Monday, November 12, 2012
Posts Really Are On Their Way
Thirty minutes ago I thought this post would begin with "hallelujah, hallelujah." Thirty minutes ago I discovered that the reason I have had so many picture loading woes was because of the cord that connects the camera to my computer. Evidently, if you have to hold the cord completely still while watching Monday night football and drinking a nice pinot noir for 1 picture to properly load in about 1200 seconds. Finally it's working! The problem, we take at least 50 pictures a game and I am 5 games behind. So, I found another electronic item in the house, steal the cord and voila instant downloading! I was moving quickly along and it all starts to lock up again . . . lame. I was able to get 4 games downloaded. All but the Texas A & M game. My apologies to my State of Texas friends, but this game must be skipped for the greater good.
I promise I will come back and cover it, but for today in the words of the Muppets "I'm Moving Right Along" [A.D.D. MOMENT] if you ever wondered I always have this song and video playing in my head :o)
I promise I will come back and cover it, but for today in the words of the Muppets "I'm Moving Right Along" [A.D.D. MOMENT] if you ever wondered I always have this song and video playing in my head :o)
Please take a moment to enjoy this video while I write some blog posts!
Friday, October 26, 2012
Friday Food: City Grocery
Well, Rebels, you're gonna have to think back a long way to help me revisit this review: THREE WHOLE WEEKS back to the Texas A&M game. I have no excuse, except that I've been busy...and for a week in there, out of the country. But, better late than never, right?
Ok, so, we always looks forward to eating at City Grocery. After all, it's the most highly acclaimed restaurant in Oxford--the restaurant that started it all, when it comes to exciting food in Oxford. John Currence had a vision, and he's made good on that vision over the past two decades. So, needless to say, expectations are always high.
When we arrived for our 8:00 reservation, the hostess passed along that our table wasn't ready. I instantly got flashbacks of our dinner at McEwen's. And just like that evening, we fell prey to a restaurant's second seating. This time, it was a good half-hour until our table was ready. But again, restaurants don't have much control over that, so we trudged through the wait and finally got to the table.
The restaurant fills a single room, adorned with classic Southern finishes. Of course, wooden floors and wooden ceilings don't do much to dampen noise, which does make City Grocery a fairly loud eating experience on football weekends. It's best to just join in the boisterous fun. The wait staff at City Grocery is very well-trained, but again, the football weekend does take them down a notch. They always seem a bit harried by the crowd, unlike the staff at, say, Snackbar, which somehow takes the masses in stride. Fortunately, our waiter appeared to be one of the best of the bunch. He was very attentive and visible.
City Grocery hasn't always emphasized its wine list, but these days you'll find probably the most extensive wine list in Oxford. It also provides a broad range of price points, if you're wanting to splurge. And, if you're wanting something a little more stiff with your meal, there's also a nice selection of whiskeys to choose from.
After we ordered, we learned what the real reason for the delays were. The kitchen was backed up. And that's really too bad, because it creates a deficit that the food has to make up. Thankfully, City Grocery's food really is stellar. It's genuinely a notch above the rest of Oxford, and you'd have to drive to Memphis or Birmingham to find something that could rival it. My meal consisted of shrimp & corn soup, guinea hen, and a deconstructed caramel concoction, and each course was amazing. Other highlights around the table were pickled peaches, pork loin, sauteed fish...everything we ate. In addition to superb execution, the dishes impress because they're thoughtfully composed. Starches and vegetables are perfect matches for their respective proteins. Even garnishes are chosen to truly compliment the plate. Both Heath Johnson (chef d'cuisine) and Dwayne Ingraham (pastry chef) have great talent, and they turn out delicious, delicious food.
And that's why eating at City Grocery during football season is a mixed blessing. You're pretty much guaranteed that the food will surpass the rest of the experience. We didn't have a bad time--quite the contrary--but a restaurant that hangs multiple James Beard Awards in the dining room does have to live up to higher expectations from its patrons. In the spirit of full disclosure, some friends of mine also ate at City Grocery the night we were there. Whereas we were on the front end of the second seating, they were further down the line, and they suffered for it. As in...a two-hour wait from their reservation time until they got their first bite of food. At that point, it doesn't matter how good the food is. It's just unacceptable. Additionally, whereas McEwen's is a fairly new restaurant to Oxford, John Currence has two decades of experience dealing with football crowds in Oxford. His kitchen shouldn't be overwhelmed by them.
So, what's the takeaway? City Grocery is at its best on a non-football weekend. And if you can, wait until such a weekend to enjoy the restaurant. It's a special restaurant when the place isn't jam-packed and the staff has time to breathe. Of course, the food is always exceptional...to the point that it shines a spotlight on any other facets of the meal that aren't. If you do want to brave it on a game weekend, definitely eat as early as your stomach will let you. You'll be glad you did.
Ole Miss's next home game is November 10 (Vanderbilt), but you'll get another blogpost from me a week earlier. I'll be tagging along with Madeline and Charlie to the Georgia game, and we're eating at another Southern flagship--Hugh Acheson's Five and Ten. So, that will make two James Beard Award winners in a row! We like to keep it classy. ;)
Ok, so, we always looks forward to eating at City Grocery. After all, it's the most highly acclaimed restaurant in Oxford--the restaurant that started it all, when it comes to exciting food in Oxford. John Currence had a vision, and he's made good on that vision over the past two decades. So, needless to say, expectations are always high.
When we arrived for our 8:00 reservation, the hostess passed along that our table wasn't ready. I instantly got flashbacks of our dinner at McEwen's. And just like that evening, we fell prey to a restaurant's second seating. This time, it was a good half-hour until our table was ready. But again, restaurants don't have much control over that, so we trudged through the wait and finally got to the table.
The restaurant fills a single room, adorned with classic Southern finishes. Of course, wooden floors and wooden ceilings don't do much to dampen noise, which does make City Grocery a fairly loud eating experience on football weekends. It's best to just join in the boisterous fun. The wait staff at City Grocery is very well-trained, but again, the football weekend does take them down a notch. They always seem a bit harried by the crowd, unlike the staff at, say, Snackbar, which somehow takes the masses in stride. Fortunately, our waiter appeared to be one of the best of the bunch. He was very attentive and visible.
City Grocery hasn't always emphasized its wine list, but these days you'll find probably the most extensive wine list in Oxford. It also provides a broad range of price points, if you're wanting to splurge. And, if you're wanting something a little more stiff with your meal, there's also a nice selection of whiskeys to choose from.
After we ordered, we learned what the real reason for the delays were. The kitchen was backed up. And that's really too bad, because it creates a deficit that the food has to make up. Thankfully, City Grocery's food really is stellar. It's genuinely a notch above the rest of Oxford, and you'd have to drive to Memphis or Birmingham to find something that could rival it. My meal consisted of shrimp & corn soup, guinea hen, and a deconstructed caramel concoction, and each course was amazing. Other highlights around the table were pickled peaches, pork loin, sauteed fish...everything we ate. In addition to superb execution, the dishes impress because they're thoughtfully composed. Starches and vegetables are perfect matches for their respective proteins. Even garnishes are chosen to truly compliment the plate. Both Heath Johnson (chef d'cuisine) and Dwayne Ingraham (pastry chef) have great talent, and they turn out delicious, delicious food.
And that's why eating at City Grocery during football season is a mixed blessing. You're pretty much guaranteed that the food will surpass the rest of the experience. We didn't have a bad time--quite the contrary--but a restaurant that hangs multiple James Beard Awards in the dining room does have to live up to higher expectations from its patrons. In the spirit of full disclosure, some friends of mine also ate at City Grocery the night we were there. Whereas we were on the front end of the second seating, they were further down the line, and they suffered for it. As in...a two-hour wait from their reservation time until they got their first bite of food. At that point, it doesn't matter how good the food is. It's just unacceptable. Additionally, whereas McEwen's is a fairly new restaurant to Oxford, John Currence has two decades of experience dealing with football crowds in Oxford. His kitchen shouldn't be overwhelmed by them.
