brunch

Birthday – ATL style

January 7, 2015 · 7 Comments

For most of you that have visited a little bit, you know that I grew up in Atlanta. Atlanta is still one of my most favorite cities to visit. I absolutely love it there. So instead of taking our normal birthday trip to Nola (which I’ve pretty much done every year since I’ve known B), we decided to stay a little closer to home and take it a little easier, so we took the 2 and half hour drive over to ATL to spend the weekend there.

One thing that we’d been wanting to do was head to the Georgia Aquarium — we had never been, and decided it was about time to knock that off the list.

Reminder to everyone who goes to an aquarium. Saturdays when kids are still out of school….probably not the best day ever to go. It was really, really crowded and really, really loud. (Better get used to it, right?). Did I mention that there were a lot of people there? Because there was. A LOT of people.

The California sea otters were our favorite — and the belugas. But they also seemed to be everyone else’s favorites, because I couldn’t get close enough to take a really good picture. But below is what I did get to snap a few pics of. I only took a picture of the Falcons dolphin, because I was grateful for them losing to the Panthers, because they gave the Pack a run for their money the last game they played, and well, I didn’t want that happening again.

After the aquarium, I was starving. So we headed to my most favorite lunch spot in Atlanta; The Varsity. I looooove this place. And I don’t care how touristy or greasy people say it is — it reminds me of home, and it tastes awesome. So there. I got two chili slaw dogs, some onion rings and a frosted orange (which is pretty much just a creamsicle drink). And I ate ALL of it.

So after our super healthy lunch, we went over to the Krog Street Market, which was pretty much all food and alcohol. Since we’d just eaten, and since I can’t drink ( I did over to just chill with some water if B wanted a beer), we scooted through this and decided to go ahead and check into the hotel.

The freakin’ Ritz Carlton. Is my B good to me or what?! So we chilled for a little bit, watched some of the game, and then good ole hubs gave me my birthday present.

A pair of diamond studs that I’ve been wanting forever!! He was so sweet to get them for me! These are the first diamond earrings I own — if you know me, that’s a big deal since I don’t normally do jewelry. I mean, the wedding ring comes off the second I get home. But they haven’t come out of my ears since Saturday.

After present time, we decided to go and get an app at the cute little tapas place down the street, Alma Cocina. They had this amazing non-alcoholic blackberry and lavender drink, and we got the salsa and guac sampler. 3 guacs and 3 salsas, and they were delicious!

After the app, we decided we were too full for an actual dinner, so we headed over to the Cabbagetown Village of Atlanta to get some cupcakes. We went to Sweet Cheats, got a couple of cupcakes and headed back to the room. From there, we ate our cupcakes, had some coffee and fell asleep watching King of the Hill. Awesome night, right?!?!

Sorry for the blurry cupcake photo. It was really good though.

So the next morning, we woke up and decided it was time for brunch. B tried to order a Bloody Mary to the room (for him, of course), but Georgia has even more ridiculous laws than Alabama, and they can’t serve before 12:30. Lame.

So we headed to The Flying Biscuit for brunch, because I am obsessed with their grits and their biscuits. I had the Piedmont omelet, and B had the Southern Eggs Benedict. It was so good.

After brunch, we drove around for a bit, and found ourselves back at Sweet Cheats for cupcakes to go.

I know how much work B put into this birthday with it being the last one with just us. I love how he just knows me, and how just cuddling up with coffee and cupcakes watching cartoons is also his idea of a good night.

It was definitely one for the books. And now I’m in my early 30s. Gross.

Nola Brunch

December 29, 2014 · 3 Comments

Let’s be honest; there are a million places in New Orleans to eat brunch. A MILLION. You can opt for the simpler beignets at Café Du Monde (although Café Beignet is your best bet if you don’t want to stand in line forever. If, of course, you’ve had Café du Monde before. Plus their Cajun hash browns are the shizz…..) But sometimes, you really just want a nice hearty brunch — especially if you were out partying the night before, which, let’s face it, why would you not?

So for you I have two fabulous locations located in the Bywater in New Orleans.

First up is Booty’s.

The menu for brunch on this is quite different than the pancakes, bacon and “normal” breakfast food you’re used to. They have different menu items from different parts of the world, and the menu does change. I found this out only because I was craving what I had the first time there, so we went back, and to my dismay, it wasn’t on the menu. And then I tried a bloody Maria and hated it. But that’s not their fault; B still stands that they have the best bloody Mary he’s had in New Orleans.

I had the Ramen, and you can see from the description on the menu how amazing this was. The noodles were delicious; the egg was delicious, and that pork belly was what I couldn’t stop eating even when I was completely full.

