Revelations: Pork

I do not purport to be any kind of expert on things. BUT, I do know that these 10 things have made me stop and question. Why am I here? Where am I going? Why haven't I been eating this all along?

What is on your list?

1. Eli's BBQ - anything
2. Quan Hapa - Pig Ears
3. Django Western Taco - Al Pastor
4. Union Woodshop - Tasso Ham and Pineapple pizza (Clarkston, MI)
5. Monarch - Praline Bacon (St. Louis)
6. Pho Lang Thang - Lemongrass Pork Banh Mi
7. John-Robert's Table - Pork 3 ways
8. Honeypie - Pork Fries (Milwaukee, WI)
9. Certain baby back ribs of note
10. Anchor Grill - Goetta Omelet (seriously)

2012: A Year In Review

If you're reading this it means that I have survived the year. It means there was no apocalypse. There was no other catastrophe. 2012 in review has been a wild ride. It has been one of the most difficult and most fulfilling of my life.

Professionally my year began rocky but has ended on a positive note. At the end of January I was branded in a certain way, calling my credibility and character in question with little reason. I made changes, I changed from 2nd to 1st shift. I got a peer coach who believed in me and continues to assist me. I had a new boss who supported and encouraged me and I took on new duties and continued to prove myself. I am inevitably swimming upstream it seems. A few days ago I received feedback from my boss that all is not lost.

Personally is a different story. Friendships. Friendships have nurtured, ended, created and thrived.

I have lost 6 friends this year. Six. One of my oldest and best friends died this year from liver failure. Rikki Lee was a very important part of my becoming an adult and a good friend. I miss his humor, his stories and just his presence. I think back on so many things he and I shared over our 10 year friendship and I am taken aback at how much of my character is in part due to him.

I am getting better at being a good judge of character. I am trying to start everyone out equally and to ensure that I don't get used. I have only 2 friends that I've had for over 5 years. We have been through death, divorce, weight loss, foreclosures and actual happy moments. For the longest time I was beaten down thinking that there was something internally wrong with me. I have always been good at making friends but not keeping them. That there is some sort of reason I don't retain friendships for very long. But I've now come to the conclusion that it's other people's problem. I know in my heart that I am a good friend. Despite my rough exterior, people who know...know that I'm a marshmallow.

I have met a group of amazing people this year that I hope to know for the rest of my life. Thank you to: Ann, Christine, Meg, Kira, Amy, Kelly, Bryant, Dave, Tina, Lauren, Tank, John, Rhonda, David, Thuy, Bao, David, Jeff, Tabitha, Craig, Julie, JD, Jen, Paige, Paul, Natalie, Ian, Matt, Glenn, Sharon, Stephanie, Laura, David, Bob, Erin Marie, Bob, Kristen, Ethan, Maria, Rich, Anna, Nathan, Andi, Maureen, Mandira, Josh, Stuart, Missy, Julie, Duy, Monika, Dolf, Mike, Kristie, Lisa, Abigail, Colin and Phil. Yep. Those are my friends. I invite you that at if you are ever at a place where you feel a little bit low you should make a list of your friends. It will immediately lift your spirits, I promise.

Romantically is another story. I'll soon be moving out of the home that I shared for nearly 7 years. Dividing shared personal possessions is single handedly the worst thing I have ever had to do. There are days that have been easy. Other days have been really, really difficult. But realizing what you want is different than what you have is really difficult to do. It's even more difficult to change it. I don't normally consider myself overly brave but I feel like I am now.

I try to live my life using the encouraging words of my heroes. Winston Churchill said "Victory in spite of all terror". While my personal and professional life is not quite the same as winning a war against the Nazis. But it's good advice for anyone.

So I've changed my work, I've changed my relationship, friendships and appearance. I feel like at times I've taken on too much and have set myself up for failure. I hope it's worth it when I get to the other side. 

Grass Skirt Tiki

I had never known this place existed until this month. We ventured up to Columbus for the day to celebrate a dear friend's birthday. It was Kristen's choice that we visit Grass Skirt. I happened to be suffering from what turned out to be a pretty wretched sinus infection but I was a trooper.

