#the fancy cheese they serve at charcuterie restaurants

[mice-rats-daily]

How are you?

I am doing well now, thank you very much for asking!! I stopped posting because I got food poisoning, then after the food poisoning I didn't post because I focused on catching up on schoolwork, then midterms came up so I had to focus on that, then I had stomach cramps that lasted for days on end, so I had to catch up on schoolwork again. But I am feeling fine now :D!! Tomorrow will begin everyone's regularly scheduled program of rats and mice :3

[dandunn]

No worries, i was worried the prompt would be too much, but thanks for the response!! The only other prompt i can think of is: lupin and jigen, fav/nostalgic dish? Hopefully that sparks some idea but if not, it's ok.

Cw: food, anxiety around eating, alcohol

They're at dinner, at a place so high class the serving staff look at Jigen funnily, like he's not supposed to be there. Three Michelin stars, and that's about three too many as far as Jigen is concerned.

Lupin glides in, allowing the staff to take his coat and orders so naturally, he's definitely meant to be here. Conversely, Jigen feels like more and more of a bum the longer the night goes on.

He orders a steak, the safe option in a sea of unpronounceable dish names, delicate seafood, various things drowned in truffle oil. Lupin orders something that looks like a modern art installation on a plate and tucks in.

It's true that he's earned this, or at least thinks he has, Jigen thinks as he stares at his food. He's put up with Lupin's eccentricities long enough to reap the rewards and fool people into thinking he's part of the upper crust, but he's definitely not used to eating food like this.

"Something wrong?" Lupin says. The restaurant is so politely quiet that he has to lower his voice to avoid it ringing out over the quiet piano music.

"N-no, it's fine." Jigen says, finally summoning the courage to break the perfect presentation of foodstuff-turned-canvas painting on his plate. He takes a bite of his steak and it's… fine. "Why do they bother dressing it up for fancy if it's just gonna end up in your mouth?" Jigen grumbles around his mouthful of steak as he chews.

"The first bite is with the eye." Lupin winks as he takes another elegant bite. "You're a puzzle, I've been trying to figure out what you like to eat and I still haven't figured it out."

"Food is food."

"Yeah but everyone has a preference."

"Meat."

Lupin just looks at him with his eyes sparkling in the low light, swirling his wine glass. "C'mon Jigs, entertain me."

"Kid doesn't have any table manners! Look at the way he holds his knife an' fork!"

Jigen had chuckled it off while the men around him brayed with laughter, only then had he really paid attention to how he held his fork; forcefully holding down his meat with his fork like a dog might hold down a rabbit, then sawing a chunk off before stabbing the bite and transferring it to his mouth.

He could see why the others laughed, it was a cumbersome way to eat. At school the teachers would demand to know if he was right or left handed before forcefully switching his knife and fork around accordingly.

Why the fuck did it matter? Who the hell cared about table manners as long as the grub made it into your mouth? 

Well. The mob cared. From that point on Jigen paid careful attention to table manners, to the point where he was more concerned about how he held his cutlery than what he was eating.

After a certain point in time, he lost most of his taste for food, burning his taste buds with cigarettes and whiskey instead. Eating light kept him alert on long stakeouts and kept him trim. He couldn't stand the thought of ballooning up like the boss and his close circle. They always gorged themselves on fine food; caviar and steak and foie gras. So much so that they resembled the geese that were force fed to make that stuff.

All Jigen had to do to suppress his appetite was to think back to that moment when every eye turned to him and laughed at the clearly lower class way he held his knife and fork. 

Sometimes, like now, Jigen is reminded of how much he hates being stared at while he eats. He had been braced to cut into his food again before he noticed that he was once again clasping the silverware like a gorilla. He puts his cutlery down. "What's yours?"

Lupin takes a sip of wine, he's a glass or two ahead of Jigen and his inner lip is stained red. "Raclette."

"Bless you?"

A dazzling grin, "Melted cheese, put on top of boiled potatoes, charcuterie, anything you like really."

"Ain't that just fondue?"

"Better." Wine swirls around again, Lupin's lips taking their time meeting the edge of the glass, "You'd enjoy it. Everyone sits around the grill, no one cares if you eat it a little messy. It's fun."

Crap, he noticed.

Jigen's food is getting colder on his plate by the moment. When Lupin puts his glass down to cut into his food, his table manners are impeccable of course. Knife and fork held daintily but firmly in his hands, not grasping or stabbing. He even dabs his mouth with his napkin instead of swiping it over his face.

"Thought yours would be a little more-" Jigen says, trying to get the focus off of himself again "-classy?"

"No one is too classy for melted cheese." Lupin rests his chin on his folded hands for a moment, giving him a grin as cheesy as the subject matter.

Jigen smiles despite himself. "You want the truth?"

"Yeah I want the truth."

"The burgers and milkshakes from a place back home. I went with my dad as a kid, he used to put bourbon in his and gave me a sip." Jigen prods his expensive ribeye, avoiding looking Lupin in the eye.

"Let's go." Lupin says suddenly.

"Huh?"

"Let's go get a burger and a milkshake!"

"You're ridiculous. Who the hell leaves a ritzy place like this to go eat greasy crap?"

"I do, if it would make you feel better. I haven't seen you eat much since we started working together."

Jigen shakes his head, cutting into his raw bloody steak again and trying to enjoy it. "The place probably doesn't even exist anymore."

"Only one way to find out."

The steak tastes like iron on his tongue, the fat sticking to his palate like glue. Lupin watches him expectantly - eyes shining and his own food abandoned. Lupin would probably drop it if he said no again, but he seems genuinely excited about learning such a mundane thing about Jigen's past. Part of him would hate to let him down.

"Alright." Jigen drops his knife and fork, spitting a bit of fat onto a napkin. "If you insist."

Lupin grins and jumps to his feet, slapping down the bill and a generous tip onto the table.

A few hours later they're sitting in the crummy old haunt of Jigen's youth, unwrapping burgers from greasy paper and sipping milkshakes out of tall glasses.

"I'll be damned." Jigen mutters. 

"Is it as good as you remember?"

The paper crinkles as Jigen takes a bite. "Mm, yeah. Just as crappy."

One of Lupin's eyebrows samples his own food. "Oh. Oh- that's awful!" He looks like he's about to spit it out before he bravely swallows.

"Hey, I said I used to like 'em, I didn't say anything about it being good."

Lupin looks surprised for a moment, then bursts out laughing.

"We only ever came here because the food was cheap and the milkshakes were good." Jigen continues with a grin, "I guess they've survived on the same business model for this long."

"That's fantastic, good for them!" Lupin takes a sip of his milkshake to wash the taste away. "Ooh, that is good! You got any bourbon on you?"

Jigen puts a finger over his lips, making sure that the guy at the counter doesn't see before pouring a finger each into their glasses out of a flask.

They snicker together under their breath, eating their shitty burgers and sipping whiskey-milkshakes. It's like a huge weight is off Jigen's shoulders as he watches Lupin - Mr Fancypants himself - get ketchup on his nose and a blob on his tie.

"So, you want to try Raclette next?" Lupin says, as he polishes off his burger and wipes his hands on a paper napkin. "I won't make fun of you for using a knife and fork wrong - promise."

"Hey, fuck you." Jigen says, without any real bite behind it. "Melted cheese sounds fine to me."

By the time he's finished talking, Lupin has stolen Jigen's flask out of the inner pocket of his jacket and is stealing what's left of his bourbon.

"Hey!" Jigen laughs, grabbing it back and emptying the last few drops into his milkshake. 

"Thanks for treating me!" Lupin says, sticking out his tongue.

[heydaytravelcompany]

Foodie Guide to Brand-New Disney Jollywood Nights

Grab some Hollywood glam and an appetite because Disney Jollywood Nights is days away from kicking off its first night! This brand-new holiday extravaganza is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on 10 select nights from Nov. 11 through Dec. 20 and is filled with plenty of festive fun. This new nighttime soiree will feature plenty of swanky spots for Guests to enjoy like the Holiday Fiesta en la Calle over in Commissary Lane. This street party will be filled with Latin holiday tunes, colorful décor, and plenty of eats and sips inspired by Latin holiday traditions for a vibrant and lively party. Or experience Jazzy Holidays at The Hollywood Brown Derby here the restaurant transforms into a smooth jazz joint, playing holiday tunes amidst sparkling décor. Here, Guests can sip craft cocktails and indulge in an exclusive menu of light bites while enjoying the music and ambiance of this classy establishment. Guests can even drop by the dazzling Twilight Soirée at The Tip-Top Club, a swingin’ soiree in the courtyard of The Hollywood Tower Hotel. A live band will be bringing the fun with holiday tunes in jukebox style as Guests sip on fancy cocktails. While Guests are at all of these locations and the others scattered throughout the park, they'll be able to indulge in tasty delights that will light up their taste buds with holiday spirit (and flavor). From the delicious Holiday Turkey Popover at Fairfax Fare to the lovely Tiramisù Puff at PizzeRizzo, and even sweet sips like the Sandy Claws Hot Cocoa from Dockside Diner, this new event has something for everyone to enjoy this holiday season! And don’t forget about the thrilling entertainment going on too! Guests can check out the can’t-miss musical variety show featuring some of their favorites, like Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, and the seasonal nighttime spectacular Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! To make the night even more festive, we’d suggest wearing holiday best with an old Hollywood flair. We can’t wait to see all the tasty eats and sips coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios this holiday season. We're pleased to present the official Foodie Guide to the first-ever Disney Jollywood Nights! Holiday Fiesta en la Calle at ABC Commissary - Chicken Empanadas with Street Corn: Chicken empanadas served with a side of street corn salad topped with chili peppers, lime, and cotija cheese - Yuca con Chicharrón: Fried pork belly, yuca, red pickled onions, and chili pepper-lime seasoning with a yellow pepper aïoli - Mushroom Taco: Chili-roasted Mixed mushrooms, avocado crema, baby gem lettuce, and garnished with sliced radish - (Plant-based Item) - Birria Taco: Shredded short rib and Monterey jack served with beef consommé for dipping - Tembleque: Coconut rice pudding with caramel-rum sauce and cinnamon - Mexican Hot Cocoa Cheesecake: Spiced chocolate cheesecake on a chocolate cookie base topped with vanilla whipped cream and cocoa powder with a chocolate handle - Mangonada: Frozen mango beverage with mango-chili pepper-lime sauce and chili pepper-lime seasoning on top (Non-alcoholic) - Zero-Proof Piña Colada: Lyre’s Spiced Cane Spirit, coconut, pineapple, and lime - Oaxaca Old Fashioned: Casa Dragones Blanco Tequila, Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, agave nectar, Mexican chocolate, and orange bitters served over ice garnished with an orange Baseline Taphouse - Tuna Ceviche: Marinated ahi tuna, pico de gallo, and avocado cream topped with cilantro - Charcuterie Cup: Manchego, chorizo, serrano ham, pickled vegetables, olives, and toasted focaccia bread - Beer Margarita: Blend of Patrón Silver Tequila, Cointreau Liqueur, and lime juice topped with Scrimshaw Pilsner over Ice Dockside Diner - Spicy Pimento-Kimchee Dip topped with chives and served with fresh house-made wonton chips - Roasted Eggplant Dip topped with chives and served with warm pita bread (Plant-based Item) - Poutine Tots: Potato barrels topped with gravy, brisket, mozzarella curds, and chives - Christmas Tree Cookie Stack: Vanilla cookie stack filled with pistachio buttercream, cranberry, and raspberry jam topped with sprinkles and a yellow candy star - Sandy Claws Hot Cocoa: “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas”-inspired dark chocolate hot cocoa topped with cherry whipped cream (Non-alcoholic) - Naughty or Nice: Crown Royal Whisky and ginger mixed with orange, cranberry, and grapefruit juices topped with fresh cranberries Epic Eats - Spicy Korean Chicken Funnel Cake: Spicy fried Korean chicken with pickled vegetables served on a mini funnel cake - Brisket Reuben Funnel Cake: Beef brisket and sauerkraut slaw topped with thousand island dressing served on a mini funnel cake - S'mores Funnel Cake: Giant roasted marshmallow with chocolate and marshmallow sauce, topped with chocolate curls and cinnamon cereal served on a mini funnel cake - Samuel Adams Winter Lager: Spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and orange peel for a deep flavor and malty finish Fairfax Fare  - Holiday Turkey Popover: Roasted turkey and creamy mashed potatoes topped with gravy, cranberry chutney, and chives in a house-made popover - 'Just the Sides' Popover: Macaroni & cheese and savory collard greens with ham topped with cornbread crumbs in a house-made popover - PB&J Doughnut: Glazed doughnut with creamy peanut butter and grape jelly dipped in dark chocolate topped with crushed house-made salt and vinegar chips - Kermit's Frozen Banana Bliss: Frozen banana and white chocolate with caramel swirls topped with matcha whipped cream and sprinkle (Non-alcoholic) - Mistletoe Martini: Tito's Handmade Vodka and St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur mixed with cranberry juice and topped with fresh cranberries and mint leaves Gertie’s Ice Cream of Extinction - Christmas Gertie Cookie: Sugar cookie with mint icing (Also available with mint soft-serve) Market - Buffalo Chicken Spring Rolls: Fried spring rolls served with a jalapeño-ranch dipping sauce and fried rice noodles - Frozone's Snowball Macaroons: Coconut macaroons drizzled with blue vanilla frosting and topped white snowflake sprinkles - Spiced Apple Cider: Apple cider and cinnamon with an apple chip garnish (Non-alcoholic) - Zero-Proof Apple Cider: Lyre’s Spiced Cane Spirit, apple cider, Angostura Bitters, and cinnamon topped with an apple chip and cinnamon rim - In Holiday Fashion: Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon, rosemary syrup, cranberry and lime juices, and cinnamon PizzeRizzo - Meatball and Polenta: Giant meatball with marinara and creamy cheese polenta - Olive and Goat Cheese Flatbread: Olive oil-toasted flatbread, creamy goat cheese, rustic olive and tomato spread, balsamic glaze, and lemon watercress - Antipasto Flatbread: Fresh mozzarella, salami, peperoni, country ham, olives, peppers, onions, pepperoncini, and marinara - Tiramisù Puff: Sweet-and-savory with flavors of espresso, chocolate, and a coffee-infused custard and mascarpone cream - Benvolio Pinot Grigio - Banfi Chianti Superiore - Peroni Nastro Azzuro Lager Draft - Heineken 0.0 Non-Alcoholic Lager Twilight Soirée at The Tip-Top Club - The 5th Dimension Royale: Teremana Blanco Tequila, Cointreau Liqueur, desert pear, agave nectar, and lime juice topped with Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut and garnished with a dehydrated blood orange wheel - Twilight Daiquiri: Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, ube, lime juice, and a splash of shimmer - Sparkling Pomegranate-Apple Cider: Pomegranate-green tea topped with sparkling apple cider and pomegranate seeds - Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut The Trolley Car Café   - Ornament Mousse: Dark chocolate-cherry mousse Outdoor Vending Locations - Gingerbread Bites (Plant-based Item) Bar Locations - Zero-Proof Gingerbread Spritzer: Lyre’s Spiced Cane Spirit, gingerbread syrup, and club soda garnished with a gingerbread bite - Sugar Cookie Martini: Stoli Vanil Vodka, Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur, and DISARONNO Originale Liqueur mixed with milk and sugar in a sprinkle-rimmed glass with a sugar cookie garnish Jazzy Holidays at The Hollywood Brown Derby - Oyster Rockefeller: Spinach foam, shaved parmesan, rocoto pepper relish, and salmon caviar - Crispy Duck Drumettes: Spicy orange glaze, carrots, and kumquats - Charcuterie: House-made cured meats and accompaniments, blue cheese mousse, and toasted sourdough - Shrimp Cocktail: Classic cocktail sauce, citrus pearls, avocado mousse - Derby Slider: Bison and pork belly blend, taleggio cheese sauce, and fig stout jam - Tuna Carpaccio: Mezcal pickled vegetables, salsa macha, and avocado crema - Pork Belly Bao: Korean BBQ, cucumber slaw, and soy vinaigrette - Tofu Bao: Seared tofu, cucumber slaw, and soy vinaigrette - An assortment of classic cocktails, zero-proof and non-alcoholic beverages, wine, and beer To experience the festive fun of Jazzy Holidays at The Holiday Brown Derby, you can request to join the walk-up waitlist on the My Disney Experience app. Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company - Tinseltown Tini: Toast to holiday cheer with this cold brew coffee topped with Kahlúa, Grey Goose Vodka, a hint of light cream, and a dash of whipped cream with cocoa (Available at the location near The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror) - Round ‘Em Up Latte: A merry blend of espresso, cookie butter syrup, dulce de leche sauce, and milk topped with fluffy whipped cream, playful animal crackers, and festive sprinkles; available hot or iced (Non-alcoholic Beverage) (Available at the location in Toy Story Land) (Note: All offerings are subject to change and availability.) Read the full article