You can tell how diverse their menu is from the picture up there, so branch out and try something yummy!!

Next up that you have to try is Katies.

This one is more of your traditional brunch food, but of course they have their specials thrown in . AND they have bottomless mimosas for $15. I had three (they bring them out in much bigger glasses than if you ordered just a normal one), and she gave me one to go. Got to love New Orleans and their lax liquor laws. To say I was feeling pretty good afterwards would be an understatement.

Anyway, onto the food.

B had a crawfish beignet, and I had something that was stuffed with amazingness; I honestly can’t remember, but look at it. Soooo good.

Eating is definitely a must while in New Orleans; everyone knows that. But make sure to venture outside the quarter and try some of these amazing brunch spots!

Hope y’all had a great weekend!

Asheville Breakfast: Biscuit Head & Twisted Crepe

April 15, 2014 · Leave a Comment

A couple weekends ago, we took a trip to Asheville. I’ve never been, but always wanted to go. It was kind of a chilly weekend, but with all the brews and the little bit of sunshine, it wasn’t too bad.

The breakfast we had the first day was freaking out of this world. We found it on Yelp! and that never steers us wrong.

We read about this place Biscuit Head and saw the pictures and said, yep, that is the place we are going to. So I’m going to stop talking and just show you the delightfulness.

I got the pulled pork biscuit with jalapeno pimento cheese, topped with an egg and a slice of bacon. B got the fried chicken biscuit with coleslaw and a lovely jelly topped with an egg. The biscuit was soo good, and these things were enormous. We also shared a pitcher of mimosas, and it was pretty much the best breakfast I’ve ever had.

The second morning, we were a little concerned that during Sunday brunch everything was going to be jam packed. With a five and half hour drive ahead of us, we wanted something where we could get in and out. So we found a place that looked amazing, and what was even better was that it was completely empty when we got there.

They make savory and sweet crepes. You can get them pre-made or custom. They have a ton of options, plus beer! So now we find Twisted Crepe.

Asheville had some super yummy breakfasts. I can’t wait to go back and get some more!

Brunch In Baltimore

October 15, 2013 · Leave a Comment

This past weekend was spent in Baltimore.

Watching the Packers kick ass.

But more importantly getting to spend it with my dad. We started the tradition last year of going to at least one Packers away game a year. If you remember, last year was St. Louis, so this year, we decided to go all out and hit up the home of the defending Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens.

Due to new job changes of course, I couldn’t have Monday off, but we spent pretty much all day Saturday at the Inner Harbor, eating, drinking, enjoying life (more on this day later, plus a super awesome trip to H&M where I bought nothing, because I probably could have bought the whole store. Maybe Birmingham will one day get one of those. But I won’t hold my breath), and seeing all sorts of Packers fans.

If you know nothing about pro football, know this….the Packers travel well. There were a ton of Packers fans everywhere!

Again, I get ahead of myself. It’s now Sunday morning, and the semi-hungover, tired as crap people need some food. So we found a place that wasn’t full of hotel food and coffee: Saturday Morning Café. It was definitely a little Southern joint with specialties like shrimp n grits and chicken and waffles.

Plus their coffee was amazing.

They had those little muffins/scones for a breakfast appetizer…and they came out all warm and delicious. Plus I had the shrimp n grits, which was incredibly full of bacon and cheese, and really well prepared grits.

The service here was incredible, their coffee was complimentary, and it wasn’t unbelievably crowded with the Sunday brunch kids.

Definitely an awesome spot for breakfast will in Baltimore.

Although, if you are wearing opposing team gear, they may just seat you in the basement.

Elizabeth’s – Fun NOLA Brunch

October 3, 2013 · Leave a Comment

Last weekend was spent in NOLA. Spent watching the Tigers (of the Auburn variety) and the Packers lose. It’s a sad sad weekend for Laura when both of her teams lose. Plus it rained on Saturday, which is a really crappy thing to have happen when you’re in NOLA.

You know, because you walk around everywhere.

And it severely screws up your hair.

But that morning, there was a cute little brunch spot. It was mainly inhabited by hipsters, but it had a really great and unique menu, plus mimosa’s that were called ghetto just because they came in clear plastic cups. Save $3 on alcohol by putting it in plastic? Yes please.

The waffle was a duck waffle, and then the amazing with sour cream and the tortillas, their version of huevos rancheros. It was super incredible. Sort of wishing I had them right now.

Anyway, it was definitely a good brunchy spot.

Even though, Chick-Fil-A wasn’t had this morning, so Auburn lost. Damn stupid tradition.