So, what's the takeaway? City Grocery is at its best on a non-football weekend. And if you can, wait until such a weekend to enjoy the restaurant. It's a special restaurant when the place isn't jam-packed and the staff has time to breathe. Of course, the food is always exceptional...to the point that it shines a spotlight on any other facets of the meal that aren't. If you do want to brave it on a game weekend, definitely eat as early as your stomach will let you. You'll be glad you did.
Ole Miss's next home game is November 10 (Vanderbilt), but you'll get another blogpost from me a week earlier. I'll be tagging along with Madeline and Charlie to the Georgia game, and we're eating at another Southern flagship--Hugh Acheson's Five and Ten. So, that will make two James Beard Award winners in a row! We like to keep it classy. ;)
Monday, October 22, 2012
More Posts Soon :oD
Hello all! I promise that I haven't given up on the blog. A lot has been going on at the White House (in Tupelo, not D.C.) and sadly blogging has taken a back seat.
Good news! For those that don't know, I have a new job!! That's reason #1 for not blogging. I am working as a Compliance Auditor at Bancorp South, I started last week. With a short time between offer and start date, I devoted all my extra time to tasks around the house. I'm really excited about the position.
Reason #2: Charlie has used our one off weekend to go pheasant hunting in South Dakota. I hear he did well and had a great time, but I'm glad he'll be back Tuesday. When he's gone my schedule is always off. He is the timekeeper in the family and I'm always behind on all thing when he is out of town.
Last excuse of the evening: in all the posts I really enjoy adding pictures and honestly it takes a long time to load each photo. I don't know if it's because the picture size is so big of if our internet connection isn't the fastest. Regardless, it's time consuming, and considering with C out of town my time management skills dwindle I've had to accept that the Texas and Auburn posts just weren't going to happen until he got back.
All this to send my apologies. I'm not a big fan of excuses, but sometimes that is just how it is. Don't forget good things come to those that wait. The early bird may get the worm, but it is the second mouse that gets the cheese.
I'll be back soon, Hotty Toddy!
Good news! For those that don't know, I have a new job!! That's reason #1 for not blogging. I am working as a Compliance Auditor at Bancorp South, I started last week. With a short time between offer and start date, I devoted all my extra time to tasks around the house. I'm really excited about the position.
Reason #2: Charlie has used our one off weekend to go pheasant hunting in South Dakota. I hear he did well and had a great time, but I'm glad he'll be back Tuesday. When he's gone my schedule is always off. He is the timekeeper in the family and I'm always behind on all thing when he is out of town.
Last excuse of the evening: in all the posts I really enjoy adding pictures and honestly it takes a long time to load each photo. I don't know if it's because the picture size is so big of if our internet connection isn't the fastest. Regardless, it's time consuming, and considering with C out of town my time management skills dwindle I've had to accept that the Texas and Auburn posts just weren't going to happen until he got back.
All this to send my apologies. I'm not a big fan of excuses, but sometimes that is just how it is. Don't forget good things come to those that wait. The early bird may get the worm, but it is the second mouse that gets the cheese.
I'll be back soon, Hotty Toddy!
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Game #5: vs Alabama aka Roadtrip #2
HOTTY TODDY to all!!! No this posting wont only be about a moral victory. If you saw the game or read anything in the paper or online, then you know Ole Miss played big. What I saw in person, our defense was amazing and our entire team played 60 minutes. When there was less than a minute in the 4th quarter, there was no doubt we would lose, the Ole Miss Rebels were playing like it was the first minute in the first quarter of a bowl game. Leading up to the game, I heard many fans grumble when the game time was announced saying things like "great, now the nation can watch Ole Miss be stomped in prime-time." The Ole Miss Rebels gladly took the stage in prime-time and proved to college football that we're a team to be watching. People around the country turned their tv's on Saturday night to watch Alabama, but they turned them off thinking about Ole Miss.
Regardless of your opinion about the University of Alabama, this is a ridiculously large football stadium; Bryant-Denny stadium seats just over 100,000. On a side note, after marrying Charlie White I developed a soft spot for the University of Alabama, rather at least their football progam, because Charlie White's grandfather Charlie Fitts played college football there. Futher, Charlie Fitts's parents, grandparents and great-grandparents are buried in the cemetary on the other side of the stadium that is as close to the stadium as we are in this picture, if not closer. Click here for pictures.
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Saturday was a long day for Charlie and me. We got up early, drove to Alabama, enjoyed the day in Tuscaloosa, watched a great game, and then drove back to Tupelo. This was my 3rd time to attend the Ole Miss game in Tuscaloosa and Charlie's first. If you've never been to Tuscaloosa, it's a big place. The city around it is spread out and the campus itself is big with massive buildings.
Regardless of your opinion about the University of Alabama, this is a ridiculously large football stadium; Bryant-Denny stadium seats just over 100,000. On a side note, after marrying Charlie White I developed a soft spot for the University of Alabama, rather at least their football progam, because Charlie White's grandfather Charlie Fitts played college football there. Futher, Charlie Fitts's parents, grandparents and great-grandparents are buried in the cemetary on the other side of the stadium that is as close to the stadium as we are in this picture, if not closer. Click here for pictures.
During the day we just goofed around Tuscaloosa: walking around campus, finding the tastiest place ever to eat, 5 Bar (I dedicated an entire post to it, click here to read). While walking around Tuscaloosa, and we walked a TON, I was surprised to discover one thing: Alabama fans aren't as open-arms, hospitality driven as Ole Miss. I understand that I'm biased, being an Ole Miss fan, and no one was ever rude to us; but we were invisible. Granted not all Ole Miss fans fit this mold; but if myself or my family see an away team fan we strive to always: tell them to enjoy their time in Oxford, usually offer them food and a beverage, ask if they need help finding somewhere, and at the least tell them to travel home safely. I won't lie, there may be some friendly football banter thrown in, but the point is we notice them. We take it upon ourselves to be ambassadors, not only of our good names, but also of the University and the town. And I will say considering the sheer number of Alabama fans that were in Tuscaloosa, there were probably some open-arms, hospitality driven fans and we just didn't get the opportunity to meet them.
Moving on to the game . . .
One thing I have to say out the Alabama fan base in their stadium--it reminds me of the old chant "I've got spirit, yes I do; I've got spirit, how about you!" Alabama fans show up, are loud, and are truly engaged with the game. It's not just that they have spirit; they have unified spirit. Some Ole Miss fans may remember that several years back, I think '06ish, Ole Miss had a professional group come in and evaluate the Ole Miss game experience to help us reach other schools number of crowd retention and the like. Anyway, every student was just cussing mad when the report declared that Ole Miss fans didn't have "spirit." We have spirit. I think what they intended to say is that Ole Miss fans don't have "unified spirit throughout the entire game." The Are You Ready at the beginning is a great start, but in the past it's stopped there. This year we're definitely getting better. Who is leading this unity? The Pride of the South.
Here is their Grove warm-up from the first game this year:
Super kudos, snaps, praises and brags for the Ole Miss band, The Pride of the South. I don't know what changed in the past few years, but I like it. In person, they were the Ole Miss spirit--the only spirit most of the time (I will save that rant for another day, but I wish at away games our fans would act like it's a home game.) Anyway, earlier Charlie and I were re-watching Saturday's game and I heard a band constantly playing between snaps. Had I not sat next to the band at the game and watched them steadily play, I would have thought it was Alabama's band I was hearing on tv. They sounded awesome on tv. THANK YOU--THANK YOU--THANK YOU--THANK YOU Ole Miss Band for traveling to the away games. More importantly, thank you for teaching Ole Miss fans to unify our spirit, we're not quick learners but you're getting us there!
Back to the game . . .