[centralparkcollection]

Romantic wining and dining spots in Central London

Planning a romantic getaway in London and wondering where to take your spouse for an evening of wining and dining? The English capital is known for its diverse dining scene that caters for all budgets and tastes. Check out this guide to where to go after hours in London for food, wine, or cocktails. 

Town House (Paddington) 

Town House Paddington is the signature restaurant of the Central Park hotels, London. Located on the ground floor of the flagship property, this light and airy space serves breakfasts and light suppers using locally sourced ingredients. The bar is stocked with a selection of craft beer, fine wine, and spirits, making it the perfect place to start an evening in London. 

Zephyr (Notting Hill)

Dimly lit and outfitted with evocative colours and textures, Zephyr Notting Hill oozes romance. The modern Greek menu hones in on Mediterranean fish and vegetarian dishes and moreish platters to share alongside a bottle of retsina. Leave room for dessert at this stylish restaurant. 

Hutong (The Shard)

Situated on Level 33 of the Shard, Hutong is the restaurant to pick if you want to eat with the skyline as a backdrop. Focusing on the cuisine of Northern China, the dishes do veer on the spicy side. Book the tasting menu for an extravagant treat or make a reservation for the reasonably priced dim sum lunch.

Champagne + Fromage (Covent Garden)

Treat your other half to a glass of Champagne and a fancy cheese board at this unique bistro in the romantic Covent Garden. The interiors are cosy and casual with the option to purchase additional cheese, charcuterie, wine, and bubbles to take back to your room at your chosen Central Park hotels.

Cecconi's (Mayfair)

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Cecconi's serves Venetian fare in a lavish setting with vintage decor. While the food is delicious, you could even swing by for a pre-theatre tipple and soak up the bustling atmosphere. Cecconi's serves authentic Venetian spritzes and wines imported from Veneto. 

Noble Rot (Mayfair, Soho, and Clerkenwell)

Specialising in British and European cooking, Noble Rot is an unpretentious trio of restaurants with timeless charm. Seasonal menus feature seafood and meat dishes that pair perfectly with the stellar wine list. The ambience and friendly staff make it easy to spend hours at Noble Rot lingering over a three-course meal. 

Scott’s (Mayfair)

There is a reason oysters are considered the original aphrodisiac! This elegant oyster bar serves ocean-fresh seafood and shellfish straight from the ocean alongside premium Champagne. Opt to share a platter before rounding off with a traditional British fish dish. Despite the location and high quality, the prices are reasonable. 

Jikoni (Marylebone)

Meaning “kitchen” in Swahili, Jikoni artfully fuses the flavours of Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. Highlights include a prawn toast scotch egg with banana ketchup, aloo avocado chat, and Shetland mussels in a saffron broth. Located in Marylebone Village, this laid-back restaurant is highly recommended to those staying locally in one of the Central Park hotels, London. 

[trendinginterior]

11 Best Restaurants In San Antonio You Just Cannot Miss!

San Antonio, in Texas, is known to be a foodie paradise and has a rich culinary heritage experience blending together global cultures. Best restaurants in San Antonio offer a wide range of cuisines and dining opportunities for you to explore!

Best Restaurants In San Antonio

Best Restaurants In San Antonio #1 – Clementine

Clementine is an upscale American restaurant situated at 2195 NW Military Highway in San Antonio that operates between 5pm to 9pm Tuesday to Saturday. This is a family-owned restaurant with a spacious dining area, open kitchen and an elegant and stylish decor with fancy food presentation! A unique experience Clementine offers is the feed me option – where the chef surprises you with a whole 7 course meal for you – do give this a try on your next visit to San Antonio.

Best Restaurants In San Antonio #2 – Cured

A charcuterie focused restaurant serving new-American cuisine and craft cocktails, Cured is located at 306 Pearl Parkway #101 in San Antonio. Handcrafted foods made with the purest of ingredients sourced locally, Cured has seasonal dynamic menus to offer. With its rustic-chic decor and the buzzy vibe, the heritage hog poutine is yet another must-try dish on the menu here. Cured operates 12pm to 9pm Sundays and Tuesdays to Thursdays and 12pm to 10pm Fridays and Saturdays; they are closed on Mondays – plan your visit accordingly.

Best Restaurants In San Antonio #3 – Battalion

A slice of Italy in San Antonio? Battalion is the place to go! One of the best restaurants in San Antonio, Battalion is a chic spot for some classic Italian food and cocktails. The fire house converted restaurant has a quirky appearance that is rather unique and quite a crowd puller. The spinach dumplings are the highlight on the menu and the tiramisu is a popular dessert here. Head over to the Battalion between 5pm to 9pm on Sundays and Tuesdays to Thursdays and 5pm to 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays!

Voted the best BBQ in San Antonio by its locals, the Smoke Shack BBQ has a definitive and permanent spot on the list of best restaurants in San Antonio. Popular for their Brisket Grilled Cheese, Wagyu Brisket and the enormous BIG DOG, Smoke Shack has picnic table seating and serves some classic BBQ meals and sides. Open 11am to 9pm Monday to Saturday, and 11am to 5pm on Sundays, make sure you try their spicy creamed corn as well!

Best Restaurants In San Antonio #5 – Southerleigh

A typical Texan eatery with an in-house brewery, Southerleigh Fine Food And Brewery is located at 136 E Grayson Street. It is best known for its Southern-style and has a classic menu with seafood and oysters. With its micro-brewery offering 15 different beers on tap, Southerleigh hosts happy hours daily between 3pm to 5pm! Grab a plate of their special crab mac and cheese as you enjoy your glass of chilled beer!

Best Restaurants In San Antonio #6 – Dough Pizzeria Napoletana

Serving authentic Neapolitan pizzas, salads, housemade burrata and an all-Italian wine list, this is one of the best pizza places around. Closed on Mondays, Dough Pizzeria is open 11:30am to 9pm Sundays and Tuesday to Thursday, while 11:30am to 10pm on Friday and Saturday. The prosciutto pizza is a must try here. Drop by at 6989 Blanco Road, San Antonio to enjoy some amazing pizza meals!

Best Restaurants In San Antonio #7 – Best Quality Daughter

A first on the list, this Asian fusion cuisine restaurant makes it to grab a spot on the best restaurants in San Antonio. One of the super highlights on the menu is cashew chicken, and you can try it at 602 Avenue A, San Antonio 11am to 10pm all days of the week; happy hours are from 5pm to 6pm! This is a comparatively new place on the block that started in 2020, and has a creative and fun vibe.

Best Restaurants In San Antonio #8 – Brasserie Mon Chou Chou

A stylish brasserie that takes inspiration from the vintage style, Mon Chou Chou serves traditional French comfort food. ‘Mon Chou Chou’ is an affectionate French nickname given to someone special, and as such, the menu has hearty, flavourful dishes that warm your heart and soul. The raclette is a must try here, and leave you wanting for more! Mon Chou Chou is located at 312 Pearl Parkway and operates 11am to 10pm Monday to Thursday, upto 11pm on Friday and Saturday and 10am to 3pm in addition to 4pm to 10pm on Sunday.

Best Restaurants In San Antonio #9 – Nola Brunch and Beignets

A classic New Orleans brunch spot located at 720 E Mistletoe, Nola serves a variety of beignets as you enjoy a relaxed vibe with some entertaining live jazz. Open from 8am to 2pm Wednesday to Sunday, grits and friend tomatoes are items that should definitely be on your must-try list if you intend to go for a time other than brunch. What’s even better is that they offer beer and wine options for that perfect brunch date on a weekday!

Best Restaurants In San Antonio #10 – Supper

Bright and contemporary decor, an all-day eatery offering some American plates in a farm to table experience is what Supper is all about. Appetizers and entrees are quite popular on the menu which you can try between 7am to 10pm all 7 days of the week, extending up to 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Located at 136 E Grayson Street, this casual elegant restaurant is the right pick for any occasion.

Best Restaurants In San Antonio #11 – Maverick Texas Brasserie

An upscale brasserie with rustic decor and Edison bulbs, Maverick Texas Brasserie has a menu that is broad yet refined to be simple enough to have a plate for everyone at the table, literally! With a full bar, great wine and beer collection and signature cocktails, Maverick Texas Brasserie also offer happy hour specials. You can drop in at Maverick Texas Brasserie between 5pm to 10pm Monday to Thursday, 5pm to 11pm Friday-Saturday and between 10:30am to 2pm and 5:30pm to 9:30pm on Sundays at 710 S St. Mary’s Street, San Antonio.

[sfarticles]

A toast to staying home for New Year’s Take the pressure off by welcoming 2023 with a ‘dine-in’ experience

Check out this preview of my next column......

https://www.timesherald.com/2022/12/27/a-toast-to-staying-home-for-new-years/

Filet Steak on Toast with Mustard & Arugula and Prawn Cocktail Shots “A satisfying combination of rare, juicy beef with mustard and peppery arugula. The miniature prawn/shrimp cocktails are eye-catching and popular, and an up-to-date version of a 70’s classic” (Recipes and photos from “From Festive Cocktails and Canapes: Over 100 Recipes for Seasonal Drinks and Party Bites” Ryland Peters & Small 2022. Photographs by Alex Luck © Ryland Peters & Small)

A few days ago, friends and family across the country gathered around the Christmas dinner table for a holiday feast. While savoring the meal, it’s likely many were discussing plans to usher in the New Year.

Currently, you may be trying to make restaurant reservations to celebrate the holidays. There’s no need to put pressure on yourself to go out on the town. Celebrate the joys of 2022 and the hopes for 2023 in the comfort of home with that someone special, or a few good friends and family.

Did you know that people from countries around the world eat or use symbolic foods on New Year’s Eve? In Spain, 12 grapes are eaten at midnight. Pomegranates in Turkey are stepped on, with the more seeds bursting out, the better things will happen in the coming year. In Japan, long Soba Noodles, symbolize longevity and prosperity. Pickled herring eaten in Poland was an interesting one to learn…. now I know why perhaps my 90-year-old dad loves pickled herring. His mother was born in Poland! The silver skin on herring, along with it being in good supply, symbolizes prosperity and bounty. And in the United States, black-eyed peas are considered to bring good luck.

Whatever you eat, and whether you are planning a small soiree, open house, an intimate evening with that special someone on New Year’s Eve, or a casual brunch on New Year’s Day, the food served, and its preparation, doesn’t need to be complicated. Creating serving boards displaying charcuterie, local cheeses, artisanal crackers and breads, nuts, olives, pickles, preserves, dips and spreads is not stressful, and is actually fun to prepare and eat. They are not new to the culinary scene. And restaurants have been serving on beautiful wooden boards for some time now. Several recently published cookbooks lavishly detail how to create memorable and delicious serving boards, no matter the season or the occasion.

The beautiful cover of “The Art of the Board, by Olivia Carney (2022, Gibbs-Smith, $27.99) caught my attention with its beauty and at the same time simplicity. As I turned each page, I took in the advice and strategies for composing boards that balance flavor profiles and textures, using the inventive recipes. From equipment to ingredients plus the beautiful photography, your board creations will be brought to the next level. The chapters cover each season.

