Tilia

What do can I possibly have to say about a restaurant recently voted best of 2011 by Minnesota Monthly that hasn't already been said by people with ten times more Facebook friends than little old me?

Plenty.

First, full disclosure: my friends Angie and Jorg are proud co-owners of Tilia, along with renown Chef Steven Brown. 

Tilia offers more than just really, really good food. Dinning at Tilia is akin to visiting with old friends. You are left with a sense of warmth, of gratitude, of longing for the next encounter. But let's start from the beginning.

The setting is gorgeous. From the carefully chosen light fixtures to the retro speakers belting out a unique mixture of old and new rock medleys, to the vibrating scene in the kitchen, Tilia looks like it's always been in this very spot in the heart of Linden Hills. Choose between the comfy booths, the rustic row of tables by the windows, or better yet, pull up a stool to kitchen counter and watch the magic happen first hand. Steven Brown's crew is having a good ol' time, and it shows in the dishes they put out.

The menu is playful, right down to the kids' menu printed on those little origami fortune-teller thingies we played with in elementary school to predict who we would marry and how many children we were destined to have.

For grown ups, may I suggest starting with a sampling from the It's Nice to Share section. I wouldn't have dared ordering something called Potted Meat anywhere else, but I trusted Steven and it has now become something that visits me often in my dreams. Like wise for the caramelized brussels sprouts and kobe beef hot dogs with pickled cauliflower. Crazy simple, crazy good.

A turkey burger is elevated to extraordinary heights with caramelized onions and gooey cheese. The meat is so, well, meaty, you would swear they threw some ground steak in the mix, so juicy it soaks through the sweet bun. Pictures do not do this beauty justice.

I have one bone to pick with the fish taco torta. While it is by far the very best, crunchiest, freshest fish sandwich I have ever tasted, it is not, by definition, a torta, which is specifically served on a bolillo or a telera roll, vs. the plain bun used here. But that just may be the obsessive compulsive writer in me talking.

Moving on, the shrimp in a glorious scampi sauce along with bright sweet peas is lick-the-plate delicious. You are supposed to share it, but HA! All mine.

The current menu features winter friendly items, such as red wine braised beef cheeks perched atop chestnut polenta and roasted figs. The meat is so tender it falls apart as the fork approaches it. The flavor is rich beyond explanation, like no other cut of meat I have sampled. You'll just have to put your Andrew Zimmern hat on and try it despite the mental image it conjures.

I haven't tried the wintery versions of the pasta dishes, but if the previous incarnations are any indication, the Tagliatelle Pasta will join it's friend the potted meat in my dreams soon enough.

Tilia has gotten more accolades than "Rent" and has quickly become the darling of every food critic worth their salt in the Midwest. And while it's true that getting a coveted seat for their Sunday brunch has become even closer to impossible now that it's been named Best Brunch by Mpls/St. Paul magazine, and you may have to wait for a while for lunch, or dinner, even on a Monday night, you can choose to visit Tilia during its "In Between" hours, when the menu is slightly narrower but the experience no less enchanting.

From an expertly chosen wine and beer list to fresh local produce, no detail is neglected at Tilia. So bring your Nook and read a novel while waiting for your table. It will be worth it. Oh, so worth it.

The seriously indulgent butternut squash soup. Plan to share it, and to take some home.

I'd drive around that damn lake just for this chewy, hot grilled bread. I swear they lace it with something. 

I told you the turkey burger didn't photograph well. 

You have not lived until you have delved into the lush bed of farro in gorgonzola sauce adorning the crunchy sweet beet salad. Sigh. 

The beef cheeks, a thing of carnivorous beauty. 

Pear tart with creme fraiche panna cotta in a white wine, pear, and goat cheese reduction. I think. I stopped listening at creme fraiche panna cotta. 

It was really good.

Tilia web site

Patisserie 46

I've been trying to abstain from sugar until Thanksgiving. And it was going quit well too. Until I happened to be in South Minneapolis, which I rarely get to since it's all the way across the river, and I happened to be driving down 46th street, and I happen to have just come from a baking presentation by Zoe Francois, and I happen to be hungry and maybe just a little bitter about the whole no-sugar thing, and I came across what I knew to be tauted as the best bakery in the metro. And I knew that my readers (that's you) have been dying to know if Patisserie 46 is really as fantastic as they say. And I'm trying to shop local...