In case any of you didn't know, there was a time during the game that Ole Miss was beating Alabama. I'm so glad I told Charlie to take this picture quickly because the lead didn't last too long.
I don't know why, but Alabama is a common enemy of many SEC teams--maybe it's because of their winning record or some would say their ego (if Ole Miss won that much I think we'ld have bigger egos), regardless some days you route for them because they are an SEC Western Division team (the more they win the more money comes to our conference and division) and other days you route against just because you can. This kid was a few rows behind us, and I was impressed with his initiative to make his choice early.
Yes, he is decked out in purple and gold, jersey and all.
All in all it was a good day. Don't get me wrong I had hope that we would win, but seeing an end score like this with a team like that, I'll take it this year.
Hotty Toddy to all, and to all a good night!
Monday, October 1, 2012
Road Trip #2: Tuscaloosa Food Review
Sometimes you make reservations, sometimes you take good recommendations, and then other times you just stumble upon a great restaurant. The last is what happened to Charlie and me in Tuscaloosa. We were hungry and started walking towards an area approximately a mile or less east of The Strip (central bar and pre-game area near the stadium) that I remembered going to 2 years ago when I came to the Ole Miss-Alabama game '10. Anyway, like Tucan Sam we followed our noses, instincts and growling stomachs to 5 Bar.
First: if you are ever in Tuscaloosa and want a Snack Bar-esque place to eat, go to 5 Bar. Second: if you are ever driving through Tuscaloosa and want yummy, classy take on bar food classics, go to 5 Bar. Third: if you have nothing else to do, are hungry, and like unique coctails and fun flavors, go to 5 Bar. I know, I haven't even mentioned what we had, and I'm already pushing the place pretty hard.
Let me set the scene. Picture a shot-gun size room with 20' high ceilings covered in chandeliers--not 2 looked alike. A large dark hardwood bar with intricate carvings and a large mirror. On the side of the room a massive chalkboard with their limited but precise menu artfully displayed. Then, a collection of booths, pub tables, and bar stools scattered about the room filled with Southern, football loving patrons munching on appetizers and sipping on cocktails.
We sat at the bar because of the crowded tables and it's availability. For a drink I had the strawberry lemonade cocktail, it was fruitili-delicious. I watched the bartender "salt" the rims of several glasses with what I later found out was Tony ChaChere's seasoning. For an appetizer we had the baked avocado.
Link to 5 Bar website.
First: if you are ever in Tuscaloosa and want a Snack Bar-esque place to eat, go to 5 Bar. Second: if you are ever driving through Tuscaloosa and want yummy, classy take on bar food classics, go to 5 Bar. Third: if you have nothing else to do, are hungry, and like unique coctails and fun flavors, go to 5 Bar. I know, I haven't even mentioned what we had, and I'm already pushing the place pretty hard.
Let me set the scene. Picture a shot-gun size room with 20' high ceilings covered in chandeliers--not 2 looked alike. A large dark hardwood bar with intricate carvings and a large mirror. On the side of the room a massive chalkboard with their limited but precise menu artfully displayed. Then, a collection of booths, pub tables, and bar stools scattered about the room filled with Southern, football loving patrons munching on appetizers and sipping on cocktails.
We sat at the bar because of the crowded tables and it's availability. For a drink I had the strawberry lemonade cocktail, it was fruitili-delicious. I watched the bartender "salt" the rims of several glasses with what I later found out was Tony ChaChere's seasoning. For an appetizer we had the baked avocado.
This picture does not do it justice. Warm, smooth avocado with shrimp topped with crispy breadcrumbs and bacon bits drizzled with a mildly spicy, slightly sweet sauce. (Ahhh, give me a moment)
After we devoured this tastey treat we ordered an entree, the cheeseburger! Charlie asked if I wanted to take a picture, I declined because I said 'it is just a cheeseburger and fries' (and I was starving and just wanted to dive into it). I was so wrong. It was so much more thatn just a cheeseburger and fries. First the french fries: super thin, hand sliced pieces of potato fried until perfectly crispy . . . we ate every single one, and there were a lot. The burger: two beef patties topped with American cheese, I've never had American taste so good, with "5 Spread" which came in 2 parts: a thin comeback sauce and a tomatoe onion chutney . . . we quickly ate every single bite. Neither dish had a scrap left to send to the trash.
The atmosphere was fun but casual, and the food was nothing fancy but perfect. Someone knows what they're doing at this restaurant. It wasn't until I looked up their website to link to the first paragraph that I found out that this is only 1 of 3 locations. There is another one in Athens, GA. I'm not making any promises but there is a good chance that we'll stop in there for a least a snack.
Link to 5 Bar website.
Game #4: vs Tulane aka Road Trip #1
WE WON!!!!! We have a better win record than last year!! I'm sure many of you think that yes with a 2-10 record last year, topping it this year shouldn't be too hard--but it wasn't a guarantee. And to the critics that say we should have won the game anyway, I have to add, in the past several years Ole Miss has not been known as the team that would always win the games we were "suppose to win." Going into this season we were all excited about a new coaching staff and A.D., but there was still the question of whether Coach Hugh Freeze would have enough time to work the existing team members into shape and then concern of how the new recruits would turn out. It looks like there was definitely enough time to make something happen.
The game was at a bright and early 11:00 a.m. Everyone has their favorite game time, and this time usually isn't it, but it was the perfect time. We were able to sleep late, make it to the stadium, get settled with a bowl of jambalaya (sold just behind our seats and it was fantastic) for lunch, and then cheer the Rebels to victory.
I've never been in the Superdome before; it was a site to see. If you've never been, I recommend seeing something in there at least once. The entry area reminded me of a trendy mall I've been to in Denver--not because of stores--but because the time spent on the design of the details from floor to ceiling. Once in your seats, you feel so small in such a large place but after thousands of fans fill the seats around you, it's really cozy.
After the game began, Charlie walked over to the Tulane side to smap a picture of the Ole Miss crowd. Considering the distance from Oxford and that all the Greek students were tied up with Rush (couple thousand), I was really impressed with the turn out. In a way it nice to be surrounded by more fans and alumni than students. I would also like to point out that the full Ole Miss band, The Pride of the South, was in attendance and they did a great job!! I love it when the full band travels with the team; they make a big impact. It wasn't until after the game did I realize that the band would be playing at half-time during the New Orleans Saints game.
The game was at a bright and early 11:00 a.m. Everyone has their favorite game time, and this time usually isn't it, but it was the perfect time. We were able to sleep late, make it to the stadium, get settled with a bowl of jambalaya (sold just behind our seats and it was fantastic) for lunch, and then cheer the Rebels to victory.
I've never been in the Superdome before; it was a site to see. If you've never been, I recommend seeing something in there at least once. The entry area reminded me of a trendy mall I've been to in Denver--not because of stores--but because the time spent on the design of the details from floor to ceiling. Once in your seats, you feel so small in such a large place but after thousands of fans fill the seats around you, it's really cozy.
After the game began, Charlie walked over to the Tulane side to smap a picture of the Ole Miss crowd. Considering the distance from Oxford and that all the Greek students were tied up with Rush (couple thousand), I was really impressed with the turn out. In a way it nice to be surrounded by more fans and alumni than students. I would also like to point out that the full Ole Miss band, The Pride of the South, was in attendance and they did a great job!! I love it when the full band travels with the team; they make a big impact. It wasn't until after the game did I realize that the band would be playing at half-time during the New Orleans Saints game.
In the end we were victorious. I'm so glad that Charlie and I got to share the weekend with my cousin Blake and Sloane, his girlfriend. By the way, she gets super-cool girlfriend points for wearing blue (shhhh, don't tell anyone but she went to Mississippi State). I would claim her as a Rebel any day and I think she would accept, as long as it's not the Egg Bowl.
Road Trip #1: Tulane Food Review
Before jumping into the fun that was New Orleans and the Tulane game, I want to tell you about the food. Of course, this is New Orleans and we all know they have some good food. But you might not have tried this yummy place.
