Atlanta etc.: Marilyn Wolf's Food Blog and Restaurant Blog

Lou Mitchell's is a Chicago classic. Located near the start of historic Route 66, it combines old school charm, great food, and welcoming service. This donut hole was a welcome start to breakfast, washed down with plentiful coffee. I didn't come close to finishing my French toast. It sure was good, though. Fresh fruit made the perfect topping. Thanks, folks!

Gioia is a popular spot for dinner and with good reason. Elegant Italian food with gracious service makes for a wonderful evening. Dinner started, of course, started with this delicious bread. Appetizer... My risotto was creamy and full of flavor. A good risotto is a rare find and worth enjoying. The meal was topped off with dessert. Everything was wonderful. Thanks, folks!

We had a superb lunch and great discussion at Meli in Chicago's Italian neighborhood. The food and gracious service both took me back to New Jersey. My eggplant parmesan came in the layered style, deliciously topped with rich tomato sauce. Or should I say gravy? Mmmmm, cannoli and capuccino...

More great meals and gracious service from the Rohr's team. Thank you so much!

Rohr's is the restaurant in the hotel on the Notre Dame campus. As with the rest of the hotel, it is elegant and welcoming. I highly recommend the Irish french toast. Wonderful flavors, rich and satisfying. Thank you!

I enjoyed a wonderful dinner with friends at Cafe Navarre in downtown South Bend. Our service was outstanding and the food was impressive. We enjoyed and appreciated the chance to catch up. Thank you!

Lazlo's in the Haymarket is a great place for a lunchtime discussion. My salad with salmon hit the spot. Service was very friendly and helpful. Thanks, folks!

Loeffel Meat Shoppe had a great deal on a brisket. A sunny weekend meant brisket on the menu. I smoked it in the Pit Barrel Cooker. I started the Texas crutch stage in the Pit Barrel but it wasn't very hot so I moved the brisket to the oven. Delicious, tender, juicy. I am grateful.

The Oven in Lincoln's Haymarket was hopping with happy diners when I visited. The staff was very friendly and helpful. My vegetarian thali was delicious. Thanks, folks!

JTK is located in the old train station in the Lincoln Haymarket. It provides an elegant atmosphere for dinner with excellent service. I started with a Caesar salad. I enjoyed my fine Nebraska beef with garlic. Thanks, folks!

Blessing on North 27th Street was packed with happy people for lunch. The staff was very friendly and helpful. My tofu was hearty and flavorful with just the right amount of heat. Thanks, folks!

The rooster is a welcoming sign for hungry travelers, isn't it? When I asked for steak, my server asked in return "dinner or breakfast?" Breakfast seemed like a great idea. My steak was excellent Nebraska beef, the eggs nourishing, the toast, comforting. My server kept the smiles and coffee coming. Thanks, folks!

Tiru is located on 27th Street in Lincoln. The restaurant was comfortably full of happy people enjoying good food and conversation. The staff was very welcoming. Tea makes a great starter. My vegetarian platter was full of flavor. This is great comfort food. Thanks, folks!

I've come to enjoy pancakes with some ricotta for richness and texture. The pancakes are from King Arthur's recipe for mulitgrain pancake mix, made with my own sourdough starter. I am grateful.

I decided to try to cook my steak in a way that approximates the Peter Luger technique. I broiled on each side, then cut into the steak, based with butter, and broiled a little more. My steak was not as thick as theirs. It was good but I don't think that it made a huge difference to my results.

Trying something new every once in awhile keeps things fresh. I decided to augment my usual salad at Mellow Mushroom with this mushroom soup. It was hearty on a cold day. My salad was, as always, flavorful and hearty. Thanks, folks!

Flavorful and comforting---thanks, folks!

I wanted a break from driving and I wanted Italian for dinner. Bravo! was a great choice with good food and very welcoming service. I started out with bread dipped in flavorful tomato sauce. My salad was hearty and full of texture. My eggplant parm featured that wonderful soft texture wrapped in delicious crust, enveloped in cheese and more tomato sauce. After this nice break, I finished my drive home. Thank you!