Time to Derby

It's the most wonderful month of the year. I call May my most beloved of the twelve for many reasons: my birthday, Mother's Day brunch, family and girlfriend reunions, Memphis in May moments, Barbecue Fest. But also, I simply love May because of the refreshing spirit that fills each of us with an urge to be outdoors, enjoy our surroundings, and be.

My excitement for May began earlier in the week when my roommate and I spontaneously planned a Kentucky Derby brunch for tomorrow. I've put on my hostess hat (though it's not as extravagant as the hats you'll see at the races) and conceptualized a menu that's easy yet classy. Here's what we're planning to serve so far:

• Bloody Mary bar
• Mint Juleps (heavy on the bourbon)
• Mimosas
• Eggs Benedict
• Mini cucumber and goat cheese sandwiches
• Mini corned beef and pastrami sandwiches
• Veggie frittata
• Pimento cheese and various dips
• Mini bourbon pecan pies

I learned the most fabulous approach to the intimidating poached egg for a Benedict, thanks to a Today Show article online. You can poach 12 eggs at once using a muffin pan! Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Pour 1 tablespoon of water in each cup of a muffin pan and then gently crack the eggs into the cups. Bake for 13-15 minutes, until the whites are set but the yolks are runny. Using a small slotted spoon, transfer the eggs to English muffins or biscuits.

I'll be back next week with photos! Off to the races. It's time to Derby.

images via my pinterest feed

City and State (Memphis)

People supporting people. That's what it's all about. Or at least, that's what it should be about. It is in Memphis. Lisa Toro recently opened the Broad Avenue coffee + retail shop City and State. Oh, did I fall in love upon first step. The space is refreshing and resonant of creativity and artistic appreciation, whether for the cup of pour-over brew or a timeless third-generation woodworker cutting board.

I'm infatuated by the gorgeous array of items, from bath salts to Nashville-based imogene + willie denim and Shotwell caramels. If you need a gift for yourself or a friend, City and State is where you'll go and score regularly. Hello, Mother's Day in one week.

On the other side of the storefront is a beautiful coffee counter with minimalist seating and decor. The brown sugar latté and mocha are both divine. I've heard the cortado is excellent. Of course, pastries are a usual accompaniment; though a recent collaboration with Porcellino's has elevated the food offerings to breakfast and lunch service.

On weeks one and two of the collaboration, Porcellino's has delivered chocolate croissants, morning buns, yogurt & granola, sweet corn muffins, turkey croissant sandwiches and The Goomba sandwiches. In the coming weeks, they're looking into surprise-filled menu expansions. Looks like I'll be here much more often.

Upon asking Lisa about the collaboration between two visionary, Memphis-loving, trendy coffee shops in town, here's her lovely recount:

"About two weeks ago, Matt Farmer stopped by for some coffee. He was complimentary and said he enjoyed the experience. The next day, he showed up with two boxes of beautiful Porcellino’s pastries and said they were interested in working with us on wholesale. Two days, later Chef Andy and Michael, along with Matt, came over to see the place for themselves. From the minute they walked in, there was no bravado and no ego. They showed nothing but respect for and interest in what we were doing.

As is true of many Memphians, I’d been dining in their restaurants for years and never had a bad meal. As a huge foodie, their reputation more than preceded them. We sat around the communal table in my three week old shop, and I listened as they offered up their staff and skill in providing food for City & State. Not only that, but the opportunity to work with them in the near future to come up with a few custom menu items.

I cannot say enough great things about the openness and support these two celebrated chefs and their team have given us in this new venture. They recognize, as do we, that the way to continue to move Memphis forward is through partnership and support across all in our community. They are a shining example of what is so incredible about this city. People supporting people."

Last Song to Memphis

The City of Memphis shapes people. Its history and harmony ignite ideas and new vision. Its food scene inspires my pen (or keyboard). Its basketball team inspires community spirit and grit (despite last night's Game 4 loss). And its music momentum inspires the strum of a guitar and beat of a track.

For the up-and-coming Indie-rock band The Black Cadillacs, an East Tennessee group of five, their album was missing a valuable final song. Scribbles on notepads simply could not translate to chords and harmonies. So, naturally, the Black Cadillacs jumped in a van and traveled to my city for four awe-inspiring days of deep discussion and lyrical listening. The end product? A compelling final album track (which you can now download!), and a newfound perspective on Memphis, documented with raw footage and magnetic emotion.

My natural first questions: How did the crew experience Memphis in four days? And what did they eat?!

Gus's Fried Chicken, Slider Inn, James Lee House, and Double J Smokehouse were a few culinary stops along the tour. A culmination of the smoky and fried, casual and fancy, The Black Cadillacs got a true taste of Memphis' diverse dining palate.

As Memphis musician Amy Lavere explains in the video, "Memphis is the kitchen. If you ever go to a really nice dinner party, where does everyone wanna be? They all want to be in the kitchen."

I just love that analogy.

Today, the documentary is live to the public, and so is the band. The Black Cadillacs are putting on a pop-up in-flight performance on the new Southwest Dallas-Memphis connection today. Tonight, upon their arrival, they'll perform a set at BB King's, including the last song inspired by the city surrounding us. I'll be there, and I hope you'll join me.