The author writes: “Food boards are tactile (which is a fancy way of saying they’re an acceptable way to play with your food as a grown adult) and an immersive experience that brings people together.”  Carney was happy to share the makings of the boards below. “Build A Bagel,” “Cozy Hot Cocoa,” and “Ooey-Gooey Fondue-Y” “are perfect for your celebrations. For the recipe for “Ring in the New Year” board, go to  https://bit.ly/3jbTYP1 .

Another book to check out for recipes for festive entertaining, with cocktails and accompanying canapes is “Festive Cocktails & Canapes: Over 100 recipes for Seasonal Drinks and Party Bites,” by Ryland Peters & Small editors (with photography by Alex Luck, 2022, Ryland Peters & Small, $16.99). This collection of recipes is perfect for memorable celebrations. You’ll find classic cocktails, sparkling aperitifs, dessert cocktails, party fun drinks and easy-to-prepare small bites. The recipe for a “Snowgroni” is a fun Negroni-inspired twist on a snowball. The Prawn Cocktail Shots will wow you and your guests. With this collection you’re bound to find new drinks and tasty food that bring comfort and joy for end of year celebrations and those cold winter evenings ahead. Enjoy these recipes for Prawn Cocktail Shots and Filet Steaks on Toast with Mustard and Arugula.

Bon appétit, and my best wishes to you and yours in the New Year filled with good food. I look forward to another year of inspiring you with culinary delights.

Prawn Cocktail Shots

The headnote says, “These miniature prawn/shrimp cocktails are eye-catching and popular, and an up-to-date version of a 70’s classic. You’ll need small shot glasses and good-looking cocktail sticks/toothpicks.”

scant 1 cup crème fraîche or sour cream

2 tablespoons tomato ketchup

2 teaspoons Manzanilla sherry

1 ½ ounce of each, fresh tarragon leaves and fresh dill, chopped

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

a pinch of celery salt

½ ounce spring onions (scallions), chopped (optional)

14 ounces –1 lb. 2 ounces cooked and peeled king prawn/jumbo shrimps (about 60), tails left on if desired

1 tablespoon snipped fresh chives or a pinch of smoked paprika, to garnish

shot glasses or small tumblers

cocktail picks

To make the cocktail sauce, put the crème fraîche, ketchup, sherry, herbs, paprika and celery salt in a small bowl. Mix with a fork or small whisk until well combined and smooth.

Spoon a little cocktail sauce into each shot glass and add a few chopped spring onions (scallions), if using. Thread two prawns/shrimp onto each cocktail stick/toothpick. Dip the prawns/shrimp into the remaining cocktail sauce, ensuring that they are coated, then carefully slide each stick into a shot glass, being careful not to smear sauce on the inside of the glass.

Garnish with either a sprinkling of chives or a pinch of smoked paprika, as preferred. Serve immediately. Makes 30.

Fillet Steak on Toast with Mustard & Arugula

The headnote says, “A satisfying combination of rare, juicy beef with mustard and peppery arugula. If you prefer, Dijon, English or honey mustard can be substituted for wholegrain mustard.”

1 ciabatta loaf

2 tablespoons wholegrain mustard

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 pound beef fillet

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 ounces arugula

sea salt and cracked black pepper, to serve

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Cut the ciabatta loaf in half lengthways and toast in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes. Mix the mustard and mayonnaise together and spread evenly onto the cut halves of toasted ciabatta.

Brush the beef with olive oil and heat a griddle pan. Sear the beef in a hot pan without disturbing, for about 2 minutes, and repeat on the other side. Transfer the beef to a chopping board and rest for 15 minutes.

Using a sharp knife, slice the beef into enough thin slices to cover the ciabatta. Press the beef gently onto the ciabatta, to encourage it to stick to the mustard mixture. Scatter the arugula over the beef and carefully cut into fingers. Serve with little dishes of sea salt and cracked black pepper. Makes about 20.

Snowgroni – “The festive Snowball cocktail is traditionally mixed with Advocaat and lemonade, with the latter adding a refreshing quality that balances out the liqueur’s richness. (Recipes and photos from “From Festive Cocktails and Canapes: Over 100 Recipes for Seasonal Drinks and Party Bites” Ryland Peters & Small 2022. Photographs by Alex Luck © Ryland Peters & Small)

Snowgroni

The headnote says, “Advocaat is a liqueur made from sugar and eggs (much like eggnog) with a creamy, custard-like consistency. The festive Snowball cocktail is traditionally mixed with Advocaat and lemonade, with the latter adding a refreshing quality that balances out the liqueur’s richness. This hybrid of two classic cocktails – the retro Snowball and the perennial Negroni balances the rich creaminess of Advocaat with the bittersweet intensity of a Negroni.”

½ ounce Conker Dorset Dry Gin, or other dry gin

½ ounce red vermouth

½ ounce Campari

1 ounce Advocaat

5 ounces sparkling clear lemonade

a lime wedge and cocktail cherry, to garnish

Add the gin, vermouth, Campari and Advocaat to an ice-filled highball glass and stir. Top up with chilled lemonade and garnish with a lime wedge and a cocktail cherry and serve at once. Serves 1

Build-A-Bagel Board “Everyone has their own idea of the perfect bagel toppings, and this is an easy way to make sure everyone can build the perfect breakfast.” (“The Art of the Board” by Olivia Carney and used with permission by Gibbs Smith Books.)

Build-A-Bagel Board

The author writes. “Everyone has their own idea of the perfect bagel toppings, and this is an easy way to make sure everyone can build the perfect breakfast. The board is easy to customize for different dietary concerns: including gluten-free bagels, tofu cream cheese — the sky’s the limit.”

Accessories: 2 small bowls, 1 ramekin, Board:16-by-14-inch rectangle, wood

1 (7 ½ ounce) package chive and onion cream cheese

1 (7 ½ ounce) package garden vegetable cream cheese

¼ cup capers

6 assorted fresh bagels, halved

2 tomatoes, sliced

1 cucumber, sliced

2 to 3 handfuls arugula

2 bunches grapes

1 red onion, sliced

8 crispy bacon slices

2 (4 ounce) packages smoked salmon

1 lemon, sliced

1 (6 ounce) package blueberries

3 to 4 strawberries, halved

Lemon rind flower (optional)

Place two small bowls and a ramekin on the board. Fill one bowl with the chive and onion cream cheese and the other with the garden vegetable cream cheese. Fill the ramekin with the capers.

Layer the bagels on top of one another in the center of the board, alternating flavors.

Surround the bagels with toppings, starting with the tomato slices, then the cucumber slices, arugula, grapes, and onion. Add the bacon, smoked salmon, lemon slices, blueberries, and strawberries. Garnish with a lemon rind flower, if using.

To make a lemon-rind flower, use a sharp knife or vegetable peeler and peel the yellow rind (do not include any white part) in a continuous strip from the lemon. Curl the strip in a circle, yellow side out, as tightly as possible without breaking it. Hold it together with a toothpick, if needed.

Ooey-Gooey Fondue-y Board

The headnote says, “You can warm up with this epic fondue board in the comfort of your own home when the weather starts to get chilly. Experiment with your dippers — pretty much anything tastes delicious covered in cheese, right?”

Accessories: 1 fondue pot and 8 fondue forks, or a medium heat-safe dish and 8 wooden skewers

Board:-by-14-inch rectangle, wood

Rosemary Roasted Potatoes

10 to 12 small potatoes, halved

3 tablespoons olive oil

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves

Flaky sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Classic Swiss Fondue

1 garlic clove, halved

1 (6-ounce) block Gruyère, grated

1 (6-ounces) block Emmentaler, grated

1 (4-ounce) wedge Appenzeller, grated

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup dry white wine

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Freshly ground black pepper

Pinch ground nutmeg

For the Board

1 loaf ciabatta bread

2 cups broccoli florets, steamed

6 to 7 rainbow carrots

1 cucumber, sliced

2 Granny Smith apples

4 ounces chorizo slices

4 to 5 fresh figs, halved

1 to 2 handfuls cherry tomatoes

Rosemary sprigs

To steam the broccoli, fill a saucepan with one inch of water. Place a steamer basket on top. Put the broccoli in the steamer, then bring the water to a boil and steam for 5 to 6 minutes, or until the broccoli is fork-tender. You can also opt to serve the broccoli raw if you prefer! Serves 8

Cozy Hot Cocoa Board – The perfect board for a snowy day(“The Art of the Board” by Olivia Carney and used with permission by Gibbs Smith Books.)

Cozy Hot Cocoa Board

The author writes, “Now this is my kind of snow day! Throw on your favorite holiday movie and leave the shoveling for tomorrow. I added different hot cocoa mixes to my board so people could choose their favorites, but you can also make a big batch of cocoa on the stove and save the board for all the toppings.”

Accessories: 2 medium bowls, 4 ramekins, 2 hot cocoa mugs (optional)

Board: 17-inch round, wood

1 (8-ounce) package mini marshmallows

8 holiday marshmallow cocoa toppers or large marshmallows

2 to 3 handfuls white chocolate–covered pretzels

2 to 3 handfuls peppermint candies

1 to 2 handfuls peppermint white chocolate truffles, such as Lindt brand

1 (3 1/2-ounce) bar dark chocolate peppermint bark 8 candy canes

½ cup white chocolate chips

½ cup milk chocolate chips

1 ounce red, white, and green nonpareils

1 (3 ounce) package Sno-Caps

1⁄3 cup crushed candy canes

1 cup shredded coconut

Whipped cream, for serving

Place two medium bowls and four ramekins on the board. Add two hot cocoa mugs, if using.

Pile the marshmallows high on about a quarter of the board. Place the marshmallow cocoa toppers, pretzels, peppermint candies, truffles, peppermint bark, and candy canes in the open spaces.

Place the white chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, nonpareils, and Sno-Caps in the ramekins. Place the crushed candy canes and shredded coconut in the bowls. Serves 5.

Stephen Fries, is a newly retired professor and coordinator of the Hospitality Management Programs at Gateway Community College, in New Haven, CT. He has been a food and culinary travel columnist for the past 14 years and is co-founder of and host of “Worth Tasting,” a culinary walking tour of downtown New Haven, CT. He is a board member of the International Association of Culinary Professionals. Contact him at Stephen@stephenfries.com. For more, go to stephenfries.com.

[venturetitta]

Biscuit head asheville nc

#Biscuit head asheville nc plus#

What to Orderįollow it up with a plate of Huevos Rancheros and a glass of Mega-Mosa or cup of bottomless coffee. You can even choose to sit between the bright interior or the roof-covered exterior. Its dishes are quirky and artistically presented. This bright and airy cafe is one of the popular breakfast places in Asheville for its yummy classic choices and vibrant aesthetic.

#Biscuit head asheville nc plus#

Sunny Point is a down-to-earth, family-owned cafe serving made-from-scratch, upmarket farm-to-table comfort fare, coffee drinks, beer and wine, plus craft cocktails. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hotel Indigo Asheville Downtown, an IHG Hotel 5. Then, grab the Caesar Salad and Shrimp Roll Sandwich for your main course. Share the Cheese and Charcuterie Boards with your table. You could even eat your meals in its lush backyard.Īll you need to do is choose a picnic table to sit on for your meal. Why You Should Have Brunch HereĮnjoy a delicious gourmet meal and wine tasting amid a cozy house whose country-lodge vibe feels absolutely inviting. Leo’s House Of Thirst is a low-key, compact eatery serving seasonal, elegant plates, light bites, cheese and charcuterie, plus hand-selected wine. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Cambria Hotel Downtown Asheville Next, go for the Organic Tofu & Avocado Sandwich served with celery sticks. Start with some small plates, like the Sweet Tater Fries and Nacho Platter. Its brick walls, mural, patterned tables, and delicious fare all contribute to the cool, modern-casual look that makes this place such an awesome hangout. This place is one of the top choices for cute brunch spots in Asheville for its charming bistro style. Rosetta’s Kitchen is a cozy, easygoing eatery offering home-style, health-minded comfort cuisine, kombucha cocktails, draft kombuchas, and spirits. Then, enjoy a plate of the Banana Bread French Toast and Pei Mussels for your main meal. What to OrderĬhoose the Pear & Arugula Salad to start. You could also choose to eat al-fresco for a breezier brunch time. Plus, who could say no to its tasty and beautifully plated dishes? Its sleek and dark interior offers a dramatic aesthetic that enhances your meal. Upscale dining is what you’ll get when you dine in this restaurant. The Market Place is a casual, upmarket restaurant serving area-sourced, farm-to-table American dishes, bottled beer, featured cocktails, and fine wine. Pick a glass of Tart Berry Spritz as your drink. Then, choose the Fluffy Ricotta Pancakes and Amatriciana Omelette served with fresh fruit as your meal. Start healthy with the Vegan Greco Bruschetta. You can choose to bond with each other and eat inside its trendy, mismatched industrial-style interior or enjoy the fresh air on its casual rooftop bar. This spot is among the good brunch restaurants in Asheville for its cozy and inviting atmosphere, the perfect place for hanging out with friends. Social Lounge is a sleek, relaxed eatery serving locally-sourced small plates, draft beer, and premier craft cocktails, with a rooftop view. In fact, here are 25 spots that serve the best brunch in Asheville to help you choose which to visit first. Or just before noon, if you’d prefer to sleep in. You could even begin your food trip early in the morning. Indeed, you’ll enjoy eating out all the time because choices range from fancy and homey. Its mix of comforting and delicious dishes also puts the North Carolina city’s food scene at the forefront of your vacation. Its stunning mountain views, fascinating art scene, and craft beer culture are just some of the reasons to visit Asheville.

[thelampisaflashlight]

Because I just spent an absurd amount of time trying to open a wine bottle, only for it to be basically flavorless, y’all get some “Dinner with the ghouls & Copia” headcanons. Indeed, I will use anything to facilitate making more headcanons. Below the cut for ease of scrolling, take a piece of cheese from the charcuterie board before you go.

Copia: Definitely tries to make an event out of the meal, he wants his guests to have the whole “dinner and a show” experience, but he can and will do something embarrassing part way through the evening. Be it fumbling the wine bottle or accidentally dropping sauce on his fancy outfit, he’s going to be incredibly dramatic about it, even if most of his “truly devastated” behavior is an act.

