Girls In White Dresses With Blue Satin Sashes

I know this is a recipe blog. Yes, I do love a good recipe. I do love spending time in my orange kitchen, with my robin's egg blue table, and my dog at my feet, making something spectacular (Morgan's tortillas are planned for Wednesday night's dinner...).

But one thing we do not discuss, dear friends, are restaurants and their signature meals. Maybe it's because my boyfriend is a bit of a foodie, but in the past year I've been to some amazing places. Also, perhaps Matthew will post (being that he is in the land of ordered meals). Who knows. But here are my top five restaurants of 2007/2008:

1. The Red Drum: Mount Pleasant, SC

The Red Drum is probably the best place on earth. It's a 'gastropub' - loosely defined as a pub that puts as much thought into their food as they do their beer. When we go, we go all out. Our reservations are 2 months in advance, and our minds are made up 15 minutes after getting the menu.

Favorites: the corn pudding, green beans with pecans, lemon asparagus, and steamed greens on the vegetarian plate; ginger mojito; Evan loves their "cowboy beans."

2. Las Ramblas: Charlotte, NC

If I was on death row, my last meal would be from Las Ramblas. I don't know if the penitentiary would provide me with tapas and wine, but by golly, I'd hope so. It has a really nice atmosphere, as well (especially for a restaurant in a strip mall).

Favorites: fried goat cheese croquettes with honey, garlic, and almonds; manchego tortilla; patatas bravas; baguette toasts with melted chocolate, sea salt, and olive oil.

3. Riddles: U. City, MO

Does this need a reason? What about that time I bought Andrew Bird a drink? What about those awesome shows from Dave Stone? What about those potatoes?

Favorites: magical potatoes; electric pink beets; spinach lasagna; derby pie; any of their wines.

4. The Laughing Seed: Asheville, NC

Really, I'd like to put in this place the cupcake place that is on the corner of Biltmore and College St. But guess what - I don't know it's name. Anyway, the Laughing Seed is all vegetarian. I don't even remember what I ate - I just know I was overwhelmed with the selection.

5. Foskoskies : Charlotte, NC

I just discovered this place with Evan. I've only had one meal from there (two times), an artichoke spread sub with sprouts, tomato, and provelone. Now, the title "Artichoke Spread Sub" sounds disgusting, kinda like something from Applebee's. But I was SO WRONG and it is SO GOOD. Evan gets the fish and chips, and has a thing for their tartar sauce, even though he hates mayo. Like, detests it. He uses yogurt in it's place at all times. But he would probably eat that tartar sauce on anything.

Favorites: everything I've had (artichoke sub, black eye pea salad, potato salad, key lime pie, strawberry shortcake, one of Evan's 'chips' with his tartar sauce). Also, the servers are probably the nicest people I've ever met.

Runner's Up, but recently fallen out of favor: The Penguin (Charlotte, NC), Zada Jane's (Charlotte, NC), Al-Tarboush (St Louis - only out of distance, Sam. I still love your falafel.), and Taco Bell (no joke).