I woke up at 6am the next morning to make sure I got to the Achenbach bakery before 8am. The bakery itself opened at 5:30am but I figured it must be for the early morning trucker crowd and then the rest of locales would get there before 9:30: making 8am the perfect time for Vicky. I had wanted to try Achenbachs famous “long john” donut  due to their fanatical devout fan base. What was the difference between a “long john” and a regular donut? Was it like a cruller with frosting on top of it? I was hoping it wasn’t, but didn’t expect too much.

I left the hotel around 7am, got there at 730 and grabbed one of the LAST peanut butter long johns left (they also had it in chocolate, vanilla, and vanilla coconut long johns but I just love peanut butter). That’s right, the bakery looked like it had already gone through their big rush by 7:30am. Apparently, in Lancaster, PA opening up at 5:30am is like opening up at 8:30am anywhere else in the country. This took some getting use to during our entire trip and I’m not entirely sure we did it successfully. I also grabbed a glazed pretzel since I was all too curious as to what that would taste like.  Before I go  into the cute little eatery next to Achenbachs bakery, let me tell you my thoughts on their “long john”. It didn’t taste anything like I thought it would - the dough was very yeasty and chewy and the frosting was more creamy and smooth than anything else. It was beyond delicious. I could have eat 12 of them in one sitting had I the desire to gain 15 lbs. The glazed pretzel however was a letdown. It just tasted like a regular glazed donut - nothing special or “pretzely”. If you go down to Lancaster, please indulge in a peanut butter long john. You wont regret it.

Now to the cute little eatery next door - the Home Place Family Restaurant. This is solely a breakfast/lunch spot (closes at 3pm) with great small town feel that I stumbled upon due to my constant need to pee. I sat and watched the servers as I waited for my breakfast and they knew EVERY customers name! The breakfast  - egg white omelet with broccoli and home fries - was of course delicious. I’m almost positive its the only place in the area where you can get a healthy breakfast too, so after you get your long john walk a few more steps and make a stop here too.

After breakfast, we made our way to the Nissley Vineyards and Winery in Bainbridge (about 30 minutes from our hotel). We went early to do their self-guided vineyard tour, the grounds were just lovely - although it was still a bit too early to see the vines in bloom. The tour was brief but fun - I enjoy being able to walk around the grounds without anyone bothering me. After the tour, we made our way to the tasting room to sample some of the wines and I have to say - if you love dessert wines, they make lovely ones. The Spicy Red is like a cold Glühwein, rich with spices(cloves, cinnamon & orange) and fragrance. Their Grapeful White (which won Silver at the 2010 PA Wine Awards) is a delightfully sweet, light bodied wine and intensely grapey. Although I found this wine delightful, my husband claimed it was “cloying” so make sure to steer clear if you aren’t a sweet wine person. I did not try their 2008 Chambourcin (which was suppose to be their best red) but bought a bottle of it for the husband. When we crack it open, I’ll let you know how it is.

We left the vineyards early due to a pending thunderstorm and drove over to Porkys Place (after a stop at the Biggest Shoe House in the world - not my choice). Typical hole-in-the-wall BBQ eatery that served only pulled pork and smoked chicken wings. I was really excited about trying the pulled pork sandwich but since we left in a hurry, I forgot to use any of the sauces they had on the countertop. But I brushed it off thinking I wouldn’t need it - WRONG. It was only after we got back to the hotel we realized the sauces left on the counter were the ONLY sauces for the pulled pork. So basically I was left with a dry, unseasoned pork sandwich. Terrific. Why wouldn’t you at least season the pork?? It was greatly disappointing to say the least. The smoked wings weren’t bad though, a little too smokey for my taste and a tad dry but still - much better than the pork.

