Something Old...Something New

Something Old

Five years ago, newly wed Jeremy and I went camping with another newly married couple and four single friends. During the course of the weekend I mentioned that my mom and I were planning to visit the Fremont area of Seattle in the near future. Scott, living near the area at the time, strongly recommended The Essential Baking Company in nearby Wallingford. I eagerly heeded his advice that Labor Day and have every Labor Day since.

This year my mom and I realized in late August that free September weekends were nonexistent. After only a brief conversation on a pleasant Saturday morning, we embarked on our annual late summer journey. Previous years we've arrived in time for breakfast and espresso. This year, given our spontaneity, we arrived just in time for the noon rush. Breaking from my usual habit of ordering yummy breakfast pastries and a mocha, I ordered their version of a cuban sandwich. I believe it was called "El Cubano". The sandwich came toasted to the perfect temperature; warm but not too hot. The bread was crispy and soft. A tangy but not overpowering mustard sauce graced the ham and dill pickle. The portion seemed small at first glance, but was adequate by the time I finished. Anyone living in the greater Seattle-Tacoma area who has not stopped by the Essential Baking Company should consider visiting. In addition to yummy pastries and sandwiches, the restaurant serves espresso beverages, delectable desserts, salads, soups, and quiche. The interior is cozy and filled with people every time I visit.

Something New

Earlier that week I had the opportunity to lunch with coworkers at a newer deli in Midland. According to the coworker leading us to this spot, the Midtown Deli & Espresso just outside Tacoma opened a couple of years ago. Always excited to learn of new restaurants in the area, I was eager to sample their offerings. When we entered there were few other customers. The menu was posted on a large board near the door and on a wall behind the cashier. It includes breakfast items, salads, sandwiches, espresso drinks, and desserts. Quickly I noticed their homemade blackberry cobbler. Being in a salad mood, I ordered a Cobb salad without blue cheese and an iced tea. The food for our entire party of six arrived in a decent amount of time, however I did have to remind the waitress that I ordered an iced tea. When the food was almost prepared, the waitress brought the requisite dressings. I was disappointed to find that the dressings were the individually packaged type sold in many grocery store delis. My salad arrived much larger than I expected. The woman sitting across from me also ordered a Cobb Salad. Curiously, her salad included chicken and avocado. The avocado and chicken were absent from my salad, although I was fortunate enough to enjoy bacon with my salad. When I pointed out the discrepancy to the waitress she informed me that Cobb Salads do not come with chicken or avocado. My coworkers voiced their concern at the lack of ingredients on my salad and the waitress checked the menu. She then promptly returned with a plate of avocado and a plate of chicken. The ingredients tasted fresh and the salad was delicious after I received all of the ingredients and assembled it properly at the table. I felt full after eating only half of the salad and was able to take the remaining portion home for dinner. The interior seating was a mix of older pink arm chairs at small tables and harder plastic chairs at larger tables. A sports game played on a TV mounted in the corner near the ceiling. I feel the ambiance would benefit from a decision to pursue one motif. Sadly, I was unable to order the Blackberry Cobbler. I think the deli has potential and I intend to visit again, if only to taste the cobbler.

Beginning

For years I've felt compelled to write. Having never had any, or very little, formal training in the area, I thought of a myriad of reasons why not too. Still, the desire and ideas swelled inside of me until I finally decided that I would attempt a novel. That decision turned out to be the easiest part of the process. Brainstorming, outlining, and actually writing, all while following the call of a special education teacher and attempting to keep my house clean, are grueling. Turns out this writing business is a marathon - one that I'm committed to. In response to the long, uphill path I've chosen to follow, I began desiring an outlet to fulfill my desire for short-term gratification. Ideas come and go, usually during inconvenient moments, and few of them apply to the current phase of my novel. Nothing immediately came to mind.

More recently my mom and I were eating at a new bagel and crepe place in Puyallup called Bagel Boyz Bistro. The story of the four recent high school graduates who worked to open the restaurant, as well as the concept, piqued my curiosity. As we sampled their crepes and discussed what worked and what could be improved, I wondered at the lack of a food critic in the local newspaper.

The following week saw record heat. For the first time since leaving California I experienced temperatures above 100. Jeremy and I quickly responded favorably to his parent's invitation to stay the night in their air-conditioned abode. Standing in the bathroom after my morning shower (I always do my best thinking in the shower), again considering the lack of food reviews in the local paper, as well as how to best keep in touch with extended family, it suddenly struck me. A blog! I could write about my culinary experiences as well as any updates that might interest those I love.

So here we are. After considering the idea of a blog for weeks, and being a bit scared of it, if I may confess, I've taken my mouse in hand and committed. As the title suggests, the purpose will be to channel my passion for eating into reviews, to share interesting news with family and friends, to wrestle with the fear of expressing my ideas in such a permanent medium, and perhaps even to entertain, all while fulfilling my desire for short-term gratification! Hopefully you'll read along. Comment if you like. And most of all, enjoy!