Free today if you vote:
You know that great section of the Sunday NT Times that features “36 hours in (enter city/place here)” ? Well this week it’s about a place that I like to call a mini San Francisco; Burlington, Vermont.
I cannot make a chocolate chip cookie to save my life. No one in my family can. We have what I call the curse of the chocolate chip muffin. No matter what recipe, tip, or trick we try, when we actually bake the dough, the “cookies” come out like muffins and taste like crap.
If you find yourself anywhere near Southern Vermont, don’t miss The Blue Benn. I grew up eating at this spot. Even though I live states away now, it’s the first stop I make coming into town for a visit, and the last stop before I leave. You’ll be hooked too. I promise.
That’s right. Sheryl Crow, Jack Johnson and the BEASTIE BOYS are playing short-sets today from 1-3pm at VCU’s Monroe Park, in Richmond VA. A preview of the Rock The Vote Concert that will be held later tonight at the Richmond Colliseum.
I went to Aurora for lunch with an old friend this week. Here’s a new look for Richmond, VA. (Thank you, thank you!) This place looks like the type of spot you’d find in a real city. A place where a bunch of girlfriends can get gussied up at night to go out for a cocktail when they are sick of packing themselves into the otherwise smoky dive bar. No offense dive bar-it’s just nice to see a funky clean and trendy little joint that’s new in town that we might actually be able to wear heels to.
…yes, together.
Here’s an idea that we tried this summer; Don’t make plans or reservations. Show up in whatever city you want to check out (we chose DC this time) -grab a hotel room and restaurant hop. Pony up to the bar to eat and drink instead of getting a table. You can check out more than one spot, save your on your wallet and maybe even get to talk to some interesting strangers.
This morning I met a friend at the Front Porch Cafe‘, a mom and pop local fave at MP 6 in Outer Banks, NC. They had plenty of fresh baked pastries and that unmistakable air of grunge, disorganized and chill coffee house. This was a perfect spot to sit outside on warm NC fall day in a big rustic wooden chair sipping a dark roast.