Road Trip America- Pit Stop #1: Pizza Palace, Knoxville, TN

As you may know I'm in the middle of moving across the country to San Francisco.  What better opportunity to see (and taste) the country than a cross-country road trip?  After packing up our house into a moving van and packing our dogs into a tiny mazda hatchback, we were off.

We left yesterday morning and drove from Silver Spring to Nashville with some minor pit-stops along the way.  It was an easy drive of about 11 hours, mostly up and down mountains with stretches of 40 miles between rest areas.  What surprised us the most is the cold.  It seems the further southwest we traveled the colder it got.  We hit some snow, but thankfully nothing that really stuck.  The wind was pretty brutal, though.  I was thankful we decided to drive the Southern Route.

Our friends Suzi and Eric got us Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives book before we left.  What a great idea!  We decided we were going to hit as many stops as we could along the way from that book. 

Our first DD&D stop was the Pizza Palace in Knoxville, TN.  Three immigrant brothers from Greece opened this drive-in in 1961 after buying a pasta sauce recipe.  The "secret sauce" is now a star attraction at this joint.  They are known for their pizza, pasta and onion rings. 

We pulled the car up to the little menu speaker box and ordered a pizza and onion rings (recommended by Guy.)  When the woman brought out the tray, she exuded that southern hospitality one would expect in Knoxville.  She proclaimed "we have the best pizza in the world, ya know! we're famous!"  Love her.  She doted on our cute dogs, remarked what a giant head Lelu has (she really does have a big noggin') and handed us the hot tray of artery-clogging food.  The pizza had thick layers of mozzarella oozing from each slice like hot lava.  They do have something about their sauce.  That was the first thing I noticed.  I almost regretted getting ham and pepperoni because I didn't want to mask the sauce.  It was pretty good pizza, but I wouldn't run out and say "the best in the world."  You have to love her spirit though.  The onion rings are hand battered, giant sweet vidalia onions.  Not bad.  I would recommend stopping if you're ever passing through.  There isn't much else around there...really.  There is nothing.  It's a quick stop off the highway though so not too much of a hike.  It's really all about the old school drive-in experience with southern hospitality and charm.

So what's next?  I'm not sure exactly.  I'm pretty sure lunch today will involve some Memphis BBQ though.  More to come...

App Review: Epicurious for iPhone

Photo courtesy of iTunes

There are tons of food-related iPhone apps out there and I honestly find most of them useless.  They either don't have the features that I would want or have only a handful of recipes.  I have come across one that I have now fallen in love with: the Epicurious app.

This app offers loads of useful functions for the beginning cook and the seasoned pro.  You can search for recipes by keywords, ingredient, course, dietary consideration and even season or occasion.  There is an impressive variety of recipes- over 8,000 under the main ingredients search alone.  Once you find ones you like, you can save them into a favorites folder.  When you're ready to use it, you can save it to your "shopping list" where it breaks out all of the ingredients you need.  This app has photos and user reviews as well. 

I have yet to see another app out there that combines all of these functions.  The best part...it's FREE!  This is quickly joining the Yelp app as one of my favorites.

Brunch is Awesome

I love brunch. There is nothing more perfect after rolling out of bed extra late on a Sunday and brushing off a hangover with some Eggs Benedict (Benny) or Belgian waffles. This weekend being Halloween I imagine there will be plenty of need for a gluttonous Sunday feast.

One thing I hate is deciding at the last minute you want brunch and then not knowing where to go.  Brunch DC has a great blog about brunch all around the DC metro area. I was particularly tempted by the Tabard Inn's homemade doughnuts and and Cafe Saint-Ex's Monte Cristo! They have a pretty extensive list of brunch reviews and you can sort by neighborhood.

If you want to be original, host your own brunch! Change it up- do a special theme or cuisine. Friends will love the casual gathering and it can be a nice change of pace from standing in line because a lot of places don't do reservations for casual brunch. Check out this list of a Month of Brunch Menus to give you some inspiration.

Whether you go buffet style, sit-down, formal or a casual brunch at home- be sure to go heavy on the grease and keep the mimosas coming!

Devouring San Francisco

Nope- this just doesn't have the same feel as Devouring DC.  Lacks originality and alliteration.  Now that I'm a Bay Area transplant I'm going to have to redirect my foodie focus.  I could still write about DC, I just won't have any recent personal experience to back it up.  Now how is that helpful to anyone?

