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

I hit the ground in Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show. I hadn't had much to eat but I didn't want to spend a lot of time on a meal. In-n-Out Burger turned out to be an excellent solution. My double-double burger protein style (two patties, two slices of cheese, no bun) was flavorful and juicy. My fries were also excellent. Their style is more old fashioned---thinner and seemingly without a coating. Everything I needed for the afternoon.

My last meal in Tucson was a very enjoyable lunch at Proof. The food was excellent and the staff was very welcoming. I started with these crostini. They balanced crunchy bread and soft, savory toppings very nicely. My main course was this wonderful eggplant parmesan---very savory. The pasta was handmade with perfect toothiness. The sauce was hit that perfect balance of sweetness and roasted goodness.

Black Bear Diner is a West Coast restaurant chain with classic American food. My buttermilk pancakes were good---thick and fluffy. I must say that when I requested fruit with my pancakes, I didn't expect melon. A softer fruit is, it seems to me, a more traditional choice as a topping for pancakes.

As you might guess from the name, Oink's star ingredient is bacon. As you can see, they do it right. They serve eight different varieties; this one, as I recall, was applewood smoked. They serve a complete breakfast menu. My oatmeal was excellent. The pancakes and waffles that were delivered to other tables looked great, too.

The Farmers and I enjoyed another outstanding dinner at Feast. These fritters were enjoyably savory. The muffin-looking objects were a seafood bread pudding that made for an excellent combination of tastes and textures. Several of us enjoyed the hangar steak for our main course. It gave a very meaty experience without requiring a huge chunk of beef. My chocolate cake was excellent. I think that was an ice cream on top although it was served in rather soft form. This napoleon was very elegantly constructed.

Opa's Best seems to be a new restaurant. The staff was very enthusiastic and the food was pretty good. The meal started with this very generous and delicious plate: bread, yogurt dip, hummus. My main course was an excllent plate of vegetarian moussaka---hearty and plenty of umami.

I stopped by Last Baguette Parisienne for a simple snack and was very happy with my Baguette . The crust in particular was crispy and flavorful in an almost buttery way.