My BBQ disappointment left me craving fresh produce, so we made our way to the Bird-In-Hand Farmers Market. I was hoping to grab a few pieces of fruit and maybe some cheese - a lighter dinner than the night before. Walking in was a bit of an overload, fresh produce stands, pretzel booths, bakery stands, meats, cheeses, jams and jellies everywhere, etc. We stopped at the Hummers Smoked Meat and Cheese booth and lo and behold: TURKEY JERKY! Jenny immediately ordered 1/4 lb. of  jerky and while we were walking around the market - ate the entire thing. It wasn’t more than 20 minutes until we were back ordering the jerky again - this time 1/2 lb. Upon leaving we looked at our bags and noticed we had purchased nearly a pound of turkey jerky, a pint of strawberries, several apples, some horseradish cheddar, a whoopie pie, and some small jars of Aunt Ruthies Amish mustard. Sadly, the 4 different varieties of mustard all tasted the same to me: like honey mustard. Why would all of them be so sweet? Disappointing.

Check back here tomorrow to read Journey Thru Lancaster - Part 3, where we’ll visit Downtown Lancaster, the 200 year old Central Market, and organic restaurant Carr’s.

We took the 2 hr Amtrak ride down and rented a car close to the Lancaster train station. This is a very comfortable way to travel if you can’t take your own car and relatively inexpensive too (about $60 for business class). However, I just have to mention that they are renovating the Lancaster Amtrak station and it’s currently in shambles. Plus, the Avis that usually sits in the station is no longer there so you need to call them and then they pick you up in the car you rented. I was kinda creeped out by this - not really ok with getting into cars with strangers. Sorry Avis.

After getting the car (and filling out the car rental paperwork on a laptop in a public garage), we checked in at the Courtyard Marriott and drove over to Kettle Kitchen Village down Old Philadelphia Pike to kill some time before dinner. The place is exactly what it sounds like: a little village of shops that sell you goodies and Pennsylvania Dutch trinkets. If you are driving past this place, make a stop and look around. If not, you really don’t need to make the trip. The one thing we did love at Kettle Kitchen was the turkey jerky and the birch beer at their Smokehouse Shop. We didn’t know it then, but turkey jerky would soon become the main theme of our trip. It was so delicious we ate the 1/4 lb before walking off the village grounds and vowed to return to the Smokehouse the next day to pick up more of the deliciously salted, dried meat sticks. Next stop: dinner time.

Something to keep in mind when traveling to Lancaster. Your schedule will odds are be very different from what you’re use to. A lot of the restaurants in the area outside of the city close around 8pm and the shops close even earlier so you may be eating dinner a lot earlier than usual. After some serious debate, we decided to visit the tried and true Good ‘N Plenty in honor of our late Aunt Dee Dee (lord knows just how many times Dee Dee went to Good ‘N Plenty but it was enough that even the smell of the restaurant made us think of her). Since we were both suffering from serious headaches and even a little nauseous from the jerky overload mere minutes before, we ate in the ‘Harvest Room’. Quick rundown: if you eat in the Harvest Room, you eat the harvest platters, which means you eat normally with your party. If you eat “family style”, you’re stuck at a huge table with strangers who want to talk to you all night and are subjected to large quantities of comfort food. Not like harvest platter portions are tiny, for $10 you get 2 pieces of chicken, 2 side dishes (corn, carrots, mashed, soup, salad, etc), and 2 DESSERTS. Yes, each person receives 2 separates desserts - this STILL blows my mind. The fried chicken was very good but not amazing and the side dishes were also very tasty; buttery carrots and fluffy mashed.  The only part that wasn’t good was the gravy, it didn’t taste like anything. How do you mess up gravy?? Its so easy to make?!! The desserts were just as homey: cracker pudding, blueberry cobbler, and the Lancaster favorite: shoofly pie. If you go, don’t get the shoofly pie like everyone else - its good but you’ll find it EVERYWHERE there  - get the cracker pudding. It was like someone mixed together homemade vanilla pudding, coconut fakes, and salty cracker crumbs for a delightful combination not to be missed. There are plenty of family style dutch restaurants in Lancaster to go to, but go to Good ‘N Plenty because its an institution down there. Everyone has to go at least once in their life.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s  Journery Thru Lancaster - Part 2, where we’ll visit the local favorite Achenbach bakery, the Nissleys Vineyard and Winery, Porkys Place, and the Bird-In-Hand Farmers Market.