He tries to make the effort for when Sister Imperator comes to visit or other important church figures, but if it’s just him and the ghouls? He’s leaning over the coffee table eating chicken wings and pizza and making an absolute mess of himself. Worse yet, he’s feeding the bones to the ghouls because they like the crunch. Simply atrocious.

Aether: He tries, he really does. He puts in the time and effort to make things nice, and hey, it works out just fine! ...Uhhh... most of the time. The first time he cooked for anyone after being summoned was a disaster, the second time was just as bad, and the third time he at least remembered to remove the egg shells from his omelet attempt.

Nowadays he does pretty well, and is a wonderful host, but, much like Copia, if he can swing a no stress meal that lets him sit around in his boxers and watch tv, he will.

Dewdrop: He’s ordering dinner for everyone, he doesn’t have the time or the energy to make a fancy meal for a bunch of hungry people. He just doesn’t. He will remember your extra order of fries, he will ask if they can put the sauce in a separate container, because, “Mountain doesn’t like the ranch ON his food, he likes to dip it. I know that the little plastic cup will cost 25 cents more, he wants his ranch on the side and he’ll have it on the side.”

If he’s by himself though? Five star chef mode suddenly activates and he’s making himself single serve lasagnas and homemade pasta, because, “I deserve it, fuck you.”. Hard to say if his cooking is actually any good taste wise though considering the ghoul can and will eat soap.

Swiss/Multi: He’s taking people to a fancy restaurant to show off, and acts all proper and charming and it’s working dammit. He’s laying it on thick for his group, and he WILL wind up getting dessert for free because the staff thinks he’s handsome. He’s the dude who shows up with a really expensive box of pastries for people to eat that he got with a discount, because he “knows a guy”.

However, he’s also the one crunching down on chicken bones in the first scenario.

Rain: He’s got a box of mac and cheese with your name on it. No, really, he labelled it so he’d remember not to eat it before his dinner date rolled around. A connoisseur of the finest chicken nuggets the freezer section has to offer. 

He knows how to make all kinds of fancy dishes, but he’s a ghoul of taste, and knows sometimes simple is better. He will pair Kraft dinner with wine though.

Mountain: He’s going to to try and make you something you haven’t eaten before, keeping any dietary restrictions in mind of course. Likes making the meal alongside his guests and getting them to try the individual ingredients to see how they blend together to make the overall flavor.

Very polite host, who makes sure his guests have plenty of snacks, but is also secretly hoping there are lots of leftovers so he can eat them later after everyone has left.

Cumulus: She’s like Mountain, in that she likes having her guests help out with the meal, but she’ll also settle for them bringing their own individual dishes to share. If her and Mountain team up to make dinner, chances are there’s gonna be six other very curious and hungry ghouls lurking behind the kitchen island.

Cirrus: Makes the best pancakes anyone has ever had, but that’s about it. She can cook, but she simply will not. You’d sooner convince Dew to make dinner for everyone than get her to handle the hassle of feeding eight hungry ghouls. Nope, not happening. 

However, if Cumulus asks, well, she can’t say no, because she asked so politely and agreed to help wash the dishes afterwards.

Sunshine: She’s on par with Rain in this case, but Swiss feels, as a fellow multi ghoul, that she deserves better than boxed mac and cheese. Rain wholeheartedly disagrees and thinks it’s the pinnacle of dinner foods. It’s a whole thing.

She can microwave a hotdog without it bursting in the microwave, and Copia will consider that a win compared to the destruction the other ghouls have wrought on the abbey’s kitchen over the years.

[petriquors]

— summer dates with karasuno

❤ boys !! daichi, sugawara, asahi, tanaka, nishinoya, ennoshita, kageyama, hinata, tsukishima, yamaguchi

❤ genre !! fluff

❤ author notes !! just some quick little summer dates because i’ve got that mid-august romance on the brain  part 2 (bokuto, kuroo, atsumu, tendou)

❤ daichi !! drive-in movie. daichi, a lover of classic dates, found out about a local movie theater doing outdoor events this summer and has been dying to take you since the day he saw the flyer at the train station. he’ll bring popcorn and drinks, planning to show up early enough to get the very-best parking spot for you two to have the nicest view. he’ll also do the thing where you pull in backwards and watch the movie from the trunk of his car, where he set up a whole fortress of blankets and pillows – and, yes, he definitely went a little extra just for you and got some battery-powered fairy lights to make your private viewing experience even more cozy and romantic. he will definitely pull the yawn-into-cuddling move on you, because he always does, and he feels best when he’s holding you near.

❤ sugawara !! gardening. is it a date if you’re helping sugawara in the garden he decided to start keeping in the spring? he thinks so. suga likes to be productive, and he loves the outdoors, and he really loves nurturing living things, but he mostly just wants to show off that he’s managed to get things to grow. with the sun bearing down on your backs, he “lends” you some gloves that he bought specifically for you, in your favorite color, and shows you with the gentlest of hands how to weed and water everything correctly. sharing something he cares about with you makes his heart feel full, and you notice how his smiling gaze lingers on you a little longer when you least expect it, until he invites you inside for “homemade” (read: instant) lemonade and lunch.

❤ asahi !! picnic. a picnic with asahi is a lot more than just a meal outside. he insists on preparing the meal together: from the shopping for ingredients to choosing the perfect personalized cheese/fruit/bread combinations for your charcuterie board to picking out and packing your basket, this date feels so unique to you that you feel like you’re living in a period painting – due in part to the fact that your boyfriend wants to get a little silly and dress up in fancy clothes (some that he may have even designed himself; as an aside, this man absolutely has made you clothes as presents) just to spread out and spend the afternoon having lunch in the park.

❤ tanaka !! food festival. like most of us, tanaka is just so excited by the idea of a bunch of different kinds of food all in one place. he’s especially excited about the international food trucks, so expect to be dragged around the festival to try burgers, gyros, empanadas, and everything in between. he definitely favors meat dishes, so you’ll have to bully him into eating a vegetable every now and again. he’ll also take note of which foods you like (by watching you like a hawk) so he can go home and look up restaurants that serve that food and impress you by taking you there later. even if you’ve been dating for a while, tanaka is fully committed to finding new ways to impress, excite, and overall woo you – even if it’s small things that make you smile, like a fun food date.

❤ nishinoya !! water park. nishinoya plans a whole day to go to a super-cool-and-famous water park because he wants to beat the heat in a fun way, not just going to a pool or something. he loves all the big, scary rides that explicitly soak you, and he’s scream-laughing on pretty much anything you two ride together. he, of course, will let you drag him to a slightly more chill activity like a pool or one of those lazy rivers to relax (and let your heartbeat get back down to a normal rate), but he’ll spend the whole time gushing about the next big ride he wants to go on next. he’ll probably get ice cream or popsicles at least twice, justifying that they are two totally different things, so it’s okay!

❤ ennoshita !! sunset drive. the sun sets late in the summer, we know, so after dinner, he’ll bribe you with “let’s go get ice cream” without telling you that he wants to go to a dairy farm-slash-creamery over an hour away. he fiddles with the car radio until he finds your favorite, and lets the music fill the air while he drives with the windows down, a light summer breeze making his hair move gently across his face. you might catch him humming along to the music that he’s started to like since he started dating you, as he’s begun to learn the lyrics to your favorite songs. the way the golden hour sun makes his skin glow and eyes sparkle is absolutely captivating, and he thinks the exact same thing about you. that's the moment when he reminds you just how lucky you make him feel.

❤ kageyama !! hiking. what starts out as “let’s just go on a run” morphs into a hike because he wants to go somewhere a little more scenic and special with you, so he loads up his backpack with drinks, snacks, bug repellant, and sunscreen, and takes you hiking at one of miyagi’s mountains to escape the punishing heat of the town you two live in. he’s going to spend the whole hike looking for a beautiful view to stop for lunch, and when he finds one – probably a nice cliffside or some such – he’ll hold your hand and share his chips with you while your legs dangle comfortably over what feels like the edge of the world, all to yourselves.  

❤ hinata !! beach. hinata absolutely loves the beach, even when it’s crowded because “the ocean is so big, there’s room for everyone!” expect to spend the whole day at the beach: you two grabbed sandwiches and drinks from the convenience store, packed a bag full of extra sunblock, blankets, books, portable games, everything. and! he even carries everything: the bag, the umbrella, chairs if you’ve got ‘em, and will not hear any protests about you wanting to help him. he’ll even play a light game of beach volleyball with you and let you win (don’t tell him that you know he did, or he’ll sulk about it)!

❤ tsukishima !! outdoor art installation. you have no idea how tsukishima found out about this, but that’s sort of par for the course with him; he always finds these cool events going on to take you to, making you feel like you’re exclusive and in-the-know just because he’s a little too plugged-in to social media. it’s wonderful to see him so calm, so wrapped up in the moment that he’s not worried about looking cool or impressing you; tsukishima even grabs a guidebook at the entrance of the exhibit and reads you all the details and facts about the art and artists while you explore together, hand-in-hand.

❤ yamaguchi !! outdoor concert. yamaguchi loves concerts, loves the feeling of music taking over his body (you know, when your heartbeat starts to match the drums), and the feeling of togetherness he feels when he’s in a crowd of people enjoying the same music as him. he feels so alive that a concert is one of his favorite places to bring you, so you two can share that out-of-body experience together. he holds you by the waist the whole night to keep you close, always checking in to make sure you’re comfortable with the noise and have enough water to enjoy yourself. as both of your heartbeats start to match the music, you and he realize at the exact same moment: your heartbeats match each other’s too.

❤ suggestions open; reblogs appreciated !!

[morethansalad]

Make Eating Your Fruits A Decadent Experience 🕯️💎 💖

Need help getting a variety of fruits in daily?

✳️make a charcuterie layout: eat them with fancy vegan cheeses, olives, crackers (flaxseed crackers will help your omega 3s intake ☺️), dark chocolate (true cacao is best)

✳️switch out the wine for pomegranate juice (Alcohol can reduce nutrient absorption. Plus, you can have breakfast or lunch decadence this way)

✳️make a fruit salad that incorporates a variety flavors. Your taste buds will appreciate the stimulation. Creating complex flavors like this is what makes restaurants classy. To the sweet fruit, add sour with citrus juice or zest, add salty with sea salt or Himalayan pink salt, add bitter with fresh herb leaves (like basil, mint, rosemary) or bitter greens, add spicy with a bit of pepper or ginger, and if it will fit add umami (vegan feta, nutritional yeast, seaweed, mushrooms??, sauce with garlic or tahini)

✳️juice or blend fruits and serve it in a fancy cup

✳️mix up the fruit you buy. Free your taste buds from monotony

✳️make them into popsicles, (n)ice cream, sorbet, or sherbet

✳️add them to your salads. With a handful of nuts or seeds always elevates a salad to me. Good choices: strawberries, oranges, raisins, pomegranate, watermelon

✳️add them to desserts (raw or no-bake desserts for the most nourishment)

✳️make them into iced tea (mix with herbs for extra nourishment. Little to no sugar will be needed if you do add licorice root btw. Research the precautions and contraindications for licorice root before you do so and make it a staple in your life)

✳️dip them in a sauce of your liking: cacao sauce, coconut yogurt, date syrup, date caramel, tahini, nut butter, etc.

✳️make a picnic or fancy meal layout and turn on atmospheric music while you eat: jazz, lo-fi, classical, wind chimes, flute-based music are good options

✳️eat mindfully ☺️

[princessbatears]

Could I please request 💥, 💎, 💐, and ✨? For the last one, could I get some HC’s about what happened when Frankie tried to tell his s/o they should leave him because he is a werewolf? Like he is obviously in love that trying to tell them to do that would have broken his heart. Thank you! 💙💙

Thank you so much for asking these! 🧡

💥 First fight/making up

The first fight you and Frankie have is when you’ve been dating for a couple months. It’s about his hat.

You don’t mind his hat most of the time, but when he shows up at your apartment to take you to a nice dinner wearing a suit AND that stupid baseball hat, you tell him he needs to leave it in the car.

He doesn’t want to. It hides his hair, which he can’t make lie smooth no matter how hard he tries.

“They’re not going to let you in the restaurant with it on.”

He gawks at you, wanting to know what kind of “restaurant doesn’t let a man wear his own hat?”

It is your exaggerated eye roll and condescending sigh that makes him shut down. His shoulders tighten, his mouth sets in a thin line, and you can feel him slipping into a void of repressed anger and insecurity.

“What?” you snap. No answer.

As he continues to drive in silence, you realize what an asshole you are. He is treating you to a fancy restaurant that’s completely out of his comfort zone and you’re chiding him for doing what he can to make himself more at ease.

“Turn around,” you say softly. “I just saw a Pizza Hut.”

Frankie glances at you, confused.

“I’m sorry for being a jerk.” You squeeze the hand that is resting on the gearshift. “I don’t want to eat somewhere that doesn’t let you wear your hat. Let’s go to Pizza Hut instead.”

The shy, dimpled smile he gives you melts your insides. “You sure? You’re dressed up real pretty.”

You lean over to kiss his cheek. “I can be pretty while I eat pizza.”

His laugh warms you all over. You know in that second that you’ll do whatever it takes to keep him laughing forever.

💎 Marriage

Your second wedding anniversary rolls around a few months after Frankie becomes a werewolf. Every full moon is less jarring than the last.

He’s never been much for grand gestures or even remembering dates, so when he tells you he wants to do something special this year to commemorate your marriage, you’re surprised.

Frankie’s thankful the autumn day falls during the new moon so he’ll be “mostly human.” You gently remind him that he’s always your husband, even in Wolf form, and therefore you don’t care what percentage human he is.

There’s some debate about how to celebrate. You still love the elegant, fine things in life, but you hate how uncomfortable he gets at luxurious hotels or restaurants. It matters that you BOTH have a good time.

Finally, he asks if he can surprise you. It seems really important to him to make this day special, so you agree.

When it rolls around, you’ve bought him a ‘make your own hot wing sauce’ kit. His love for hot wings borders on the obsessive, so you know he’ll relish making the most unbearably spicy Frankensauce he can come up with.

