The Southern Breakfast

One of the most difficult cultural changes for me in going to college in the Northeast was the loss of southern breakfast. The creation and explosion of the Facebook group I MISS WAFFLE HOUSE > MY MOM signaled that I was not alone. Breakfast is an experience. At many Southern schools people dress up for Sunday brunch more than for the night of partying that precedes it. Eggs and Biscuits are just the beginning.

We do it all down here.

I have been a vegetarian my entire life and I still get immense joy out of the wonderfulness of breakfast. Yes, that's right I have NEVER had a one piece of bacon in my entire life and breakfast is by far my favorite meal of the day. There is nothing like waking up and making a colorful meal that is easily accompanied by Orange Juice or Coffee or Tea or ALL THREE OMG. The problem with breakfast in the south and particularly Atlanta is that there are so many places that do it so much better than I do. So I always want to go to them. and I do.

My two favorite spots which happen to be famous and classic ATL spots are The Flying Biscuit (opened by emily sailers of the indigo girls among others, they have since sold it) and Ria's Bluebird Cafe. Both of these spots are with in 10 minutes of my house. At the Biscuit I always get the egg-ceptional eggs which is two over medium eggs over two blackbean cakes with salsa, sour cream and feta cheese. I always get greens with it as my side which has a light vinaigrette on it that is mouth watering in its simplicity. I also always get coffee. I am not a coffee drinker but their coffee is so good and just enough of a jolt of a day-starter that it compliments my meal beautifully. I have tried so many times to get something else but it is such a well proportioned meal that I know I would just spend the entire time regretting it if I tried anything else. (kind of like not getting pad thai, i always reset whoever DID get pad thai) Eating the same thing every time is completely ridiculous considering the bites of other people's meals that I've tried over the years. I went recently (who am I kidding I went TODAY) with a friend who got raspberry french toast. I'm not kidding you I ended up almost begging for them not to finish just so I could have a couple more bites.

The vibe at the biscuit is also legendary. Today I spent my entire meal making faces at the toddler at the next table who giggled every time I smiled. At the end of the meal we started chatting with the adults that belonged to the toddler. One of them was the lead singer of Arrested Development and they all invited us to a celebration their church was having. I love bringing people from out of town (esp the aforementioned northeast) because the servers are notoriously nice and kind. They will cater to your every need but not in an annoying way. Everyone is smiling and like many intown ATL restaurants it is extremely racially diverse. I bring friends and just then just sit back as they take it all in. Yes, I say, this IS ATL. Yes, This is really what its like. Enjoy your Breakfast.


PS The Flying Biscuit RECENTLY FRANCHISED.. COMING SOON TO A CITY NEAR YOU... KNOW THAT IT WILL NEVER BE ANYTHING LIKE THE ORIGINAL... NOT HATIN, JUST SAYIN.

ciao!

I am in italia with my mama in what is definitely the biggest trip we have ever taken. We are swapping houses with a family here and are thus staying in their place for free. The website is called homelink.org use it! We did not really know what to expect. We are doing a non-simultanious exchange which means they are here right now! We are staying in an aprtment that they own down stairs from their apartment. it is perfect. the fist day we arrived they picked us up from the airport in venice and took us home! we napped and when we woke up they had made us lunch (spagetti with pomadoro (tomato) and basil) and made us sit and tell them all about ourselves and drink wine! they are already like family. That night we went to their daughter in laws birthday party and met their entire family, about 25 people who were all eating together. they are all so sweet and we have had many laughs trying to navigate italian and english and learning about each other. Their daughter is 26 and she and I have bonded over many things including but not limited to the politics of the US and amy winehouse. She is planning to come to atlanta to visit when she can. We have gone to Venice twice and it is as i have always heard.. completely breathtaking. the age of EVERYTHING is really what is getting me the most. I somehow so easily forget how young the US is and then i am here and i am hearing voices from so so long ago everywhere I turn. Went to Verona (our fair) and Elena (daughter of this wonderful family) and i rubbed the breast of the statue of Juliet.. its supposed to bring you luck in love. then we stood at "juliets" balcony marveled at everything. this place, this history.