And if you love Memphis, share this video.

original photo sources unknown

Vietnamese Spring Roll Party

It all began in the pedicure chair. My friend (and pedicurist) Kathy and I were not discussing gossip or boyfriends, but rather the science behind perfect peanut sauce. I simply couldn't master it. Hoisin, peanut butter and sugar were all it took; yet the ratios were not in my favor during each kitchen trial.

Saturday morning, Kathy surprised me with a homemade batch of her peanut sauce, which, yes, was fantastic. I went to Fresh Market soon after for spring roll ingredients and invited a few friends over for the fun. Both the set-up and finished product were ideal for small gatherings. Spring rolls are creative, customizable, colorful, healthy...Need I say more?

What you'll need:

Rice paper Boiled shrimp, butterflied Thinly sliced sashimi tuna Lump crab meat Sliced avocado Sliced cucumber Basil leaves Carrots Udon or vermicelli noodles Peanut sauce, for dipping

1. Fill a casserole dish with warm water and place directly next to a large cutting board. Carefully add one rice paper round to the dish, pressing gently to soften the textured ridges.

2. Carefully remove rice paper from dish after 15 seconds. Begin with a small handful of noodles in the center of the rice paper round. Add 3 butterflied shrimp slices, 1 slice of tuna, and a tablespoon of crab. Then, layer cucumber, 2 avocado slices, and carrots. Customize as you wish!

3. Fold in right and left sides first, then roll tightly. Serve at room temperature (or chilled) with peanut sauce.

Belly Acres (Memphis)

It's time to write about my new favorite gourmet burger spot in Memphis, Tennessee. Note the keyword: gourmet. We know Huey's has mastered a fantastic patty and bun (for 45 years now!), though a new burger has stepped up in town for its creative edge and "citified farm fresh" style.

Personally, I'm all about the toppings. My now sixteen-year-old sister routinely orders her burger (no matter the location) as "a burger, plain, no bun, no toppings, just the meat, with ketchup on the side."

I love you, Julia; but, no.

At Belly Acres, signature burgers are celebrated. The topping combinations create tantalizing titles from "Dare Ya" (and "Double Dare Ya") to "Voodoo Moo Moo."

Upon my first visit, I ordered "The Cure:" a housemade brioche bun held a grass-fed beef patty with smoked gouda, braised tomatoes, sauteed onions, and acre sauce. Rich, but curing, indeed.

If you're undecisive, you can "tour the acres" by creating your own concoction. Yet in my opinion, Belly Acres provides a pre-selected option for any type of eater. Chicken or turkey burgers are available, as well as vegetarian options "from the garden" -- Even a black eyed pea burger is offered. My coworker and I were very impressed withe Yellow Fin Tuna burger with wasabi mayo and cucumber salad. Fresh and fantastic.

And, oh, the sides. Plan accordingly with your party, as my office accidentally ordered three table-size fries and looked as if we were applying for the television series "Man vs. Food." If you are a fried pickles fan, Belly Acres prepares theirs extra thin and crispy, like a fancy, addictive potato chip. Order a batch of those while awaiting your burger.

The interior is essentially a farm version of Willy Wonka with a mesmerizing array of build-out; from watercolored cloud disks and a barn-esque open kitchen, to suspended barrel lighting and stacked television screens of trippy green grass designs. I applaud the design team for going with their gut. The restaurant's Overton Square location stands out amongst its well-established neighbors and burger joints around the area.

Belly Acres is family-friendly, large party-friendly, and friendly in general. I have highly enjoyed the customer care and speedy service -- and I believe you will too, Midtowners and greater Memphians.

The Dutch (New York)

It's Sunday, and I'm deeply missing the brunch experience of a lifetime at The Dutch NYC. This morning's protein shake cannot and will not ever compare to the cream cheese cinnamon roll and full oyster and raw bar, among other fine American bistro options.

Nestled in SoHo (my favorite neighborhood of the city), the swanky spot reminds me of an old-time American bar with country club-esque charm. The graphic and interior design are both fabulous. I almost loved the menu's design as much as the food in front of me.

My opinion of the restaurant was immediately validated when Neil Patrick Harris and his family arrived in the dining room in pastel Easter charm. I respected his family time and did not snap too many photos, though I especially enjoyed watching the twins in their respective bowtie and blonde curls!

We ordered quite the array of items, which satisfied my family's extremely diverse palates.

The raw, plump oysters with shredded horseradish and housemade hot sauce were a no-brainer. Mom took it up a notch by requesting the addition of crab to the platter. I washed mine down with a grapefruit mimosa, though the spicy bloody mary to my left accompanied the salty starters well.

I enjoyed a light entrée of beet salad -- a burrata burrito, if you will -- which held creamy pockets of burrata cheese with a crunchy pistachio sprinkle, root shavings, and a fine vinaigrette.

The cornmeal pancake short stack was appropriately loaded with hot blueberry compote. I enjoyed the change of pace from typical pancake ingredients; the grittier version of cornmeal added a complexity that still hasn't left my taste buds.

The farro and mushroom salad was brilliantly constructed. Layers of pesto, broccoli, farro (a barley-like wheat) and wild mushrooms were topped with snow-like parmesan, bringing the entire dish together.

And, of course, the Dutch burger (not pictured) was epic in itself. Home-style potatoes and fries accompanied, leaving us fantastically full. I'm so into The Dutch. So is Neil Patrick Harris. So add it to your list.