Sweet Georgia's Juke Joint

Greetings!

I pray that everyone is doing well and that you are enjoying St. Patrick's Day!!

Last week I had the pleasure of spending the weekend with my dear sorority (line) sisters, and we had a blast! So much so that I was tired after it was all said and done and I was reminded that I cannot hang like I use too :). However, one of our experiences entailed an after dinner snack and dessert ( yes we ate good!) at Sweet Georgia's Juke Joint, in downtown Atlanta.

                                                      ( Picture by www.myurbanaccess.com)

If you live in Atlanta, you will know that this is a hard place to get in to. Speaking from experience,  I have tried on several occasions to get a reservation and they are always booked!! Luckily, we went early last Sunday and was able to get a table without a problem. After speaking to the hostess, she said there is a 3 week wait....damn!!

Dessert
(Sorry no picture folks, I ate first and thought about the blog later, lol!)

While waiting for the band to set-up we snacked on samplers, drinks (which were pretty good) and..........bread pudding....OMG!! In my opinion, and those that were at the table, this was some of the best restaurant bread pudding we had ever tasted. It was the prefect blend of sweet, pecans and the brown sugar topping that they put on there. My only suggestion would be to have raisins and more nuts in it, but I understand that it is a restaurant dessert, so it might not be safe to have all that in there. None the less, it was worth the $7 that I paid for it.

Food

Now the food......is another story. I was not impressed with the sampler of okra (that was used as a garnish....WTH!!!??), fried green tomatoes and fried onions. Furthermore, the shrimp and grits were not anything to write home about either. I think nothing ruins a dish like that more than undercooked grits that you have to work on....no bueno!

Atmosphere

If not for anything else, it is a great place to visit for the atmosphere and grown and sexy feel, the music is great  and so are the drinks and dessert! Oh, and there is a $5 per person entertainment charge as well, but it is better than paying the $20 to get in a crowded smokey club! Hopefully, you will be paying them a visit in the future but when you do, keepp the above items in mind and you can thank me later!

Have fun and happy eating!!

Priorities and Progress

A few nights ago I was unable to sleep and anyone that knows me know, I love to sleep and usually do not have any problems falling a sleep, which is considered a gift by some :). However, on this particular night, I was up all night and I finally gave up the fight, got out of bed, and went in the living room to watch tv at 2:00 a.m., on a week night. Yes, it was bad....sigh.

During this time, I began watching TD Jakes and he was talking about "The Power of A Thought". Needless to say, this was exactly what I needed and wanted to hear because at this moment I realized I had no peace. Over the last few years, I realized that peace is a precious gift that was given by the Man above to everyone, but sadly everyone does not posses it; thankfully, I do! Unfortunately, on this night it was gone!

Listening to TD Jakes I realized what I already knew, that my mind was restless. I realized once I got my mind settled, I would be alright and sure enough I was. During this time,  I also began to think about my priorities in life and if these priorities (or the lack there of) are causing me stress...and unconsiously they were. So, after listening to TD Jakes I made a personal decision to re-establish my priorities during this season in my life and to "keep the main thing, the main thing".

Another lesson learned was that everyone's thoughts and priorities are not like yours. What is your priority, is not necessarily another person's priority and this is something that I must continue to understand in this life.

Lastly, it is important to know what progress have been made with these priorities. Any progress is good progress ( in my eyes) because this means that you are no longer in the position you were in previously, no matter how big or small. Therefore, I ask you, what are your life priorities in this season? Furthermore,  what progress have you made in those areas? Also, what is your measuring stick for such progress?

Just some food for thought.....

Red Velvet Cake Ice Cream....Fact or Fiction?

Greetings and Happy (Belated) New Year to All!!

I hope everyone is doing well. Yes, I am happy to be back , so let's get to it!

In my humble opinion, Publix premium ice cream is some of the best store brand ice cream I have ever tasted. Everytime I go into Publix I swing by the ice cream section to see if they have the infamous and rare Red Velvet Cake ice cream (Yes, ice cream!). Once you have a taste of it you will understand my obsession with it. Last year, I was informed that it is a "limited edition" ( if you will) and only comes out once a year. Unfortunately, I could never remember when that time was so I got in the habit of looking for it year round with hopes of seeing that red and pink container. A few weeks ago, my search paid off and I found it!!! Come to find out it only comes out in February in honor of Valentine's Day.....aaaaawwww!!

As usual during my unique discoveries  I send out a mass text message to my devoted followers and to people who at one point thought this ice cream was a figment of my imagination, just like the sweet potato cake .....mmmmm. The picture above is proof that it does indeed exist and might I add, worth the $4.98 you pay for it.

To describe Red Velvet Cake Ice Cream is like no other and it can only be described as what it is, red velvet cake ice cream. One scoop is like a party in your mouth because every bite is something different. This delicious concoction is made of chunks or red velvet cake ( yes!), pecans, butter cream icing and what I believe to be strawberry ice cream; and yes, it is as good as it sounds.

So......whenever you are in Publix stroll by the ice cream section and I promise you will not regret it or you might, because it is addicting!!

Happy Eating!!

Reflection.....

As we come to the end of yet another year we begin to reflect on the things that are important to us. We start to look back to ensure that we have made some kind of progress in life; and we ensure that we stop and say "thank you" .

Since the end of 2010, my pastor, Glenn B. Allen Sr. has proclaimed that  2011 will be the year to "recover all"......and thankfully for me it has been, and I am still recovering!! I hope that this has been the case for many of you out there and if not, I proclaim that 2012 will be your year of "more". This more can be anything that you want and need it to be and I honestly believe that if we agree then it shall be.

