updated 6.17When I was growing up, on hot summer days dad used to get everyone into the car and head out to Lancaster California to pick fat juicy cherries and sweet peaches from the old orchards. We'd make a day of it, hiking in "The Devil's Punchbowl", stopping for a burger at A&W Rootbeer, and driving home tired and happy, the smell of ripe fruit playing harmony with … [Read more...] about Review: Salt & Straw
Coffee
Review: Spella Caffe
By guest writer Axel BenjaminCoffee Roaster Andrea Spella tells me over my morning cappuccino that he developed his love for coffee when he was just a kid. [Updated: Spella Caffe now has a brick and mortar location at 520 SW 5TH Ave. You'll find a new review of Spella here.]Growing up in a second-story apartment above a bakery in Chicago, Spella's Italian-American … [Read more...] about Review: Spella Caffe
Review: Fleur de Lis French Bakery & Cafe
Refreshed: 6/12 - hours, text A few weeks ago I was enjoying a quiet cup of coffee at Fleur de Lis Bakery when I overheard two women at the next table talking about “Food Dude”. This has happened to me several times, and I always enjoy hearing what people have to say. “You know his secret”, said one woman. “He is really a she; it is all part of the disguise!” She said it with … [Read more...] about Review: Fleur de Lis French Bakery & Cafe
Review: St. Honoré Boulangerie
Updated 6.17If Disney Corporation was told to design a French bakery, I would guess that St. Honoré would be pretty close to their final result. This is not necessarily a bad thing. It is more the movie version American tourists expect from a French bakery, but not like any I have ever seen in France. It just has too much of a ‘big money’ feel. However, it's still a great … [Read more...] about Review: St. Honoré Boulangerie
Coffee Guide: Albina Press
I am sitting here with a perfect cup of coffee. That is why I love Starbucks. Do I have your attention?For most people these days, their first exposure to coffee comes from one of the mass-market chains such as Starbucks. Starbucks gives them that first addiction, the 'need' to get coffee every day. Then one day they are exposed to a better brew. Maybe a friend drags them … [Read more...] about Coffee Guide: Albina Press