So I went for it. I marched into that cute little corner bakery slash coffee shop and ordered. And ordered. And ordered.

I patiently waited through the long drive back to Saint Paul (seriously, Minneapolis is far!) so that I can snap a couple of pictures of all that loveliness. Then I made myself a cup of tea and gathered my family for a little tasting.

The brioche bostock was crazy good. While usually bostock is a way of using day-old brioche by brushing it with syrup and topping with almonds, Patisserie 46th's was a version all it's own. It was a moist, dense cake, baked with almond paste and topped with slivered almonds. A hint of orange was delightful, and the crunchy almond topping was a perfect match to the soft interior. I could have stopped there. But I didn't.

Next, we tried a roasted pineapple danish sprinkled with lime zest. It was sweeter than the brioche, and the layers of ultra buttery, flaky dough were ridiculously sinful. I am sure the rest of their danishes and croissants are divine as well.

A thick slice of vanilla cardamon bread had sat a tiny bit too long, so one side was a bit dry, but it was delicious non-the-less. The subtle cardamon was a fun surprise, and did not over power the delicate vanilla. Soft and rich and satisfying, this would be my first choice for a partner to a morning cappuccino.

Finally, a little cookie that was recommended to me by a young man promising "a cake like cookie, buttery and doughy" didn't quit deliver. It may have been softer earlier in the day, but as it was we enjoyed it simply as a nice little butter cookie. At $1.25, it really wasn't much of a risk.

Our entire plate of sugary goodness was under $12, not what you would expect from a bakery owned by a chef named one of the top 10 pastry chefs in America who also happens to be a Food Network Chocolate Challenge winner. I would have gladly paid double.

Next time, I would like to spend some time in the cozy shop, and indulge in one of their dazzling desserts, the likes of which one only sees on Food Network.

Patisserie 46 web site

Scusi

Let me start by saying Italian food is not one of our favorites. I find it mostly bland, and I think it has to be crafted by amazing talent in order to be fabulous. But we were still hopeful when we visited Scusi, the latest attempt by Blue Plate Restaurants. Since we love Longfellow Grill and its counterparts across the metro, I was excited to see what they would do with a bowl of pasta.

Not much, as it turns out.

First, the setting. Scusi is in Heartland's old home on St. Clair in St. Paul. Other than being directly across from a Super America, it's a perfectly lovely neighborhood spot. The inside has been reinvented to resemble an Italian country bistro of sorts, with blue and white checkered table cloths and rich wood paneling on the walls. There is the ubiquitous open kitchen, nicely countering the tightness of the table spacing. I assume they were going for that European feel-like-you-are-sitting-in-your-neighbor's-lap vibe, but I worry how well that will go over in our personal space sensitive culture.

To say the place was boisterous is a bit of an understatement, and the bizarre choice in decidedly un-Italian music and a weird movie playing on several screens over people's heads didn't help. But then again, they are not trying to be La Grolla. Groups of women clinking wine glasses and two large groups of hipsters on a Friday night group date dominated the space, with a few couples struggling to hear each other thrown in.

While this is not exactly a "theme" restaurant, the creative team clearly had an idea in mind (insert mental image of a group of scruffy entrepreneurs drinking local, seasonal beers and throwing random ideas around until one sticks.) What Scusi seems to be going for, and has trained their staff well to convey to us, is a refined Bucca. Our plates, while regular entree sized, are meant to be shared, explained our server Randall, or Robert, or Ricky, I couldn't hear. They come out of the kitchen as they are ready instead of waiting for each other under a heat lamp and we are just to dig in and share them as they appear. I am not sure why this needed an explanation.

We began with an assortment off the salumeria portion of the menu. We chose a cheese, a meat, and a choice of olives, which arrived on a rustic cutting board with roasted garlic in a tiny pool of olive oil. There were only four slices of bread with which to enjoy this assortment, but luckily a server also placed what seemed to be a doggie bag and a crock of white bean dip on our table. Inside the doggie bag was rosemary flat bread, which we smeared with the garlic and topped with prosciutto and brie. Our choices were not exactly adventurous, but it was a very nice start to our meal.

For dinner, we chose lamb pappardelle and shrimp ravioli to share (because if nothing else, we are good at following directions.) The lamb dish, while largely lacking in said slow cooked lamb, had a subtle Mediterranean flavor, with sweet carrots and golden raisins in a lamb ragout. The pappardelle noodles were perfectly cooked, fat and satisfying. It was exactly what the doctor ordered (I had a cold, you see.)

Although I had originally ordered the shrimp ravioli, we switched plates after a small taste of each. The robust vodka sauce on the ravioli was the highlight of the evening, but the texture of the shrimp did not work with the delicate ravioli pasta. I should mention that the pasta at Scusi is home-made, so it is a bit more chewy than most Americans might be used to. But give it a chance, it is delightful.

We declined desserts, partly because I am staying away from sugar until Thanksgiving, and partly because we had tired of the noise. But the cake placed on the table next to us looked divine, so I would recommend trying something dolce if you decide to visit Scusi.

All in all, it was a good attempt at homey, rustic Italian cuisine. While the menu selections were innovative and promising, something was lost in the execution.

Italian food does not photograph well. You'll see what I mean below.

Our salumi selection.

Lamb pappardelle.

Shrimp ravioli.

Shish

No, that is not an expression of exasperation. Shish Kabob is a Middle Eastern dish consisting of a variety of meats and vegetables cooked on a skewer. Shish, for the purpose of this particular blog post, refers to a lively little deli in the MacGroveland neighborhood of St. Paul.

If you ask me on any given night what I would like for dinner, I will undoubtedly say Thai or Middle Eastern. Tony would say pizza. Shish is a bit of a happy medium, as it is not the authentic traditional dive that I am craving, where the servers yell at you for taking too long to order and a rousing game of soccer is playing on the T.V. in the corner, but it is delicious, fresh, and convenient, so we end up there much more frequently than we do anywhere on Central Avenue.

Let's get the negatives out of the way first. For one thing, it's way too clean. For another, the patrons tend to be more of the white, rich college kid type (it's across the street from Macalester College) who say annoying things like, "I'm so hungry I'm going to have two guy-ros!". Then there is the fact that there are no printed menus. One is forced to stand in line with said college kids and scour the menu board frantically. The menu board, by the way, is a giant black board set to the left of the line, with some menu items inexplicably written in blue chalk. And the menu is extensive, which is good if you are looking for variety on a quiet Sunday afternoon, not good if you have no idea what you want and there are only two people ahead of you in line and eight behind you. Half the time I get to my table having no memory of what I've just ordered because I was so rushed in doing so. Having said that, what ever ends up on the plate in front of me has always been wonderful.

Shish serves breakfast items as well, which are far less successful than their dinner menu, with a couple of notable exceptions. The crepes are decadent and filled to the brim with sweet cream cheese. Leave your Weight Watchers Point Tracker at home. They also serve a horchata (a creamy rice based drink) that rivals any served in Spain, according to my husband, and he knows his horchata folks.

The lunch and dinner menu, as I've mentioned, is huge. Step out of line and take your time, there is a lot to take in. We always marvel at the freshness of the vegetables in their salads and sandwiches, and I have to admit the hummus at Shish is some of the best in town. It's served the way Abraham intended, on a small plate and has a deep channel filled with olive oil, and sprinkled with parsley and paprika.

We tend to err on the side of caution and order the gyro sandwiches or plates. The plates come with a generous portion of their bright yellow signature saffron cardamon rice, gorgeous sauteed vegetables (usually a variety of squashes) and a side salad adorned with barely a spray of lemon juice, light and lively. The Greek salad is ample and heaped with creamy bricks of salty feta and sprinkles with just the right amount of dressing. The children's portions are also generous, which reminds, note to self: Millie can eat off my plate next time.

There are no over-powering flavors at Shish, so as to not offend young Midwestern palates, which may be why I don't consider it as authentic as Holly Land, where everything, including the servers, is overwhelming to all senses. Also not very authentic, the huge dessert case displaying red velvet, German chocolate, and at least half a dozen more cakes and cookies. But hey, who needs authentic when you can have lemon bars with your lamb kabob?

Really, really good hummus. If it doesn't come with your meal, order a side. It's a must.

Gyro (Yee-ro) plate. 

Gyro sandwich. 

Shish web site. 

Cupcake

If you live within sixty miles of University Avenue in the Twin Cities, you have probably been affected by the construction of the new light rail system. While I am a big fan of the entire light rail concept, the traffic jams inevitable with such huge projects have been a nightmare. But my own kvetching aside, the small businesses dotting University Avenue are the ones truly suffering. No parking, closed roads, and a ton of debris and dust are keeping customers away and putting these places in jeopardy.

Millie and I did our part yesterday by visiting the adorable coffee shop/bakery/restaurant Cupcake. It has a beautiful outdoor patio resembling a bistro on a Paris side street (I imagine) with imposing wrought iron gates and bright green ivy climbing the amber brick walls.

The inside is equally whimsical. You get the point as soon as you reach for the front door handles- giant metal whisks. Inside, Millie especially enjoys sitting by the plexiglass kitchen windows that allow her to gawk at the bakers with their rows and rows of sprinkles lined up like cheerful little soldiers.

Yeah yeah, but how are the cupcakes? Divine. Fluffy when they should be, dense when expected (try any of the über dark chocolate ones), never too sweet. The flavors come in both traditional, like red velvet, and funky options, like the Cup O' Mud—a chocolate cupcake topped with a ball of chocolate mousse, rolled in crushed chocolate cookies and garnished with a gummy worm. Even their "simple" cupcakes come with fun names, like the Claire Huxtable or the Paris Hilton (yep, it's hot pink.)

But as a freelancer who likes to work out of local coffee shops, the greatest benefit of Cupcake is the extensive menu of fresh lunch items. Two types of quiches are a part of a breakfast menu. Those working through lunch can indulge in soups, salads, hot or cold sandwiches, even paninis. Apple panini anyone?

If you are in the neighborhood, please take the time to stop by and help these wonderful little places. Take a break from the traffic and linger over a creamy cappuccino. Better yet, stop by during the dreadful morning commute and bring a box (or four) of cupcakes to work. It's a win-win any way you look at it.

Millie loved her Have A Nice Day cupcake—a vanilla cupcake with marshmallow topping.

Mmm, cappuccino.

Kid in a cupcake store.

Pic by of Millie. 

Click here for Cupcake's tempting web site. 

Liquids and more at the fair

I've noticed that my latest favorite treats at the fair have been in liquid form. Maybe it was the short heat wave. I think I am up to three or four Frappes at the Farmers' Union Building. One of the best drinks I have ever had is the honey lemonade at the horticultural building, it's not too sweet and almost creamy. Lucsious. I've also greatly enjoyed a cherry and root beer floats. I just love that foamy layer.

But the very best item I have had at the fair so far is...drum roll please...the sweet corn ice cream at Blue Moon Diner. There are no words. It's creamy, subtle, with a little crunch from corn kernels. They don't get in your teeth like you'd expect, the texture is more like that of potato chips. I had mine without topping, while Alissa tried the wild blueberry topping on hers. Both version were divine, although I would recommend the blueberry topping for the nice touch of tartness.

We'll be back Monday, Labor Day, for the last day, and my last hoorah before getting back on track. Hmmm, what to eat, what to eat...

Sweet Corn ice cream with wild blueberry topping.

And naked...

My beloved Frappe. What will I do without you for a full year? 

With a coupon book, the Green Mill pizza slices are four for eight dollars. Great deal, and a nice hearty dinner after a day of treats. Even Millie liked it! 

And the gluteny continues...

I have noticed that this year I've spent more money, and calories, then in previous years. Mostly, that's because I've allowed myself these 12 days to eat freely, knowing I will go back to tracking like a good little Weight Watcher come September 6th. And other than the occasional gut ache, I have had no regrets. So far.

Not one of my proudest parenting moment, but remember, she had two apple freezes yesterday.

Best new discovery at the fair: Ultimate Confections. Thanks to Tracy, I am hooked on this little place at the South East corner of the Grandstand. They have wonderful little treats like chocolate covered marshmallows for, get this, 50 cents each! After consuming your body weight in salt, a tiny treat from here is perfect. 

Speaking of salt, the deep fried pickle slices are a must have. Tracy and I get them every year during our "girls' night" and we relish every bite. We prefer the original version, but you can also get them stuffed with cream cheese or with cajun spice. We both wondered outloud how they get them so crispy. Perfect. 

Kids Meal at Giggles. I mentioned this great deal in my previous post, here is a pic. Millie loves this meal and actually eats about half of it, which as you know is A LOT of food for her. It helps that I keep the cookies hostage until she finishes at least one nugget. 

See, almost as big as her head. 

