My "F" (Fonda San Miguel)

I will keep this brief.

I was so incredibly excited to try Fonda; unfortunately, the service on my visit was poor enough to severely cloud any positivity toward the food or any other part of the visit.

Yep, I do indeed write less-than-gloating posts. Sorry. Overrated.

My "E" (East Side Pies)

Nothing says food-gasm like the "Mojo": handmade meatballs seasoned and formed to perfection with bacon, sun dried tomatoes, jalapeno, and cilantro on thin-crusted pesto slices of deliciousness.

High five East Side Pies. High. Freakin. Five.

Particularly special because I got the chance to spend time with my Sweetheart. Once again the slices were halfway down our throats before the camera snapped a shot :)

Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Week 2

I'm a bit behind in general posting, but regardless of whether it is shared or not I've still immensely enjoyed my RAK project. Week 2 was an easy decision for me - it was something I had planned for a while but I was waiting on timing and a paycheck to hit.

I scheduled a visit to see my Grandmother this summer over July 4th holiday. I tried being creative and origami-ing the itinerary to tuck into a card, but the attempts were lumps of folded mess so I opted for a straight-forward handwritten card.

My mother's mother passed away when I was very young, and maybe that contributes to some of the closeness I feel toward my paternal Grandmother. Far more than attachment of being the surviving family matriarch, though, I fully credit her with the genetic basis for my intelligence, wit, carefree but responsible attitude, and most other positive characteristics passed via my father and manifested in yet another generation: Me.

I was beyond blessed to spend time with her last year over a weekend and told myself I would again make a trip, regardless of money or time needed to squeeze every beautiful second I reasonably can with her. She is fighting for her life right now. Nothing dulls the news of serious illness in a family member, particularly someone so close to your heart.

She has always believed in me, always assured me that I can do and reach whatever I want, and never issued even a whisper of discouragement. The beautiful memories of childhood visits to her house on the Maryland beach survive carefully tucked away in my mind and I made it my mission to not let anything - money, excuses, "no time" - come between developing even more fond moments. Not for anyone dear to me, and especially her.

It's hard to call it an act of kindness but maybe we'll just tag it as a deeply-deserved moment of love. She is and will always be my hero. Cannot wait for July to roll around.

My "C" (Contigo)

My first visit to Contigo was for my birthday on their "un-Valentine's" party. It was a unique buffet-style setup that was good-food-but-better-company-type night. Either way, I knew I wanted to return.

I was blessed to go with my friend curiousnotions. I'm embarrassed to say, but I dug into half the plates before even getting a quick pic (a combination of hunger and the food-porn spread going on in front of me). At her recommendation, and my partial unease, we started with Ox Tongue Sliders and Fried Green Beans.

You might be thinking right now "Ox Tongue? Seriously?!" Even if you're not sure - DO IT.

Chicken Thighs and Cauliflower Gratin were equally as yummy. I used to have a thing about cooked cauliflower: smell, texture, something like that is just wasn't appetizing at all. Contigo and Barley Swine have both really impressed me with their dishes, though, aaaaalmost enough to try getting some cauliflower creativity in my own kitchen started.

Or maybe another day.