During this time, people are normally running around at the malls and spending money on gifts and other items that they probably cannot afford, but they feel entitled to purchase out of tradition. To each his own, but I just hope that in the mist of the "Christmas Madness" that people stop and think about what is important to them.

This year my list is very short and surprisingly it does not consist of  the latest electronics or other material things but rather the free things in life that many seem to go without......love, peace and joy. These are the things  I honestly wish for everyone that takes the time to read this blog and anyone that I truly consider family and friends. I hope this Christmas season and upcoming new year is filled with all of the above and "more"!

I can truly say that in 2011, my life has been changed in more ways than one. I have truly been blessed in several areas of my life and God continues to keep my name on His blessings list. So, with that said, be blessed and have a Merry Christmas and a safe and blessed New Year!!!

Be Blessed!

Cupcake Moscato!!

Greetings and Happy Holidays!! I hope everyone is wrapping up their holiday shopping and preparing to spend time with family and friends. On this cold Atlanta day, I bring you another great find and a potential Christmas gift for a fellow wine lover. The wine of the day is Cupcake Moscato D'Asti , which entered my life last month when I made a trip back to the Brick Street Cafe, in Greenville, S.C. The wine was a suggestion by the waiter and he swore that it was something that I had to try. So, I did.....

.....and when I did, I instantly loved it! The memory of my first taste came back when I opened a bottle for dinner last night and yet again, it reminded me of the Moscato D'Asti that I wrote about awhile back (9/3/11) but minus the champagne bubble/ taste. Instead it is a smooth taste of sweetness with the added smell of soft fresh fruits, which I love. The best part is the cost is just under $11.00!! So, if you are stuck on gift ideas ( for me :-D) or that special friend I would suggest a bottle (or a case) of Cupcake Moscato or other assorted wines.

Happy Sipping and Happy Holidays!!!

The Great Garcias !!

http://www.garciasausage.com/

Good morning! Since posting the previous post about "Stadium Diner" and their Garcias I have received a few comments and text messages regarding the deliciousness ( is that a word?) of the great Garcia smoked beef sausage......mmmmmm. To understand the desire, obsession and unique taste of Garcias you must 1) be from Miami and/or 2) have tasted one. In my humble opinion,  Garcias are a class of sausage that stands on its own and anyone from Miami that has grown up on them will agree. Garcias come in several varieties such as pork and beef, hot and smoked beef. My favorite of the three is the smoked beef.

I cannot remember the first time I had a "Garcia" ,as they are known, but I do recall the versatility of them. Growing up, they were the go to meat for breakfast, lunch, dinner or for a go between snack , and they still are! I loved them with white bread, boiled and then lightly fried in the pan or split. As I grew up, I evolved to cooking them on the George Foreman grill and this took them to an entirely new level. Then my mom cooked them for dinner with Zataran's Jambalaya rice and it was good! However, the fact still remains that Garcias are by far my favorite sausage.
I remember when I lived in Arizona I would have my visiting family and friends bring me some from Miami, lol! I would still have to do the same when I move to Atlanta because at the time they did not sale them here. Until one faithful day, a fellow Miamian saw that distinct green and white box in Publix and when she called me with excitement and told me about her discovery she and I both were overly excited. Ever since then, I pick up a box for an in between snack or a breakfast favorite.

Most recently, I let a friend try one and he loooooooved them! I know people that do not eat red meat but they will kill a box of Garcias and would not feel bad about it.  If you are from Georgia, you may prefer the Georgia sausage but once you have a Garcia your life will never be the same because the desire will always be there for a taste of what comes in the green and white box.

So, if you have never tried a Garcia and they sale them in your area I encourage you to try one. If you need cooking tips, feel free to drop me a line and I will be more than glad to assit.
Try a box and enjoy!

Stadium Diner (Miami)

Greetings all! I hope that everyone is doing well and that you are starting to get into the holiday spirit! This past Veteran's Day weekend, I had the pleasure of traveling to the MIA for a wedding on 11-11-11, which turned out to be pretty nice.  Also, during my brief stay, I had the pleasure of having breakfast at the Stadium Diner ( on 199th and 441) and it was a suprisingly great experience!

Strangely enough, in my 22 years of being a Miami resident I have never noticed the diner at this particular location.  Mainly because Miami mostly consist of chain restaurants and during my younger years ( pre-Waffle House) I ate at the usual spots......Denny's and IHOP ; however, at this stage in life these are the two places I NEVER go to because they do not use real eggs (sorry folks) and according to my friends, I am an egg snob and I am proud of it !!  So, in the absence of my preferred Atlanta breakfast spots (The Flying Boscuit) I love and prefer the Waffle House or the "truck stop" as some call it, lol!

On this particular breakfast date, I suggested the Stadium Diner because I wanted something different and Denny's was the only other option. To my surprise the food was excellent! The eggs were light, cheesy and fluffy, and the french toast was by far the best that I have had in a loooooong time. The best part is that they have Garcia's (sausage for the none Miami folks) on the menu!!! When I placed my order the waitress asked did I want it split, and I excitedly replied "yes!" because I was too excited they were an option.

Needless to say, the experience was great and I encourage the Miamians to try it out. However, I would caution you that their grits are NOT the best because you have to really "work" on them and after all that, there still seemed to be no hope (yes, I am a grit snob too). Other than that, the prices are right and the crowd is not overwhelming.

If you know of any great breakfast spots in Dade or Broward County.....do tell!

Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving !!