stay tuned...

Hello blog world!

So I realize I've been slacking on my blog posts lately, and I've made the decision that I need to be more on top of things. But alas, I haven't been off campus to interesting local food, and getting off campus doesn't happen often anyways. (However the trend seems to be when I do get off campus, I forget my camera, so I can't even document my food experiences photographically, like I want to!) 

The solution? Share my ON-CAMPUS culinary experiences! What is it like to eat on a college campus? What kinds of food is available to the average college student? You shall soon find out dear friends.  In the next few days, I'll begin to share the ups and downs that the collegiate stomach experiences. It may just make you more thankful for your mom's cooking. I know I am.

oui? ou non?

Getting excited...

Did I mention that I'm hoping to study abroad for a semester in Dijon, France? Oh! Well hopefully this time next Fall, I'll be enjoying some of the best food in the world, while traversing Southern France. though it would be mainly academic, I'm thinking it's going to be the greatest culinary adventure ever!! Just think of all the new and exciting foods I'm going to get to eat! Be jealous!

This just came in the mail! I figure I'd better start practicing! :) (Don't worry, I won't be utterly helpless. I've been taking French for a few years now) I'm still in the application stage of this whole thing, but I'll let you know as soon as the trip is finalized! And don't think I won't keep you updated on my french foodie experiences if I get into the program.

A tout a l'heure!

local favs: coffee

Krankies Coffee

Need a place to study, talk, and hang out with a friend? Check out Krankies Coffee on Third St. It has a pretty mellow atmosphere, GREAT coffee, live band performances on the weekends, and a local farmers market every now and then (the next is the 26th of Oct I believe).

With tons of table choices, lots of space, and free wireless internet, it's my first alternative to studying on campus. In fact it's becoming my preferred place to study!

A Hazelnut Latte was my preferred cup of joe :)

Need to get up and walk around after hitting the books hard? There's a gallery in the next room, where you can stretch your legs and exercise that right side of your brain! How convenient is that?!

Check it out! And let me know what YOU love about Krankies!

 

local favs: lunch

Dioli's Italian Market, the Deli

After overcoming great opposition on Friday (in the all-too-familiar form of a Bio test) I decided it was acceptable to celebrate with a sandwich from one of my local favorite restaurants, Dioli's. It's a great little Italian Deli, that has delicious authentic sandwiches, (or what I'd assume was pretty darn authentic, I've never been to Italy, so I wouldn't know), and some of the most tempting desserts I've ever seen.

 

 I decided on the Classic Italian Hero- "Molinari Dry Salame, Mortadella, and Prosciutto Cotto w/ Provolone, Red Onion, Arugula and Mayo on a Ciabatta Roll." with a Zeppoli on the side. (I'd never had a Zeppoli, but it was a $0.50 Italian doughnut, so I figured, why not?!) The sandwich was delicious, just like the last time I'd had it. This time, I decided to get oil and vinegar instead of the Mayo, and loved the switch! I could honestly argue that the bread is the best part. Next time, I'll have to try one of their other desserts. I've had the Tiramisu before and I'd definitely recommend it! The Zeppoli was really not that impressive, but I wonder if it was because it wasn't served right after it came out of the fryer. It didn't quite have that crispy texture that it looked like it should have had. Despite that, overall, it was most definitely a successful celebration lunch!

yummm

Fresh heirloom tomatoes I grew this summer made the most delectable afternoon snack! (I added a dash of kosher salt) I espicially love how  vibrantly the yellow and reds ones contrast each other.

a bread making success!

After many semi-successful batches of bread, I've finally created a truly magnificent batch of home-made honey wheat sourdough bread!! The finished product that you see below was positively the best batch I've created yet, despite all the odds working against me: the lack of counter space in our room (there is none), the highly questionable oven in the lounge (it takes 30 minutes to pre-heat), and the inhospitable rising conditions (our frigid, dry air conditioned room). When it came out of the oven, it smelled SO heavenly.

Upon slicing it the crusty outer layer and the soft airy texture on the inside made our mouths water. My roommate and I immediately spread a little butter on it, and quickly devoured 1/2 of the loaf. When we felt we'd had enough, I wrapped up the second 1/2, and put it away for later. (Homemade bread makes for a tasty breakfast in the morning). The second loaf, we took to a friends apartment for a movie night snack. It was a huge hit! I can't wait to try another batch! (Though my roommate is getting tired of the same bread every time.) "Can't you make anything other than sourdough?" I'm going to have to work on that one.

local favs: brunch

This is the first of, hopefully, many posts recommending some local favorite restaurants of mine! For all my fellow Demon Deacons out there, check out these posts if your stomach is crying out for a break from that "delicious" Pit Food.

If you find yourself wandering the Downtown Arts District of Winston Salem on a Sunday afternoon and are looking for an early afternoon meal, check out Finnigan's Wake Irish Pub and Kitchen! Located at 620 North Trade Street, this little pub has some of the best Irish food around. 

Recently, I got Artichoke Benedict (my first Benedict anything! I know, shocking), and it was absolutely wonderful! 2 poached eggs served on top of "Opie's arti-cakes" and a sliced buttered and toasted English muffin, smothered with fresh hollandaise sauce. Served with hashed sweet and golden potatoes, a cheese toastie, and a grilled roma tomato, it was hard to find room in my stomach for everything on my plate! I washed it all down with an ice cold water, garnished with a fresh slice of cucumber. (sounds odd, but give it a chance!)

Other popular brunch menu items are the Boxtys (a traditional breakfast item- a thin potato pancake folded over some d-lish ingrediants!), Bangers and Mash (Irish sausages topped with Smithwick’s gravy, served with
mashed potatoes & braised cabbage), the Irishmans Breakfast, as well as some traditional sandwiches, soups, salads, and classic entrees like Fish and Chips. You're going to want to come back and try them all.

But Finnigan's isn't just a great place for brunch! They're open for lunch and dinner, and they feature some satisfying entrees. Not to mention, their sweet potatoe fries are TO DIE FOR. Don't take my word for it, check 'em out!