It’s rare that I write about anything but food, health and occasionally travel here at This Mama Cooks! On a Diet. But I had to share seeing the wonderful JD McPherson last week at the world famous 40 Watt Club in Athens, Georgia. Not only that, but the band stayed at my home for a couple of nights, while they played Atlanta.
You see, Paul and I are good friends with JD’s bass player and producer, Jimmy Sutton, from when lived in Chicago a thousand years ago. (Or so it seems.) Having the guys staying with us, getting caught up with Jimmy, and seeing the band reminded me of the days before we had kids – and weren’t too old to stay up all night dancing, chatting, eating, and drinking. Sigh.
Posted on June 19, 2013 in Featured,Wordless Wednesday and tagged as Georgia
What’s a kind of jelly and a kind of fish you really can’t eat – a jellyfish! Well, that’s what we saw along with lots of other aquatic animals in Chattanooga, Tennessee at the Chattanooga Aquarium. It’s considered the best aquarium in the U.S.A. and a must see even if you have a fabulous aquarium in your hometown.
Admission is $24.95 for adults, $14.95 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for those 3 and under. You can add an IMAX showing for $6 per person. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and give yourself at least three to four hours to see both the River Journey and Ocean Journey, both of which are included in your ticket. Afterwards, explore the Chattanooga riverfront area and stroll along the Tennessee Riverwalk.
For more information, connect with the Tennessee Aquarium on Twitter @TNAquarium or on Facebook.
Do you take your kids to your local aquarium?
Posted on May 29, 2013 in Featured,Travel,Wordless Wednesday and tagged as Tennessee
During the Windows Champions event in Seattle, we were treated to a wonderful dinner at the Palace Ballroom and entertained with a cooking demo (that was more of a cooking philosophy session) by restaurateur extraordinaire, Tom Douglas. Tom is a wonderful storyteller and inspirational as a man who passionate about good quality food and loves what he does for a living.
The evening’s menu included:
- Caramelized Rapini & Fontina Grilled Cheese
- Dahlia Bakery Breads
- Carrot Handpie with Shaved Washington Asparagus Salad
- Apple Wood Grilled Pork Loin with Shrimp Fried Barley and Green Onion Confit Sauce
- Maple Éclair with Rhubarb Green Apple Sorbet
While Tom talked with us, patiently answered our questions, and got us a round of tequila(!) he casually mentioned that his famous coconut cream pies cost $40 because they’re amazing. To prove this, he had his staff go to his bakery to pick up a pie. It was as delicious as he claimed! So if you’re in Seattle, make sure to check out any of his establishments. I guarantee that you’ll love them as much as I did!
Posted on May 15, 2013 in Featured,Travel,Wordless Wednesday and tagged as Seattle, Washington
Last week, the folks from Microsoft took us Windows Champion bloggers to Pikes Place Market in Seattle to take pictures with the Samsung ATIV Odyssey™ (Verizon) Windows® Phone. The Pikes Place Market is just as wonderful as everyone says it is. I could have spent the whole day there eating, touring the food stalls, shopping, and taking pictures. My husband, Paul, would have been all over the seafood, cheese and mushrooms! I nearly fell over to find that several produce vendors were selling ramps that I had been looking for in Athens, Georgia. If only I could have figured out a way to take them home!
For you camera phone nerds, the Samsung ATIV Odyssey™ (Verizon) Windows® Phone has a rear-facing camera, and a 5.0 megapixel AF with LED flash. I was impressed with the camera phone’s picture quality and how easy it was to take pictures with once I got used to the Windows 8 touchscreen interface.
Posted on May 1, 2013 in Featured,Travel,Wordless Wednesday and tagged as Seattle, Washington
We adore the Local Republic and anytime we’re near Lawrenceville, we try to stop there for a meal. The restaurant fills up quickly, so try to get their early – like before 6 pm – even during the week. They have an amazing craft beer selection, and their specials are terrific no matter if it’s fish, wild boar, or beef. However, my favorite is a small plate of chicken liver – so delicious, so good.
Local Republic - 225 West Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046, 678-205-4782. Open Mon-Thu 11am–10pm, Fri-Sat 11am–11pm, and closed Sundays.
Posted on April 10, 2013 in Featured,Restaurant Reviews,Travel,Wordless Wednesday
At the Food Blog South 2013 conference, the food was provided by Saw’s Soul Kitchen, Jim ‘n Nick’s Bar-B-Q, Southeast United Dairy Industry Association, Juban’s (alligator and frog leg gumbo!) along with awesome beer at the Good People Brewing Company.
While I was there, I also had a a mixture of Greek and Southern food at lunch at Johnny’s Restaurant in Homewood, AL and breakfast at Over Easy in Birmingham, AL (purple grits with Gouda, eggs over easy and gluten free toast – wow!)
Posted on February 6, 2013 in Featured,Restaurant Reviews,Travel,Wordless Wednesday and tagged as Alabama
Last December, my husband and I had an amazing dinner at Tristan in Charleston, South Carolina. (We left the kids back at the condo we were renting.) Paul had the wine accompaniment. I had a glass of Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka on the rocks. The menu is below. We ordered variation on the five course menu and shared when we had different dishes. Our favorites were the scallops and the risotto, followed by the starter course and the desserts. The presentation, taste and service were all superb.
You can connect with Tristan on Twitter @tristandining or on Facebook. Call for reservations at 843-534-2155 or book online through Open Table. Tristan is also able to work around food allergies and food sensitivities – just mention it when you make your reservation so your server and the chef can be prepared for your visit.
Posted on January 23, 2013 in Featured,Restaurant Reviews,Travel,Wordless Wednesday and tagged as South Carolina
Hyman’s Seafood is THE restaurant to go to when you visit Charleston, SC according to everyone we talked to from neighbors to coworkers. It’s very family friendly. The service is terrific. The amount of food you get is enormous and delicious. And Hyman’s even has a gluten free menu (just ask)!
From upper left going clockwise: Hushpuppies, Grouper with the Gluten Free Prep, their signature appetizer – the Wadamalaw Delight (fried green tomatoes served on grits with a Carolina cream sauce), and a glass of Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka on the rocks with a slice of lemon.
Posted on January 16, 2013 in Featured,Fish,Restaurant Reviews,Travel,Wordless Wednesday and tagged as South Carolina
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During the Windows Champions event in 
