Peckish Pig

I am supposed to go to brunch with a friend at the Peckish Pig.  We are not planning on going for a few weeks.  I was driving by today and decided to get a preview.

The space is really big and the beer selection is nice.  I admit that I do not drink beer so I am actually not qualified to make that judgement, I guess.  I can, however, judge the drinks and I am all in.  It has been so long since I have gone out for cocktails that the pricing I remember was almost half of what it is now.  The food menu looks very interesting.

I decided to try a "bag o' donuts" to go.  BEST decision ever.  Those things are so incredibly delicious.  Very dangerous.  Fresh and hot.  Nice crunch on the outside with a light sugar coating.  Inside is a lusciously hot, slightly chewy and tender inside.

This week at the Farmer's Market

'Cue

 Rub's Back Country Smokehouse

Pulled pork, pulled chicken, truffle mac n' cheese, kettle chips, slaw.

Vinyl spinning on the front counter

Grilled Peach cobbler and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

This was playing while we dined.  I will be looking to purchase this for myself.

Polar Vortex

There might be a polar vortex outside, but inside there is only a big hot pot of sancocho.

Last Bake of 2013

 

These are the last baked items for 2013.  Bao.  The round ones are savory and the oblong ones are sweet.  They are filled with a coconut filling.  These are of a diminutive size because I thought we could all do with a little portion control.

 

 

This is the inside of the savory ones.  You might be used to seeing a bright shot of red from the usual char siu filling.  These are filled with a Chinese bbq roasted turkey.

 

I had leftovers from this and needed to do something with them.  Be safe tonight.

Supermercado Chapala

 

After driving past Supermercado Chapala for years I decided to go inside and give it a try.  In the back of the grocery store is a small 10 booth eating area.  I am not sure that I know everything that is on the menu.  There is a list on the wall, but I am not sure if there are more items that they serve which are not on the menu.  They do serve roast chicken, but I have not tried it yet.  Maybe next time.  This time around I just stuck with some simple items.  Chicken taco above for about $1.70.

 

They also have tortas (above) which are really good.  The buns were incredibly fresh with a very tasty guacamole.

 

Both came with this flavorful side of roasted onions and peppers.  There are a few of these small eating establishments inside grocery stores in this area.  I have tried a couple of them and they have all been good.  I suggest that you are around here and have the chance that you try them out.

Dak

 

I tried out Dak the other day and was pleasantly surprised.

 

 

I guess I have to apologize about forgetting to take these pictures before we started eating.  So, you do get more food than what is pictured.  Those wings are about the size of a chicken breast.  Huge.  The wings on the left had the spicy sauce and the wing on the right has the Dak sauce.

 

Again, this was after a big portion had been eaten.  This is the chicken rice bowl.  You can always click on the link and view beautiful photos from their website.

 

  The flavor profiles were a little different from the traditional Korean food I am used to eating.  I like a little spin on my food every now and then.  All of the food was very tasty.  The portions are very large so be prepared to eat or take some home.

Pie and coffee!

 

Something pretty dangerous has opened up in the 'hood.  Dollop and Hoosier Mama have joined forces and opened up in one space.  Pie and coffee!  What more could one ask for?  That it be farther away so at least one would have to work for it.

It is very clean and spacious inside.

 

Pretty much everything is out in the open.

Pear Apple Cranberry pie with a walnut crumble topping.

Autumn Harvest

 

 

Oh, how I had forgotten about the beautiful bounty available at the farmer's market.  I have not been able to go very often due to the conflict with the out of state flea markets.  I was able to go this past weekend and everything was beautiful and overflowing.  I guess I might have to buy this rainbow of beets next visit.

 

Roasted peppers or pepper jelly for winter?

So many apple varieties.  I see apple butter in my future.  The honeycrisp (my favorite) are now available.  It reminded me of how much Atticus loved them and would immediately sit right next to me the minute I cut into one.  Eating them will never be the same for me.

I should either make some dried tomatoes or can some sauce.  For now I am working on replicating that tomato jam from Red Rooster.

 

Look at that basil!  $3 for that giant bouquet.  I am off to the kitchen to make several batches of pesto.

Red Rooster

I am a big fan of Marcus Samuelsson.  I have been to Red Rooster before, but I have never eaten there.  The last time I just came for coffee at the bar.  This time I decided to stop in for the prix fixe lunch during Harlem Week.  I sat in the front where they have the communal dining tables and the bar.  The photos will give you almost a 360 of the front of the restaurant.

Look at the woodwork on that bar... and those stools.

 

 I happen to like this wall chock full o' stuff.

 

I sat right next to this beautiful quilt.  I could not fit the entire thing into my frame unless I stood out in front of everyone and shot while they ate (which I was not about to do).

 

I chose the market greens salad for my first course.  The other choice was a gingered carrot soup.  The salad was extremely fresh and tasty.  At the top of the frame you can see the cornbread which came with honey butter and a tomato jam which was so good.  I had never had one before and I really liked the sweet and savory mixture.  I am going to try and make some at home.

 

 

Next I chose Helga's meatballs.  How could I not?  I even ate meat just so I could experience the meatball recipe of his grandma.  The meatballs came with ligonberries, pickled cucumbers, mashed potatoes and braised purple cabbage.  The other choices were Honey mustard salmon or Mac and greens.  (Sorry for the crappy shot).
 
 

I was completely stuffed already.  Dessert was a choice between banana and red velvet cupcake with vanilla ice cream.  Yes, I rolled myself out of there and headed for the airport.