Marianne and I met on Kenmare (which is like trendy food central lately) sometime in the afternoon and, since I wanted to also check out Village Tart, we decided to share the veal tongue taco and the cactus taco at La Esquina. The atmosphere was exactly what I expected: very trendy, hole-in-the-wall, taco standish in the front with a restaurant in the back. The tacos came quickly and we immediately dug into them.

Now it must be noted that at this point, the split seconds before consumption,  my gut instinct

Can you say rubbery?

was kicking in big time. Not only did the tacos not look appetizing but the restaurant had decided to serve the tongue in large chunks instead of slicing or dicing it.  Something in my brain piped up with a  “Maybe you shouldn’t eat this” but I soon dismissed it as being a “pansy” and took a bite. Initial taste wasn’t bad, but the tongue was chewy - chewy in a really weird way. Don’t believe me? Take a look at Marianne taking her first bite and just stare at that odd string of something hanging out of the taco. I wasn’t wowed by the flavor either. The chef had a very heavy hand when it came to the cumin which kinda ruined the rest of the flavors for me. The cactus taco also suffered the same fate: the salsa used was too overpowering and the lack of crunch in any part of the taco made it taste mushy (cactus gets very soft when you cook it, adding something like crispy garlic or onions would have taken this taco to another level).

So far it doesn’t sound that bad right? Wrong. The “ugh” came with the second bite. Marianne swallowed a huge chunk of tongue without chewying which she swore led to ‘the dead veal tongue tastebuds touching her tastebuds’ (for her exact reaction to the second bite check out the picture to your left). I had a similar experience but it didn’t weird me out as much. However, as we started walking to Village Tart to grab a cuppa job, I noticed something wasn’t sitting right with me. Oh No. The gurgling continued all throughout my greek yogurt and hibiscus tea munching at VTart (I had to try to calm it down with something!) and then it happened. I know this might sound like way TMI dear reader but I want to make sure you do not suffer the same fate: I had diarrhea from Friday afternoon to Sunday night.

Needless to say I cursed that damn taco from sunrise to sunset that weekend. Was it the veal tongue? Was it the cumin covered salsa? Was my stomach just in a bad mood that day? I have no idea but I send warning to all of you sensitive tummy foodies out there. EAT AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!!!

La Esquina

106 Kenmare St
New York, 10012
(646) 613-7100

The following week I met my friend on Piccadilly road for our arranged date at Napket. Alas our meeting point was the granddaddy of the macaron, Laduree, and given that I recently classified the macaron as the synthetic cousin of the cupcake my spirits were crackling like the fine underbelly fat of a roasting piglet. Luckily in entering Napket my spirits were lifted by the cool interior contrast of the black panelling and furnishing with the hanging silver chandeliers and exposed brick walls. In researching online I discovered that this eating area is referred to as the ‘living room’ with the ‘library’ room placed further inside the establishment for those intending to only consume beverages.

Having dotted on the unmistakably ‘wow factor’ ambiance I can get to the bread and meat of the matter. The ‘living room’ and the ‘library’ were both being attended to by the same two person waiting staff. Thus it was no surprise to us that we had quite a wait to place our order as well as to actually lay our taste buds upon it. However, the Eastern European staff was pleasant and a bit quirky. When we inquired about their bread (something the pantry by the entrance of Napket makes look very tempting) we were told ‘I’m sorry but the bread is still in the oven, would you mind waiting for when it is out?’ I believe the grimace on my face may have confused the waiter…

Eventually I was served my order of a French Onion soup with a gruyere crouton. It is debatable if this was a soup or rather a dish with an enormous piece of toasted brown bread with cheese submerged in a bit of broth. This visual technicality turned out to be only a nomenclatural technicality as this dish was indeed French Onion soup. It had that unmistakable caramelised onion flavour while the ‘crouton’ had the rich and heavy cream taste that is typical of a gruyere topping. I must admit, this rustic (check out the cast iron dish it was served in) interpretation of one of my all time favourite soups was mentally refreshing but physically far too satisfying. I believe the soup could have done with more broth and a smaller portion of ‘crouton’ as the overall package was a bit heavy. Having said that, if I was Bobby Brown and the soup was Whitney Houston, I would totally hit that bitch again and again.