Grass Skirt is a lot of fun. People say that and you may or may not believe it. But dude. It's a Tiki Bar! They have like 20 different drinks. That's right, 20! And for a small upcharge you get to keep the tiki mug. SERIOUSLY. That's kind of worth the drive alone. Grass Skirt isn't only a booze lounge they have food as well. I didn't partake of any because of aforementioned illness but some people at our table ordered some lettuce wraps that looked tasty and some shrimp dish.

I would definitely go back to have about 3 more Rum and Happiness drinks, and some lettuce wraps for sure. What a fun outing to celebrate a good friend! If you're looking for something a little out of the ordinary and completely awesome check out Grass Skirt!



Photo courtesy of Maureen Jacob.

Revelations: Vegetables

Vegetables are delicious. I can't say I often go with a vegetarian entrée but some are well worth it. I do love a good vegetarian appetizer though. What are your favorite veggie dishes?

1. La Poste Eatery Mushroom Ravioli
2. Spagio Beet Napoleon (Columbus)
3. Django Chile Relleno
4. Aquitaine Smoked Mushroom soup (Chicago)
5. Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger Fried Veggies (Ann Arbor)
6. True Food Kitchen Caramelized onion and fig tart (Newport Beach)
7. MJ's on Main Edamole
8. Noce's White Dream pizza
9. Mirage Russian Potatoes
10. Rascal's NY Deli latkes

Pleasant Ridge Chili

Another late night Cincinnati chili parlor. If you're up my way, it's either early or late and you have a specific...craving. Look no further than Pleasant Ridge Chili. Open until the wee hours of 4 am this diner will accommodate your every need.




A delicious house salad awaits with a copious amount of onion and hard boiled egg. Hits the spot when you're not able to hoover down a 4 way.



Or maybe you'd like a nice steak hoagy with a grilled bun. Yum!



Ok this is serious business. If you have that craving for something messy, warm, gooey, and fried look no further than the gravy cheese fries. Crinkle cut fries smothered in cheese and brown gravy. These will hit the spot and stick to your ribs.



And last but not least the obligatory 4-way with onion. Pleasant Ridge Chili has a recipe that is less meaty than others and a little light on the spices. Think of it more as a sauce than a chili. It's still really, really good.



A delicious trio of beauties. The cheese coneys are definitely worth the trip alone.

La Mexicana

Holy smokes was I missing out! I used to live on York Street in Newport for a couple years and never had I tried La Mexicana. You walk in and something about it tells you that its going to be really good.

I ordered chips, guacamole and a quesadilla stuffed with barbacoa (spicy beef) and was duly impressed when it arrived. Fresh Mexican cheeses, fresh ingredients and they handmade the tortilla for cripe's sake!

It was really delicious and a tremendous bargain for lunch time. While perusing their menu they have an enormous plethora of options from menudo, squash blossom to huitlacoche (corn smut), and pozole!

Chili Time

Cincinnati Chili is a tradition for sure. But what makes it a tradition for those of us who live in the Queen City? Is it the taste? A memory? Or is it the convenience and availability? For me it's memories.

I have had all the major brands, Empress, Dixie, Skyline, Gold Star. Now I'm seeking out the smaller but also well known parlors in the city. First on the stop was Chili Time. Convenient to Clifton and Northside - Chili Time is located in St. Bernard on Vine Street.

A plain old cheese coney without mustard and onion. Note the copious amounts of cheese.



Chili Time boasts something a little more special than your average parlor. They will serve you a heaping plate of crinkle cut fries with house made sausage gravy with a giant wad of cheese on top. These are deeply satisfying and delicious. The first time I had them I pulled out a giant piece of sausage on my fry. Win!



Here's the showstopper. A regular 4 way (onion). Can't even see the noodles for the cheese can you? There is something about their chili that is really appealing to me. It's meatier than others and the sauce isn't as spiced with cinnamon. It has that deep rich red hue and just hits the spot sometimes.



If you don't partake of the Cincinnati Chili they also have dinners, sandwiches, salads and soups.