St. James Cheese Company (New Orleans)

In case you were not aware, cheese is essentially one of my favorite creations on this earth. I managed to live on it (with a baguette) throughout my summer in Paris, and I could definitely manage living on it (with traditional accompaniments, of course) if ever stranded on a deserted island. When introduced to St. James Cheese Company last weekend in New Orleans, I quickly reconfirmed my love for the food group.

The Uptown restaurant, which takes orders at the quaint counter, lined up regulars against the overwhelmingly wonderful cheese displays and counters. I couldn't fathom the variety; but I loved it! Local and regional jams, honey, cheese boards, crackers, spices, and olives filled the walls. A large chalkboard describes the menu in its entirety...The Croque Monster and macaroni and cheese sounded out of this world, but I needed lighter fare to get me through the New Orleans weekend.

I ordered the parmesan reggiano salad with artichokes hearts, scrumptious black olives, Fra Mani salami, walnuts, dijon vinaigrette, and plenty of parmesan. The portion was mighty generous. If St. James were situated near me, I'd entitle this salad my new "go-to." I don't think I could ever get tired of the desirable flavor combination.

Riley ordered us a cheese board -- I love how St. James simply asks if you'd like three, five, or seven cheeses. We opted for three: a bleu, a brie, and a gouda. And that cherry compote...Perfection.

I typically vow to only try new restaurants in new cities. Here, I am declaring an exception. I will be going back to St. James during my next New Orleans road trip, and I could not be more excited for it!

Pinewood Social (Nashville)

I had always heard about Pinewood Social, the brilliant 13,000-square-foot collaboration of breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner; coffee and alcoholic drinks; bowling, dining, and lounging. It's dubbed "a place to meet;" and oh, did I meet a fine selection, both on and off the menu.

Upon entering the vast space, the 360-degree bar may first grab your attention. Yet turn left, and you'll see a mini Crema shop (Nashville's popular espresso spot) with apron-clad baristas and a tiny curated pastry counter. I withheld the initial intention to order a vanilla almond milk latté and saved it for the way out, since we were immediately hitting the road back to Memphis.

Although I am a major brunch fan (especially sunny side up eggs), my mother and sister prefer lunch. So, off we ordered at 11:30 a.m.: a lobster roll, kale salad with grilled shrimp, chicken and biscuits with no gravy (rookie mistake, but we didn't feel as stuffed), and fried broccoli.

The chicken on the biscuits was divine -- not too greasy or breaded, but perfectly crisp upon a dense biscuit. I managed to mention that this put Chick Fil A to shame...and I never thought I'd utter those words.

The lobster roll was different than expected, especially since it wasn't "roll," but more of a sandwich on texas toast. The lobster itself was meaty and flavorful. I could have done without the bun and cauliflower salad. Lobster meat on a plate, please?

The kale salad was mountainous and marvelous, especially with shrimp. I recommend it, though I could have enjoyed a small portion rather than regular (they give you the option). I loved the parmesan and mix of greens and purples atop the plate. It went nicely with the flash-fried broccoli with vegan almond aioli (which I could have eaten alone).

The cinnamon sugar doughnut special...oh goodness. Three dips: bourbon vanilla, salted caramel, and Nutella. Because the dessert was served as doughnut hole, one bite felt like no harm! So I ate three. One for each dip. No regrets.

Next time, I'm bowling and trying the dinner menu. I cannot wait to return and Pinewood Socialize.

Texas Pecan Pie

Corsicana, Texas (fifty miles south of Dallas) holds a treasured tradition that, believe it or not, has been around for over one century. Yes, the quaint, family-owned Collin Street Bakery has been shipping pies and their infamous fruitcake since 1896. While I cannot fully comprehend the depth and breadth of this well-established company, I will tell you that they make a mighty fine pecan pie. Hence why I declare today not Wednesday, but Pieday.

Will, one of the owners, shipped a pie and fruitcake to my apartment this past weekend to receive my opinion. He attached a hand-written letter with thoughtful suggestions for serving and enjoying the handmade desserts. Southern hospitality does wonders.

Well, Will, when you literally provide a pie for my kitchen table, you don't have to do much convincing.

I cut a slice (maybe two) and heated it in the microwave for 20 seconds. The molasses melted and created the oozy-gooey texture few can master. Upon the first taste, you'll immediately notice the pecan-sugar blend. I loved it. Plus, the roasted pecans were extra sugar-coated, reminding me of my favorite Billie's Pecans blend. The crust, while thin, proved extra flaky and buttery. Hello, heaven.

Order your own baked confection (or send to a special someone) with the code "41CARA" and I promise you will not be sorry! Did I mention the bakery also makes cookies, cheesecakes, cakes, and anything you could ever dream of? Did I also mention the bakery specializes in shipping special orders, especially if you do not live in Corsicana? It's true - a Christmas miracle!

This post is in partnership with Collin Street Bakery. Thank you for supporting our sponsors!

The Gift of a Legacy (Humphrey's Memphis)

Folk's Folly, Memphis' original (and only local) prime steak house, is our family favorite. It's where we savored my final meal in Memphis before heading off to college, and it's where we have celebrated too many birthdays among the five of us to count. It is where I can count on a fabulous filet a la duxelle (butterflied with a rich mushroom demi glace) or classic lobster tail (candle-lit butter and all). It's where I most appreciate Memphis' fine southern hospitality.

