What have YOU done lately?

For me, not much. I haven't made anything brand new, although I maaaay have finally perfected my chocolate chip cookie! I have yet to test it on anybody, but I'm hoping it will be well received. I have been psychotically scanning through some food blogs and am going to get started on my Thanksgiving menu planning. I am so excited! And I think this year I will finally try to make ALL NEW RECIPES!!! can you believe it!? I must use this opportunity to try out a multitude of new recipes and not just waste it on my tried and true favorites (no matter how yummy they are).
To tide anybody who might be reading this over until then, I will tell you about my most favoritist place to eat (and Guy's) here in Davis. Let's start by mentioning that I love sushi. I didn't used to, I would eat a california roll here and there, and then I moved up to some tempura shrimp varieties... but now, I am a full fledged sushi LOOOVAAAAH. I am not one for cooked fish, but for some reason raw fish and I are getting along famously. And where do I love to eat sushi in Davis? Why, Mikuni of course!
I have tried a few other places in Davis and the bay area for sushi but none of them compare to the delicious amazingness of Mikuni (in my humble opinion of course). Now, they are not the cheapest place (not by a long shot), but the rolls they make are so flavorful and stuffed with so many different fishies I just cannot resist. First off their fish is such good quality, I prefer rolls but I could happily have some sashimi or nigiri at Mikuni. Second, and most importantly I think are the sauces.... ooooooh the sauces. They make their own special sauces which are just aeoli and aren't even all that exciting on their own, but when topping the rolls it creates the most amazing flavor explosion!
Now I am not a sushi purest by any stretch of the imagination. I want creativity, I want excitement, I want something I can't find in every mom and pop sushi shop across the country and boy do they deliver. I would eat Mikuni every day if my wallet and health standards would allow it. I can't believe I won't be eating it again until Monday (when Guy returns from LA and they have their Monday night football specials) siiiiigh....until then.

I'm Still Here!

So I went home for a week and a wedding, but I have not forgotten about my blog! While I may be a biiiit late on my weekly post promise, I think you can forgive me. Especially when I'm going to let you in on some of the yummiest treats you can get in the Philly 'burbs.

I know a lot of people visit Philadelphia and make their way out to Lancaster. But, why go so far when you can get a delicious taste of Lancaster in the nearby quaint suburb of Wayne, PA?! I'm talking about the Lancaster County Farmers Market with hundreds of stands and open three days a week! YAY! And my absolute favorite stand has got to be the Country Twist pretzel and hot dog stand. I personally prefer an Auntie Anne's pretzel to their soft pretzels (although others would disagree), but NOTHING compares to the amazingness of their pretzel dogs and party dogs. You might think they're just your every day pigs-in-a-blanket, but trust me they are so much more.

First, there are the little baby party dogs that most of us are used to at every wedding, bar mitzvah, and super bowl party. But Country Twist takes them to a new level with cheese injected into the center of the dog and their pretzel dough wrapped happily around it. I don't know where they find these little dogs or how they make their dough, but these little doggies taste infinitely better than the ones so many of us are used to.

Second, are the amazing pretzel dogs that so many places seem to be copying these days. This is basically your standard sized hotdog wrapped in pretzel dough. You can find the knockoff varieties all over from Auntie Anne's to Einstein's Bagels. But don't be fooled! The original... the BEST... can only be found at Country Twist. Again, something about the hotdogs they buy and the dough they make just sets these pretzel dogs apart from any other you will ever try. As if that wasn't enough... Country Twist also dips the top in an herb/cheese mixture that takes these puppies over the edge.

I did the briefest of Google searches and wasn't able to find Country Twist anywhere but at the Lancaster Farmer's market. So, if you ever take a visit to Valley Forge National Historical Park or are just cruising down the main line (aka Lancaster Ave.) then take a minute to get yourself a bunch of these hotdogs. You will not be disappointed.

And while you're enjoying your tasty meaty nuggets, peruse the other stands at the market. There are great pastries, candies, cheeses, meats, fish, prepared foods and more to enjoy. I never get out of that place without spending a ton (don't forget, cash and check only!).

Blogs need a focus?

My mom tells me that I can't just write a blog about nothing and update it whenever I feel like. Otherwise I'm just talking to myself and nobody will read it or respond. So, to appease her (as is always the case) I will try to focus my blog a bit and update more frequently. How is at least once a week to start? Ok, good.

I love food, so a lot of my posts will be about the places I eat and the dishes I attempt to make myself. I also love cute fluffy animals and gawk at random puppies wherever I go. If I ever muster enough courage to ask their owners if I can take pictures of the little cuties, you can be sure to see them here as well.

Here's a little update on where I am and what I am doing these days:

I recently moved from outside of Philadelphia, PA to the small town of Davis, CA outside of Sacramento. I was working at Nordstrom in King Of Prussia for most of last year, but am now unemployed and am looking for work in the food industry anywhere in the area of Davis. Most of my food commentary will be on restaurants in Davis, San Francisco, and Philadelphia with a few others here and there as I travel around the country.

The first place I want to talk about is the Roli Roti Rotisserie, which you can find at various farmers markets throughout the San Francisco bay area. I love the farmers market at the Ferry Building in San Francisco. I know some people say it is too touristy and expensive, but it is also full of vendors, on the water, crowded and lively, and just plain good (not to mention the perfect place to go puppy watching!)! They sell some of the best fruit I've ever tasted (emphasis on the Frog Hollow summer fire nectarines... ooommmggg. But I digress.) and some great food stands as well. The one you won't be able to miss as soon as you enter the market is the Roli Roti Rotisserie. Their line is by far the longest in the whole market, and you can't help but wonder what everybody is waiting for. Don't worry though, the line moves pretty quickly and the wait you do have is totally worth it.

We assumed everybody was there for the roast chicken (it is a rotisserie after all), but upon getting closer to the truck we were informed that everybody was waiting for some mystical porchetta sandwich. Now, I love me some bacon and ham, but besides that I'm not much of a pork eater. But when there is a line stretching the entire length of the market just for a pork sandwich, you have to try it. Oh, am I glad I tried it. It is something about pork belly wrapped in pork skin... I don't really remember what the sign said, but what I do remember is that it is freaking fantastic. They chop up some crunchy pieces of skin and mix it in with the pulled/chopped pork meat. All of the fat and juices on the cutting board get wiped onto the bread that will be in your mouth in just mere moments. And just for a little extra yummy flavor they add some caramelized onions and cilantro (my absolute favorite herb). This sandwich has so much delicious pork flavor and the salty crunch of the skin... to die for. If you are in the SF bay area, definitely come by the farmers market and get one of these porchetta sandwiches. Just don't let them run out before I get there!