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

I needed something simple and fast for breakfast. The Dunkin Donuts at Toco Hill fit the bill. They don't have a drive-thru window so I had to go inside. The seating area was forlorn. A few people were politely in line. I ordered my coffee and bagel with cream cheese; a couple of minutes later they were ready to go. I took them to my car to enjoy and appreciate.

I needed dinner after my trip. Sprig seemed like the perfect place. I entered an order before I left to pick up after I arrived. I arrived to a beautiful summer evening. The bugs buzzed in the park. The porch was filled with people enjoying their evening. picked up my food at the kitchen door thanks to a very helpful staff member. I enjoyed two of my favorites: grits fries with tomato sauce and a large house salad. Tasty as always and very comforting. Thanks for being here, Sprig!

I needed to visit Atlanta and flew from a Omaha. An upgrade put me in first class. This was the service: almonds, cookies, water, sanitizer, napkin. The crew was extremely gracious. The passengers were considerate. I am so grateful to be able to take this trip.

Ribeye steak grilled over charcoal. Carrot souffle and Italian braid bread on the side. Quite a bit for which to be grateful...

A deal on bananas inspired me to make a banana cream pie. I blind-baked a crust, then coated the inside with chocolate ganache. I lined the bottom with sliced bananas. I made a vanilla pudding and poured it over the bananas. I made a meringue and spread it over the top. I put the pie into the oven to finish it off, giving the meringue this beautiful caramel color. The result was great---very rich but not overwhelming. This pie took a fair amount of effort but was a very satisfying use of my time. Thank you, Super Saver, for the deal on ripe bananas!

I was in the mood for beef. But I wanted more than just a slab of protein. I wanted a complete hearty meal with lots of savory and just the right amount of natural carbohydrates and starches. Pot roast really fills that bill. And given the strong prices for beef these days, it makes great use of a less expensive cut. This pot made three meals worth of tastiness and I am grateful for this bounty.

I found a special at the store on ripe bananas, a clear call for a loaf of banana bread. I used two tablespoons of cocoa powder as is my usual custom. But I decided to try a different set of spices: fresh ground nutmeg, cardamom, and ginger. The result was very good and distinctly different. Good cooking does not have to be expensive.