Helena Maratheftis, my dining companion and photographer (she took the accompanying photos) had placed a far superior order to mine. Whilst I forgot the formal menu name it was a chicken casserole dish which I sampled and subsequently proclaimed divine. The chicken was absolutely perfectly, it was soft and tender with a light meaty after taste that indicated it was cooked lovingly in the ‘just right’ amount of herbs and spices. Having said that, I would like to caution the reader that I do not know the extent to which this review of the chicken dish was biased by the ‘BUT MOMMY I want what she has!’ syndrome.

Napket, it is a place to feast your eyes and share some intimate moments with your plus one or plus more. If you so should choose to go beyond the many cafe-esque beverages on offer in order to dine then be prepared to be spoiled. With home comfort foods gone professional, Napket more than satisfies the stringent demands of proper food snobs like us here at Love Food Love Me and does so at reasonable prices. If you are in London you are always welcome to treat me to a meal here.

Napket (Piccadilly), SnobFood Ltd
www.napket.com
5 Vigo Street, London
(44) 20 7734 4387

Hoping they will all be in video form with a little bit of written info - let me know what you think of our wine picks!

This week Marianne is tasting a Spanish Tempranillo from Allozo. If you arent familiar with them, Tempranillos are full-bodied red wines which are usually consumed young and contain hints of delicious berries, red fruits, leather, and vanilla. Yum!

Chef Jean-Georges at ABC Kitchen

Last night, my boyfriend Joe Wickes and I were treated by our friend, event designer Mark Rose, to dinner at the brand new ABC Kitchen (Executive Chef, Dan Kluger), the new Jean-Georges hot spot committed to organic and local meat and produce. It was a total knockout!

We began with interesting and homespun cocktails like ginger margarita and basil daiquirires, while taking in the decor. White square tables with white, round-backed Grandma chairs — occasionally a long wooden farm table for large parties — and antiqued light bulbs suspended from the ceiling. Everything is warm and dim. The back wall of the large space offers a peek into ABC Carpet and Home (that’s where all the furnishings came from) and a great shot into the kitchen. Since a little of this rustic thing goes a long way, the homey feel of the design is balanced by the waitstaff — all in thrift-store plaid shirts and jeans — attending to customers in a formal and very attentive manner.

Appetizers started with an amazing Peekytoe crabtoast, which was basically a crabby bruschetta; hearty toast topped with chunks of crab and a smooth aioli. The ramp toast with goat cheese, a special, makes you think there just has to be more than ramp spread, cheese, and a dandelion on that bread…gold, perhaps? The chicken liver toast, cooked with pancetta, was so subtle and flavorful, that even a pate’ hater (my boyfriend) had to admire it. Pretzel dusted calamari was an irresistible crunchy version of a favorite.

We shared the pea soup, which immediately impressed with an unusually bright color. It was an electric green broth with whole peas, but mint and lime zest gave it an interesting heat. I admit this was one dish that didn’t blow me away; it was a very inventive and economical use of flavors, which is a theme to ABC’s entire menu.

For the entrées, simplicity was the name of the game. A Flying Pigs pork t-bone in an apple-meyer lemon sauce was complimented beautifully with sautéed swiss chard. A side of asparagus with jalapeno and sliced mushrooms was a salty delight. But stealing the show, decidedly, was a special entree, a cavatelli with spring vegetables. This demanded a call to the waiter to explain every detail. As expected, not many: small slices of asparagus, fava beans, cooked together in the pasta water. But the lemon and dill infused in the dish brought it all home. This was the winner, and I wish I could recommend it, but it’s not a part of the regular menu…not yet, that is. Indeed, Jean George said the menu will change frequently.