Noshing at the State Fair

So now that the fair is half over and you have all probably been there and no longer care about my opinions and reviews, I am finally getting around to posting. Sorry about that. I am also sorry that I neglected to take pictures of most of the food I ate. I was just so excited not to be tracking points! Yep, I gave myself the fair off from tracking anything that went into my belly, and I am not even the slightest bit ashamed. Bring it.

The tally so far: zeppoles (with and without cream), walleye cakes, strawberry rhubarb sundae, two frappes, beef quesadillas, chocolate malt, Korean BBQ chicken tacos, raspberry and whipped cream crepe, fudge puppy, key lime pie on a stick, fun chow noodles, bubble tea, deep fried Snickers bar, a Pronto pup, and about half a dozen diet Cokes. Because that's what would tip the scale, Coke.

Walleye Cakes at Giggles. They have a nice kick to them and come with a wonderful, creamy mustard sauce. Giggles also offers a terrific kids meal for $1.50: two smiley face chicken patties, waffle fries and a couple of cookies. Best deal at the fair. Don't miss the condiment bar at the little satellite building. The mushrooms are a lovely side dish with the cakes.

Falafel sandwich from Holy Land in the International Bazaar. This giant serving was a decent deal for $8.00, certainly large enough to share (and save room and dollars for the next treat.) There is a nice array of items on this open face pita sandwich, like hummus, falafel balls, tabouli, and a tangy tzatziki sauce.

Millie chose the gyro on-a-stick, which was basically a slab of gyro meat on a skewer. It was delicious, but she only ate a couple of bites, so sadly, we tossed most of it. It didn't seem wise to bring it home after an entire day spent in the bottom of the stroller. Again, if Holy Land interests you, I recommend splitting the sandwich and the gyro meat. 

Bubble tea! I love bubble tea. At $5, this was a splurge, but well worth it. I chose Mango which was refreshing and filling. It worked beautifully next to the fun chow noodles I got, both from the Pham's Deli at the Midtown Global Market booth in International Bazaar, which changes food vendors a couple of times during the run of the fair.

The noodles were fairly bland, but seemed like a safer choice for lunch after the tragic ending to the first day of the fair, which left me sicker than I had been in years. I loved the subtle hoisin flavor, and the few stir-fried veggies I got with my serving were a nice touch. You can always spice it up with some hot sauce they offer. 

Key lime pie on a stick. This has long been one of my favorites, and it did not disappoint this year. Refreshing and tart, with a thick layer of deep dark chocolate that cracks when you bite into it, revealing the smooth, creamy custard and soft graham cracker crust on the inside . Maybe I should have saved it for Thursday when it's supposed to be over 90 degrees, or maybe I can use that excuse to have another one. 

I used to consume four or five of these suckers at the fair every year. Then for some reason, they fell out of favor with me. After I took the first bite, I could not for the life of me figure out what I had against the Pronto Pup. It was so good, in a primitive, guttural, quintessential State Fair Food way. And yes, it HAS to be a Pronto Pup, not just any corn dog will do. 

Some favorites I forgot to take a photo of because I was just too darned excited about them: the frappes at the Farmer's Union Building are my favorite way to start a 10 hour day at the fair. The coffee counter is run by J&S Bean Factory from St. Paul, and their experience and care shows. There is a quiet, secluded patio in the back where you can put your feet up and read the paper while the craziness that is the fair continues without you for a while. 

Another must have is the strawberry rhubarb sundae at the Dairy Building. They layer dollops of tart and sweet strawberry rhubarb compote with swirls of ultra creamy soft serve vanilla ice cream. Plop down on the grass on the South East side of the building and listen to the screams coming from the haunted house (or "Halloween House" as Millie calls it) next door. 

On tomorrows meal plan there are fried pickles and possibly a chocolate sandwich or two. I'll try and do a better job at keeping you informed and satisfied. Please let me know if you have any questions about the massive list of foods I have already consumed.

Back at it in less than 12 hours!

Sea Salt

After college, Tony had a roommate named Jon Blood. Jon worked at Coastal Seafood and routinely brought home fresh fish for home-made sushi. I wish I had Jon Blood for a roommate. And so will you, once you visit his seasonal restaurant Sea Salt at Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis.