Friday night after Charlie and I checked into our hotel we out for a night on the town, including dinner. We didn't have reservations and we didn't want one the regular favorites like Acme Oyster House. The best thing about New Orleans Bourbon St/French Quarter area is if you're hungry but places have a long wait, just keep walking you'll find something. That's what happened when we stumbled upon Le Bayou. There was still a wait, but if willing to eat at the bar we could be immediately sat; and so we did.
We started out with fried boudin balls; which were yummy. If you haven't had boudin [pronounced: \bü-ˈdan, -ˈdaⁿ\], not fried, I highly recommend it. This is the technical definition; to me it is delicious combination of rice, pork, and creole seasoning put in a sausage casing then grilled--did I say delicious?
For entrees, Charlie had raw oysters and had the crawfish stuffed catfish. In Louisiana you can never go wrong when raw oysters are on the menu.
I wish you could taste this picture. When it's a party of 3 or less I recommend sitting at the bar of any restaurant. The bartender aka waiter is always there and they're usually nice enough to even take a picture for you.
Other exciting food moments in NOLA:
-->At the game the jambalaya in the Superdome was fantastic.
-->Afternoon snack at Pier 424, oysters and a side of grits. Literally the best grits I have ever eaten.
I'll be the first to say that I am not as good as Trey when it comes to food review. I love tastey food and I appreciate good service but I'm not a good critic postive or negative. Originally, I had not planned to say much about our roadtrip cuisine, but after experiencing such tastey things, I had to share.
Friday night after Charlie and I checked into our hotel we out for a night on the town, including dinner. We didn't have reservations and we didn't want one the regular favorites like Acme Oyster House. The best thing about New Orleans Bourbon St/French Quarter area is if you're hungry but places have a long wait, just keep walking you'll find something. That's what happened when we stumbled upon Le Bayou. There was still a wait, but if willing to eat at the bar we could be immediately sat; and so we did.
We started out with fried boudin balls; which were yummy. If you haven't had boudin [pronounced: \bü-ˈdan, -ˈdaⁿ\], not fried, I highly recommend it. This is the technical definition; to me it is delicious combination of rice, pork, and creole seasoning put in a sausage casing then grilled--did I say delicious?
For entrees, Charlie had raw oysters and had the crawfish stuffed catfish. In Louisiana you can never go wrong when raw oysters are on the menu.
For the catfish, I have to admit it's been a long time since I have completely cleared a full-sized entree at a restaurant. After a bite, this dish didn't stand a chance. The catfish was baked with a crawfish stuffing and topped with a creole cream sauce.
I wish you could taste this picture. When it's a party of 3 or less I recommend sitting at the bar of any restaurant. The bartender aka waiter is always there and they're usually nice enough to even take a picture for you.
Other exciting food moments in NOLA:
-->At the game the jambalaya in the Superdome was fantastic.
-->Afternoon snack at Pier 424, oysters and a side of grits. Literally the best grits I have ever eaten.
I'll be the first to say that I am not as good as Trey when it comes to food review. I love tastey food and I appreciate good service but I'm not a good critic postive or negative. Originally, I had not planned to say much about our roadtrip cuisine, but after experiencing such tastey things, I had to share.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
A Family Tradition
I know that I haven't posted about last weekend's antics in New Orleans, but I could not wait to share the pictures below.
Charlie's grandfather, Charlie Fitts, has always told us how his parents and grandfather were buried in a cementary in the shadow of Bryant-Denny Stadium. This morning we found it and it was a pretty amazing site.
When we get back, and after I post about Tulane, I will expand more on this neat heritage.
Happy Saturday and Hotty Toddy!!
Madeline
Monday, September 24, 2012
Game 3: vs TEXAS
I'll be the first to say it, we lost. But that's okay. The game may have been abysmal at best for most; however, in regards of the Grove it's like we won the National Championship. We all 'put on the dog' (don't worry Minnie is okay) both in terms of tent adornment and Southern charm. It was a great day.
I'll recap this day in reverse, game first. We watched every second of the game until the last second. The week following the game I listened to Head to Head radio, read articles in print and online, and the one thing every non-Ole-Miss-fan sports follower wondered was why Ole Miss fans were so exicted over a 35 point loss. I have three answers for them: 1) there is an argument that two touchdowns were taken from us, and who knows what momentum changes there would have been in that circumstance; 2) we put up 31 points on a top team, that's a big deal; and 3) the team. The Rebels on the field had more drive, more heart, and more effort than in the past few seasons combined. They proudly played 60 minutes and did not quit. I tip my hat to them and proudly shout HOTTY TODDY!!!
The crowd at the game was amazing. There was so much red! Ole Miss fans in the past were not very good at following the game-day color dress code, but this year we're all doing our part. Before the game the band plays a very entertaining pre-game. Every time they make this "M" I see it as a "W" for "White" or for today it stood for "WIN"--maybe not on the scoreboard but in so many other ways.
I'll recap this day in reverse, game first. We watched every second of the game until the last second. The week following the game I listened to Head to Head radio, read articles in print and online, and the one thing every non-Ole-Miss-fan sports follower wondered was why Ole Miss fans were so exicted over a 35 point loss. I have three answers for them: 1) there is an argument that two touchdowns were taken from us, and who knows what momentum changes there would have been in that circumstance; 2) we put up 31 points on a top team, that's a big deal; and 3) the team. The Rebels on the field had more drive, more heart, and more effort than in the past few seasons combined. They proudly played 60 minutes and did not quit. I tip my hat to them and proudly shout HOTTY TODDY!!!
The crowd at the game was amazing. There was so much red! Ole Miss fans in the past were not very good at following the game-day color dress code, but this year we're all doing our part. Before the game the band plays a very entertaining pre-game. Every time they make this "M" I see it as a "W" for "White" or for today it stood for "WIN"--maybe not on the scoreboard but in so many other ways.
Before moving to the Grove, I must mention that Betty White lead the "Are You Ready. You can see details here, it was pretty amazing.
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There is so much to talk about. We were told that Southern Living Magazine would be in the Grove and a time that they would allegedly be at our tent--so we went BIG this game. However, even though Southern Living was at the game it became apparent that they were there not to photograph tents but to enjoy the day themselves. They missed out on not coming by. . . Anyway, I will limit my normal chatter to captions and let the pictures tell the story.
For the tent this week we were dedicated to homemade, original ideas that we thought would be magazine worthy. One of my favorite hobbies is crocheting and loom knitting. For our cannisters that hold snacks, I crocheted cozies--Madeline original patterns. A lot happened that week so I had to finish the second one at approximately 9:30 a.m. in the Grove.
Here is the second one finished.
Here are the painted mason jars. The first time hanging! The original plan was to hang them but we were having difficulties. Trey, engineer-brother, came up with the idea of adding washers to the knots.
This is our back table that holds various things. Today we had a drink station with a new punch holder. Isn't it neat? It's divided to hold two different drinks. Both punches were packets of Kool-aid made with Sprite and fruit juice instead of water, they were both non-alcoholic. Fun Recommendation: pour some of the punch in ice trays and freeze. During the day to keep the punch cool add the punch ice cubes--this way you wont dilute the punch!
The chalkboard was all Trey's creation this week. There were a lot of pictures snapped, and it seemed to be well received by our Texas guests.
We out did ourselves on food this week, it was pretty amazing. Click here for pictures of all the food.
The stand-out food this week was Trey's Rebel Berry Cupcakes. He made them from scratch and even created the recipe! They are a basic yellow cupcake filled with strawberry and ginger jam, topped with a yummy icing and Pop Rocks!
These were some of our out-of-town guests.
Again, all the hard work paid off. It's a labor of love that takes group effort.
