Browsing Tag

coffee

Random Fodder

How to Brew Coffee Like A Pro

April 14, 2021

If you’ve made the move to a home office — or just want to save the time and money a stop at your favorite coffee shop requires — brewing your java at home can be incredibly appealing. At least, that’s true until you take a sip and find that what you’ve made doesn’t come close to the quality you’re used to. What gives?

There are a few factors that can impact your coffee’s quality, starting with your beans. Not only do you want fresh, high-quality coffee beans (which need to be stored properly, since like produce, coffee beans are perishable), but you want the right beans, roasted the right way. Beans from Colombia, for example, have a mild flavor and balanced acidity, while beans from Kona, Hawaii, have a rich aroma and texture, so you may strongly prefer one over the other. The roast matters, too, both in terms of flavor and caffeine content. Read more about the characteristics of each type of bean and learn to understand the roasts in the infographic below.

Restaurant Reviews

Lucky’s Cafe, Cleveland, OH

July 26, 2013

In honor of my cousin Dalton’s graduation, I drove up to Cleveland with Ben, Sean, and Christine (a relationship hasn’t been truly tested until you spend 11 hours in a car with them). Before we left, I did a lot of research on what restaurants in the Cleveland area Guy Fieri has been to on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, and found Lucky’s Cafe. After watching a clip from the episode where Guy tries their biscuits and gravy, I was set on going.

Just call me "Queen Fieri"

Just call me “Queen Fieri”

The space is really cute. It’s a little cafe in a house in Tremont, and our waitress informed us that all of their food is locally sourced. I got coffee, which was served in this big, colorful mug. It was all very homey feeling. To start, I also got a bowl of curry cauliflower soup, which was very yummy. My only complaint was that it came out lukewarm, when I was hoping for it to be hot.

It's still yummy though.

It’s still yummy though.

For my entree, I chose to go with the Baked Mac-n-Cheese (cheddar, brie, parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses baked with pasta and cream topped with brioche bread crumbs served with house-made applesauce, $11.25). I added bacon for an extra $1.50, bringing the total for this dish to $12.75, which is kind of crazy. But the portion was big, and I ended up eating it for 2 meals, so I guess that makes it less bad. The waiter recommended mixing the applesauce with the macaroni, and at first I was hesitant, but let me tell you it was amazing. I highly recommend you try it.

Definitely the best Applesauce Mac and Cheese I've ever had.

Definitely the best Applesauce Mac and Cheese I’ve ever had.

The rest of the group ordered the Biscuits (cheddar scallion biscuits topped with soft scrambled eggs and sausage gravy served with hash brown potatoes and grapes). Thanks to Lost Dog Cafe, I hold all biscuits and gravy to a very high standard, and although these weren’t better than Lost Dog, they were really good. I liked that the biscuits were cheddar and scallion, which was a nice twist on the usual buttermilk style. The sausage gravy was outstanding, and the eggs were perfectly cooked. The hash browns were definitely more like home fries, but they were delicious, especially with the gravy.

I've never really met a plate of Biscuits I didn't like.

I’ve never really met a plate of Biscuits I didn’t like.

Despite the fact that my meal ended up being $27, I still really enjoyed this cafe and would definitely stop by again.

It's much prettier on the inside, I promise.

It’s much prettier on the inside, I promise.

Lucky’s Cafe
777 Starkweather Ave
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 622-7773

Lucky's Cafe Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Restaurant Reviews

My Favorite Restaurants That I Haven’t Reviewed Yet

February 27, 2013

[Updated 4/12/15]

For posterity, I’d like to highlight some of my favorite restaurants in Greenville and Charleston that I haven’t had the chance to review yet. Hopefully I’ll get to fully review them soon, but for now enjoy these mini reviews! I’ll update this list as I post reviews and try new places!

Greenville

  • Bangkok Thai
    • My favorite thai restaurant of all time. Crab roll, pad thai, red curry, chicken panang, massaman curry
  • Coffee Underground
    • A must-stop every time I’m downtown G-vegas. Trigger pie a la mode, warmed up. Also turtle mocha and strawberry cake
  • Dragon Den
    • The only Chinese/sushi I ever get in Greenville. Fried rice, naruto roll, crab stick cucumber salad, LC Roll
  • India Palace
    • My favorite indian restaurant of all time. Cheese naan, chicken saag, chicken tikka masala, butter chicken, paneer masala.

Charleston

  • Bombay Bazaar and Restaurant (North Charleston)
    • Best Indian food in Charleston by far!
  • Martha Lou’s Kitchen
    • Not a fan of their Mac and Cheese, but their Fried Chicken, Cabbage, Lima beans, and sweet tea are DIVINE.
  • Poe’s Tavern (Sullivan’s Island)
    • Possibly the best burger (Amontillado) I’ve ever eaten. Plus it’s EAP themed on Sullivan’s Island, so what’s NOT to love?!
  • Red Orchid’s China Bistro
    • Basically the only Chinese food I’ll eat in Charleston. Love the Money Bags, tangerine chicken, lettuce wraps.