north carolina

hey y'all. not much cooking going on lately, which is fine- because in north carolina last weekend, i got to eat out, the whole time! highlights:

*izzy's for coffee.. they use counter culture beans, which i knew to be good after seriously tasting their stuff at the SCAA (coffee nerd convention) in atlanta this spring. hit their downtown asheville location twice in one day, then the one in west asheville (on a different day). both exactly the right size and feel. big fan.

*had breakfast with the band at early girl cafe. this brunch cast a spell on me. i can't stop thinking of biscuits. had a perfectly simple egg biscuit with fruit. it is nice when it is exactly right and there is no fuss.

*had porter on tap at a bar with sausages and pretzels. cincinnati, they had porter on tap at every bar we went to. get hip or you might lose me.

*an amazing breakfast in the car, picked up in durham at this bakery/restaurant with an impossible name. i have no idea how to say it, but i guess you just sound it out? guglhumf? i got a mini quiche with roasted vegetables and an almond croissant. total breakfast of champions. the bread looked so incredible. maybe next time. (ps- kit, if you read this, i thought of you the whole time i was in your neck of the woods... but it was short and sweet!)

*dinner at tupelo honey, back in asheville. i knew it would be great. enjoyed a glass of wine for a more tame evening- a chilean carmenere for rinsing down goat cheese grits, fried okra, pinto beans and a fresh salsa all in one bowl. and more BISCUITS! with a blueberry jam.

*and after that, i needed something sweet and totally overordered at the french broad chocolate shop. a local cheese plate, some truffles (you know, strawberry balsamic, indian kufi, mole negro, etc) and a press of tea. saved most for snacks the next day...

*lunched after a tour of the biltmore at the mellow mushroom. great pizza and a smoked porter before hitting the road.