Regular people don’t think about food pairings all day.
This still baffles me.
When you find those friends who understand you, it’s like the skies part and angels descended from heaven on golden beams. Mmmm… angel food cake with caramel…
Last weekend Allie was coming back ATL to train, and Heather decided to come along for the ride. I was MORE than excited to have weekend pancakes straight from the Pancake Queen herself (I swear that’s not the only reason I invited her).
Heather, Me, and Allie (photo courtesy Heather)
We lived it up! After they arrived and I burned homemade pop-tarts in the oven, we headed to my favorite underground supper club, Push Start Kitchen. If you are ever anywhere near Atlanta, try to get a seat at Zach and Christina’s table (literally – the dinner’s are in their home). It will be a meal you’ll never forget.
We started with masa sticks and tomato aioli, and a warming beverage of dark rum, lemon, simple syrup, and black tea. Normally I’m not a masa fan. It is often dry and flavorless Of course, Zach is a champion masa-maker. These were perfectly crisp on the outside while remaining moist inside.
The Menu (Photo courtesy Heather)
Then we took seat at the table and were fed like royalty. The first course – bacon-apple fritters – was my favorite. Their richness was perfectly balanced by the pickled apple and licorice-y fennel. I could eat this all-day every day.
Everything was incredible, but I have to take my hat off to Zach’s baking skills. The coffee tres leches was the best I’ve ever had. It even tops the plain tres leches he makes. Served with Evan Williams ice cream, candies macadamias, and chili-laced chocolate sauce… I was a bit weepy when it was gone. I managed to keep it classy. I blame the wine pairings.
With eating adventure #1 completed, I went to bed full… but had dreams of breakfast. Pancakes. Even though she was my guest, I asked Heather to make breakfast. How could I not when she makes my tummy rumble every week with her giant stacks?
Heather keeping the ‘cakes warmed in the oven
Snickerdoodle Pancakes. With an array of topping options, from syrups to NuttZo.
Here’s the recipe on Heather’s blog. I’d advise you to make a double batch. They are THAT good.
Having filled up on bacon and steak the night before, the obvious next move was to hit up Atlanta Veg Fest, a vegan festival. We came, we saw, we sampled. Basically, I ate vegan deli meat (Dough Bakery, you rock!), chips, vegan cheese, and an amazing peanut butter ice cream for lunch:
Are you full yet? We walked it out all afternoon in one of my favorite neighborhoods followed by a trip to the legendary giant farmer’s market. By dinnertime I was hungry again! Allie was feeling in a funk so she opted to rest up at my place while Heather and I hung out in at Barcelona Wine Bar.
Clockwise from the top left: Grilled okra in chorizo oil (I found a way to like okra!), Red Snapper and shrimp ceviche, caramelized brussel sprouts (bacon, shallots, and thyme… SO good) and grilled hangar steak with black truffle sauce (perfectly rare), and Idiazabal cheese with grapes and quince jam.
(There was also a complimentary flan involved, thanks to the bartender having a teensy crush on Heather. You can read all about that in her review. 🙂 )
Once again happy and full, we returned to my place where we stayed up too late chatting and ogling desserts on Pinterest. Typical bloggers… LOL!
You’d think we were done eating, but we had one more stop on the way out of town: Dulce Vegan.
It was a momentous occasion: Heather fell in love with Cholula sauce. It was the perfect amount of heat added to their creamy butternut squash soup. I must have the heat to balance the sweet… which is why I developed my Butternut-Apple Soup recipe.
We also split a TLT (tempeh, lettuce, and tomato) sandwich and a fennel-apple slaw. The slaw wasn’t my favorite, but the way they spiced up the tempeh on that sandwich hit the spot.
We were so sad to say good-bye. The whole weekend was a blast. I even learned new tricks! Heather taught me about whisking eggs to make pancakes fluffier, and about the glories of Pic Monkey (which I employed in Monday’s post). I wish we lived closer so we could do this every weekend!
BUT – speaking of every weekend – I’m doing it again this weekend! I’m hopping a plane for Colorado to visit former Georgian Heather and her hubby. They are graciously letting my crash their new place and tag a long for a Turkey Week ski trip. And a 5K. In the cold. How did I get roped into this? 😉
The icing on the cake is that Lauren and her hubby will be there for some of the visit too! It’s going to be a mini Blend reunion! (Lauren, why don’t I have a pic of us?!)
***
Next week I have some amazing guest posts lined up… and there will be a break for Thanksgiving. I hope everyone takes some time to unplug and appreciate the world out from behind the computer screen. 🙂
Do you ever get to hang out with bloggers in “real life?”
