Sarabeth

Well, you have just made one decision easier for us! We'll have three nights in Cusco the first week in April, so we'll be sure to get into MAP. We're planning on eating ceviche in Lima before that, so maybe we'll be able to compare it to your place in Cusco. Thanks again for a great post... beautiful photos and great commentary.

Your closeups are fantastic. Did you say what type of camera you were using? I'm glad to see the photos from the market. I've arranged to have an entire free day in Cusco when we travel there in April, so I'm taking notes from your post! Wonderful, wonderful, and I too, am eagerly awaiting the "offal" truth. (sorry, very bad...)

Could not have been a better timed post.. my husband and I are headed to Peru for the first time in April. Your photos are making us very hungry and very excited!! Did any of you have a problem with the altitude? Thanks for sharing!!

Hi, and welcome (soon) to Atlanta! You might want to try contacting Spruill Green Market. They are a local CSA that lists chicken, lamb, and pork along with veggies and fruits. Spruill Green Market CSA (If for some reason the link doesn't work, you can find them listed on localharvest.org) Hope that's helpful!

Lately I've been baking chickpeas with raz el hamout spices... crunchy, spicy, lowfat, addictive... yummy!

You should make bread pudding for dessert. Hell, make Mrs. Chase's. It's dead simple, cheap to make, and delicious. Bread Pudding ala Dooky Chase ← I just want to thank you again for suggesting the bread pudding. We did indeed have our lunch and we raised about $300. My husband and I are going to be in New Orleans for Thanksgiving and plan to hand over the money then. I'm proud of my kids and they are proud of their modest deed. That said, we're looking forward to spending Thanksgiving Day at the track (I so hope the bread pudding is the way I remember it) and we've made reservations on Fri. night at August. My husband made Thanksgiving night (not the buffet, I think) reservations at the New Orleans Grill at Windsor Court. I can't seem to find any new reviews, and I know that there is a new chef. Any word? And, lest you think that we are only in for the high-end stuff, we will spend way too much time at Cooter Browns and Fahy's; eat too many oysters at Felix's if it's open... and if not, we'll have 'em fried at Casimento's. What I do want to know, though, is if Elizabeth's is open? I have been trying to recreate her praline bacon and it is NOT the same. Can't wait to come to town, S.

You might also want to try Patak's

Will the wedding guests be mostly from out of town? When my husband and I got married in New Orleans, it was a "destination wedding" for all of our 100 guests. Our rehearsal dinner was at a bowling alley/music venue. They catered the food (which wasn't fancy, but it was good, local fare) I had especially stayed away from the Mardi Gras theme for our wedding reception (which was a very elegant, low key event) and I was hesitant when my in-laws decided on the Mardi Gras theme for the rehearsal dinner. But, I have to say that it was a blast. Most of our friends and family still talk about the weekend. It was a chance for the people who were closest to us to not only spend time with us, but to get to know each other and mingle before the wedding. I know it isn't the traditional idea of a rehearsal dinner, and I'm sure that my guests would have found ways to keep themselves busy in the great city of New Orleans on a Friday night. We just thought that since they were flying from far and wide for us, we should make sure that we had time to spend time with everyone.. which doesn't always happen during the reception. We also made sure that we chose a venue that wouldn't break the bank or "overshadow" the actual wedding, was considered a local highlight, and was willing to work with us. I hope that is helpful. Whatever you and your son decide will be great and memorable. Edited to add: I'm originally from the Cleveland area, and I have been to my share of weddings in and around the city. The good news is that you have lots of options!

I like the Grand Marnier suggestion. I was wondering if it might be a little dry. When I made the walnut spice cake I used a splash of Praline Liquor to jazz it up a little and I think it made a huge difference. One of the recipes that I've found actually mentions using dried apricots and cherries (rather than candied). I was worried that it might not be "traditional" enough, but I would personally appreciate the cherries over raisins, which I'm not a big fan of. I'll look into the Lewis/Peacock recipe, as well. Anything from that duo can only be good. I'll keep you posted!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I am a novice baker. Cook, yes. Baker, no. But, after creating a (and I say this humbly) fabulous 4 Layer Walnut-Spice Cake with Caramel Frosting, I am beginning to think that I can do this. So..... I'd like to make a Lane Cake to surprise my southern inlaws for the holidays. I have found a few recipes, but I was wondering if any of you lovely people had some tried and true recipes that I might be able to take a peek at. I'm thinking that if all goes well, maybe I could create "mini" Lane Cakes for our annual Christmas Party... maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. Meanwhile, to continue my baking education, I'm making a S'mores Tart that I found online that uses a honey marshmallow for the topping. I'll take pictures if it turns out.

