Jesus Is A Biscuit

Hello LilyOnTheLam.Com Readers!

I have a massive bout of cabin fever lately.  Since for my "day job" I work from home, every now and again I feel the need to be out and about amongst "the people."  So for the past several nights I have been writing from coffee and tea houses around Tampa Bay.  Sunday night was Naga Tea near USF.  Monday night was DI Coffee Bar (Click on their Facebook link here).  Tuesday night was going to be Blind Tiger Cafe in Ybor City, but I ended up at the  much less impressive but large venue Starbucks.  Perhaps you have heard of it?  But don't fear Blind Tiger - I love, love, love your coffee drinks and atmosphere so I will be back soon.

Of course karma kicked me in the teeth for not supporting a fine local business like Blind Tiger Cafe.  About 2 minutes after I sat down at my table - getting myself all situated - plugged in my ancient MacBook Air, charging my cell phone, attaching my external hard drive because I don't have enough memory on the internal hard drive ... I basically looked like I was setting up a command center at Starbucks.  

After I got all "comfortable" with my various cords tethering me to the wall and lap top, a guy walks up to me and makes a sour face.  (Compliments on your resting bitch face, sir!)  On the table next to me is 3 napkins and the paper wrapper to a straw.  Now on my table is a venti cappuccino - hot coffee and a couple napkins.  There is no plastic straw in my hot coffee.  Resting bitch face scowls at me, points to the 3 napkins and paper straw wrapper and says "Are these yours?"

I wanted to say "Seriously?  Do you think I deposit my trash amongst the Starbucks tables like some sort of rabid badger marking my territory?  I mean, come ON!"  But no, I just smiled sweetly and said "Um, no" in a tone that implied that I thought that Resting Bitch Face might be mentally challenged.  

RBF cleared off the table by moving the 3 napkins and paper straw wrapper to another table.  (Way to mark your territory, RBF!)  Then he plopped down basically 2 feet away from me and has spent a ridiculous amount of time making loud slurping sounds as he tries to suck up nonexistent fluids from his empty plastic Starbucks cup.

I should have gone to Blind Tiger Cafe and now Jesus is punishing me ... sigh.  Karmic retribution, party of one.

While this blog post will appear on September 24, 2015, I actually wrote this on September 22nd.  (Blog magic!)  According to my Facebook, today is "Buddha's Return From Heaven Day."  To which I have to first say, none of you bastards got me a Hallmark card for this occasion.  HANG YOUR HEADS IN SHAME!

I frankly had never heard of Buddha's Return from Heaven Day.  I hoped that the occasion would be marked with ice cream cake.  It seems appropriate, right?  Again, according to the Facebook post I was reading - supposedly if you engage in a virtuous action on Buddha's Return from Heaven Day, the act becomes especially powerful and our merit greatly increases.  So on this Buddha's Return From Heaven Day, I am choosing not to smack Resting Bitch Face in the head.  And in return, I think I should win a billion dollar lottery.  Law of attraction, people!  Cosmic ATM.  Winner, winner, karmic dinner!  Let's make this happen!

It was interesting to hear that my good acts would be rewarded on this day, but I am pragmatic enough to know that in this life I need to make my own magic.  And by magic, I mean biscuits.

Yes, you heard me.  Biscuits.

My younger sister lives in Chicago and took me for brunch at a place called "Bang Bang Pie and Biscuits."  Which is the best name for a restaurant EVER.  It has pie.  It has biscuits. What more do you need?  Because I have self-diagnosed early onset Alzheimer's (I'm only 947 years old!), for some reason my neural pathways think the name of the restaurant is "Faster Pussycat, Kill Kill and Biscuits."  (A bastardization of the name of a 1965 movie.)  Sigh.  It's a wonder I can tie my own shoes.

I remember sitting in front of my sister with a giant biscuit on my plate and love in my heart, feeling sad that Tampa Bay did not have a great biscuit restaurant.  Well Tampa has come through for me once again.  I have found a restaurant in Seminole Heights (Tampa), Florida that has better biscuits than Bang Bang Pie and Biscuits- which is a huge compliment because Bang Bang's biscuits and pie are pretty crazy delicious.

In a massive fit of cabin fever, after several agonizing conference calls I decided my Buddha reward was to have an early dinner at Fodder and Shine restaurant in Seminole Heights.  I love Seminole Heights and the recent surge of new fabulous places popping up left and right has only made me love it more.  (Side note:  my beloved Cleanse Apothecary is moving locations November 1, 2015 next to the hip mecca "Rooster and the Till Restaurant" in Seminole Heights.  Check them out!)  