Of course, he’s ecstatic. That huge kid-like grin doesn’t leave his face as he examines the supplies over breakfast. You love knowing you nailed it.

You had hoped the two of you would head back to bed for some fun, but he excuses himself, citing “things to do” with a smirk.

It isn’t until lunch when he fetches you from your home office. You ask if you should put on something nicer. “It’s up to you. We’re going to the field.”

After opting to change into something slightly cuter than your grudge pants, the two of you walk towards the field on the east side of your house. Settled under the shade of a couple large bushes is an elaborate picnic.

There’s a beautiful charcuterie board with crackers, cheeses, sliced meat, olives, fruits, and dips. A bottle of wine is breathing near your favorite glasses. Tiny finger sandwiches are set on your grandmother’s heirloom serving tray. There’s even macarons in every color of the rainbow.

With his hands shoved in his pockets, he beams at your stunned expression. “Happy anniversary, babe.”

You kiss him soundly. “When did you learn how to do all this?”

Frankie shrugs. “There’s a lot of you still don’t know about me. Good thing you’ve got a few more decades to figure them out.”

Needless to say, he gets a very good reward that night.

💐 Family/Kids

You and Frankie know from the early days of your courtship that you both want children.

The plan is to start trying after getting a year or so of marriage under your belts. It is shortly before the werewolf attack on Frankie that you begin in earnest.

Becoming a werewolf puts all that to a halt. Too much is changing. Too much is uncertain.

To your surprise, it’s Frankie who broaches the subject of kids for the first time about 6 months after. “Do you think I’d still be a good dad?”

You embrace him, stroking his hair. “You’ll be the best dad. No other child will be so loved and protected.” He gets misty-eyed at this.

Within another 6 months, you’re carrying the first baby Morales.

The day your daughter is born is the happiest day of your lives. When Frankie holds her for the first time, he radiates a gentle fierceness, which may seem like an oxymoron, but you see in his eyes that he’ll never do anything to harm her and heaven help the person that might.

The first full moon after her birth is the stressful. He’s scared to be in the same house as the baby, but also afraid to go out unattended. When he begs you to lock him in the basement, you refuse. You tell him you’re not treating him like a monster.

Finally, you come to an agreement. You shut him in the bedroom until his transformation is over to see what his mood is. It’s the first time you’re not with him. It kills you to know he’s all alone and in pain. Still, you continue to listen to soothing music to drown out his yips so it doesn’t frighten your daughter.

When all noise from the bedroom ceases, you turn off the music and listen carefully. Nothing at first, then comes the softest, saddest whine.

There’s a brief surge of mama bear instinct that almost stops you from going to the door, but you push it away. Frankie has never ever tried to hurt you since that first full moon and the Wolf was incredibly gentle with you and your belly during pregnancy. He’s the father as much as the human part of Frankie is.

Unlocking the door, you push it open just a crack. Wolf Frankie is laying on the floor, chin resting flat on the carpet like a giant, hopeful dog. His tail wags excitedly when he sees you. “Hi, honey,” you smile.

Confident now, you enter the room. He rises to a sitting position and then stills again. The baby is sleepy, having just nursed, but her eyes widen slightly when she sees him. You’re pretty sure she can only see blurry shapes, but it’s definitely not a shape she’s familiar with.

He leans forward, snuffling her carefully. Then, he gives you a toothily grin, as if it say, “I still can’t believe we made her!” Tenderly, he licks her thick tuft of brown hair.

“See, you’re just fine,” you encourage. “Want to hold her?”

Frankie shakes his head, looking at his massive front paws uneasily. He could cradle her in just one of them. You don’t push it, understanding he needs to go at his own pace.

“How about you come hang with us in the living room and eat your steaks?”

This he’s more than willing to do. The three of you settle down for a lazy evening in front of the TV.

You have a son and a second daughter over the next 5 years, all of whom adjust perfectly fine to their werewolf father, much to his relief.

All’s normal until your eldest hits puberty and her eyes begin to turn amber the week before the full moon…

✨ Frankie trying to end the relationship because of his lycanthropy

After Frankie transforms for the first time, you’re both in shock. How had this happened? How COULD this happen?

It’s made even worse when the Wolf is too disoriented to realize you aren’t a threat to him and lunges at your hand as you reach to touch him.

When he returns to his human form, he can’t even look you in the eye. He doesn’t want you to be around him. The shame and fear he feels over making you cower is unbearable.

You try to convince him that he isn’t dangerous to you, that it’s totally natural for his Wolf to be frightened and you shouldn’t have invaded his space. But Frankie’s having none of it.

After failing to find a cure for lycanthropy, he sits you down and asks you for a divorce. He cries, explaining that you are the love of his life, that he would do anything for you, and it’s why he has to let you go. He can’t risk harming you again.

He’s never hurt you so deeply before. He is giving up on not only your marriage but himself. You won’t let him!

Your refusal to leave leads to your biggest fight ever. He lists all the reasons you should hate him, eyes wet and hands trembling. You scream at him that you stand by your vows to be there through all things and demand to know if he would leave you if you’d become the werewolf instead.

The only sound for a long beat is Frankie’s harsh breathing and your ragged sobs. Then, he looks at the floor and whispers, “No, I wouldn’t.”

You open your mouth to yell at him for his hypocrisy, but the feel of his arms around you stops you. It is the first time he’s willingly touched you in weeks. He presses his face into your hair. “I’m scared.”

“Me, too,” you admit, holding him as tightly as you can. “But we’ll figure it out together, just like we have everything else.”

Frankie Morales Masterlist Werewolf Masterlist

[reddogf13]

Scarlet marks ch5

Pennywise x Beverly

summery: who knew she would end up here? Beverly, having started her work in fashion as a young bright secretary under the older tom Rogan. now forced to sexually serve slimy old politicians under toms vicious grip for power and money. forced into following toms political flock to Derry. she runs into a familiar face, wearing a silver clown suit, out on a special hunt. (mainly smut

status: In progress

rated: M - fowl language, gore, and sex scenes ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

previous chap: Scarlet marks ch 4

next chap:  TBA

_____________________________________

~ch:5 Twisted confession~

“Grey! Grey put him down! Stop!” Beverly repeated as she pulled on his arm, unable to budge his tall figure.

He let out a deep growling snarl before dropping Tom to the floor. Beverly taking the chance to separate the two. Leaving grey standing on the porch as she half dragged the coughing Tom into the living room.

“tom, let me go with him for tonight.” she whispered to him, getting in all she could before he would regain his breath and tell her to shut up. “we need the money right? I can get enough from him to last us a while. We can also use it for another business party. Let me go for tonight.”

his breath having been caught up, he glared at her before speaking roughly. “fine. Drain the bastard for all you can. Tomorrow I am calling in a favor to get him out of my town!”

she nodded with a sigh of relief. Rushing off to meet grey on the porch to close the front door and rush him down the steps away from the house. “you shouldn't have done that!” scolding him along the way.

“why not?!” he questioned. “you shouldn't have even stopped me. Why have him stay alive?”

“because I need him to take care of me!”

“HA! He hardly does that!”

“better then nothing and being left for dead on the street. I don't have anyone else in my life!” she heard him huff behind her on their way to his car. She assumed it was from out of annoyance that she didn't let him eat tom. Their talk going silent to heavy rain fall having them rush into the car. Beverly brushing her hair out of her face and straightening the wet locks the best she could to look somewhat nice after being drenched.

The drive was short to a lovely restaurant where they sat at a table warmed by a nearby fireplace. Their night starting with a nice wine and simple starter a large charcuterie board to share. She took most the fruit and cheeses while he ate the meats.

“why wont you leave Tom?” he interrupted the relaxed mood between them.

She closed her eyes to gain some mental energy for the argument ahead. Swallowing the current bite of food she had chewed through. “like I said, he takes care of me. I cant just up an leave either.” wanting the conversation to end there.

“why?”

“what do you mean why?”

“i can take care of you.”

his statement had her letting out a awkward chuckle. Dropping the smile on her face at seeing how serious his was. Staring at her unblinking in an expression of confusion mixed agitation. “... what about when you get bored?”

“what?”

“what happens when you get bored of me?” repeating her question. “What if I get too tired to do what you want? what happens if you find another girl you like more?” she continued. “When what you want changes, what will happen to me?” taking a sip of wine. “this is all thrilling … for now, but what about when a month passes? Or three? This isn't the first time I've had promise's of “being taken care of” by someone other then tom. You'll move on to do something else and I'll still have Tom. That's how my work goes, that's my life and nothing changes.” shrugging it all off to continue eating.

He didn't say much else after that, however his actions were speaking louder. Flooding the table with fancy orders that Beverly wasn't sure to do with. She ate from a few of the dishes as he kept up that locked on stare with a wide smile. Her eating slowed as her discomfort grew. She thought on why he was doing it. “hoping I'll runaway with him or showing off?” not thinking too long on it.

Full of good food they left together with another bottle of wine. Rushing back to the car through the lightly pouring rain. Beverly taking time to straighten out her hair again in the car. He turned to her with a smile “love the dinner? Want to go relax somewhere else before returning to the wagon?”

“sure, but where?”

“the peak, park up there and enjoy the view with our other bottle of wine.”

“heh, sure, clown.” chuckling in doubt that they were going there to enjoy the view. Relaxing the whole drive up to the lonely parking lot topping a steep hill. Looking out to the lights of Derry shining through the falling rain tapping along the car. The ferris wheel still spinning brightly as it wasn't yet time for the fair to close. Grey giving her a glass to pour the freshly opened bottle of wine into. Sipping their glasses in relaxing in the car. Both deciding to sit closer in the back seat wrapped closely together in greys jacket for warmth.

“so why was Tom in such a snippity mood today? If I offer high enough he just accepts my offer.” sipping on some wine. “Someone cancel today?”

“the political hunting trip took a nose dive when a bear came along.”

“oooh, sucks for them.” he snickered.

She thought to herself. “what extreme bad luck.” all those men taken out by one bear. “left food around and didn't see the bear coming?” she wondered. “they don't tend to walk without younger help though. They must get tired hoisting their guns and ammo around the forest.” taking a sip of wine. “my costumers seem to always have the worst bad luck. All disappeared over time after I arrived. Pennywise killed that one group a week ago. Now this group was eaten by-” her mind linking together that these events may not have such different circumstances.

Peeking at grey pouring the last bit of wine in his glass down into his wide open mouth. “no, couldn't be him the whole time.” she thought. “he started visiting me a while after my flow of customers slowed.” but his words from when they first started meeting came forth. “he'd been scanning the streets for a while. And only seriously as of recent.” but why? Her mind brought up. “because I arrived?” sipping some wine in thought.

“grey.” she spoke his name to catch his attention. “how long did you know I was working the streets?”

he swallowed down his mouthful of wine. “about as long as you've been here. I see practically everything, including all the ones you've served.” he gloated with mild aggression at the mention of past men being with her.

“you watched me work and got interested yourself?”

“oh yes, I couldn't pass up the opportunity.”

“must have been hard with how full my schedule was.”

“ah, wasn't too hard. Your schedule opens up … eventually. … they'll stop coming. … eventually.” his words starting strong then turning to a dying mumble. Turning his attention away from her to pouring another glass.

“that's not entirely true. Tom will always have friends to schedule at the house for me.”

“like who?” pausing his glass of Chardonnay at his lips.

Beverly didn't say immediately any names. “he has a huge book of contacts somewhere. Probably endless.” she tossed out. Going over how earlier today he subtly asked who was vising. She gave the groups specific names and what they were doing that day. Right before he left and the group died shortly after.

He laughed. “oh, with how old all his buddy's are they'll pass soon enough. Accidents happen all the time.” resuming his drinking from the glass.

“i guess.” she replied. Thinking over how it all seemed too strange to be just accidents. Had he been killing since she first got into Derry? Why? To have her 24/7? did he really want her that much? To pluck everyone off to make it so he was the only one? “surely that wouldn't work. He wouldn't make a plan like that. Too much work for me to be available for a few hours.” she thought as she drank her lovely wine. Glancing at him drinking his every now and again.

Looking between the lights and high above highlighted rainclouds from their seats. The quiet time again bringing to mind the circumstances between her, Pennywise, and her dwindling customers.

“you remember those men you ate a week ago? Were they the first you killed to keep away from me?”

“yes, why?”

“did you kill those hunters? It wasn't a bear, was it?”

“what, no?!” denying the accusation.

“a bear couldn't kill ALL of them. They each probably had a gun to shoot it. At least the bear would have been found dead to.”

“they're scrawny old men who need canes. They would have been a free meal to anything in the woods.”

“awfully convenient for them to be eaten. Same as that one business meeting being canceled when one suddenly crashed their car. Or all the ones before who went missing eventually.”

he huffed. “your overthinking it all. They're old and dying. As for everyone else, maybe they just ran out of money.”

“i don't think your being honest. You killed them all to free up time with me? Don't tell me I am overthinking it. Why do all of it?! I don't need you brushing me off, acting like Tom.”

something inside of him snapped at the accusation of treating her like Tom. He pinned her to the back seat and loomed over. Disguise shedding to reveal his silver suit and clown looks. Getting extremely close to speak at the side of her face, into her neck. “fine, you want to know why?” he began.

“You had all those males coming for you, getting in my way. Yes, I got rid of them all. Those when you first came, that crashed car, those dumb partyers and hunters. One by one so that only I could have you. And I'll keep doing it, even if I have to kill every male in Derry if I have to.”  his confession freezing Beverly in place. Grin stretching full of sharp teeth. “I stopped hunting children because, for a while I've been doing a different kind of chase. I've been looking for a mate and I chose you.” her Skin chilling as her face warmed from a strong blush. Speechless as she felt like she was floating in air.

“me?” was all her mind could bring forth. His hands squeezing her shoulders grounding her again to keep listening to his confession.

“the only one getting in my way is that thorn in my side, Tom.” the growl he let out vibrating through her chest. “you keep choosing that male over me when I've been giving so much more. You say you want to stay with him, but I know better.” taking a deep inhale at her neck, he continued speaking. “All those rounds together to break you away from that spineless fool to become mine. your body's accepted me already, I can always smell it on you, The heated lust for me to bed you.  I can even smell it on you now.” he growled deeply.