Game 2: vs UTEP
Wow, after this win Ole Miss has as many wins as we did last year! I say this with only pure excitement. I will always have hope for my Rebels, but it is a relief to know that we can do no worse than last year!
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Charlie and I received this platter as a wedding present, and I thought it would be fun to sit out. Under the tent, we enjoyed both husbands and wives stopping, admiring it and then getting their spouse's attention. This is true for the majority of married couples in the South.
Along with our display, each week we work very hard on the menu and coming up with tastey, homemade snacks. This week, the stand-out dish was the Southern Style Cuban Sandwiches, we made a few alterations to this Southern Living recipe. Yes the sandwiches were quite delicious, but the main perk was individually wrapping them. It took longer, but it made the sandwiches 1) easier to transport, 2) we didn't have to cover them to keep flys away, and 3) we had friends that were able to easily conceal them in their bag to enjoy during the game. There will be more wrapped sandwiches at our tent in the future!!
For the menu, pictures and descriptions of the rest of the food we brought, click here.
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The Grove is best enjoyed with friends. I'm so excited that we got see Miss Zoey Herndon and her parents, Leah and Brian! Zoey is such a cutie.
We are able to see so many of our friends in the Grove because of our location. In Marketing, location is key--this principle also holds true for 'Groving.' We get noticed by our friends, opposing fans, tv crews and photographers because of our location. We are on the edge of the Grove so we're easy find and many people walk past our tent without ever intending to.
Directions to our tent: Go to the end of the "Walk of Champions" (brick walkway in the Grove), take a left and we're the 3rd double-red tent, the one with the flagpole.
Another description: across the street from the Thad Cochran Reseach Center and the large red and blue striped Pharmacy tent.
Because of our location, others have the opportunity to enjoy our tent, but we also have the opportunity to enjoy other features of the Ole Miss Game Day experience. An hour before kick-off, the Ole Miss Band has plays a warm-up in the heart of thr Grove, then lines up and marches to the stadium. It's great for us because they walk right in front of our tent.
The Grove Day was just as much of a sucess as the team had on the field! After packing up we had a chance to relax :o)
My Apologies
I apologize for my delay in updating the Blog. All the tabs have been updated and I am working on Game Day Articles now. My absence has been due to interviewing and now sinus crud. So please send me good vibes of health and of hope to soon be employed :o) I leave you with a picture of Minnie, our puppy-dog, she makes me smile.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Friday Food: Snackbar
Hey there, Rebel Nation! This week, we have our first venture into a John Currence restaurant, his take on Bistro dining--Snackbar. John Currence deserves the lion's share of the credit for the present-day food scene in Oxford. Twenty years ago, he opened City Grocery on the square, and that kicked off a steady climb in the food culture of the area. He now owns four restaurants (City Grocery, Boure, Snackbar, & Big Bad Breakfast), plus he had a hand in creating a number of other Oxford favorites, including Ajax Diner and Bottletree Bakery. There's an expectation that anything affiliated with Currence will be top-notch, and that's why his restaurants are the most sought out by restaurant goers.
When Currence opened Snackbar, he opted away from the jam-packed Square, and chose a shopping center (gasp!) north of the Square. And because of that, don't expect any kind of special ambience to envelope you outside the restaurant. It's a shopping center, after all. But when you step inside, the vibe is clear. Dark woods, interesting lighting, a jovial but not raucous crowd...it's a cool place to eat, in the best sense of the word. And there are subtle things that let you know this place is a little different. The oyster bar is prominently featured; the water is served in carafes on the table; one of the bartenders has a handle-bar moustache. The place strives to be alluringly distinctive, but in an understated way.
Let's start with drinks. Snackbar has, hands down, the most interesting cocktail menu in Oxford. It changes seasonally and makes use of custom-made mixers (chipotle-infused agave syrup, housemade sweet potato liqueur, etc.). Plus, these bartenders are the best mixologists in town. If a drink is supposed to be stirred instead of shaken, it's stirred. If the lemon peel needs to be flamed, it's flamed. For a college town, that level of technique is often lacking, because let's face it, most folks don't care. But for those that do care, Snackbar is the place to go. At our dinner, I had one of the most fascinating drinks I'd had in a long while: an Antigua (anejo tequila, chipotle-infused agave, soda, and smoked orange). Fascinating and delicious.
On the wine side, there's a really nice mix of reds or whites, fairly affordable. Although you won't find, say, a sweet wine if you or a companion likes off-dry rieslings. So, in that way, I guess the wine list is a little snobby, but again, that's kinda what this place caters to. This is a foodie restaurant.
And you can see that most evidently on the menu. John Currence has expertly nurtured the talent of chef Vishwesh Bhatt, and Bhatt has created a menu that has received regional and national recognition (including various nominations for Best New Chef in the region). You start with the raw bar, which focuses on multiple varieties of oysters, shrimp, and crab. This is the only place to consistently find fresh oysters in Oxford. Additionally, starters venture into French staples, such as housemade pates and charcuterie. You can sense that Currence basically set out to create a restaurant that has all the tasty food that Oxford didn't have previously. And he achieves that wonderfully.
Soups and salads all look delicious, but I'll admit we've never had them. We always start with oysters and charcuterie, then jump to entrees. On the entree side, you'll find a unique fusion of Southern, European, and Indian cooking. Here, salmon is served with tandoori spices and apple-walnut raita. Confit of duck leg gets paired with butternut squash puree, sorghum, & bacon. I personally recommend the Biloxi Stew, a mixed seafood offering with a delicious tomato broth scented with ginger and lemongrass. Fusion at its best. For more straightforward palates, there's a delicious roast chicken, as well as the bistro classic, steak frites (strip steak with fries). And, speaking of the fries, those are truffle/parmesan fries--so tasty. Other great sides include steamed popcorn rice and wilted kale.
The desserts aren't quite as adventurous as the entrees, but they're certainly delicious. Pear & ginger tart, apple/cinnamon bread pudding, etc. Tasty all around. And just a quick word about service; the team there is quite good. Knowledgeable and courteous. Sometimes the crowd overwhelms them, particularly in the back, where they serve those sitting at the bar as well, but the vibe is so fun that you typically don't notice.
For those who prize the unique when in comes to dining, Snackbar blows every other Oxford restaurant out of the water. And across the board, most of those risks pay off. It takes and feels like a restaurant that doesn't belong in Oxford, but thank goodness it's here.
And as a bonus...perhaps when you eat there, John Currence will be around... :)
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When Currence opened Snackbar, he opted away from the jam-packed Square, and chose a shopping center (gasp!) north of the Square. And because of that, don't expect any kind of special ambience to envelope you outside the restaurant. It's a shopping center, after all. But when you step inside, the vibe is clear. Dark woods, interesting lighting, a jovial but not raucous crowd...it's a cool place to eat, in the best sense of the word. And there are subtle things that let you know this place is a little different. The oyster bar is prominently featured; the water is served in carafes on the table; one of the bartenders has a handle-bar moustache. The place strives to be alluringly distinctive, but in an understated way.
Let's start with drinks. Snackbar has, hands down, the most interesting cocktail menu in Oxford. It changes seasonally and makes use of custom-made mixers (chipotle-infused agave syrup, housemade sweet potato liqueur, etc.). Plus, these bartenders are the best mixologists in town. If a drink is supposed to be stirred instead of shaken, it's stirred. If the lemon peel needs to be flamed, it's flamed. For a college town, that level of technique is often lacking, because let's face it, most folks don't care. But for those that do care, Snackbar is the place to go. At our dinner, I had one of the most fascinating drinks I'd had in a long while: an Antigua (anejo tequila, chipotle-infused agave, soda, and smoked orange). Fascinating and delicious.
On the wine side, there's a really nice mix of reds or whites, fairly affordable. Although you won't find, say, a sweet wine if you or a companion likes off-dry rieslings. So, in that way, I guess the wine list is a little snobby, but again, that's kinda what this place caters to. This is a foodie restaurant.