Next door's prime cut shoppe has always been fueled by the legacy of founder Humphrey Folk. Only now, he's at the forefront of the picture. The new name proudly reflects off of the redesigned retail space, where you can take the same filet from the Folk's Folly dining room to your own dining room. Or, if not for your home, for someone else's.

Humphrey's offers fresh (never frozen) prime cuts for overnight delivery anywhere in the Continental United States. Yes, that means you can ship to any relative or friend! Every recipient receives a finely crafted packaging suite (hand-signed by the butcher) with cooking instructions and the works.

If you're still in need of a Christmas or Hanukkah gift, and you're past the standard shipping deadline, take a sigh of relief. You've got Humphrey's. Your friends and family will not forget this fine gesture of quality, thoughtfulness, and hospitality, especially compared to generic, go-to gift ideas. Take my word for it. Order now.

Humphrey's rebranding was crafted by doug carpenter & associates. Check out our company's portfolio here.

photos by sarah rossi and john david dowdle

The Root Cafe (Little Rock)

Sunday brunch immediately invokes the carefree, lighthearted mindset that is much needed before wiping the slate clean and embarking on a new week. The rare occasions during which I can stop to savor the meal are special; they're spent with Alex, and they're all about enjoying the final moments together before parting for our respective cities. So on these leisurely, undemanding Sunday mornings, we join the line at The Root Café, the Little Rock home (or "shack") of Southern comfort and all things local, and we feast.

At our tiny two-top table on the porch, we sipped frothed homemade orange juice (served in a mason jar, among all other beverages...swoon), a vanilla soy latte, and sweet tea. Approximately ten feet away from us on the porch, an old fiddler plucked Christmas tunes with comforting Southern charm. Imagine a folk version of Joy to the World. The atmosphere is fine tuned from the menu and staff to the fiddler and mismatched plaid linen napkins.

I unsurprisingly couldn't decide between the sweet or savory, so I chose a small portion of each: vanilla bean granola with soy milk, and a poached egg on a biscuit. The biscuits...Oh lord, I wish I had another. "Wine jam" accompanies the dense yet flaky dough, playing with the tastes of traditional grape jelly and fermented red wine we had enjoyed the evening before. The granola was crunchy, simple, and sweet. I could start every morning with their blend, which I believe is on sale inside the restaurant (jam, too!).

Alex enjoyed the famous, savory grit cakes alongside lightly scrambled eggs, sausage and bacon. He's all about the classics; and The Root, quite frankly, masters them.

And this isn't your regular breakfast joint. Almost every ingredient is sourced locally. 100% of meats, eggs, bread, and a majority of vegetables are grown by Arkansas farmers. It's pretty unbelievable -- and you can taste the quality in each dish. I am already dreaming of my and Alex's next Sunday brunch date...

Mosa Asian Bistro

Thursday, the beloved calendar date we are all itching to arrive, provides the time and space to stop everything -- work and the daily grind, especially -- and celebrate family. Whether around a table, in a football stadium, or over video chat, we collectively pause our routines to appreciate those whom are most special to us. Those who are the reason we're here today.

One family, in particular, celebrates and appreciates such values; not just on Thanksgiving, but every single day. It's apparent as soon as you walk through Mosa's doors on Poplar and White Station. You're greeted by Michelle or Alex, most likely, and then you peek over the 25 sauce-studded bar to find the man behind it all: their father, Eddie Pao. He's whipping up a fabulous lo mein that he's mastered since beginning the business 37 years ago.

Eddie and the Pao family represent one of the few long-standing, family-owned Memphis restaurant businesses that has sanctified tradition yet evolved through the generations. After sitting for coffee with Michelle, I witnessed her continuous commitment to updating the menus, refreshing the space, and perfecting the customer service that keeps diners on the meal plan for years and years to come. The face-to-face value creates loyalty, in my opinion. It's why I love grabbing basil rolls and sautéed vegetables to-go, just so I can catch up with sweet Michelle at the register. It's why my family deems it our go-to spot while everyone is out and about and in need of a centrally-located, reliable, and enjoyable setting for dinner.

Just as we value the family dinner table as routine, Mosa seeks to be a routine, everyday experience for its customers. With its price point, menu variety, and Asian farm-to-table specials, you can come to Mosa on a weekly basis without getting sick of it or breaking the bank. Personally, I go between the pad see ew, shrimp and broccoli with brown rice, and mushroom lettuce wraps. Always a basil roll or spring roll to start. Dumplings if I'm feeling extra hungry. The dozens of choices are fantastic for families, large parties, or a party of one on a weeknight.

The fresh vegetables, brought in weekly through a CSA program, are prepped for hours before the restaurant even opens. I'm in awe of Michelle's description of her team's day-to-day duties, which I hope to experience soon in-person. The bok choy and broccoli never arrive pre-cut. Eddie and his team hand chop the vegetables, formulate the 25 sauces, and prepare for catered affairs, take-outs, and tables seven days a week. It's remarkable!

For the party of five who has transformed customers into "family" for almost four decades, I encourage you to try the consistently delicious Pan-Asian fare, especially once Thursday passes and we'll all be sick of cooking! You'll be impressed with Mosa's fresh focus. It's about great food and great service.

photos by Sophorn Kouy