Flustering her to heavily swallow from nerves. Burning a bright red that had her face feel on fire until the cool touch of his hands brushed her face. “does my female want me to knot her down right here?”  he breathed hotly at her neck. That sweet smell flowing off him to intoxicate her body. Heightening her want of him to take over already.

She shifted her hips against his with a quick nod. “yes.” she quietly spoke out. Permanently quieted with a deep kiss backing her into the seat. Giving into him stripping them both down in seconds. His hips pinning hers back with each firm thrust. His arms crossing past her head to claw into the leather. Growling and drooling excitedly over the pleasure coming over them. Slipping out for a moment to change positions. Flipping her down into the seat before thrusting back into her. Her legs already quivering under the pleasuring thrusts he wildly gave her. Biting into her neck and shoulders to leave more reddening marks.

She whimpered and moaned out as the towering male above thrusted her down. Clawed hands gripping her shoulders to press his weight down. His thumbs rubbing deeply into her shoulder blades for minor relief from what little pain he was causing. Holding her steady for each firm thrust sliding himself deeper. She could feel his length twitching and squirming the whole way to its goal. Beverly could hardly open her eyes under it all. Submitting to his domination of fully claiming her again like he did not long ago.

He didn't take long to ensure his knot was locked deep down into her. Not lessening his pace between the loads he spilled. Her hand gripping into the seat they were spread out upon. Not wanting him to ever stop, to keep going as long as he wanted until he filled every part of her. Struggling underneath his grip to rile him up further. His hands gliding down to wrap his arms around her waist. She rose up to shiver in her new position on hands and knees. Legs feeling like jello as her body threatened to collapse under the reoccurring waves stunning her body.

She kept wanting to say something, but the words could never escape her. Breathing in his sweet scent or moaning out in shivers. Almost collapsing again by him filling her with his hot seed. She wanted more from him with the words finally able to come out. “m-more, I want more.” skin prickling at the base of her neck from his hot breath.

“I'll give you a lot more.” letting out that deep guttural purr that had her collapsing back down off the heavy vibration. Losing her voice below him to non stop moaning through the hours he kept up the joyful ride. When he stopped she tiredly looked up to him, exhausted after so many hours but wanting far more.

He grinned down to her and helped her up. “lets get back to the wagon. Lot more comfortable there then in a back seat.” causing her confusion on how exactly he was going to drive with them stuck together. He got most their upper ware on to move them both to the front seat. Buckling them together with her stuck on his lap for the drive. He needed to wipe the window clear the steam they caused was so thick.

Beverly thought it was both hilarious and thrilling to drive this way. Hopefully a cop wouldn't pull them over before reaching the wagon. Getting in and out of the car was a small mission in itself. Soon as the door closed behind them it was right back to what they were doing earlier. Across every furniture he could steady her on before making it to where the bed was.

Biting to marking across her in his wild claiming of her on the bed. Him taking full control as Beverly relaxed for him to do so. When she felt his cum spilling over to flow down her thighs did she feel satisfied in gaining enough. Knowing her body was ready for sleep he lessened his motions to nest them both down into the bed. Resting over her to lick at the scratches he caused. Calming Beverly into a blissful sleep for the night.

The next morning she woke without him sleeping over her. Gazing around she found him not too far, standing naked cooking something at the stove. “morning.” she yawned with a stretch, hissing at her sore muscles protesting.

“morning. I am making us a nice hearty soup.” he smiled.

“sounds nice.” she smiled back. Blushing at feeling the apparent sticky slickness coating her legs.

“he-heh, want a bath before breakfast to get all that off you?” teasing her.

“yeah, but I'll need help to the bathroom.” holding out her arms as he came over to help.

Carrying her to a nice hot bath covered by rose petals. “I'll come back after I fix up the bed.” leaving her to relax in the bath.

Alone she lathered up with some flowery scented soaps. Thinking back to all that happened last night. His confession of killing every male that planned to be with her. Destroying all of toms connections and that the only reason tom's really alive is because shes been choosing him. Somewhat glad, but also disappointed that pen was holding back on toppling Tom because of her. “do I want him to?” she thought in questioning herself. He was leaving the choice, to join him, to her but would she rather he just kill Tom despite her protests?

“does he really want me?” was her next thought. “tom started the same. All the gifts, fancy dates, then when he finally had me-” sickened at the thought. “maybe its best I stick to Tom.” thought process broken when Pennywise entered to help her from the tub. Getting her dried and wrapped into a towel.

“muscles feel any better?” giving her a quick kiss on the lips.

Joking with a return kiss. “yeah, I can probably pick up a spoon without an arm cramp.” hugging his shoulders as he carried her to bed. Settling back on the fresh clean bedding he changed. Watching the lovely view of his shifting muscles from him walking back to the cooking food on the stove. Shifting in stirring the hot food on the nearby stove. A tempting idea filling her mind to call him over. “pen, come here for a sec.”

[sanantonioswebdesign]

30 best eats in San antonio

San Antonio, familiar for the San Antonio Spurs, the Alamo, the stream Walk, and after all amazing food. whether or not you prefer Mexican food, Italian, barbecue, or afters (yes it's its own food group), we’ve got you coated. ar you hungry yet? Here are thirty belongings you should eat  in San Antonio.

1. smoke-dried Chicken at The Barbecue Station

The Barbecue Station is understood to be the simplest barbecue in South Lone-Star State and their smoke-dried chicken proves that true. The chicken is medium to the letter with savory BBQ flavor and sides which will embody creamed corn, salad, inexperienced beans, cole slaw, Equus caballus beans, or fries. to not mention the smoke-dried chicken meal is barely $8.99, therefore it fits dead within the road trip budget.

2. The Tostada Bean Burger at Chris Madrid’s

Chris Madrid’s describes the Tostada Burger as “Mama Madrid’s do-it-yourself dish, chips, onions cheddar. prime it off with our freshly created condiment.” It’s the proper wedding between Mexican food and yankee food. Locals and tourists say it's a requirement strive, therefore get thereon as a result of the clock is ticking.

3. Puffy Tacos at Henry’s Puffy Tacos

Puffy Tacos ar San Antonio’s most noted dish. As Guy Fieri once aforesaid, “It’s soft, puffy, and you can’t get enough-y.” Well aforesaid Guy. Well said. shut in you aren’t a texan, a puffy taco is completely different from an everyday taco, in this the tortillas ar cooked to appetizingness. At Henry’s Puffy Tacos you'll get cut chicken, bean & cheese, carne guisada, spicy beef fajita, or spicy chicken fajita tacos. It’s a real Tex-Mex expertise.

4. Menudo at Mi Tierra restaurant  y Panadería

Menudo A.K.A palatableness during a bowl, may be a ancient Mexican soup created with beef abdomen during a broth with red chili pepper base. Yes, I simply aforesaid beef abdomen, and no, there's no got to stress. It tastes very nice Associate in Nursingd it's conjointly aforesaid to be an amazing hangover cure when too several cervezas. Mi Tierra restaurant  Y Panaderia, is understood for having the simplest menudo, therefore make certain to convey it a strive.

5. Chips and dip at Boudro’s Lone-Star State eating house on the Riverwalk

We all apprehend guac is BAE, and Boudro’s Lone-Star State Bistro’s guac is not any exception. I ought to stop talking therefore you'll get your airplane ticket and find yourself some. Don’t fret if you can’t head to San Antonio, their noted formula is on-line. What would a bucket list be while not guac on it?

7. Nutella x3 at Tre Trattoria

This is a Nutella game changer. It consists of a Nutella cake coated in Nutella ganache and served with Nutella mousse. are you able to say afters heaven? it's one among the simplest desserts in San Antonio, hands down.

8. Enchiladas Mexicanas at Rosario’s Mexican restaurant  Y Cantina

Enchiladas Mexicanas ar 3 cheese enchiladas that ar served with avocado, cabbage lime salad, and a grilled chili. At Rosario’s,they are lidded with cooked potatoes, carrots, cilantro & drizzled with cream. #foodgoals am I right? Rosario’s has won multiple better of San Antonio awards therefore it solely is smart that their enchiladas ar on the list of things to eat San Antonio before you die.

9. The Tostada Mixta at El seven Mares

This dish comes loaded with fish ceviche, shrimp, octopus and crab meat mixed with recent pico and hot serrano peppers. What’s to not love? El seven Mares is understood for having a number of the simplest food in San Antonio, and also the Tostada Mixta may be a should contend food lovers.

10. metropolis cooked Shrimp at The Cookhouse

The Cookhouse is fashionable for it’s authentic Acadian dishes. What dish is that the crowd’s favorite? The metropolis BBQ Shrimp. For those of you UN agency have not had barbecue shrimp, it's cooked shrimp in Worcestershire-spiked butter sauce. Yum.

11. Chilaquiles Verdes at Vida Mia Mexican cooking

Chilaquiles Verdes ar a standard Mexican peasant dish of cooked tortillas bathed in inexperienced condiment. they're a San Antonio favorite and other people rave concerning Vida Mia’s chilaquiles. This dish is largely a fete in your mouth.

12. Pork Lovers dish at Dough pizza shop

This dish is #goals. it's simply the foremost fashionable dish in city and a requirement strive once within the San Antonio space. The name says it all. The dish consists of House created sausage, speck, Sopressata sausage, pancetta, house created cheese, and pasta sauce. This delish dish was featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, that’s however amazing it's.

13. cooked ocean Scallops at walking on air

Can we tend to simply stare at this dish for a moment? walking on air, one among the highest graded restaurants in city, describes it as “seared ocean scallops, pepper jack-white store cheese Anson Mills grits, cooked spinach, avocado mousse, and cilantro lime jalapeno beurre blanc.” You fancy huh? Fancy or not, it’s one among the simplest food dishes in San Antonio, therefore add it to your food bucket list.

14. cooky at workplace Lorraine

Macarons a.k.a the foremost attractive afters ever ar successful in San Antonio at workplace Lorraine. they need a large style of flavors like bittersweet chocolate lavender, lemon, pistachio, Earl Grey, raspberry and salt-cured caramel. when you’ve gotten one among the on top of dishes for dinner, these macarons stock up an ideal San Antonio gourmet expertise as afters.

15. Tamales at Tellez Tamales & Barbacoa

Tellez Tamales & Barbacoa create a number of the simplest tamales in city. Tamales ar a preferred meal in San Antonio and no trip to San Antonio would be complete while not it. there's usually an extended line to induce them, that’s however smart they're.

16. Southern Sweet Cream Waffle at The Guenther House

This waffle from The Guenther home is to die for. The Belgian-style treats ar soft and also the excellent quantity of sweet. simply shut in you like it manner an excessive amount of, they sell the waffle combine to require home. Winning. The grounds encompassing the house ar lovely and create watching for a table fully worthwhile.

17. Chicken cooked cut of meat at Lulu’s workplace and restaurant  

Everything is greater in Lone-Star State right? Well even the Chicken cooked cut of meat at Lulu’s workplace and restaurant  is that the size of Lone-Star State. If you’re trying to find the final word nutrient, this is it. Don’t like gravy? you'll get queso on your Chicken cooked cut of meat. Sounds dangerous however therefore delicious at identical time.

18. Pea Toast at FOLC

Odds ar you’ve ne'er detected of or tried Pea Toast, however this dish from FOLC can produce a desire you ne'er knew you had. FOLC’s Pea Toast combines house-made cheese with pea shoots on cooked house-made bread. It’s a pleasant lightweight meal after you aren’t wanting an important one and a necessary strive once within the San Antonio space. Plus, it’s simply the prettiest dish you’ve ever seen.

19. Tonkotsu Ramen at Kimura

Wanting Associate in Nursing Asian dish once in San Antonio? Kimura has you coated. Their Tonkotsu Ramen is extremely raved concerning. What’s Tonkotsu you ask? it's ramen served during a pork bone broth with a soft-boiled egg, nori, marinated shiitake mushroom mushrooms, spring onions, and bean sprouts. it's undoubtedly not your average school ramen expertise by any suggests that.

20. Sticky brittle Pudding at Biga on the Banks

Do I even got to convert you to do this? verify however freaking smart that appears. Biga on the Bank’s menu describes The Sticky brittle Pudding as their consolingly made signature afters, impressed by British classic with crème anglaise. So fancy, so tasty. Boys, I extremely advocate taking your lady here. After all, there's no higher thanks to a woman’s heart than through afters.

21. Short Rib boeuf at The depot ‘Cue and Brew A barbecue editor of Lone-Star State Monthly aforesaid that The depot serves the simplest boeuf within the country, therefore however may you not strive it once in San Antonio? it's undoubtedly one among the foremost fashionable barbecue dishes in Lone-Star State. What makes it therefore special? The smokey style. The cut of meat is rubbed in merely coriander and black pepper, giving it a novel and sapid style.

22. The Torre American state Mariscos (Seafood Tower) at El Bucanero

A food tower. A tower of food. affirmative it's real, and affirmative it's one among the simplest ways in which to try and do food in San Antonio. Not solely will El Bucanero produce glorious Mexican food, however they conjointly offer a produce eating expertise that has ensemble bands.

23. food shop Plate from Cured

Charcuterie is that the branch of change of state dedicated to ready meat product, like bacon, ham, sausage, terrines, galantines, ballotines, pâtés, and confit. At Cured, there ar many choices, all created in-house, and some of every food shop plate is given to a charity of Cured’s alternative.

24. Eggplant Josephine from Bella on the stream

This super fashionable dish from Mediterranean eating place Bella on the stream, consists of cooked eggplant, Lone-Star State Gulf Shrimp, sauce diablo, cheese cheese, and sauce sauce. The eating place is understood for being one among the foremost romantic dinner spots in San Antonio similarly.

25. double cooked Chicken Wings at Hot Joy

Hot Joy, Associate in Nursing Asian impressed spot is claimed to own an enclosed that appears like a vintage Kung Fu motion picture, and their food may be a funky twist on Asian flavors. The double cooked Chicken Wings is Hot Joy’s preferred dish. The double cooked wings ar coated in crab fat caramel, peanuts, and cilantro oil. i do know the outline is horrifying, however they're a delicious and distinctive strive.