Do you have your Thanksgiving menu planned yet? I have no idea what we’ll be eating… but it better be warm after that 5K!
I’ve never heard of an underground supper club. Sounds like fun! My belly feels full after seeing all the pics. Looks like it was a fun and delicious weekend!
It was!!! I’d love to host my own. 🙂
Ah, another fun weekend ahead of you! Have the best time EVER! Can’t wait to hear all about your trip already. Safe travels of course <3
Thank you! We’re already having a blast. 🙂
so jealous of your meetups with these lovely ladies!!!!!! looks like so much good food. have a blast in CO!
We missed you hiking today!
Julia Child’s quote “People who love to eat are the best people” pretty much sums up why I love you….SUCH yum eats and I love that you are open to trying new foods, no matter how ‘strange’ the combo seems! Enjoy your week away, sounds like you’re in for a great time!
That is one of my favorite quotes. I would have loved to meet her.
damn it i am jealous, like in the best possible way. Of the food, the friends, the trip, it all. AHhh, i live through you this week! k?
I’m cheering you with a glass of red right now!
Ahh what a blast!! You guys are the coolest, I’d kill to have a fun blogger meetup like that, especially with you lovely ladies! 🙂 It seems like nobody lives in Texas hahaha
Oh and those pancakes? DUDE I need those in my belly NOW. holy yum!!
Hope you have a wonderful time in Colorado! 😀
Where in TX are you? I travel there for work a lot!
Corpus Christi! Even though I’m originally from the Dallas area 😀
You know I’m so jealous of all of the Atlanta eats! I love hearing about it though. Have a wonderful weekend – ad I think it’s about time that you come to Utah! We can have a Park City snow boarding/skiing weekend!
I love Park City! You know that’s where Blend is in 2013, right?
You are the best at describing food. Seriously. I am full and hungry all at the same time after reading this post! Ha!
I really wish we had talked about our mutal love for food during grad school! And did you have a blog when you were at Tech?
I started it right after Tech… but I can’t believe we never talked food!!
Looks like so much fun! I am so jealous you got to try those snickerdoodle pancakes in person! They sounded absolutely amazing!
There were SO good – you have to try them!
I wish Allie and Heather came when I was in town! Have fun this weekend! I just met Lauren and Greg last weekend and they were awesome.
We just went hiking today with Lauren and her and Greg are coming over for dinner in a bit. We wish you were coming too!!!
We have so many different hot sauce brands in our fridge. The hubby loves Cholula sauce. Sounds like you guys had a great time. I have 1 blogger friend about 30 mins from me and we try to do lunch occasionally (there are like no bloggers in AR by the way). I have dear blogger & IRL friends in the Boston area. We only get to see each other once a year though 🙁
Awwww… are you coming to Blend?
Can we meet up one day and eat together…I promise I’ll have bacon.
Yes, please!!! We would have SO much fun!
Sounds like you had the perfect weekend! Sad how we live so close together yet so far away! We need to get together soon to catch up! Have a safe and super fun trip!!!
Yes! We have no excuse.
I’m so ridiculously jealous that you got to try Heather’s pancakes straight from the master herself. Oh, and that you got to meet some awesome bloggers too. I swear that I live in blogger no-man’s-land because there are absolutely no bloggers around me and no one ever comes up here. I did have a blogger meet-up when I went down to Cali, though, and it was seriously the best thing ever. It’s awesome to be with like-minded people.
Awwww… you just need to come down here!
this looks like it was an absolute blast! I love meeting bloggers in real life
I love hanging out with bloggers 🙂 I’m actually meeting two for brunch on Sunday. I love it when they turn into real-life friends.
That’s awesome! have fun. 🙂
Wow, those snickerdoodle pancakes sound fantastic… I need to go check out her recipe. I’m jealous of your foodie girls weekend! I need to plan some girl time around here soon… have a great weekend, Laura!
I really wish I could meet up with the other Toronto bloggers. It’d be cool because a lot of the barriers would already be broken ^^ PS: I have so licked a plate at a restaurant before- nothing to be ashamed off 😛
Is that you licking the plate??? heheh awesome!!!!
Oh yes. 🙂
I cannot even express the frie-nvy I’m experiencing right now! (Also, there is definitely some food envy happening as well.)
I wish I could hop a plane to Colorado right now, but at least I know I need to time my visit to ATL for the Veg Fest next year…not that I won’t be trying to come before then…
PS That photo of you licking your plate you texted me pretty much made my night. 😉 [I lick my plate without drinking anything…so no shame.]
If you hopped a plane to CO, it would make my year.