MidCity Cuisine here in Atlanta serves a drink called "Milk and Honey": Ginger infused Grey Goose vodka and lemongrass syrup When I make it at home I coat the rim of the glass in lavender sugar. Yum.

My husband and I had an excellent meal at Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen. It had a very local vibe, and the food was vibrant and fresh. I had a squash soup that I can still taste (and we were there last December!) and the rabbit tostado, which seems to be a house favorite. My husband had the duck and he still talks about it. I highly recommend it.

While not completely "gourmet", these have always been a hit when I've served them: Mini-orange cranberry muffins (sliced in half and filled) with sliced, smoked turkey and either quince or fig preserves. Very nice for luncheons. Also, what about mini savory cheesecakes?

Viejo, Thanks for the update! That's what happens when you don't visit your family enough! Have you been to Madison's? Like I said, I'm planning on trying it next weekend. I'm also looking for a good place to have a good "girls night" with my sister and some friends. Is Burns Court still good?

I haven't been, but my parents who live in Sarasota have been raving about Madison's. I'm going to be down there in two weeks, so I'll check it out for myself. I would also second Captain Brian's. I've also had very good meals at Euphemia Hay over on Longboat Key.

Thanks. I think we will.

Brooks, thank you for validating why my Advanced French students will be in the Home Ec room next week learning how to make Leah Chase's gumbo z'herbes and then charging our faculty a modest amount for a great lunch. We'll be sending the money to Ms. Chase herself to go towards the rebuilding of her landmark restaurant.

I use it in my favorite brisket recipe: http://www.misterbrisket.com/NewFiles/recipe.html

I would imagine that it would be leaner, but (I think) that if the point and flat were intact, it shouldn't matter. That being said, the most fool-proof moist and tender brisket recipe (roasted, not bbq) I have ever tried is the Mr. Brisket Brisket Recipe from the original Mr. Brisket store in Cleveland, Ohio. It has a whopping 4 ingredients: 6-10 lb. brisket (point and flat intact), 1 bottle Heinz chili Sauce, 1 envelope onion soup mix, and a can of Coke. You can find the recipe on their website: http://www.misterbrisket.com/NewFiles/recipe.html I make it a few times a year and it is always good. The one time it wasn't so hot was when I made it on a whim and settled for an already packaged brisket. It was still tasty, but not nearly as tender.

Dick and Jenny's, 4501 Tchoupitoulas. Some of the best meals I've ever had. Anywhere. A great atmosphere (very local, neighborhood friendly) and amazing food. I'm always surprised how many "locals" have never heard of it. My husband once practically got in a fight with a man who kept telling him that he must have been referring to "Dickie Brennan's". They have a smoke roasted pork with rice stuffing that is out of this world. Have a good, safe trip.

I was just wondering how the mutton went over? We actually didn't do much tailgating for this game (due to some work travel which caused us to get to Athens too close to kick-off), but we did have an amazing meal at Farm. It's on Washington, and if you haven't been I highly suggest it. The wine list is exceptional, and a great compliment to the fresh flavors on the menu. We shared a Sweetgrass Dairy cheese plate with fresh fig jam; a fried oyster appetizer with a charred corn relish that I would have been happy to eat all night long, and shrimp and grits: Georgia caught shrimp, local ground grits, seasoned just right with "just picked this afternoon" okra. The restaurant itself is comfortable with an open kitchen, and the "real" farm is part of a CSA, so I'm thinking of making a call or two to see if it's too late to get in on the fall crops. Hope the Dawgs can score like that against Spurrier next week!

Tile or Pergo seem like clear winners. Thanks for all the food for thought.. I'll let you know what we decide and how it goes. S.

I can see why you love that book! Might you be willing to share these two recipes? I am particularly looking for Lane Cake recipes if anyone else has a recipe they know and love. Personally, I have always had great success with a Blue Willow Coca-cola cake with boiled peanut frosting. Ah, it is good to live in the South.

So many great ideas here! I have questions about flooring... ours has got to go. Not only is it aging vinyl (we inherited it when we bought the house), but is a horrible pattern with ridges that are nearly impossible to keep clean. I've thought about tile, and I've heard good things about cork. For those of you who have renovated, how did you make your choice? For those of you about to renovate, in what direction are you heading? Thanks for getting this started Dave!

Or Fat Matt's for barbeque and blues music.... Or what about a Buford Highway crawl... Korean barbeque, pho, dim sum, etc... not really what people think of when they think of Atlanta, but it sure is good! Maybe Seeger's since it is closing? Oooh, go to the Dome during the Falcons pre-season game (I think they are at home) and get some peach cobbler. It really is some of the best I've ever had.