26. Turkey Chupacabra at The Station restaurant

Looking for the simplest sandwich to do in San Antonio? This Turkey Chupacabra is it. it's a sweet & spicy chupacabra serrano sauce with smoke-dried turkey on a do-it-yourself sandwich roll with liquified store cheese, lettuce and tomato. the simplest part? it's solely $4.95.

27. Breakfast Tacos at the initial doughnut look

San Antonians don't play around with their breakfast tacos and also the Original doughnut look was voted as having the simplest. Their tortillas ar recent, and you'll place something your very little heart needs into the tacos.

28. Taco ice-cream sundae at Brindles amazing Ice Creams

Brindles amazing Ice Creams has taco sundaes on Sunday (punny right?) and that they ar to die for. You get a waffle cone taco, three scoops of your favorite frozen dessert flavors, and so get to load it up with toppings. I’m screaming for this frozen dessert and then is that the remainder of San Antonio.

29. Ahi Tuna Tartar at Feast San Antonio

The Ahi Tuna Tartar may be a client favorite at Feast. it's terribly recent and well created. the nice issue concerning Feast is that you simply don’t have to be compelled to limit yourself to at least one dish, as a result of their plates ar meant for sharing. Get this dish and plenty of others similarly.

30. cut of meat Grilled Cheese at Smoke Shack San Antonio Photo courtesy of expressnews.com

This cut of meat Grilled Cheese can rock your world. It’s the all yankee classic that everybody loves combined with a San Antonio barbecue twist. to not mention it’s not your typical sourdough, however rather Lone-Star State toast. This icky goodness can of course leave you wanting additional.

[passionate-baker]

Italian Adventures Part I: Florence

Friends, welcome to Part I of our Italian Adventures: Florence!

I’m so excited to share this travel guide with you! It has been such a long time in the making and I’m dying to tell you about all of our favourite places in the Tuscan capital. 

Let me just start with this statement: we adore Italy. If Italophile is a word - which google has led me to believe it could be - then Boyfriend & I would definitely be described as such. We love the vibe, the food, the wine, the museums, the language, the atmosphere, the gelato, everything. This is the case for Italy as a whole, yes - but Florence in particular has something that other Italian cities just can’t compare with.. and I’m not just talking about the world’s best cheesecake - but there’s more on that below. 

There’s a huge amount of recommendations in this post. I’ve streamlined the recs into six sections: Stay / Coffee / Eat / Drink / Museums + Attractions / Places to See. The first four are self-explanatory, but the difference between the last two sections is an entry fee; Museums + Attractions are all paid entrance, while the Places to See are free. If you have any doubts about any of the places listed below, just know that we’ve been to each & every single place a whole bunch of times (some an embarrassingly large amount of times), so you know you can actually trust us when we say they’re reliable. 

Happy travelling, friends! 

STAY

Leonardo House  //  we’ve stayed at Leonardo House on our last two visits to the city, and - unless we win the lottery and splurge on a fancy hotel - we’ll definitely be returning again! It has an amazing location, it’s extremely budget friendly, and the manager is so so lovely. It’s more of a hostel than anything else, so it’s more pared back than what you might be looking for, but the private rooms are clean and quiet. Honestly, it’s the location that has us returning time after time - it is literally less than a three minute walk straight into the centre of the Duomo complex - what more could you ask for?

COFFEE

Caffe Gilli  //  we have a copy of Ruth Orkin’s fabulous American Girl in Italy photograph & I’d wanted to visit the spot it was taken in since the first moment I saw it. That place is Caffe Gilli. We were so far from disappointed upon walking in the doors that we went back for our morning hit every. single. day. and then some. Pro tip: drink your coffee & eat your pastry at the bar, it costs much less! .. and before you ask: yes, we tried to capture our own take of the iconic photo, and also: no, you cannot see it. A must-visit. 

La Rinascente  //  to be honest, I can’t actually remember what the coffee is like in Rinascente - but that isn’t why you should go there anyway. The cafe boasts a rooftop terrace - La Terrazza - that has a breathtaking view over the Duomo complex. It is the ultimate place for a romantic coffee date. Shout-out to Boyfriend’s parents for recommending!

EAT

4Leoni  //  we are obsessed with 4Leoni. It is hands down our favourite restaurant in Florence, and we have been back an embarrassing amount of times. The food is always impeccable, the location is stunning, the staff are extremely friendly, it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, and it’s home to the best baked cheesecake the world has ever seen. I’m not even exaggerating a little bit. A definite must-visit. 

Il Santo Bevitore  //  okay fine, we are also mildly obsessed with IlSB, and have returned a few times now. The food is always exceptional, and there is a level of perfection & professionalism about the place that 4Leoni can’t quite compare with. The menu is inventive, unusual - on our last visit there was a strong Japanese influence to the meals - and leaves us wowed every time. Our most recent culinary highlights included: an n’duja pasta starter that left Boyfriend drooling, & a mouth-wateringly thick steak that was cooked to absolute perfection. Another must-visit.

Trattoria Giovanni  //  I can’t remember exactly what led us to this restaurant, but we had an unexpectedly fantastic meal. The atmosphere wasn’t as comfortable as either 4Leoni or Il Santo Bevitore, but the place can’t be faulted on the food. We shared a delicious cheese board to start, and had two absolutely perfect pasta dishes for mains -  braised beef cheek for him, and wild boar for me. Overall, a surprisingly good find.

O’Munaciello  //  pizzeria in the Oltrarno. A large, quirky room decorated with fairy lights, candles, and puppets. A real no frills place, but the pizza is reliably good and not too expensive. 

La Carraia Gelato  //  our favourite gelato in city, and arguably the best of the bunch. We are repeat visitors and are forever opting for our fave flavours: nocciola & pistacchio - so. good. 

DRINK

Il Santino  //  extra chic wine bar connected to Il Santo Bevitore. An amazingly tiny space with a small handful of tables clustered together & stools lining the bar. The room is dark & moody, the vibe casual & hipster. The menu is minuscule and sans prices, but after a brief chat with our extremely knowledgeable waitress, we were brought the custom made charcuterie & cheese board of our dreams. We lingered over our tiny table with our various glasses of wine - which were paired with our food by our waitress - for as long as was socially acceptable. If you read our Edinburgh Guide, the place has the same kind of feel as Smith & Gertrude (but so much nicer and friendlier). We loved every single second, a definite must-visit. 

La Ménagere  //  I’ll be honest, I only wanted to visit LM because of the powers of Instagram. I saw it on my feed, I loved the style, & I had to see it for myself. The space itself is beautiful, and it melted my insta-eyes as soon as we reached the door. Initially, I had to drag Boyfriend inside - he isn’t as easily influenced as I - but once we spied the cocktail list, peace was restored. An ice cold margarita served in a silver chalice for me, an old fashioned garnished with shavings of chocolate for him. They were, honestly, the best cocktails of our entire lives. Win-win!

5 e Cinque  //  one night, after dinner in 4Leoni - which is literally a stone’s throw away - we wandered in here for a glass of wine. We enjoyed two glasses of the most delicious Sangiovese ever, for an incredibly reasonable price. Although we had just eaten, everything on the dinner menu sounded so enticing that we vowed to return.

Bulli & Balene  //  the perfect spot for an Aperol Spritz. I think we went to B&B every single day we were in Florence. Both as a pre- & post-dinner at 4Leoni drink, as an afternoon pick-me-up, as a “hey, that place was nice!” stop-off on a wander around town, as a perfect spot to people-watch over a glass or two, you name it. Added bonus: drinks are excellent value!

Archea Brewery  //  we love wine & all - don’t get us wrong - but sometimes you just need a good beer, and this is the place for that. We visit every time we’re in the city & have yet to leave disappointed. Think dark cavernous room with a cozy atmosphere and a relaxed vibe. Pro tip: go for the own brand lager, it’s delicious! A beer lover’s must-visit.

Antica Sosta degle Aldobrandini  //  a perfect people-watching spot. Small bar, cheap food, located across the road from the Medici Chapel, with cold Becks in fridge. We’ll take two, thanks.   

MUSEUMS + ATTRACTIONS 

Santa Maria del Fiore Complex  //  obviously, everyone visits the complex for one reason: the Duomo. The Cathedral itself is breathtakingly beautiful & probably worth some of your precious time, but definitely don’t miss the chance to climb the Duomo. If you’re an art history nerd like me, be sure to check out the Duomo Museum at the back of the complex - amongst other things, they have Michelangelo’s Florentine Pieta (!), and an exact replica of Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise that you can actually look at without being hassled by hundreds of tourists. Pro tip: buy your ticket for the complex (you have to by an all-in-one ticket) the day before you plan to climb the Duomo; that way you can beat the majority of the queues by getting there before the ticket office opens for the day. For sure, a must-visit. 

Uffizi  //  like the Louvre, this is one of those museums that you just can’t miss. It’s home to some wonderful pieces of art by the greats: Botticelli, Da Vinci, Caravaggio etc, the list is endless. It always takes longer to work through the circuitous layout than expected, so be sure to allow extra time.

Accademia  //  obviously, when in Florence, you have to visit Michelangelo’s masterpiece: David... or more specifically speaking, you have to go marvel at that perfectly sculpted specimen of man. I made several return trips around the pedestal just to fully appreciate how beautiful he is. And to check out his butt, of course. Wowza. 

Boboli Gardens  //  although undeniably beautiful in their own right, we only bought tickets into the gardens for one reason: the Buontalenti Grotto. The grotto is at the end of the Vasari Corridor - which I’ve never had the opportunity to visit but would absolutely love to - & is honestly like something straight out of my imagination. We stood outside the gates staring in for an embarrassing amount of time - the sculptures inside are beyond amazing.

PLACES TO SEE

Loggia dei Lanzi  //  my favourite sculpture in the entire world - The Rape of the Sabine Women by Giambologna - is located in the Loggia, not a stone’s throw from the Uffizi. Basically, the Loggia is a free, open-air sculpture gallery filled with unmissable pieces of art. Whenever we visit, I stand mesmerized under Giambologna’s masterpiece before moving on to gawp at Cellini’s selfie in the back of Perseus’s helmet. For me, this is a total must-visit.

Palazzo Michelangelo  //  everyone recommends walking up here and it is easy to see why: you get to see beautiful Firenze from on high! The bridges spanning the width of the winding Arno, the red rooftops capping the city, the Duomo. Pro tip: head up there super early to avoid the crowds... or brave the crowds & go for that magical time right before the sun sets. 

Fiesole  //  we actually have Boyfriend’s mom to thank for telling us all about the small hilltop village of Fiesole, about a 20-minute bus ride out of the city. The bus ticket was super cheap (like, €1.50), and the journey alone was worth it - it takes these winding roads out of the city going up, up, up, leaving you gaping out the window at the views of Florence below. The village is adorable, and very quiet in comparison to the busy streets of Firenze. We hiked up towards the Monastery of San Francesco to get that view over Florence. Perfection!

Palazzo Stozzi  //  a breathtakingly beautiful space in the heart of the city. Used largely as an exhibition space - when we visited they were just about to start a Marina Ambrovic show - but open to the public to walk around. 

RELATED POSTS: 

Bremen, Germany  //  Paris, France  //  Amsterdam, Holland   //  Copenhagen, Denmark  //  Cork, Ireland  //  Edinburgh, Scotland  //  Westport, Ireland  //  Barcelona, Spain  //  Munich, Germany  //  Vienna, Austria  //  London, UK i - ii - iii 

[vitabenedetta-blog]

Travel Eats

Good news! Traveling has been scientifically proven to increase happiness, decrease depression, and chill you the F out. While it is important to be grounded, traveling is a big part of finding out who you are and what environment fuels your inner fire. Plus, experiencing different cultures is invigorating AF. So for all of you that want to get out and explore the borders of this world, I have put together a travel eats guide to all the fabulous food from your home base and beyond. Enjoy! 

The Guide 

$: least expensive 

$$$: most expensive 

Apothik Food Truck $ 

La Crosse, WI 

Calling all Lax residents! Apothik Food Truck is a must try during the summer and fall seasons. The lovely humans behind the truck value: supporting local businesses and farmers while serving up delicious food! The menu changes each week to reflect seasonality and availability of different ingredients, so if you see something you like on the menu, make sure to get it while you can. You can find them at the Cameron’s Park farmer’s market, affordable and in walking distance for all you fellow college students.☺ 

My go-to: CHEESY MAC! 

5 Cheese Sauce, Diced Tasso Ham, Fresh Herbs, Crispy Crumble, Diced Bacon

  CINCO DE TACO 

Chipotle Chicken, Chopped Kale, Roasted Hot Sauce, Lime Cilantro Crème, Pineapple Pico De Gallo, Melted Pepper Jack, Corn Tortilla 

The Mint $$ 

La Crosse, WI 

Oh you fancy huh? The aesthetics at The Mint are on point. Everything from the furniture, to the glassware, and to the food is practically flawless. Toto, I don’t think we are in La Crosse, WI anymore. This is truly an experience you do not want to miss out on. Teaming with The Root Note, The Mint is a farm to table restaurant serving up all the local goods right to your plate. If you are on a budget, I highly recommend taking advantage of Sunday Craft Cocktail night. The craft cocktails are only $5 and appetizers are on sale. 

My go-to: CHARCUTERIE/CHEESE 

Chef’s Daily Selections, Pickles, Mustard, Bread

A LITTLE ROSY

Letherbee Gin, Grapefruit Crema, Grapefruit, Rosemary Syrup, Peychaud’s Bitters 

NAKED AND FAMOUS  

Vida Mezcal, Yellow Chartreuse, Aperitivo Select, Lime 

Howie’s On La Crosse $ 

La Crosse, WI 

A La Crosse classic (most likely right outside your door step). Howie’s has great grub, drinks, games, staff, and an awesome patio. If you have not been I am honestly concerned. Oh, and do I even need to mention the bloody mary bar. YUM! Happy Hour is the perfect time to put down your schoolwork and head over for some student deals. I mean we are only students for four years, so we might as well soak up the discounts while we can. You are bound to run into some of your classmates working at Howie’s and most likely some of your professors throwing one back at the bar. There are enough TV’s at Howie’s that you will never miss a second of your favorite games. 