You have some seriously awesome weekends in store, lucky! Have a blast in CO- my brother is in Boulder for school and says it’s already been a snowy season… Enjoy 😀
Thank you! I’m really excited to see some real snow. 🙂
That is too exciting! I always love being with blog friends since they understand the foodie love we have. Although, there are like no bloggers where I live. Sadness. Those pancakes look magnificent! I think I’ll need a batch for tomorrow.
Did you make them?! Heather has me addicted now.
I just made them this morning! After a night of drinks, and they were perfect!! Ha. These will be my new obsession!
Sweet! Those are some good carbs to help you recover. 😉
I think I had Thanksgiving dinner planned out a month ago–what was that about normal people NOT thinking about food/pairings all the time? Some people DON’T do that? Had a great time as always (minus the wanting-to-vomit part for a few hours)–can’t wait for the next one! And totally working on that guest post business, will finish it up this weekend!
Right?! I have a one-track mind. 🙂
Aww, I love your little recap! And I’m totally jealous that your pics turned out so well from dinner on Friday night! I need to try that flashlight trick for sure!
I had an absolute BLAST last weekend and seriously, whipping you up a plate of pancakes was the LEAST I could do for the mind blowing food that you introduced me to! I’m STILL dreaming of that tres leches…and the bartender! 😉
Have fun this week with Heather and Lauren…but not too much! 😉
Oh yeah, and I’m kind of freaking out since the only thing I know I’m making for T-day is Zach’s coconut fudge! Oops?
You’re too kind. 🙂 That tres leches has been in my dreams every night. And you pancakes. Mmmmm…
aww i know exactly what you mean. my food-obsessed amiga lives in mexico and we stay connected via lively Skype chats during top chef. 🙂
oh! and also… i absolutely LOVE your hair. have i said that before? i feel like i have. it’s perfect!
Skype is such a great idea! I need to start using that more.
Thank you so much!!! 🙂
I’m so jealous of all of the awesome Blend fun! I miss you all so much!
Are you coming this year? i’m so excited!!!
So many foodie soul mates! Sounds like a great weekend. Have a wonderful holiday in Co. Cold 5ks. Yay.
My fam is doing a turkey trot here in Baltimore. They are so fun.
You too! I love the Turkey Trots. In warmer weather. LOL!
Not only do I want to go to an underground restaurant, but I want to run one. What an awesome idea.
By the way, I’m making the butternut squash soup this weekend. I’ve got puree ready to go, which I’m sure will work fine instead of diced. I’ll report back with how delicious it was cause I know it will be.
Have a great Turkey week and have a blast with your friends. Safe and happy travels.
Same here! I love butternut soup. I do a apple-butternut with red pepper olive oil. The heat with the sweet is such a good combo.
Yep, just scarfed down YOUR butternut squash soup recipe. It was delicious…sweet and subtle at first and then a nice kick of heat at the end of each bite. I loved it!!
Awww… Really? I’m so very glad you liked it. It really is my favorite.
looks like you girls had a great time! love connecting with blog friends that just get you 🙂 and get the unique ways of our eats haha we have a few close blog friends that do not live near us but wish they did so we could hang out more!!!
xoxo
We did! I hope we get to meet one day. 🙂
I am so jealous my friend – you got the benefit of fantastic food and people 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I REALLY want to go to an underground supper club. we have a few in PDX…
I wish I could have tagged along for this weekend – I want Heather pancakes!! – and now too in Colorado – how fun! say hello from spabettie for me! 🙂
happy turkey day!
You have to try it – it’s such a unique experience and the food is incredible!
We were talking about you sat dinner last night! We’d love for you to have joined. 🙂
When you say “giant” farmers market, are you talking about Harry’s?! I was there once with a friend who lives in Atlanta and I was mesmerized!!! That must be it!
Nope – harry’s is actually part of Whole Foods. This is an independent market that makes Harry’s look like child’s play. 😉
Just started planning my Turkey day!! I have 3 every year, so it is nuts!!
I love real life blogger meet ups. We should all meet up in Nashville… have a mini Blend before Blend!
That would be awesome!!!
Aw, pancakes between friends! What a golden way to start the day.
Looks like a fantastic meal!
I really need to come to one of these push starts with you. Looks like y’all had an amazing weekend!! I want someone to come to my house and make those pancakes haha!
Snickerdoodle pancakes??? oh ya sign me up!!
Yup, we’ve got a full day of festivities planned for Turkey Day, starting with a 5k, followed by Gin Fizzes, the food, wine, food, wine, fo…well you get the pic.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving my friend!!
Happy Thanksgiving to you too!!!
oh my god HOW FUN!!! i know i’m late to the game on commenting on this but seriously dude what a fun time and i totally would have MADE heather make pancakes hahah – no excuses