Good Taste is the Worst Vice

Snow day lasagne

I've always tried to avoid making lasagne.  It's such a production: make the sauce, shred the cheese, boil and drain the noodles, layer the whole thing, and finally bake it. But it's such a cozy meal on a cold day. So I took a page from my mother's book and made a "cheater" version of homemade ... continue reading...


A picturebook from France

Like many of you, I imagine, I've been indoors a lot recently due to the Polar Vortex and -50 degree windchills.  So I spent some time tidying up my new condo and my iPhoto library, and came across a collection of photos from my France trip last fall that I wanted to share with you. Without ... continue reading...


Chocolate bark

Whenever I'm in Texas for New Year's, I like to come up with a few cooking projects. This time I thought it would be fun to make chocolate bark. After all, my mother and stepfather love chocolate as much as I do! I used 70% dark chocolate, but any kind would do - you could even swirl milk ... continue reading...


My mom’s “Waldorf Astoria” cheesecake

I love cheesecakes of all kinds - but this one is special. My mother was served this cheesecake at her bridal shower many years ago, and asked for the recipe from the hostess, my grandfather's colleague's wife.  It had the name "Waldorf Astoria cheesecake", an elegant name for an elegant ... continue reading...


A three star dinner at Maison Pic, Valence France

Let's say au revoir to France with one final memorable meal, our three Michelin star dinner at Maison Pic. We had champagne and little bites while deciding between the two menus, the Collection Pic (classics) or Actualités (meaning "current events" or "news" - essentially dishes of the ... continue reading...


Lunch at La Menthe, Lyon France

During one of our days in Lyon, we spent a few hours just wandering around, window shopping, and of course trying to decide where to eat lunch.  We noticed a long line outside one spot, and drew closer to see what it was.  Domino's Pizza!  Pass. Just at the end of the block, though, we spotted a ... continue reading...


Picante, Anguilla

As far as I can tell, there's only one Anguillan Mexican restaurant - Picante.  On an island where most menus are influenced by Caribbean, European, or even Asian cuisine, it's certainly different. And that's 1) why the restaurant was opened to begin with, 2) probably why I didn't eat there until ... continue reading...


Dispatches from Anguilla (Pt 1)

Anguilla is just the same as we remembered it, except maybe a tiny bit busier.  We're back at the Viceroy in one of our favorite rooms overlooking the ocean.  Everyone here is so nice and welcoming, the room is perfectly peaceful, and I know a quiet nook to hide out on the beach away from the ... continue reading...


A visit to Breckenridge, CO

My sister and I can never resist hot buttered rum, especially after tromping through snow on a chilly afternoon. After we spent some time exploring the main street in Breckenridge (aka "Breck", as the locals call it), the sign proclaiming "best hot buttered rum" drew us inexorably into the ... continue reading...