My go-to: THE ALL AMERICAN 

Cheddar Cheese, Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Garlic Mayo, Sweet Potato Fries 

STRAWBERRY MARGARITA 

Ecker’s Apple Farm $ 

La Crosse, WI 

Because what is better than a caramel apple tossed in M&M’s? Ecker’s Apple Farm is stunning to say the least. Plan on spending the afternoon. With a beer garden, live music, apple picking, yard games, and plenty of grub you are not going to want to leave. Their mission is to bring you unique, quality craft beers from around the country and serve them up cold while you take in the view of the beautiful farm. I’M DOWN. It is a fall destination in La Crosse. 

My go-to: M&M CARAMEL APPLE 

APPLE PIE AND ICE CREAM 

Black Coffee and Waffle Bar $$ 

Minneapolis, MN

Did someone say waffles? These waffles are like no other. They are seriously FUNKY and out of this world. The interior of Black Coffee and Waffle Bar provides an awesome space for students to chillax and enjoy a drink and a waffle. I mean, what could be finer? Every month they introduce a new specialty waffle. I promise, the drive is worth the overpriced waffle and the Instagram picture that comes with it! 

My go-to: STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE 

Cheesecake, Strawberries, Graham Crackers, Whipped Cream 

Hola Arepa $$ 

Saint Paul, MN 

Started from a food truck now we here. The vibes up in this joint will take you away on a Latin destination vacation. The specialty here: Venezuelan stuffed arepas! Arepas are made from cornmeal dough, formed into patties and cooked on a griddle. Then, they are stuffed with meats, veggies, cheeses, and topped with homemade salsas! Their mission is to make food from scratch with a whole lot of love. I recommend sitting on the patio in the sunshine! 

My go-to: FRIED BRUSSEL SPROUTS 

Tamarind Vinaigrette, Housemade Chorizo Sausage, Pepitas, Caramelized Onion Jam, Manchego, Radish 

CHIPOTLE CHICKEN AREPA 

Tomato, Sweet Corn Salsa, Citrus Onion, Radish, Arugula, Chipotle Aioli, Yuca Fries 

Pig Ate My Pizza $$ 

Robbinsdale, MN 

Besides like the cutest name for a pizza place ever, Pig Ate My Pizza was named one of the best pizza places in the US by Time and Food & Wine magazines! They are serving up rotating craft pizzas and over 16 local tap brews! The atmosphere is unexplainably awesome, so you will have to go check this one out yourself. Checkout their website for a little sneak peak (the marketing is phenomenal). 

My go-to: PIGGY PIE 

Deep Dish Meat Lovers! Brioche Crust, Pork Lovers Sausage, Pepperoni, Bacon Emulsion, Toasted Black Pepper Fennel, Oregano

Velvet Taco $ 

Chicago, IL

Let’s taco bout it people! In the heart of the windy city, Velvet Taco is a counter service setting, whipping up some of the most BOMB margaritas and tacos on this planet. With over twenty varieties of tacos, they will assure that you have never had a taco like this. At Velvet Taco, food is art. Let’s go, the flavors await. 

My go-to: FISH N’ CHIPS 

Curry Mayo, Malted French Fires, House Shred, Beer Battered Atlantic Cod, Pea Tendrils, Flour Tortilla 

BUFFALO CHICKEN 

Crisp Tenders, House Buffalo Sauce, Danish Bleu Cheese, Ranch Crema, Carrots, Micro Celery, Flour Tortilla 

Real Good Juice Co. $$$ 

Chicago, IL 

Itching for something a little healthier to cure your Sunday scaries? You have found the place. Real Good Juice Co. serves up good juices and smoothies that are organic and locally sourced. The juices are cold pressed which means they retain 100% of the enzymes, vitamins, and minerals. The company is a huge supporter of Chicago’s Old Town community and contributes a percentage of juice sales to local charities! They don’t stop at serving juice. They also sell bowls, a variety of toasts, salads, and shots. It’s a Win Win. 

My go-to: YUM YUM IN MY TUM TUM 

Banana, Cacao, Almond Butter, Almond Milk, Honey 

Firecakes Donuts $$

Chicago, IL

Hellzzz to the yeah! These donuts are on fire! Firecakes believes that everyone can use a sweet treat to get them through the day. With the craziest flavors, your taste buds will be wanting more. These donuts are fried in a large cast iron pot of oil over an open fire and sprinkled with all the sugar and goods one could ask for. They even have gluten free and vegan donuts! 

My go-to: DONUT ICE CREAM SANDWICH 

Summer House Santa Monica $$$ 

Chicago, IL 

An escape to the warmth and laid-back vibes of the West Coast. The atmosphere is beachy AF. They promise that no matter the season, no matter the weather, you will be transported to the warmth of California at Summer House. I felt like I was Serena van der Woodsen from Gossip Girl, no lie. If you have ever dreamed of your bridal shower, this is that dream. To be honest I barely paid attention to my meal, I was too caught up looking around at all the VIBES. 

My go-to: RICKY BOBBY 

Hank’s Vodka, Fresh Grapefruit Juice, Lime, Strawberry Air

San Giorgio Pizzeria $$ 

Milwaukee, WI 

Neapolitan pizza dough, made fresh in seconds, right before your eyes in a wood-fired oven! I have had a lot of pizza in my life, and this is by far my favorite. That is saying something people, you must go. The chef sits five feet in front of your table while throwing dough and firing up some incredible ZAA. Head Chef Gino Fazzari made this an unforgettable experience (he even bought my boyfriend and I special shots on the house). I would go back a million times. 

My go-to: MARIA CARMELLA 

San Marzano Tomato, Fresh Fior Di Latte Mozzarella, Prosciutto, Fresh Basil, Arugula, Extra Virgin Olive Oil 

Logan House Coffee Co. $ 

Denver, CO 

The vibes are too real people. This place is like an indoor farmer’s market. Make sure you give yourself enough time to really explore. The staff members are super DOPE and are jazzed about talking coffee with customers. 

My go-to: NUTELLA LATTE WITH ALMOND MILK 

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory $ 

Vail, CO 

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! You will never want to get ice cream elsewhere after trying Rocky Mountain. This is mainly because of the cones. Have you ever seen something so beautiful? In the heart of Vail Village you will feel like the cutest snow bunny with one of these cones in hand and the mountains right above your head. If you are a chocoholic you NEED to check this out. 

Blue Moose Pizza $$ 

Vail, CO 

Want to eat pizza while looking out at the Vail Village Slopes? Yeah, me too. This was some of the most exotic pizza I have ever had. Flavor overload in the best way possible. If you go during off-season you won’t even have to wait for a table. 

My go-to: AUTUMN PIZZA 

Sautéed Mushrooms, Truffle Oil, Parsley, Parmesan, Garlic, Olive Oil, Mozzarella, Goat Cheese 

Finale

Now that your taste buds are basically exploding, it is time to get out and explore. Gas up your vehicle, book that plane ticket and Airbnb and be on your way. The flavors await! If you try any of my suggestions make sure to tag #vitabenedetta and let me know about the fabulous foods. 

Until next time. What are some of your favorite travel eats? Comment below.

[jeremystrele]

Our Guide To The Most Gorgeous Getaway In The Hunter Valley

Our Guide To The Most Gorgeous Getaway In The Hunter Valley

Travel

by Sasha Gattermayr

The view out over the Brokenback Ranges surrounding Krinklewood. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

I say ‘Hunter Valley’ and you say ‘wine’! But there is more to this layered, historical slice of New South Wales countryside than viticulture (even though the first vineyards popped up here in the early 1800s!). 

Located just 120 kilometres north of Sydney, the area’s abundant, lush terrain and surrounding mountain range is its distinctive hallmark; but the Hunter region is actually on the fringe of the coast – at most an hour’s drive inland from Newcastle. It’s filled with florists, boutique shops, local providores and, of course, a smorgasbord of places to wine and dine. 

Let us be your guide to some of the hottest spots to visit.

Krinklewood Winery was established in 1981 and now is a certified organic biodynamic vineyard. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

A cheese platter at their cellar door. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

The French provincial aesthetic Krinklewood fits the gorgeous country location. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Wander the gardens at Krinklewood, which is also available as a wedding venue. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

A peacock roaming among the grapes at Krinklewood. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

The cellar door is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday; but open until 5pm on Friday and Saturday; and until 4pm on Sunday, Monday and Thursday. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

The ivy covered barn. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

A picture-perfect country estate! Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

DRINK

Krinklewood Estate

This winery dates back to 1981, becoming a certified organic biodynamic vineyard by 2007. Sip this unique, hyper-local drop on-site at the estate, or purchase straight from the cellar door. Krinklewood‘s rambling French provincial aesthetic is perfectly fitting against the mountainous Brokenback Range backdrop.

712 Wollombi Road, Broke

Muse Kitchen is the sister restaurant of Muse Dining at Keith Tulloch Winery. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

It’s a petit bistro-style restaurant serving local ingredients prepared with European techniques. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Muse Kitchen menu items include local market fish, pork cutlets from Bangalow and smoked potato croquettes. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Restaurant Kawul is owned by Kassidy and Scott Waters, who are Wanaruah people, and serves contemporary food with an emphasis on local and native ingredients. Their avocado on toast boasts pepperberry hummus and a finger lime garnish! Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Restaurant Kawul is situated on the glorious wrap-around verandah at Calais Estate. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Artisan chocolatier Cocoa Nib is the lifelong dream of trained confectionery chef and Koko Black alum, Aymee Slaviero. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

The Cocoa Nib shopfront is located at Keith Tulloch Winery. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Each chocolate from Cocoa Nib is handmade and painted in glorious colours. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

EAT

Restaurant Kawul

Owners of Restaurant Kawul, Kassidy and Scott Waters, are Wanaruah people, and have devised their breakfast, lunch and dinner menu to feature as many local and native ingredients as possible. Think salt-bush polenta chips, mushroom shepherd’s pie with wattleseed and Daintree barramundi with lemon myrtle.

Calais Estate, 151 Palmers Lane, Pokolbin

Muse Kitchen

This petite bistro-style restaurant focuses on simple food done extraordinarily well, using produce from local farmers and suppliers! Menu items at Muse Kitchen include a charcuterie board comprising meats from nearby Branxton, Bangalow pork cutlets and smoked potato croquettes. 

1/27 Belmore Rd, Lorn

Cocoa Nib

Artisan chocolatier Cocoa Nib is the lifelong dream of trained confectionery chef and Koko Black alum, Aymee Slaviero. Each chocolate is handmade from French couverture chocolate and hand-painted with incredible colourful designs.

Keith Tulloch Winery, 989 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin

Worn Out Wares cafe has been operating for 17 years. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

The breakfast spread at Worn Out Wares is a destination throughout the region! Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Owned and run by Louise Christensen and her three daughters, Worn Out Wares houses a cafe, homewares store and florist under the same roof. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

The adjacent flower store at Worn Out Wares is called Wow Flowers. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

A spectacular setting for a snack and a coffee. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

A dark and moody detail corner of Worn Out Wares contains so much detail. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

The gift and homewares store at Worn Out Wares. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

COFFEE

Worn Out Wares

February marked 17 years in the biz for cafe Worn Out Wares, which is run by local Louise Christensen and her three daughters. Besides a breakfast, lunch and snack menu made from locally sourced produce, the family operate their floral business Wow Flowers in the same space.

This gorgeous small business filled with love encapsulates the humble, uncomplicated vibe of the Hunter Valley!

41-43 George Street, Singleton

Owners Sarah and Joel opened Fetch in 2014. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Fetch contains a great lineup of local designers, makers and artists as well as some favourite national brands. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

The store is tucked into Peppers Creek Village beside Pokolbin. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Fetch owner, Sarah. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Such a colourful and expansive lineup of makers! Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

SHOP

Fetch

Nestled between wineries in the Peppers Creek Village beside Pokolbin, Fetch Store stocks art, homewares, furniture and design pieces by local makers and big name Australian brands. This is the kind of place you can’t help but leave with a knick knack or two… or three! 

1946 Broke Road, Pokolbin

Leaves and Fishes started as a restaurant in 2004, and has now expanded to include a homewares shop and boutique accommodation. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Consisting of just four boathouses jutting out over the property’s pond, Leaves and Fishes is an incredibly intimate and secluded overnight spot. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

The lilypond at Leaves and Fishes is a sight to behold from the deck of your own private boathouse. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Each boathouse is fitted with all the mod-cons to make your stay super comfortable. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

The most beautiful, tranquil outlook imaginable! Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

The entrance to Leaves and Fishes restaurant, store and accommodation. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

The store at Leaves and Fishes is a treasure trove of rustic pieces. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Gorgeous ceramic homewares for sale. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

A rambling rustic aesthetic is on offer! Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

STAY

Leaves and Fishes

Leaves and Fishes started as a restaurant in 2004, and expanded to include a stunning accommodation lodge in the following years. Housing just four couples at a time, each room is a standalone boathouse that cantilevers out over a lilypad-filled pond! The venue also boasts a beautiful rustic homewares and furniture store, with an adjacent snack nook offering coffee and cake.

Is there anything more serene than sitting on your own private deck and looking out over rippling water to the trees beyond?

737 Lovedale Rd, Lovedale

Watershed Gallery was opened by locals Ron and Lyn Hammond in 2019. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

It features over 30 contemporary artists, whose works are available for display and sale. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

The light, bright space at Watershed Gallery. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Formerly the Possum’s Retreat BnB, the site now holds Watershed Gallery and its adjacent accommodation. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

The perfect afternoon activity! Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

The gallery is nestled in the bushy Pokolbin surrounds. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

DO

Watershed Gallery

Run by locals Ron and Lyn Hammond since its opening in 2019, Watershed Gallery displays and sells art by over 30 contemporary artists.

There is also accommodation on-site, if you fancy a stay!

621 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin

Keen to gather your things and head straight to the Hunter Valley? Us too! Find out more about the Hunter Valley and the surrounding areas at winecountry.com. And for more NSW travel inspiration head to VisitNSW.com.