When I say "seasonal," I don't mean that as a buzz word for the latest farm-to-table/locavore way. I mean they are only open for one season, and that season is now. Jon brings his expertise and love for all things ocean to Sea Salt's causal yet impeccable menu. It changes daily, of course, but you can almost always count on a selection of fish tacos, oysters on the half shell, and crab cake sandwiches.

On our recent visit, the park was also holding a Swedish festival, so it was particularly busy. Add to that the fact that we have gotten about 4 1/2 hours of decent weather so far this summer, and you're looking at a hefty wait. Getting a table in the cute patio directly in front of the restaurant involves a lot of stalking and glaring at customers with empty plates in front of them. There is actually quite a bit of seating, if you don't mind taking your $13 dish to a picnic table, which to tell the truth, I do mind.

We lucked out Sunday and managed to land a table, before the previous occupants had a chance to grab their purses, so we were able to enjoy our food in relative comfort.

I am a big fan of fish tacos so I chose the grilled tilapia tacos. Served simply in doubled up corn tortillas (you'll need both, it's messy) with raw onions, cilantro and a flavorful, if not spicy, salsa, these tacos were exactly what I had hoped they would be. The fish was delicate and full of flavor, allowed to shine with out too many additions. Along with a Cripin Honey (my new love) it was the perfect light summer meal.

Tony opted for the Fried Shrimp Po' Boy, which was fantastic. The cornmeal coating on the shrimp was crunchy and dry, not the oily mess it can sometimes be. The shrimp had no seasoning on them, which again allowed them to be their true shrimpy selves. It was a big serving, and a better value than my tacos, but both of us were more than content with our meals. Add to that the waterfalls crashing just feet away, and it's a lovely way to spend a summer evening.

Tilapia Tacos. 

Shrimp Po' Boy.

Millie's Oyster Cracker Sandwich. Hey, at least it sounded like sea food.  

Millie even got to meet some Swedish princesses. Awesome!

Sea Salt Web Site

NYC

Here is just a small taste of my visit to New York a couple of weeks ago.

The trip began with a nod to all things round and doughy, since I apparently missed National Doughnut Day the day before (how could I?!)

At an adorable coffee shop in Fort Green, Brooklyn, called Tillie (yes, I bought the t-shirt), I had my first Bialy. According the Wikipedia, a bialy is a Yiddish word short for bialystoker kuchen from Bialystok, a city in Poland. It is a small roll that is a traditional dish in Polish Ashkenazi cuisine. A traditional bialy is a chewy yeast roll similar to a bagel. In other words, I'm a pathetic excuse for a Jew, and a Polish Ashkenazi one at that, for never having heard of a bialy before. But I am officially hooked, these things were wonderful. Chewy, soft, crunchy all at once. With a dab of butter and cream cheese, along side a cafe au lait, a bialy is truly the only way to start a Brooklyn morning.

At the flea market down the block, I couldn't resist a giant blood orange doughnut from one of the many enticing food vendors. Anna was concerned I may be too full at our next stop, the Doughnut Plant in the city. Oh ye of little faith. 

See? No problem. At the famous Doughnut Plant, I easily put away this lovely sample of dough heaven, glazed with mango. Doughnut Plant has two locations in Manhattan and are well worth waiting in line in cramped quarters. Trust me on this, I know don't know much, but I know doughnuts. 

Anna swore this oatmeal doughnut was the best doughnut she has ever tasted. Ever. 

On to something a bit healthier. Taim, in the West Village, is highly rated on Zagat, and rightfully so. It's small and a little intimidating (think soup Nazi only with falafel), but here you will get the freshest, most flavorful hummus or falafel sandwich I have had in the U.S. 

At Graziella in Fort Green. 

The pizzas at Graziella were lovely. Although we are spoiled here in the Twin Cities with great Neapolitan pizza joints like Pizza Nea and Black Sheep, it was high on my to-do list to have pizza in NY, and I am glad I had it at Graziella. 

For dessert, we opted to try iCi's down the street. And wanting to be thorough, we ordered three desserts to share. By far, the S'mores pie thingie was the best. Crunchy and gooey and not too sweet, it was so good that Anna and Kevin went back for more after I left town. 

There was more, oh so much more, as the scale will attest. But I took pretty sad pictures of our fabulous sundae at General Green and my lovely pasta at Olea, so this is all I will share for now. I hope to go back in September, and I most of all I look forward to Anna's Kona blend coffee made fresh in their beautiful kitchen every morning.