food

Jason Aldean’s Kitchen and Rooftop Bar in Nashville, Tennessee

Dining Outside the Home: Jason Aldean’s Kitchen and Rooftop Bar in Nashville, Tennessee! There’s nowhere else you can go for a cold brewski where the bar is built around an original 1961 John Deere tractor. But that’s not the only thing showcasing Jason Aldean’s Kitchen. Other artifacts include a 1952 Chevy Pick-up Truck hoisted above another eating area. These interesting quirks add to the atmospheric appeal while the creative menu aims to please the craving for bodily sustenance. Having a world-renowned chef translates to Southern food with a flare. Live music and rooftop views of Broadway guarantee an amazing nightlife that is sure to please.

Nacho Daddy in Las Vegas, Nevada

Dining Outside the Home: Nacho Daddy in Las Vegas, Nevada! What’s not to love about a Mexican restaurant whose name is Nacho Daddy with a slogan of “Never a Dry Chip”. The name alone sounds like a party. Peruse the menu to find a list of incredible nacho combinations smothered in cheesy queso and spicy salsa. But the challenge doesn’t end there. Nacho Daddy double-dog dares you to sling back an original Scorpion Shot, which is actually served with a real scorpion in the tequila glass. If you go to Vegas and want to return home with a story to tell, check out this must-see hotspot and #getstung as seen on the Food Network.

Harry’s Restaurant in Washington, DC

Dining Outside the Home: Harry’s Restaurant in Washington, DC! With a sidewalk café that stretches at least half a block, Harry’s Restaurant is a place for meeting old friends and making new ones. Its patriotic surroundings bring a homey mixture of local flavor, genuine history, pub grub, and thirst-quenching beverages. It’s the perfect spot away from the tourist traps; the kind of place to sit back and unwind with a drink before heading elsewhere. If you’re hungry, try the Harry’s and Harriett’s Burger. It’s a half-pounder, cooked medium, with melted cheese, veggie sides, potato chips, and coleslaw. The surprise ending is an Oreo cookie. This is America after all.

POV Rooftop Lounge and Terrace in Washington, DC

Dining Outside the Home: POV Rooftop Lounge and Terrace in Washington, DC! Word gets around that one of the most spectacular panoramic views of the DC skyline can be seen from the POV Lounge and Terrace at the W Hotel. The sunset view beyond the glass wall of retractable windows translates to an open-air experience from anywhere in the room. From small bites to burgers and entrees, the menu promises to entice. Choose a drink of choice to compliment the food, celebrate the day, and live in the moment.

Old Ebbitt Grill in Washington, DC

Dining Outside the Home: Old Ebbitt Grill in Washington, DC! Steps away from the White House sits a quaint, historic 1856 tavern that could tell legendary tales, if its walls could talk. Originally an “old boys club”, the Old Ebbitt Grill’s dramatic atmosphere still draws people from all over. Take a look around at the original paintings, antique beer steins, and stuffed animal heads. Murmurings of ghost stories and strange happenings still pop up in conversation. But focus instead on the amazing food and thirst-quenching cocktails. It’s a dining hotspot worth experiencing.

Captain Daniel Packer Inne in Mystic, Connecticut

Dining Outside the Home: Captain Daniel Packer Inne in Mystic, Connecticut! In the 1700s when weary travelers stopped for the night for food and a good night’s sleep, Captain Packer probably didn’t serve Lobster Salad and Roasted Cod with butter cracker crumbs. He did, however, entertain his guests with thrilling tales of adventures on the high seas. The Captain Packer Inne is still family-owned. They have poured blood, sweat, and tears into restoring it to the historic landmark it will always be. Hospitality is still extended to guests and patrons for fine dining and pub fare with live entertainment. You may even hear of wandering spirits. Unwind, bask in the history, and enjoy this popular destination.

Chapter One Food and Drink in Mystic, Connecticut

Dining Outside the Home: Chapter One Food and Drink in Mystic, Connecticut! Small town restaurants along the eastern seaboard captivate visitors with delicacies from the Atlantic Ocean. Combine that with the charm of a landmark drawbridge on main street Mystic plus an executive chef on staff at Chapter One Food and Drink for a delightful combination. Take, for instance, their wildly popular Lobster Grilled Cheese sammie. Chunks of succulent lobster are bathed in a thick blanket of slightly salty buttery cheese. Add crispy crunchy onion rings for a party in your mouth. Better get some before they’re gone.

Timeless Classics

Discovering recipes that stand the test of time are a true treasure. Families harbor trade secrets with measurements that require “a large cup” of this to “a handful” of that. Most come with stories that pass down from great-grandmother to the youngest child. Handwritten notes are often scribbled along ragged edges of stained cookbook pages. We all have our stories. Step into my kitchen where fresh ingredients, garden herbs, rich chocolate, and French butter are staples. I continue to be favored by the “Food Network” on Twitter, Snapshotsincursive@DornaGail, as well as Ina Garten’s The Barefoot Contessa, on Instagram @gail_dorna. I’d love to connect with you there as well. Catch a glimpse of “Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Timeless Classics!” This remarkable journey of the palate is unique because it gives me a few moments with you. Thanks very much to all my countless guests and devoted followers on http://snapshotsincursive.com for the uplifting support, award nominations, and moving words of encouragement. What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? It’s as simple as A-B-C. One of my passions is being at home in my own country kitchen. I love to cook, and my husband loves that I do it often. I adore time-honored traditions using tried-and-true recipes. Yet, I often never think twice about tweaking old favorites or modifying others to suit the inner craving of the moment. Most of the recipes serve 2-4 people, but can be altered in any direction. The leftovers are golden morsels to be eaten later or shared with others. And I love to share. To me, seeing a smile in gratitude is thanks enough. The recipes you find here in the next several weeks can be prepared very easily. Feel free to contact me with questions or comments. Now take a deep breath, inhale the aromas, and join me on a tasteful journey entitled, “EATING MY WAY THROUGH THE ALPHABET: TIMELESS CLASSICS!”

The Best of 2019

It’s always a curiosity. By the time the end of the year rolls around, I’m always a little curious about which food and travel posts turn out to be the most popular on Instagram. There’s a formula for that sort of thing, I guess. It’s not obvious to me, that’s for sure. As I look over the cube of photos, it’s almost like time travel taking me back to a ancient evenings of distant music or simply a reason for creating another interesting dish my husband needs to try. Both memories bring a smile to my face. Perhaps they will for you as well. Farewell 2019.