The Mount Real Deal

/
The Mount Real Deal

Snowdon Deli Montreal

http://snowdondeli.com

sum up: In Montreal, everyone is a Canadiens fan, but the city is divided about who makes the best smoked meat. Me, I'm a Snowdon Deli girl. In terms of fame, Snowdon Deli is the single A team to the major league Schwartz's (which was recently bought by Celine Dion). Yet, when talking quality and the charm of a family-run deli, Snowdon wins the smoked meat championships hands down. Plus, Snowdon Deli brims with Jewish classics, especially the transcendent, chopped chicken liver. 

Read More

A Whole Lotta' Piggy In The Emerald City

/
A Whole Lotta' Piggy In The Emerald City

There's something about Elizabeth Ray.

My sister noticed it first, observing how her brand-new daughter was, well, particularly porcine. Terms of endearment often take their cue from the animal kingdom; "Monkey" and "Bunny" are affectionate nicknames my friends dub their significant others. With babies, these pet names increase exponentially. Their newborn adorableness elicits even serious folk to coo "Lamb Chop" and "Chicken" in high-pitched sillyness.

Read More

A Good Morning Guarantee

/
A Good Morning Guarantee

Ce n'est pas une McMuffin.

While Take 5's Executive Chef, Bryan, had a high school gig grilling at a nearby McDonald's, his hand-crafted, breakfast sandwich is similar only in form and packaging to the fast food classic.  At Take 5,  slathered butter fills each nook and cranny of a toasted English muffin.  Topped with scrambled egg, melted cheese, and ribbons of honey-roasted ham, it is hearty enough to fuel a day at work, yet sufficiently naughty for a hangover cure. Worth the trip from across the Sound and picnic-worthy for a beach brunch.

Read More

My Zone Diet

/
My Zone Diet

In my suburban CT childhood, there were two types of tacos.  1. Salty, spice-packet-seasoned beef in a hard shell from Old El Paso. 2. Gringo-style, cheesy bombs from Tacos Or What, a local joint frequented by  high-schoolers and hungry stoners.  Neither were remotely authentic, but they were good, cheap fuel for my enormous, adolescent appetite.  When I moved to Los Angeles -- aka Little Mexico -- I finally tasted tacos in their natural habitat.  

Read More