Recipe Time: Liza Tanner Boyd’s Delicious Coconut Cake

Be warned:  This cake is really, really good.  Dangerously good.  I should know.  I have had Liza leave half of a cake at our house, and I have eaten that half a cake the next day.   For breakfast.   If she left a whole cake, I would eat that.  By lunch.  I did limit myself to four — well, five — pieces at Ella’s … Continue reading Recipe Time: Liza Tanner Boyd’s Delicious Coconut Cake

Lazy Flamingo, Sanibel Island, Florida

Earlier this year, Nancy and I spent a couple of days in Sanibel Island after a week in Marco Island.  I had spent most of my research time identifying the best sunset bar (The Mucky Duck on Captiva: Sanibel faces south, and most of the places that face west want you to stay for dinner.)   Yelp and Trip Advisor weren’t particularly helpful. The next day, … Continue reading Lazy Flamingo, Sanibel Island, Florida

Tasty Bones BBQ and Bakery, Cheyenne, Wyoming

For those wondering why Nancy and I were on our way from Denver to Cheyenne via Curbed Hunger — I mean via Loveland, CO — here’s the answer:  The trip was part of our ongoing project to do Volksmarches (self-guided 10k walks) in all 50 state capitals. (We’re at 23.) Cheyenne is an unusual state capital city.  People actually do real work there — farming and … Continue reading Tasty Bones BBQ and Bakery, Cheyenne, Wyoming

Curbed Hunger, Loveland, Colorado

UPDATE It is my sad duty to inform you that Curbed Hunger is no more.  What a shame!  IT’s hard to find places with such fresh ingredients and such well prepared food.  I understand that Brennan McAuliffe is looking into brick and mortar restaurant options.  If you hear anything, post a comment.  If I find out, I’ll post another update — and head west to … Continue reading Curbed Hunger, Loveland, Colorado

Mangialardo’s, Washington, DC

There are other great sandwiches besides Cuban sandwiches and, of course, barbecue sandwiches.  Right up near the top of any Great Sandwich list is the Italian Sub (or Hoagie or Poor Boy or Grinder or Hero or Torpedo or whatever you called it where you grew up.) The Washington Post had an article a while back about the best Italian subs in Washington.  They purchased subs … Continue reading Mangialardo’s, Washington, DC

Havana 1957, South Beach Miami, Florida

Meh. I suppose I should elaborate. We had a late lunch outside at the Ocean Drive Havana 1957, in the Marriott Pulse, while we were waiting for check-in time.  There’s another Havana 1957 on Lincoln and a third venue on Espanola, all within a short walk of each other.  All do a good business.  It’s a new chain (unlike, say, Pho 75, the name doesn’t … Continue reading Havana 1957, South Beach Miami, Florida

Ella Reviews Miss Myra’s, Cahaba Heights, Alabama

My granddaughter, the lovely and talented Ella Grace Boyd, recently made a trip to Birmingham to see her great grandmother, Dear, who doesn’t get around much these days, and a crowd of cousins.  And it was about time for Ella to eat some real barbecue.  She was approaching a full year and had never actually eaten any,*  as Nancy and I are not the sort … Continue reading Ella Reviews Miss Myra’s, Cahaba Heights, Alabama

Kim’s Kuban, Key West, Florida

More on the Cuban sandwich survey: First, I’m really glad they didn’t name if Kim’s Kuban Kafe. Nancy and I were in Key West recently (well, over Christmas), and had a delightful stay with son-in-law Mike’s parents, David and Sue Boyd.  They may be the most gracious hosts on earth.  If you lead a blameless life and get really, really lucky, you may get to … Continue reading Kim’s Kuban, Key West, Florida

Rumba Cafe Cuban Sandwich, Naples, Florida

Let’s get back to Cuban pork for a minute.  No discussion of Cuban food would be complete without mention of one of the world’s great sandwiches — the Cuban sandwich. On my last trip to the Rumba Cafe, I got a Cuban sandwich instead of my usual lechon asado plate.  I was by myself, having dropped off guests at the airport up in Fort Myers. … Continue reading Rumba Cafe Cuban Sandwich, Naples, Florida