As I am on month 8 of a 13 month sobriety goal, I could not indulge in the fantastic array of cocktails at Fodder and Shine.  So I made due with unsweetened iced tea in a mason jar.  (Is there a better vessel for my beverage?  NO.)

I already knew what I was ordering before I arrived.  The "Cornmeal Fried Chicken Biscuit" which is a thin slice of cornmeal breaded chicken on a "Cathead Biscuit" with house made jam and mahonesa.  Which I later discovered is just a fancy way of saying mayonnaise!  It was a very lovely mayonnaise.  This wasn't Hellman's out of a jar, people!  

I said a quick prayer that a "Cathead Biscuit" does not contain actual cat heads.  (Southern lore says the name came about because the biscuits are the side of a cat's head.  And I will admit the biscuits are super huge.)  At $6 for this giant biscuit with fried chicken, I thought I was getting a tremendous bargain!

Fodder and Shine Fried Chicken Biscuit

I love Southern side dishes, so I also ordered the bacon braised greens.  I find that it's the apple cider vinegar that really sets proper greens apart.  Fodder and Shine's greens were al dente and not cooked to death like most places.  I would have liked maybe about 30 seconds more of cooking, but I quickly became accustomed to their greens and gobbled them up with their housemade hot sauce and lemon juice concoction.

Seasonal bacon-braised greens

Housemade hot sauce and preserved lemon juice - tastiness!

Fodder and Shine does not currently sell these sauces.  They make them only for use in the restaurant.  I hope in the future this will change.  On this particular occasion, I had a very large purse with me.  Like a middle school shoplifter, I contemplated how many bottles of sauce I could smuggle into my purse.  But then I weighed that thought against never having access to the hearty, flaky, buttery, amazing deliciousness of Fodder and Shine's Cathead Biscuits ... and I decided not to pursue a life of crime.  What a waste of a big purse.  Sigh.

In addition to the fried chicken biscuit and the bacon-braised greens, I also had the Cheddar Cheese Sofkee.  I had never heard of "sofkee" before but the menu description said "Florida native porridge of fermented rice grits, cheddar, cream and butter."  Now the menu could have said "Your shoe with cheddar, cream and butter" and I would have said "Yes, let's order that."  I was all aboard the sofkee train!  

For an extra dollar, you can have your sofkee topped with bacon tomato gravy.  Trust me, it is worth spending the extra dollar.  The "bacon tomato gravy" is like a bright, flavorful, freshly made tomato sauce.  It reminded me of trips to Tuscany.  Get it.  Do it. 

Sofkee with bacon tomato gravy

Iced tea in mason jars

I am a rabid fan of the reality television competition show RuPaul's Drag Race.  I am an even more rabid fan of Floridian drag queen Latrice Royale.  On the show, Latrice Royale said his now infamous catchphrase: "Jesus is a biscuit.  Let Him sop you up!"  (Order Latrice's catchphrase t-shirt here!)  Because of my love for Latrice Royale and also love of carbs, my Instagram feed is usually rife with biscuits of all kinds.  The other day, THIS fabulous picture popped up ...

  
I have to say that all of the food at Fodder and Shine was great, but their Cathead biscuit puts all other biscuits to shame.  It is THAT good.  I am putting it out to the universe, that I want to have biscuits at Fodder and Shine with Latrice Royale.  (Law of Attraction, The Secret, Magic Eight Ball, Kickstarter campaign ... whatever it takes, let's make this happen!)

Now as if my delicious Southern meal wasn't enough, I just could not leave Fodder and Shine without trying their Moon Pie Trifle.  (Who doesn't love a good Moon Pie?)  The menu description says it is house made marshmallow fluff, graham cracker crumble and a Cheerwine (soda)-chocolate ganache.  

This dessert was very good - it truly had all the flavors of a fresh Moon Pie.  But it was crazy rich with so much marshmallow fluff.  Now my inner sugar lover is screaming "Shut up, there can never be TOO MUCH marshmallow fluff!"  But trust me, it was very rich and very sweet.  I would have served this trifle with a couple Honey Graham crackers on the side.  Spreading this intoxicating mixture on the crackers would have cut some of the rich sweetness and hey, everybody loves an interactive dessert.  (Or is that just me?)

Now beyond the food - I love the chill, modern decor of Fodder and Shine.  My server was super courteous and attentive.  Better than the service at higher end restaurants, so I especially appreciated the quality of care shown.  The menu had items of various prices.  Some items are surprisingly inexpensive and other items are comparable to other Seminole Heights restaurants.   

I would definitely return (and return and return) to Fodder and Shine restaurant in Seminole Heights, Florida.  If you love a good biscuit or quality Southern food, check them out!
  