And you can see that most evidently on the menu. John Currence has expertly nurtured the talent of chef Vishwesh Bhatt, and Bhatt has created a menu that has received regional and national recognition (including various nominations for Best New Chef in the region). You start with the raw bar, which focuses on multiple varieties of oysters, shrimp, and crab. This is the only place to consistently find fresh oysters in Oxford. Additionally, starters venture into French staples, such as housemade pates and charcuterie. You can sense that Currence basically set out to create a restaurant that has all the tasty food that Oxford didn't have previously. And he achieves that wonderfully.
Soups and salads all look delicious, but I'll admit we've never had them. We always start with oysters and charcuterie, then jump to entrees. On the entree side, you'll find a unique fusion of Southern, European, and Indian cooking. Here, salmon is served with tandoori spices and apple-walnut raita. Confit of duck leg gets paired with butternut squash puree, sorghum, & bacon. I personally recommend the Biloxi Stew, a mixed seafood offering with a delicious tomato broth scented with ginger and lemongrass. Fusion at its best. For more straightforward palates, there's a delicious roast chicken, as well as the bistro classic, steak frites (strip steak with fries). And, speaking of the fries, those are truffle/parmesan fries--so tasty. Other great sides include steamed popcorn rice and wilted kale.
The desserts aren't quite as adventurous as the entrees, but they're certainly delicious. Pear & ginger tart, apple/cinnamon bread pudding, etc. Tasty all around. And just a quick word about service; the team there is quite good. Knowledgeable and courteous. Sometimes the crowd overwhelms them, particularly in the back, where they serve those sitting at the bar as well, but the vibe is so fun that you typically don't notice.
For those who prize the unique when in comes to dining, Snackbar blows every other Oxford restaurant out of the water. And across the board, most of those risks pay off. It takes and feels like a restaurant that doesn't belong in Oxford, but thank goodness it's here.
And as a bonus...perhaps when you eat there, John Currence will be around... :)
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Friday, September 14, 2012
MY 10 SECONDS OF FAME
Many of you had a chance to see the clip below. If you didn't hear, this is the story behind it:
Hoda and Kathie Lee with the Today Show were holding a competition for them to "Invade Your University." The school that showed the most spirit by sending pictures and videos to them via Twitter would win them coming and hosting their show at your campus. So the morning of the UTEP game after setting up, I see a guy, Ryan who worked for Ole Miss, walking around with the following sign:
He filmed groups of people holding the sign and shouting Hotty Toddy and "We have the best tailgate in the country." Mother and I had an oppotunity to do this with our Grove neighbors the McCafferty's and Jones's. Once we finished, I asked Ryan if they had yet offered Hoda and Kathie Lee any alcohol. He said no and that he doubted the school would approve of it. I'll admit that I don't watch the Today Show everyday, but I have caught the last hour on occassion and if you don't know, Hoda and Kathie Lee have some type of cocktail or a glass of wine every morning. Anyway, Ryan amused me and filmed the video. It was a single take, with me 'wigging it' and in all honesty I never thought I would see it again. Because of the offer of alcohol, the University would not allow him to send it from their Twitter account, so he sent it from his own.
In the end, Ole Miss did not make the top 6 cut of schools for the nation to vote on. Oh well, we all get our 10 seconds of fame and even though they didn't say my name, I got mine.
Hoda and Kathie Lee with the Today Show were holding a competition for them to "Invade Your University." The school that showed the most spirit by sending pictures and videos to them via Twitter would win them coming and hosting their show at your campus. So the morning of the UTEP game after setting up, I see a guy, Ryan who worked for Ole Miss, walking around with the following sign:
He filmed groups of people holding the sign and shouting Hotty Toddy and "We have the best tailgate in the country." Mother and I had an oppotunity to do this with our Grove neighbors the McCafferty's and Jones's. Once we finished, I asked Ryan if they had yet offered Hoda and Kathie Lee any alcohol. He said no and that he doubted the school would approve of it. I'll admit that I don't watch the Today Show everyday, but I have caught the last hour on occassion and if you don't know, Hoda and Kathie Lee have some type of cocktail or a glass of wine every morning. Anyway, Ryan amused me and filmed the video. It was a single take, with me 'wigging it' and in all honesty I never thought I would see it again. Because of the offer of alcohol, the University would not allow him to send it from their Twitter account, so he sent it from his own.
In the end, Ole Miss did not make the top 6 cut of schools for the nation to vote on. Oh well, we all get our 10 seconds of fame and even though they didn't say my name, I got mine.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Friday Food: McEwen's
Here we are, Rebels, with installment #2 of our Oxford food blogs, and this past weekend, we ate at McEwen's on the Square!
McEwen's is a relatively new addition to Oxford's restaurant line-up, having opened in 2011, but the owners have ample experience, considering their success with the original McEwen's in downtown Memphis. We hope they can break the apparent curse that has plagued the location of its Oxford outpost; both Madre and Waltz (restaurants with strong promise) couldn't make things work there.
The restaurant itself retains virtually all the modern design elements (including pretty cool light fixtures) left by Waltz. The only real change was to essentially convert the bar into all dining space; they did keep the actual bar itself, but they removed all the bar tables and almost all the stools! And, just as a sidenote, I do think this hits at the dilemma of this particular location. Whereas McEwen's' neighbors (Old Venice and City Grocery) get the benefit of two floors, where the bar can be completely sequestered from the restaurant, McEwen's has to fit it all into one. That forces the owners into a delicate balancing act, because fine diners don't want a boisterous bar drowning out their conversations, and bar patrons don't want to feel cramped into a tight space, particularly when you're having to pay restaurant prices for alcohol. This is very similar to the situation that 208 has to balance also.
McEwen's choice to go all-in on the restaurant side of that equation means that their success relies a lot on turning tables efficiently, since it won't get the profit lift you'd normally get from solid bar traffic. Unfortunately, turning tables was a bit of challenge on the night of our visit. We arrived for our reservation at 8, only to find that our table was not yet available. Now, in all fairness, this kind of thing happens, particularly for the later reservations on a crowded night. The restaurant has little control over how long it takes folks to eat; we understand that. Of course, normally the restaurant would say "please have a seat in our bar while you wait," but since there was no place to do that, we walked over to The Blind Pig to kill time. Fast forward 45 minutes, and our table is still not available, but we did have the option of squeezing into another table, so we took that opportunity.
McEwen's has a cocktail menu built with the aid of the highly touted mixologists at Alchemy in Memphis, and the drinks indeed were tasty. The flavors on the menu are perhaps not as diverse as one would hope, but that's a minor quibble. Here's a pic of one of their drinks, Daddy's Little Princess, with our blog's own version of Vanna White, the incomparable Beverly Hankins.
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McEwen's is a relatively new addition to Oxford's restaurant line-up, having opened in 2011, but the owners have ample experience, considering their success with the original McEwen's in downtown Memphis. We hope they can break the apparent curse that has plagued the location of its Oxford outpost; both Madre and Waltz (restaurants with strong promise) couldn't make things work there.
The restaurant itself retains virtually all the modern design elements (including pretty cool light fixtures) left by Waltz. The only real change was to essentially convert the bar into all dining space; they did keep the actual bar itself, but they removed all the bar tables and almost all the stools! And, just as a sidenote, I do think this hits at the dilemma of this particular location. Whereas McEwen's' neighbors (Old Venice and City Grocery) get the benefit of two floors, where the bar can be completely sequestered from the restaurant, McEwen's has to fit it all into one. That forces the owners into a delicate balancing act, because fine diners don't want a boisterous bar drowning out their conversations, and bar patrons don't want to feel cramped into a tight space, particularly when you're having to pay restaurant prices for alcohol. This is very similar to the situation that 208 has to balance also.
McEwen's choice to go all-in on the restaurant side of that equation means that their success relies a lot on turning tables efficiently, since it won't get the profit lift you'd normally get from solid bar traffic. Unfortunately, turning tables was a bit of challenge on the night of our visit. We arrived for our reservation at 8, only to find that our table was not yet available. Now, in all fairness, this kind of thing happens, particularly for the later reservations on a crowded night. The restaurant has little control over how long it takes folks to eat; we understand that. Of course, normally the restaurant would say "please have a seat in our bar while you wait," but since there was no place to do that, we walked over to The Blind Pig to kill time. Fast forward 45 minutes, and our table is still not available, but we did have the option of squeezing into another table, so we took that opportunity.
McEwen's has a cocktail menu built with the aid of the highly touted mixologists at Alchemy in Memphis, and the drinks indeed were tasty. The flavors on the menu are perhaps not as diverse as one would hope, but that's a minor quibble. Here's a pic of one of their drinks, Daddy's Little Princess, with our blog's own version of Vanna White, the incomparable Beverly Hankins.
The wine menu is more mainstream than what we saw at Ravine last week, but there are some unique options to be found. Our bottle of 2009 "Petite Petit" Petite Sirah was fun. A fairly bold wine, with a good dose of acid to help it along with food. The tannins perhaps linger a bit long, but still a good choice.
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We did get ample time to enjoy our tasty beverages, because we learned first-hand why we were met with such delays early on: the kitchen was clearly backed up. It took us over an hour to get our food. The wait staff seemed a bit haphazard, but honestly, that's to be expected when the kitchen's taking forever to turn out the food. After all, such a scenario makes all the tables antsy.
Once we did get the food, it was good, but most dishes missed out on being great. For my appetizer I chose the saffron lobster risotto, which is a tricky dish to pull off. The rice was cooked nicely, but the lobster had a tough time coming through the saffron and the parmesan.
Another appetizer, warm hazlenut crusted goat cheese salad, suffered because of its name. When the salad came out, the goat cheese wasn't warm. So, an otherwise enjoyable dish doesn't measure up just because of the expectation set by the menu.
When it comes to main courses, the McEwen's menu has a generous mix of meat, seafood, and vegetarian offerings, all with thoughtful sides to accompany each. A number of the entrees are signature dishes also found on the menu at the original McEwen's. Everyone at the table seemed pleased with their entrees. There's definite skill in the kitchen; where we found things lacking were in the details, in the things that require a bit of finesse. For instance, my entree was the signature sweet potato crusted catfish.
The fish, the greens, and the mac-and-cheese were all delicious. But as you can tell, my fish was doused in potent creole honey mustard. That caused a problem on two levels: first, that great sweet potato crust turned to mush. Second, until I removed the entire crust/sauce mixture, all I could taste was sauce. Think of a superb steak...drenched in A1. It was very close to being amazing, but a technical error caused it to miss the mark.
The pastry chef at McEwen's, Burton Webb, has a number of tasty sweet treats to close out the meal. We noticed that the dessert menu seemed like a cousin of the one we saw at Ravine, and we later found out that Burton does double duty at both restaurants. So, last week's brown-sugar bourbon creme brulee meets its match with this week's Wild Turkey creme brulee. :)
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But don't worry. There are plenty of other choices for anyone who feels like neither creme nor brulee. And we promise not to mention creme brulee in next week's blog. ;)
Overall, the experience was good. In spite of the issues that we noticed, the restaurant is still worth going to. On a less hectic night, reservations wouldn't be delayed, and the kitchen would be able to handle the traffic, hopefully to the point that the dishes could be finished with polish. And all of these are common problems of a restaurant that begins to branch out to multiple locations. The owners in Memphis clearly have a vision that works; they just haven't been able to translate the details of that vision to their Oxford location quite yet. We remain optimistic.
This coming weekend, we'll be at Snackbar to celebrate the craziness that will be the Texas game. And since John T. Edge announced on Twitter that Snackbar was an excellent place for visitors to eat at, I'm sure it'll be packed. Thank goodness we have reservations!
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Same Song Second Verse
Here are some teaser pics of the tent. We out did ourselves today. The last picture is of a passerby . . . (The comments on other person's shirts are not necessarily the opinions of everyone at the tent, but some agree.)
Friday, September 7, 2012
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Friday Food: Ravine
On game weekends, Saturday food is all about tailgating. And in Oxford, that specifically means Grove food. But Friday night offers the chance to eat out. With so many great choices in Oxford and Lafayette County, it made sense to highlight some throughout the season.
Before we start, though, keep in mind that eating out in Oxford on game weekends requires long-term planning. To ensure you have a seat at the best restaurants, plan to start booking in May. Some restaurants open their football reservation books on June 1; plan to call right when their phone lines open. Those who wait until the last minute risk having to settle for McDonald's. Well, perhaps not that bad, but you won't likely get into City Grocery.
We'll kick things off with the place that's become our absolute favorite dining experience on game weekends: Ravine. For those of you that stick close to the Square, Ravine may not be familiar to you, because it's south of the Square...way south. As in, down Lamar Avenue, over the highway, past the hospital, on a county road offshoot. But that's the beauty of this place. Game weekends turn all the great restaurants on/near the Square into frenetic madhouses. At Ravine, its relative remoteness keeps the crowds away. You can genuinely enjoy your food, your beverage, and your company.
The restaurant is situated in a cabin-turned-b&b nestled in the woods. I'll admit, the first time you drive out there, you drive just far enough to think you're lost, and then you see the sign. But that's all by design. The building itself is tastefully appointed; tables are spaced comfortably (again, not the norm for other restaurants on game weekends). The moment you walk in, you realize you'll get the opportunity to relax.
It's apparent that owners Joel and Cori Miller aim to keep it that way, too. They've intentionally kept their bar small--less than 10 seats. And they are very particular about the alcohol offerings as well. You won't find a Bud Light or a Miller Lite. You won't even find a Southern Pecan. Liquors are basically kept to one "well" and one "top-shelf" variety. The focus is squarely on wine, and interesting wines at that. As an example, here's the bottle we shared last Friday--the 2010 Briccotondo Fontanafredda Barbera Piemonte. (How's that for a mouthful?)
Very briefly, Barbera Piemonte is an Italian grape variety native to Northwest Italy, but it has proliferated throughout Italy, including the Northeastern commune of Fontanafredda. Anyway, it's delicious with food. Lots of fruit and acid up front, but with some good structure you don't always get from, say, a pinot noir. It plays well with lots of stuff. And a bargain too: $30 for the bottle! Oh, and just to show how well they do things at Ravine...the wine is served at actual cellar temperature, not room temperature.
The food equally shines at Ravine. Joel is very intentional about sourcing his food locally, and the menu highlights all the local and regional purveyors that he uses. The dishes are uncomplicated but thoughtful--the perfect balance for our family, which has a combination of adventurous and traditional palates. Everything starts with an amuse bouche (a foodie's delight--Friday's amuse was roasted pork belly on crostini), and from there you'll find plates that strike the perfect Southern balance between comfort and freshness (butter braised mushrooms on polenta; tomato, cucumber, and feta salad; duck breast over wild rice pancakes; peach BBQ pork chop). There's typically a fish special, and last Friday three of us enjoyed the Florida grouper with risotto and red pepper sauce. Forgive the graininess of this photo; the intimate lighting caused a challenge with getting a good shot, so we had to doctor the pic so you could see it.
Lastly, there's also a vegetarian offering on the menu, for those who prefer to eat sans meat or fish. As for desserts, I'll admit that in the past they have sometimes felt like an afterthought, but over time they've steadily figured out how to work some interest into their sweet dishes. In particular, they now like to play with flavors of creme brulee. And let's face it, who doesn't drool at the thought of brown sugar-bourbon creme brulee?
We'd be remiss if we didn't mention that the staff at Ravine is very well-trained--attentive, knowledgeable, and personable. There's a clear line between the, perhaps, three restaurants in Oxford with decent wait staffs and all the rest. Ravine's team is definitely at/near the top.