The desert selection reminded me of the cocktail menu with its country-kitchen tone. A brown butter, chocolate ganache and hazelnut tart took my breath away. But we couldn’t help asking for a favor: we just wanted one scoop of the salted caramel-peanut ice cream from the sundae dish, and you can only imagine…

The surprise of the night was when we were finishing out cookie plate, and a diminutive man in a white chef’s coat appeared right outside the kitchen talking to a staff member. It was, of course, Jean-Georges himself, who gamely stopped at our table so we could babble about how wonderful everything was. He took it in good humor, but didn’t want to steal the glory from our neighboring diner, the woman who designed the handmade bowls and plates. Very gracious, and what a thrill.

Reservations are becoming impossible, so run! This is a lovely date spot, too.

He gave us the whole damn torso!!! I mean, I have, in my freezer right now, almost and entire lamb torso. The sage butcher didn’t tire of me as I asked him five or six times to cut the ribs this was and that way. The array of colorful and sparkling hookahs behind the register caught my eye (as all sparkling things do). They also have hookah coals and all sorts of flavored tobacco. Omar, one of the co-owners, assured us it is “really good meat” while he was ringing us up and with a very warm “salaam” farewell he wished us a good Easter. I’m so going back and asking Omar and tough-guy butcher for some good makanek recipes.

MECCA MART HALAL FOOD
(718) 981-8200
2111 Forest Ave, Staten Island, NY 10303

A few of you out there know what I mean, you eat and eat and eat and suddenly the flavors no longer have any spark. Everything tastes bland and nothing is exciting anymore. I’m finally coming out of this gloom and doom foodie funk and put some really fun things on my summer food website agenda:

1. Getting my culinary Arts degree at FCI

2. Going on a 2 day food tour of Lancaster, PA (oh thats right, jealous??)

3. Joining a local Community Supported Agriculture Group

4. NYC Fancy Food Show coverage for all 3 DAYS

5. Associate Editor Marianne Minchala will be traveling through Serbia giving us daily updates on all her foodie adventures

So get ready all 5 of my fans - its going to an exciting summer!

When I heard that these two born and bred NY institutions were going to team up for a coffee bar in Kiehls flagship store, I got seriously excited. Only Kiehls would give me the opportunity to indulge in warm chocolately goodness while perusing for a new eye cream. Think about this concept for a second, have you ever been shopping and after a prolonged period in time felt that hungry rumble in your stomach start to gurgle? You want to continue to sample and shop but you’ve stopped paying attention to anything at this point. Your stomach has taken over and the rumbles will not end until it’s satisfied. No need to bolt out to grab a cuppa joe and a sweet loaf of something-or-other from the generic Starbucks down the block, now you’ve got fresh java and baked goods at your finger tips! It’s brilliant!

Kiehls, you’ve just given me one more reason to love you.

Visit Kiehls NY Flagship at:
109 Third Avenue
Between 13th & 14th Streets
New York, NY 10003

See, whiskey shots are fine and dandy, and usually the shot of choice in most crowds (unless you’re down on the Jersey Shore, then it’s the Jäger-bomb), but what isn’t find and dandy is the lingering whiskey burn in the back of your throat. Bleh. Hence, the pickle juice chaser. It washes down any remnants of Jameson in pickley goodness. Plus, I used to drink it out of the bottle as a kid anyways, so this duo shot really brings it back.

Dave and Danny Minchala Try A Pickle

Now the pickle back is spreading! Get wasted on pickle juice at the below institutions:

Whiskey Town
29 East 3rd Street
Manhattan
(212) 505-7344

Bushwick Country Club
618 Grand Street
Brooklyn
(718) 388-2114
(The pickle back originator, yet it’s popular opinion WT offers a pickle juice of superior qual-i-tay)

Nancy Whiskey Pub
1 Lispenard St
Manhattan
(212) 226-9943

The Breslin (off the menu)
16 W 29th St
Manhattan
(212) 685-9600