Brunch With The Boys

Last Thursday and Friday I was siiiiiiiick. It felt like I had strep throat mixed with the flu. Thankfully, by Saturday morning, I was back to life and ready to EAT! Two of my good guy friends from my old gym, Justin and Noah, suggested that we go to Poogan’s Porch. They had gone before and really enjoyed it but I had never been. I’d heard plenty of great things about this restaurant, so I was eager to cross it off my list.

Apparently the last time the boys went they each ordered multiple entrees. I guess they think this is normal. Noah, after deciding that he would order 5 items said, “Eating is a sport, Christina.”

And then the games begun. Although we were seated within minutes of arriving, it took the longest time for them to bring the biscuits to the table. Not only that, but they were terribly dry. This is the South – you can’t screw up biscuits! Come on.

Soon after, our server brought out our appetizer. I knew alligator meat was chewy, but these were chewy and greasy. Bleh.

For some reason, we were then given one of Noah’s main entrees, long before the others came out. Okayyyy. It looked pretty but tasted rather plain. Even after dousing it in maple syrup, the French toast was still just average.Quite a while later, the rest of the food was delivered to the table.

Noah’s two main dishes were:and more biscuits & gravy.

Justin also ordered the biscuits & gravy and

The boys thought I was wacky for ordering one entrée.

The plate arrived with a ton of extra liquid around the grits. I immediately asked what it was and the server told me it was excess water from the spinach. Really!? They couldn’t have drained that off the plate? Gross. The grits were pretty tasty, but I picked at the salmon, only eating the parts with barbecue sauce.

Honestly, with slow service and mediocre food, I am unsure as to why people like this place. The only point I was really happy was when I found this okra at the bottom of my Bloody Mary.

Maybe it’s just that I don’t love Southern food as much as many of my native friends. Regardless, Poogan’s needs to step up their game in the friendliness and speed department.

After so much food, the three of us could barely walk the three blocks back to Noah’s apartment. We all wanted to just put on bum clothes, lay on the couch, and be miserable, but it was so pretty outside. Solution? Bring an air mattress outside.

Yup, that’s the middle of Queen Street.

Other ridiculous photos from the weekend…That night at The Macintosh, Ashley and I attempted to lift the humongous pumpkin on display in the bar’s window.

We really love the pumpkin beast.

Out With the Old, In With the New

This morning Nikki and I went to Hominy Grill for brunch. The restaurant, located downtown on Rutledge St., is in a shabby old building dating back to the 1880s. The clapboard walls, tin ceilings and hardwood floors give the former barbershop a very homey, antique feeling. 

The menu has traditional Southern fare, with pancakes, french toast, eggs, buttermilk biscuits, and of course, grits. You may recognize Hominy Grill from Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations when he devoured the "Big Nasty Biscuit": a buttermilk biscuit with fried chicken, cheddar, and sausage gravy.

Aside from the regular menu, the restaurant offers daily specials which are written on chalkboard menus.

If I hadn't just had french toast last weekend, I would have definitely ordered the cinnamon french toast. I instead chose one of their daily specials: black bean, salsa & cheddar omelette with avocado sauce, home fries, and corn bread. 

Hominy Grill has traditional Southern corn bread that is on the drier side with just a hint of sweetness. "Yankee corn bread" is sweeter and more like cake. (Reason #922958725 why I don't mind being called a Yankee. I like my food sweet!) The omelette was pretty good but the avocado sauce kind of freaked me out. I'm 100% sure this was avocado pureed with sour cream. Ick. Here's a picture of the inside:

Nikki had a buttermilk biscuit with egg and cheese and a side of grits.

 

I was in l-o-v-e (ok, maybe lust) with her biscuit. I think I ate more of it than she did. It was so moist and crumbly. We both thought the grits had a great texture but needed salt. Here is a picture of us outside the restaurant, photographed by a stranger who obviously doesn't know the rule of thirds. Our poor hands got chopped!

After brunch we stopped by Dillard's to exchange my beloved Michael Kors watch. I used to own this baby:

Pretty, right? Well, that "gold" you see started wearing off after only 2 months. Not so pretty. I exchanged it for the all silver so I wouldn't look so ghetto-fab.

This watch means serious business. Not only is it about as large as my head, but I could probably clock someone with it....haha GET IT? Oh and did you guys know I was a magician?
Now you see it...

Now you don't! 

I've got tricks.


News in my boudoir: nope, not a man, just new paint & furniture. A couple weeks ago I decided to paint my wall green. Are you at all surprised that I chose a color called Guacamole green?

 A week later, my bed arrived. Reason #298579284 why it's cool to have muscles: you can put beds together! 

I started this project the other night and good heavens it was a chore. So many nuts, bolts, and washers.

My roommate walked in right as I started and pointed out that I was building it upside down. Thank goodness he wanted to help. It took us about 30 minutes to do the frame:

Another 30 minutes later we were done!

Now I'm off to take a nap on my favorite food book. I hope that by some miraculous diffusion process I absorb some of this information. According to Boding, diffusion is "the transfer of particles, specifically ions and nutrients, from one permeable membrane to another permeable membrane." Sure. Let's just hope that diffusion is real so I wake up a better cook. 

OH YES I sleep smiling!! No wine like last time. After my diffusion nap, my friend Kelly and I are going out to dinner where we will hopefully run into 5-10 available men. That should be enough! ;)