LML: IDENTIFYING HAPPY

OHIO SNOW

Almost a year ago I posted about my road trip with my mom and dad to visit sick relatives up north. This past week my mother and I set out again to Cleveland, OH to pay our respects.

TRAVEL FOOD: LONGHORN's & DAIRY QUEEN

I spent around 22 hours in a car with my madre... and it's an experience I won't ever forget!

Though the purpose of the trip was somber I had an amazing time with my mommy!

GROVE CITY

Last trip we had a big hotel fiasco as my mother was against valet parking... this time we did pretty good! THE CAULDRON PROJEKT

One of my favorite saying is "ART IS LIFE" because I really believe it to be so. Recently I looped up with two of my high school classmates to help them out on this awesome gallery project that will run through March! I'm super excited because I really feel like it's what I need to connect to the city and my artistic peers! Stay tuned for more updates on all the fun!

THE ART CRITIC: THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS

THE REVIEW: SAWS BBQ

THE REVIEW: I came upon SAWS by a referral from my boss! I usually don't have high expectations when people refer me because I'm pretty picky! But this has to be the best restaurant quality BBQ I have had by far!

PULL PORK WITH WHITE BBQ SAUCE

THE SERVICE: I've been to this spot a couple of times over the past six months and usually it's packed! Today was a good day as I came after the lunch rush! Service was fast and the food was hot!
THE AMBIANCE: It's a pretty small place with chairs and tables and window bar seating! The usual decor of BBQ joints... random signs with slight humor and license plates litter the walls. Rolls of heavy duty paper towels adorn each table and if my memory serves me right... there are even a few seats out front.

COLLARD GREENS AND MAC AND CHEESE

THE MENU: You'll find Ribs, Chicken, Pull Pork and Stuffed Baked Potatoes on the
menu. Sides like Stuffed Eggs, Greens, Mac and Cheese, Baked beans and Banana Pudding round it all out. The prize to me has to be the WHITE BBQ SAUCE it complements the well seasoned meat perfectly!

THE VERDICT: I LOVE IT... it's truly some GOOD SOUTHERN EATIN! Everything is super flavorful so if you aren't into big taste this may not be the spot for you! The meat is ever so tender and cooked to perfection.... I haven't had a dry, burnt or bland experience yet! I'm not big on BBQ sauce so I won't comment on it but I'm pretty sure you will fall in love with the WHITE BBQ version I keep typing about!

MPC:YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT

MPC: Millionare Princess Club

I don't get all into "holidays" but I like my chocolate in a golden box or truffled champagne!

WEEK IN REVIEW: PERFORMANCE

DRUMLINE LIVE: WILL HAVE YOU MOVING YOUR BODY OUT OF YOUR SEAT!

THE CIRCUS: IT'S GETTING OLD :(

CREATING: I had to say see you later to my ESPN family but of course I did it with style!

Check it out on http://www.canuemagine.com/

I've got tons of good stuff coming up ... my first interview and I've been asked to speak to the Girl Scouts at their Birmingham Headquarters ! I've also been feeding my face of course lol... new restaurant review coming soon and my first product review and possible giveaway!

THE REVIEW: QDOBA

THE REVIEW: I like combinations of certain foods... just not in there authentic nature... so you could say I am a big fan of Tex - Mex and there are two places I go when I need a fix LaCocina and Qdoba's unfortunately the LaCocina cart is no longer on the corner and to my dismay last night I discovered that most of the Qdoba's in the area are no longer in business but I found one! YAY! While I was extremely excited about my find...

CHICKEN QUESO BURRITO no beans

THE SERVICE: Well it was pretty darn fast... because the restaurant was empty... it was pretty disheartening... but the server was polite and answered all of my questions about the company and listened to all of my nostalgic college stories of eating at my beloved qdobas!

QUESO

THE MENU: Looked about the same Burritos, Tacos, Taco Salad, Fajitas etc... I found my classics and kept it simple.

TORTILLA CHIPS

THE AMBIANCE: You could probably eat off of the floor... seeing as though they have no customers :( the place was super clean!

THE VERDICT: While I enjoyed the flavor of the open flamed grilled chicken and I appreciate the hint of fresh cilantro in the rice... it just wasn't the same robust flavor that I remember back in college... The queso was just right on the spice but the chips were a mixture of fresh and stale. They still had that special hint of lime and proportionate dash of salt... maybe it was the mix of emotion that one of my favorite restaurants is in despair but I was mildly disappointed.