P.S. For more tales of biscuits, check out my ham and pimento cheese biscuit at DI Coffee Bar in Tampa, Florida!
     

Ease On Down This Road - The Wiz - American Stage in The Park

Happy Monday, LilyOnTheLam.Com Readers!

I hope everyone had a great weekend!  Mine was terrific.  I volunteered on Friday and Sunday, which made for a somewhat tasky weekend but I made sure my Saturday was jam-packed with FUN, FUN, FUN to compensate.  

My Saturday might as well have been called "All of Lily's Favorite Things and Bagpipes too!"  The weather was gorgeous, top down convertible time and I took full advantage!    

I first started out my fantastic Saturday, by heading over to Seminole Heights. Florida.  I was on a shopping mission!  Cleanse Apothecary Bath and Body Boutique was having a weekend shopping promotion event.  They carry two product lines from my home state of Minnesota, so I get homesick whenever I visit!  The owners are fabulous.  I love supporting small businesses.  I also love that for they were serving a blood orange, Fresca & tequila blend for the special event.  (Fresca + Tequila = Happy Lily.)

From Seminole Heights it was over to Cephas Hot Shop in Ybor City for a tamarind drink and an aloe shake with freshly machete-d coconut water.  Tamarind supposedly helps cleanse your liver, so chasing tequila with tamarind maybe zeroed out the effect?  There were five newbies trying the bitter but gastro-intestinally effective aloe shake.  It's like dinner theater (or perhaps Fear Factor) watching the newbies drink aloe shakes!  (Read more about Cephas - the "Guru of My Colon" here.)

We had lunch at the Acropolis Greek Taverna in Ybor City.  My favorite is the Acropolis Salad - a Greek salad with Gyro Meat slices.  A little known fact, it is a Tampa tradition to hide a scoop of potato salad in Greek salads.  I know this may sound gross to some, but it is highly addictive.  Now when I have a Greek salad anywhere else in the country, I look in vain for some hidden potato salad.  Once in Las Vegas, a Tampa friend ordered a side of potato salad with her Greek salad because she said "Otherwise it's just not the same!"  The paramour had the Pastitso which I consider to be like a Greek lasagna - ground beef, pasta and a béchamel sauce.    

If we had had time, I would have loved to be having Greek food in the Greek sponge docks in Tarpon Springs, Florida.  My favorite restaurant there is Dimitri's On The Water.  However Ybor City is a heck of a lot closer to my house than Tarpon Springs, so when I get a Greek food craving I usually go to the Acropolis.    

We also had drinks at The Independent Bar and Cafe in Seminole Heights.  I love, love, love The Independent.  If you're looking for a laid back place to have a beer, this is it.  I love sitting on their patio.  Often there is live music and always there is a fun crowd.  

Although I was experiencing total Murphy's Law there on Saturday.  If I go to The Independent with female friends, the crowd is always couples or families.  But if I go there with a guy, then the place is crowded with good-looking MEN, MEN, MEN!  Saturday was no exception.  There was a large table of adorable military men who were rather appreciative of my shorts and my 4 inch summer heels.  Once again it's either feast or famine in my world when it comes to single men!

At The Independent, I had my favorite Zombie Killer Cherry Cyser.  Because I think I am secretly illiterate, I always thought this was a cherry cider beer.  Um no - it's an apple-honey wine with cherry juice added.  And the only reason I know that is because I read it on the picture I took.  When the bottle is in front of me, I am too busy drinking it to read the label!  Needless to say it is super yummy no matter what is in it!

It was time to bid Date #1 goodbye and turn to Date #2.  I was off to St. Pete to Sylvia's "Queen of Soul Food" Restaurant.  If you haven't been, you MUST go.  (Read my review of Sylvia's here.)  

My "Date #2" was actually me taking my friend "Ms. Kentucky" out for a belated birthday evening.  We were going to have a picnic dinner while we watched American Stage Theatre's production of the musical "The Wiz" held in the park at Demen's Landing.  This is located next to the water in St. Petersburg and is just an ideal, tranquil spot.  

Last time I saw American Stage Theatre in the Park, there was a family next to us that brought fried chicken and champagne.  I had Picnic Envy!  So this year I knew I was bringing fried chicken.  

Not trying to promote any racial stereotypes here, but knowing Ms. Kentucky had yet to try Sylvia's soul food - I thought a soul food picnic for The Wiz musical was a good theme meal.  Is that racially offensive?  It's hard to know where to draw the line.  

