Why I should not wander around the state alone (or why I should)

One day not so long ago, inspired by Alton Brown and desiring real "road food," I decided to visit Gratz, KY on a whim.  When I arrived, however, there was only one general store.  Luckily, it was still open.  I waltzed out and discovered that I'd locked my keys in the car by accident.  :'(  The couple who own the New Collectibles and Antiques Store were extremely kind to me, lending me their cell phone (mine had no reception), trying their own key on my car (didn't work) and waiting with me for my husband past closing time. Mrs. N. watched the Food Network with me, told me about her travels to Alaska in an RV, and let me try one of her homemade pickles.  It was the most nuanced pickle I'd ever had---sweet up front, but then progressing to the usual sour taste.  I really enjoyed it.  She told me that it was for her husband's specialty, the Gratz Burger.  

So of course, I had to return the next day to try it.

The Gratz Burger consists of fried baloney, homemade sweet pickle, tomato, lettuce, and onion on wheat flatbread.  I thought it was okay, and definitely agreed with Mr. N. that the homemade sweet pickle was what makes it special.  I asked Mrs. N. to tell me the ingredients for the pickle I had the night before, since she sells them and therefore wouldn't give me the recipe.  Apparently the secret is sugar, hot sauce, and lots of fresh garlic.  Hmmmmmmmm.......

There are more important things in life than a clean apartment.

Like my husband, family, and friends; food, traveling, and meeting new people...

But I digress:

1.) Cookies!!!!!  (From The Smitten Kitchen: http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/03/crispy-chewy-chocolate-chip-cookies/  Minus the egg yolk, and minus 1/4 cup of butter)

2.) Elk Creek Wineries in Owenton, KY: the whole reason why I was so giddy in my last post...

This holds the equivalent of 24,000 bottles of wine.  WOW.

3.) Pie (pie!!!!!  I've been watching Feasting on Asphalt, season 2, and Alton Brown was eating so much pie that I wanted some for myself.)

This sign was very promising. 

Kentucky Nut Pie (ie, chocolate chips and pecans....two of my favorite pie fillings!  This was warm and gooey and mmmm.....I might have to go back.)

Next post...a fried baloney sandwich so special, it gets its own post.  :)

Pleasantly buzzed.

Homemade oatmeal creme pies---don't they sound lovely?

Yes, I will make them.  Sometime soon.  After I've finished this box of Little Debbie ones and have gotten thoroughly sick of them, I'm sure.

I got several compliments over the weekend about how my chocolate chip cookies look store-bought.  The ultimate compliment.  :)  I was so happy.

Pictures to come............ (but don't hold your breath).

Crab Fest 2010, steak, and other goodies- updated

Snow crab seasoned with Old Bay

King crab, also seasoned with Old Bay (props to M. and K. our resident crab experts)

My mom's recipe for snickerdoodles...best out of the oven

T.'s steak (very good)

Some of Umai Zushi Buffet's many offerings

The rest of the weekend.

Pork adobo at the Speed Art Museum's Asian festival

Samosa (that was awesomely huge)

Grilled chicken drumsticks

Pre-grilling chopping

The best pulled pork I've ever had (yum yum)

Grilled eggplant, bell peppers, potatoes, mushrooms, onions, and serrano-like peppers

T & B's watermelon salad w/ feta and basil

Perfection on a bun, as always.

Out of my league

We went to Vincenzo's today.  It's a nice perk of being married to an important person.  (LOL---just kidding.  It's actually due to the generosity of Mr. S's boss.  We wouldn't be eating at this place otherwise...)

Salad with 4 pieces of Bibb lettuce, grape tomatoes, mandarin oranges, pecans, and cucumbers

Veal with lemon juice, capers, mushrooms, slices of cantaloupe and honeydew, and a veggie/potato medley (my dish)

Ribeye steak with random sprig of rosemary in wine sauce, mushrooms, and veggie/potato medley

 Raspberry sorbet and tiramisu

Verdict: The veal was very good with a mild, buttery flavor and some sour flavor from the lemon juice.  It was thin and moist, in contrast to other veal that I've eaten.  I don't like capers, so I didn't eat them.  The veggies were saltier and I enjoyed the contrast of flavors in the dish.  (Mr. S. reports that the steak was tasty; he liked the wine sauce.)  I wasn't expecting to like the raspberry sorbet, but it was lovely.  The tiramisu didn't have any coffee flavor, but it was delectable too.

Meh.

We went to Seviche today to eat ceviche.  Pictures first:

 

L to R: Ahi Tuna, Hamachi Yellowtail Tiradito, and Oyster Shooters  (This whole plate was $25.  No, I'm not kidding.)

Close-up of Ahi Tuna

 Tuna Taquitos, the Wild Salmon Special of the Day, and the Wild Halibut Special of the Day (This plate was $25 too!  How did you guess?)

 Grilled Vegetable Tower (Seriously, they called this a tower??!)

Verdict: Not impressed.  The ceviche was good, with the exception of the Oyster Shooters (imagine drinking shots of Bloody Mary with one bit of oyster as big as the tip of my pinky finger in each shot).  The best ceviche for me was the Ahi Tuna, followed by the Wild Salmon and Wild Halibut specials.  They all had different flavors--- the tuna had a strong spicy taste, the salmon had a strong lime flavor mixed in with other spices, and the halibut was smooth and creamy.

The only unique things about the veggie tower (besides the $17 price tag) were the goat cheese on top (creamy with a bit of tanginess) and the delicious grilled portobello mushroom.

We left the restaurant hungry and had to go get McDoubles.  NOT a good sign.  Plus the bill came out to $71.  :\

*Edit:  You really didn't think that we would spend that much on one meal, right??  ;)  We did get $35 off thanks to a Groupon (ask me for a referral, it's wonderful if you love local deals for food, shopping, and entertainment).