It’s been a long time indeed since I last made anything like macaroni and cheese. That was a tasty pasta recipe, to be sure, but it wasn’t really macaroni and cheese as originally created by a benevolent Providence. I’ve been musing on mac and cheese lately, and would like to try my hand at a good reliable standard for the dish. In order to prepare for that, however, I need to refresh my mac memory. Where to find a good sample of the stuff?
What’s that? There’s a restaurant in St. Louis (University City, actually, but close enough) that serves nothing but mac and cheese? Fifteen different kinds of mac and cheese? What, am I in New York or something?
Off, then, to Cheese-ology.
The place is short on atmosphere (kinda diner-ish), but long on friendly service and – oh, yes – mac and cheese. But first, in a nod to vegetables, a salad.
The Caesar-ness of the salad is in that packet on the side. There are shavings of fruity/nutty Parmigiano-Reggiano in with the romaine and croutons. I expected average. It was delicious. And I’m not a salad man, strictly speaking.
Enough of veggies, though. Here’s what we came for:
M’s dish, served up in a hot skillet: Black and Bleu mac and cheese. American and bleu cheese. And steak, with some Cajun spices. This is a small portion, $6.50 USD. She allowed me a bite; I loved the assertive flavor.
My dish, bigger skillet: Bacon, Bacon! Seriously, that’s what it’s called. Mozzarella and Gruyere (!) with, yes, thick cut bacon. As you know, bacon makes everything better. At first I thought the cheese combo was a bit too subtle – especially after having tasted M’s plate – but it was really good, and I had to force myself to eat only half of the $11 large serving and to take the rest home for later enjoyment. I found myself thinking about my mac and cheese for hours after we left the restaurant – hours! – and with the glow of satisfaction that comes only from the most comfortable of comfort foods.
The recursiveLoop rating for Cheese-ology is high. Yeah, this is St. Louis, and we don’t have a lot of cool things. But this restaurant is on that short list. You’d better get down there.
And…I’m ready to start thinking now about my own next homemade mac attack.
July 16, 2010
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7 comments
in Eat / Drink
Love the police presence here. Someone had to keep a maddened populace from tearing down LeBron’s oversized Nike ad, though perhaps Clevelandians would have been too disheartened by The Decision to make the effort.
Also, this:
There’s a normal way of doing things, and there’s the dick way of doing things, and making your own free agency a two-year drama capped off with an infomercial directed by Senor Spielbergo falls squarely in the purview of FLAMING FUCKING DICK MOVES.
My name is Phil Barron, and I approve this message.
July 9, 2010
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Without comment
in Other / Stuff
M and I spied a Can-Am Spyder RS roadster while taking Highway 40 in to work today. Arrgh. WANT.
It was red. And ridden by (based on his t-shirt) a fireman. Ah, one of St. Louis’ finest.
M suggested that I call our insurance agent to see what coverage would cost. Yes. Will do this.
July 8, 2010
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One comment
in Personal / Etc
Jack and Roxy momentarily set aside their mutual emnity as they spy tender, juicy wildlife in the back yard.
July 7, 2010
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2 comments
in Hearth / Home
Pretty sure that the reduced level of national pride on my part has less to do with the government – feckless as it has been – and more to do with the governed.
That would be you, by the way.
Happy Fourth.
July 4, 2010
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Without comment
in Personal / Etc
Have finally had my right foot X-rayed per the unprecedented stubbing of the fourth toe a few days ago. Preliminary radiographic diagnosis: a nondisplaced fracture of the shaft of the proximal phalanx.
Well.
‘Nondisplaced’ is always preferable to the alternative, of course. And at the very least, toe number four no longer sticks out to the side like a hitchhiker’s thumb (seriously, you should have seen it), so yay.
My awesome doc told me in advance of the X-ray that the likely treatment would involve 1) immobilization and 2) painkillers. The problematic toe is currently ‘buddy-taped’ to another (pending splint, perhaps); Vicodin is already on hand. No, I’m not sharing.
June 26, 2010
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2 comments
in Personal / Etc
We have two girl cats in our household: both tortoiseshells and so remarkably alike in temperament, which explains why they do not get along. At all.
Roxy, the little huntress/princess, looking crazed.
Venice, the queen bee/fussbudget, doing her lazy sunbather thing.
Approach either at your peril.
June 26, 2010
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5 comments
in Hearth / Home
A couple of days ago, I disobeyed one of the prime diabetic directives: Don’t. Go. Barefoot.
As a result, I’ve an appointment with my doc tomorrow to determine whether the toe I which I inevitably stubbed with overwhelming force (so much force, indeed, that it splayed out afterwards at a 30° angle) is actually fractured or ‘merely’ sprained.
So impressed with myself just now, I can’t even put it into words.
June 23, 2010
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Without comment
in Personal / Etc