    
We had fried chicken, collard greens, mac & cheese, potato salad, fresh fruit - and for dessert - Sylvia's awesome coconut cake.  About a dozen middle school girls wearing Emerging Youth Leaders t-shirts were sitting next to us with giant bags of M&Ms and Cheetos.  They gave us an appreciative nod at our chicken picnic.  

Now normally sitting next to a dozen rambunctious young girls at "the theater" would be highly annoying - but these girls were so funny and adorable.  They were just loving life, full of smiles and spunk.  They chatted with us and I just wanted to make them all honorary little sisters.

American Stage Theatre's version of The Wiz was awesome. Their annual show in the park is always a big success and so worth attending!  Because I have been volunteering at a local performing arts theater, I have had the pleasure of getting to know the local Tampa acting community.  In "The Wiz," I knew the Director and two of the actors personally.  Plus "The Cowardly Lion" and the piano player have performed a local cabaret act that I have seen several times.  If you are in or near St. Petersburg, Florida, I highly recommend going to see "The Wiz."  It's a great event for singles, couples, families … an all around good night.

St. Petersburg was hopping when we went to see The Wiz.  It was also the Blues Festival, the Rowdies Soccer Game, the Symphony and the Ziggy Marley concert.  Downtown St. Pete was packed with lots of people having a great time!  The Rowdies game had the UK bagpipe band "Red Hot Chili Pipers" playing a post-game concert.  

Because it's an outdoor stadium, we caught a good chunk of the concert for free.  Trust me, you have not lived until you have heard the Red Hot Chili Pipers doing a bag pipe version of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'."  If you have one goal for 2014, this should be it.  

We then hit the local Starbucks as the Stephen "Ziggy" Marley concert was letting out.  I was feeling bland not wearing rasta colors or having dreadlocks!  But the concert goers were mellow and friendly.  

The perfect Saturday ended with a walk along the water.  The weather was perfect - not too hot, not too cold with an almost full moon dancing off the water as we walked along the shoreline.    

I highly recommend all the places I mentioned in this blog post if you are in or visiting the Tampa Bay area.  I hope you had a Perfect Weekend too - and as always, thank you for reading!

Shop Here Now: Cleanse Apothecary - Seminole Heights, Florida

Update:  Make sure to check out my blog post about a Cleanse Apothecary product here.


It is very important to me to support local businesses.  I appreciate the diversity in culture, attitude (expertise and awesome customer service!) and range of products that come from small, local businesses.  And I feel less like I am feeding the faceless industrial chain-store machines that are suburbanizing the landscape of all major and minor U.S.-cities.


In this vein, I'd like to share some of my favorite local businesses under the "Shop Here Now!" banner.  If you read my love letter post to Kalamazoo Olive Company, you already know how much I adore quality local businesses. 


My first official post under the "you really should be shopping here NOW!" banner is Cleanse Apothecary in Seminole Heights, Florida.  First, I adore anything called "Apothecary."  Do you recall the episode of "Friends" with the Pottery Barn apothecary table (the episode is actually entitled "The One with the Apothecary Table")?  That episode might as well have been called "A page from Lily's journal."  I loves me some old-timey names and references.


Second, not only do I love anything called "apothecary" but I am also a fan of good hygiene.  Yep, you read it here first!  I love being clean - so "Cleanse Apothecary" combines two likes.  (Insert mad giggle here!)


Cleanse Apothecary is like a candy store for people who like great smells and to smell good!  I love the store's layout - clean, crisp, modern lines with walls of products!  Candles, soaps, lotions, oils ... I love to go to Cleanse and just sniff everything!  I am originally from Minnesota and Cleanse Apothecary sells two very great product lines from Minnesota:  Caldrea and Thymes.  So not only do I feel great about supporting local businesses but I also support my home state by shopping at Cleanse Apothecary - win, win!

Cleanse Apothecary plans to expand their candle line and I heard a rumor that they will be expanding into selling cosmetic lines by the end of the year.  My wallet groaned when I heard this-- more money flying out of my pocket and into Cleanse Apothecary's pocket instead.  Ahhh well! 


On my last visit to Cleanse, I picked up a candle and two soaps.  Keep your eyes peeled for New Product Wednesdays posts - eventually my purchases will be reviewed there.


If you want to smell great and support small businesses, check out Cleanse Apothecary in Seminole Heights, Florida!  And if you want to make a day of it - grab a great meal at The Refinery restaurant next door, buy a loaf of fresh made Cuban bread at Mauricio Faedo's Bakery across the street and then get a local brew at The Independent Bar and Cafe diagonally down the street from Cleanse Apothecary.


Support small, local businesses!  You'll be glad you did!   


Update:  Make sure to check out my blog post about a Cleanse Apothecary product here.