdown! with Bobby Flay, and Food Network Star.
We hope to see you there!
Please note: Space is limited for this ticketed event. You must call the King of Prussia the store to pre-order a book for the signing! Books will be on sale starting 4/23/13; however you may pre-order your books to secure a ticket. Call 610-265-5970. Bobby will only be personalizing copies of Bobby Flay’s Barbecue Addiction purchased at Williams-Sonoma. Proof of purchase required.
King of Prussia
Friday, April 26, 2013 at 12:00pm
160 North Gulph Road, King of Prussia, PA, 19406
(610) 265-5970
brunch sammy
Bacon Egg N Cheese
There’s a cute spot on Fairmount that I went to for coffee a few weeks in a row on Sunday morning. OCF Coffee House.
Last Sunday, I decided to grab a bite and check it out. I’m all about omelets for brunch, which they don’t sell, so I tried a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese with Swiss Chard. Totes delish!
Here’s what I loved the most. The manager, who is a tall, purplehairdontcare kinda gal, has a bangin’ sense of humor. On top of that, the girl who took my order, remembered me from the few other times I was there and chatted me up about being a regular. [LOVED THAT!] She was also, all about making sure I got my B,E + C all done up right! I got a choice of like 4 kinds of cheese and like 3 different bread product options. I went with Swiss and a bagel.
They have amazing coffee drinks, killer pastries [many of which are baked on site], lots of sweet brunch options and some fresh juices.
It’s a great spot if you’re looking for something quick and easy!
xo
St Paddy’s Day Brunch
Chicken-N-Biscuits with a Twist
I’m pretty much a creature of habit. I generally hit up the same food joints and get the same things. But on St. Paddy’s day, I stepped outside of my comfort zone!
I ended up at Sabrina’s, on a Sunday afternoon at 1pm. No, I didn’t go off my meds! Since I was alone, I thought, eh, I’ll be able to snag a seat at the counter [I was at the Callowhill Street location]. Sure enough, after a short wait in the OVERLY CROWDED entry way. I snagged my stool. As God is my witness, I have no idea why hungry Philadelphians tolerate the bull-shit wait for brunch at some of these spots. I mean, it’s good, but for christ’s sake – it’s eggs! Ok, maybe they get the one of the famed sweet entree’s the famous stuffed french toast or the equally recognizable red-velvet pancakes. I’ve tasted both, but never eaten an entire order on my own, no no a lady would never down 3000 calories for brunch! I’m sorry, but eating that for brunch is just asking for a nausea induced food coma! It’s most likely one adult’s daily caloric intake in one meal.
I looked over the menu and selected one of Sabrina’s many specials. Sabrina’s has the unique ability to write specials with more adjetives than ingredients. I had to ask the server what exactly this particular special was… it was really confusing. [Check it - 4 adjectives to describe the breading of the chicken cutlet...] I still don’t remember the special’s name.
Here’s what I can recall:
- Fried Chicken
- Sweet Potato Biscuits
- Scrambled Eggs
- Gravy……”
What came was, “a messa somethin”! You can see in the picture. Maybe I’m not up on my Irish history, admittedly, my experience with Irish anything is:
- Having had a friend named Aisling
- Having seen Angela’s Ashes
And in neither case did we have scrambled eggs with brown gravy, mixed with a fried chicken cutlet, and greens. Then there was the sweet potato biscuit. It was good, but why sweet potato? I guess the Irish potato famine didn’t include the sweet version?
The eggs and biscuit made me want this to be breakfast, but the chicken and gravy was pushing me into dinner. Don’t be so rude, this is brunch! It’s supposed to be civilized. Let’s keep breakfast on one special and lunch/dinner entree’s on another. I ended up eating the “mess-a-somethin” in separate sections so as to not mess up my breakfast lunch dichotomy. Overall not bad, just a little odd. Which, honestly, could describe many things in my life.
Thank you very much.
xo