So, to sum everything up, the food is great, and the service is great. And if your group is ok going outside the Square for dinner, you'll be rewarded with a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere in which to enjoy your meal. Schedule the meal early, and you'll still have plenty of time afterwards to rub elbows, and shoulders, and knees, with the 500 other people clammering for drinks at the Burgundy Room. ;)
This week, for the UTEP game, we're headed to McEwen's. Look for the post on it next week!
Before we start, though, keep in mind that eating out in Oxford on game weekends requires long-term planning. To ensure you have a seat at the best restaurants, plan to start booking in May. Some restaurants open their football reservation books on June 1; plan to call right when their phone lines open. Those who wait until the last minute risk having to settle for McDonald's. Well, perhaps not that bad, but you won't likely get into City Grocery.
We'll kick things off with the place that's become our absolute favorite dining experience on game weekends: Ravine. For those of you that stick close to the Square, Ravine may not be familiar to you, because it's south of the Square...way south. As in, down Lamar Avenue, over the highway, past the hospital, on a county road offshoot. But that's the beauty of this place. Game weekends turn all the great restaurants on/near the Square into frenetic madhouses. At Ravine, its relative remoteness keeps the crowds away. You can genuinely enjoy your food, your beverage, and your company.
The restaurant is situated in a cabin-turned-b&b nestled in the woods. I'll admit, the first time you drive out there, you drive just far enough to think you're lost, and then you see the sign. But that's all by design. The building itself is tastefully appointed; tables are spaced comfortably (again, not the norm for other restaurants on game weekends). The moment you walk in, you realize you'll get the opportunity to relax.
It's apparent that owners Joel and Cori Miller aim to keep it that way, too. They've intentionally kept their bar small--less than 10 seats. And they are very particular about the alcohol offerings as well. You won't find a Bud Light or a Miller Lite. You won't even find a Southern Pecan. Liquors are basically kept to one "well" and one "top-shelf" variety. The focus is squarely on wine, and interesting wines at that. As an example, here's the bottle we shared last Friday--the 2010 Briccotondo Fontanafredda Barbera Piemonte. (How's that for a mouthful?)
Very briefly, Barbera Piemonte is an Italian grape variety native to Northwest Italy, but it has proliferated throughout Italy, including the Northeastern commune of Fontanafredda. Anyway, it's delicious with food. Lots of fruit and acid up front, but with some good structure you don't always get from, say, a pinot noir. It plays well with lots of stuff. And a bargain too: $30 for the bottle! Oh, and just to show how well they do things at Ravine...the wine is served at actual cellar temperature, not room temperature.
The food equally shines at Ravine. Joel is very intentional about sourcing his food locally, and the menu highlights all the local and regional purveyors that he uses. The dishes are uncomplicated but thoughtful--the perfect balance for our family, which has a combination of adventurous and traditional palates. Everything starts with an amuse bouche (a foodie's delight--Friday's amuse was roasted pork belly on crostini), and from there you'll find plates that strike the perfect Southern balance between comfort and freshness (butter braised mushrooms on polenta; tomato, cucumber, and feta salad; duck breast over wild rice pancakes; peach BBQ pork chop). There's typically a fish special, and last Friday three of us enjoyed the Florida grouper with risotto and red pepper sauce. Forgive the graininess of this photo; the intimate lighting caused a challenge with getting a good shot, so we had to doctor the pic so you could see it.
We'd be remiss if we didn't mention that the staff at Ravine is very well-trained--attentive, knowledgeable, and personable. There's a clear line between the, perhaps, three restaurants in Oxford with decent wait staffs and all the rest. Ravine's team is definitely at/near the top.
So, to sum everything up, the food is great, and the service is great. And if your group is ok going outside the Square for dinner, you'll be rewarded with a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere in which to enjoy your meal. Schedule the meal early, and you'll still have plenty of time afterwards to rub elbows, and shoulders, and knees, with the 500 other people clammering for drinks at the Burgundy Room. ;)
This week, for the UTEP game, we're headed to McEwen's. Look for the post on it next week!
My 3 Seconds of Fame!
Ole Miss Athletics held to their promise and made a video of the opening game. The sandwiches and I are between 1:10-1:13. You can even see Trey smiling in the background. I'm excited to see what else they will make. You can subscribe (or just view) to the Ole Miss Athletics YouTube channel to see their current and future videos.
--M
Monday, September 3, 2012
There Has to Be a Day One
This was a great video played before and during the game.
I'm glad to say that day one is over that we had a day won.
Game 1: vs Central Arkansas
WE WON!!!! Ole Miss 1-0
(I couldn't wait to write that part)
I'm so glad we won the game. Ole Miss had not won a home opener since 2009 . . . wow. And right now we're undefeated :o)
Before the game was a very crucial part--GROVING! Charlie and I began setting up at 7:30 a.m.--yes, kickoff wasn't until 6:00 p.m.--I wasn't kidding when I said we were serious Ole Miss fans.
Here are some pictures taken before the game that were not posted under WE ARE HERE!!!
Here are Charlie and I with our great friends Cole and Megan McCarty. They are expecting a little Rebel, Miss Mary Leighton, in November. If you saw the menu for today's game the "Cole's Crackers" came from this guy. Their family are also life-long Rebels and they have a pretty sweet tailgating operation in the Circle.
I'm also glad to say that when the team ran out to begin the game, they did not suffer a fate similar to MSU's.
What to do:
What NOT to do:
(I couldn't wait to write that part)
I'm so glad we won the game. Ole Miss had not won a home opener since 2009 . . . wow. And right now we're undefeated :o)
Before the game was a very crucial part--GROVING! Charlie and I began setting up at 7:30 a.m.--yes, kickoff wasn't until 6:00 p.m.--I wasn't kidding when I said we were serious Ole Miss fans.
Here are some pictures taken before the game that were not posted under WE ARE HERE!!!
This was one of several offerings at our tent: pork tenderloin sandwiches. Charlie made them, and they were delicious! These will soon be famous sandwiches. A lady from the Athletic Department photographed and filmed a lot of features of our tent, but these sandwiches got extra attention. She filmed me 5+ times taking the cover off of them. She said that Ole Miss Athletics was using more social media to promote the school and that she would be making videos for YouTube. So supposedly these sandwiches will be in a YouTube video in a few weeks. If I find the video, I'll post it.
Here are Charlie and I with our great friends Cole and Megan McCarty. They are expecting a little Rebel, Miss Mary Leighton, in November. If you saw the menu for today's game the "Cole's Crackers" came from this guy. Their family are also life-long Rebels and they have a pretty sweet tailgating operation in the Circle.
Our tent is just off of the main walk-way through the Grove, "The Walk of Champions." Charlie took this picture of the massive crowd waiting for "Walk-Through." Two hours before the game the football team and coaches walk down the Walk of Champions where fans show their support by shouting Hotty Toddy and highfiving players. This was Coach Freeze's first walk-through as head coach.
Here is offensive liner Terrell Brown; at 6'10" 385lbs you can tell he enjoyed having everyone reach his high-five. At least he was nice enough to not extend his arms up the entire way. Here is his complete player profile.
The crowd at the game was great!! I only have pictures of pre-game stadium but the "white-out" looked awesome and there were more 50,000 in attendance. Here was the team leaving the field after warm-up.
I'm also glad to say that when the team ran out to begin the game, they did not suffer a fate similar to MSU's.
What to do:
I know I shouldn't laugh . . .
We had a great time, and we stayed for the ENTIRE game. It's sad that Ole Miss fans tend the leave the game early for one of four reasons: 1) we are so far behind they can't watch anymore; 2) we are so far ahead that the other team can't come back; 3) we want to get back to the Grove to open the tent before the crowd gets there; or 4) we want to beat traffic. Yes, in the past I've been guilty of these offenses, but not this year!
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