Monday, September 13, 2010

Cloud City Coffee

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This is the first post of what will probably end up being a series of sorts. I've become a frequenter of Cloud City, which is conveniently located 0.4 mi away from my house, according to Google Maps. They have tasty (and pretty!) coffee, a cheery crew of early-morning employees, and FANTASTIC nommage!

nommage ('nŏm əj), noun. Portions or selection of food to eat. (see also: snack, snackage, hors d'oeuvres, tapas)

They make all their own food there (except the doughnuts, which are from Mighty-O, and the bagels, the origin of which I'm unsure), which means that everything is FRESH and usually WARM in the morning.

They have a wide array of different kinds of quiche, assorted scones and muffins, and on occasion they will offer this magical little thing called an Oatmeal Cake.

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When I first saw these in the bakery case, I was intrigued, confused, and a tad repulsed. What did they mean by "oatmeal cake?" It sounded squishy and bland to me...but that's probably just my bad past experiences with overcooked, soggy oatmeal talking. The first several times I saw it, I just stared it down (studiously, of course) through the glass before ultimately choosing another coffee accompaniment.

And then, when I decided I wanted to try it, it wasn't there...for a couple of weeks, I think. The first glorious rainy morning we had in September, though...there it was. All warm and gooey and cinnamon-y. The icing stuff has shredded coconut in it, like german chocolate cake frosting does. And it was so moist! And warm! And definitely NOT bland, thank goodness!

If ever you find yourself in this lovely little cafe, and happen to catch the eye of an Oatmeal Cake in the bakery case...go forth and nom, my friend! Do not yield to whatever resistance your inner oatmeal-hating child tries to press upon you! Nom, I say! Nom!
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Thursday, September 9, 2010

Peaks Frozen Custard



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Hello, my name is Bre, and I have a problem.




There I was, a day off of the ice cream truck, a world (or city, at least) of opportunity laid out in front of me, and I found myself being lured into a frozen custard shop. Seriously, Self? Do you really need to expend your free-time energies on MORE frozen confections?

Apparently so.

I've upheld a lifelong (and now professional) addiction partnership with ice cream, had many-a-rendezvous with gelato, and lead an on-again-off-again flirtation with sorbet. But this was my first meeting with frozen custard.

And what a first date! [/relationship-ice cream metaphor]

Srsly. It was ridiculously good. I got cookie dough in a hand-rolled waffle cone. The texture reminded me of soft serve, but was definitely its own thing. So smooth! And the cookie dough wasn't in little balls...but, rather, crumbles, I think. Which was also awesome.

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AND, when I got to the bottom, there was chocolate!

...but not JUST chocolate...

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...it was a malt ball! What an awesome idea for the bottom of the cone...so simple...so tasty...so...

Ok. Looking up Ice-Cream-aholics Anonymous gatherings NOW.