I've been agonizing (embellished, but still) about what to call my new blog.  It seems every time I come up with a name someone else has already done it.  Let's face it, food blogs in San Francisco are a dime a dozen.  I'm going to need to stand out and really set myself apart from the others if I don't want to get swallowed and lost in the bowels of food blogging hell. OK, that was an overly descriptive, overly dramatic and just plain gross metaphor. Sorry.  Now let's focus.  It's time for you to help me!  If you have any fun, original and creative ideas, please feel free to leave them in the comments.  Results TBD...

The CIA Is Coming to DC!

Not that one from Langley, the food one.  I'm talking about the Culinary Institute of America, one of the most prestigious culinary schools in the world with an alumni roster that includes the likes of Cat Cora, Michael Symon, John Besh, Anthony Bourdain and Michael Chiarello. 

If you've ever thought about becoming a chef, baker or restauranteur (and who hasn't?) then now is your chance to rub elbows with staff and find out everything you need to know.  The CIA is holding an admissions reception in DC on Monday, October 25th at 6:30pm at the J.W. Marriott downtown at Metro Center.  Admissions staff will be on hand to answer all of your questions and provide information about their programs and scholarship opportunities.  Speaking of scholarships, you could enter for a chance to win up to a $15,000 scholarship for the best Thanksgiving turkey in the CIA Top Turkey Scholarship contest!

Not really looking for a career change but want to have the experience?  Try out the CIA boot camp.  This is an intense training camps for adults with a passion for food.  I am personally saving up for the week-long bootcamp at the CIA campus in St. Helena, CA. That sounds like a perfect vacation to me!

What's Happening DC? Upcoming Food Events

I thought before I move to the left coast on Sunday I would do a post about all of the things I'll be missing back here in the DC area. : (  If you go to any of these, particularly the last one,  be sure to post a comment to rub it in!

Singles Dinner for Six
Friday October 8th (7:30pm ages 40s-50s; 8:00pm 20s-30s)
Potenza- 1430 H st., NW and Bistro Bis 15 E st, NW
It's exactly what it sounds like.

Taste of Georgetown
Saturday 10/9 11:00am
Georgetown
Nearly 30 of G'town's restaurants will have food to sample along with wine pairings and live jazz while benefiting the homeless

Daylight Washington DC
Sunday 10/10 4:55pm (every Sunday)
Bohemian Caverns (11th and U st.)
Music, dancing, drink specials and catered buffet from 5-7pm

Champagne Brunch
Every Sunday 11:00am
The Mansion on O- 2020 O St., NW
Gourmet buffet with omelet/crepe/waffle bar and champagne. Explore the "Mans" while you're there- over 100 rooms and 32 secret doors!

Capital Food Fight
Thursday, 11/11 6:00pm
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center- DC
Top chefs battle on stage in a competition that benefits DC Central Kitchen. Be sure to catch celebrity chefs Jose Andres, Anthony Bourdain, Tom Colicchio and Michael Mina!

It's My Birthday and I Will Eat What I Want To

Yay, it's my birthday and I'm (none of your damn business) years old!  If there is one day out of the year I let myself eat anything I want (and there isn't, it's most days actually, but I digress,) it's today!  Where will I go?  What will I devour?  No clue. I might head over to Mussel Bar, even though I'm likely to face a 90 minute wait on a Friday, but I don't care.  I love moules frittes!  Right now I'm actually more concerned with my cake (or just dessert in general.)  I love a great pumpkin cheesecake on my birthday.  You can't beat it.  One year I had a fantastic one at Chef Geoff's.  I might have to call and see if they have it.  Love that place.

I'm also a huge fan of Max's Best pumpkin ice cream.  It's to die for!  I love Max's ice cream.  I used to live in Glover Park and loved going to Max's.  I think it's the best in DC.  I miss that neighborhood!

If anyone wants to make me a cake, the Internet Food Association's blog has a recipe posted here.  If not, feel free to send me your recommendations!

If you're planning on grabbing some dessert yourself, here are some places to check out:

Co Co. Sala
929 F. Street, NW

ACKC
1529C 14th St, NW

Dangerously Delicious Pies
1339 H Street, NE