HC Hits Florida

We went down to the Keys for a week of fun, sun, and water. We were mostly not disappointed. For specialty food we had some fish, some all-you-can-eat-fish (Mahi), conch fritters, conch not-in-fritters, and most important: Key Lime Pie. We asked who makes the best Key Lime Pie in the Keys, and unanimously, the responders said "Publix" (the grocery store). Some surprise there, but not a huge one, and kind of nice that we wouldn't have to track down an obscure restaurant and pay $300 for a slice. Best. Pie. Ever. And they have mango key lime pie, too, which was also killer in a slightly different way.

Meanwhile, I have been told an easy way to make key lime pie at home which I will try later this week: one can of sweetened condensed milk, 4 egg yolks, one can of key lime juice, some lime shavings. Mix it all together in a graham cracker crust and bake for a while (I think it was 45 min). Brilliant!

On our journey, we also made peanutbutter sandwiches, had oreo cookies, apples, carrots, bananas, cereal, and DQ. There were some two-for-one margaritas in Key West, Senor Frijoles, and of course the fried Plantains (and Cuban buttered bread) at the Cuban street-side restaurant, Sandy's.

The Keys aren't as upscaley, beachily nice as I had expected, and fewer streetside food vendors, but I would go back just to re-eat everything again (and have perfect weather and be in the ocean...). Yum yum yum.

Elvis

The Elvis restaurant in Federal Hill is quickly becoming a favorite. They serve Mexican food. It's somewhat agreed upon that the best foods they serve have spinach in them, but their other foods are delicious, too. With every meal is included a little shot of of tabasco (or equivalent). They have take-out, and people come through all the time to get their food and run. Sometimes the door doesn't shut all the way, which is kind of a problem when it's cold out. It's a nice place to have a book club meeting.

Paper Moon Diner

In Baltimore there is a fantastic diner, the Paper Moon Diner. All over the walls they have superglued toys and knick knacks. It's fabulously kitschy. It's not too small, it's not too big, and there's a rail that you can cozy up to. Lots of choices on the menu, too! And the waiters are all yours, not one in particular. You'll have five or six people taking care of you. And they have birch beer.

We started with mozzerella sticks, which were pretty standard. I had an omlette, with mushrooms and havarti. It was delicious and came with similarly delicious home fries. By far the best thing I had, though, was off of K's plate -- sweet potato fries. Everybody loves them, and since they're made with sweet potatoes, they're healthy! She also had an egg sandwich. S & S's garlic mashed potatoes looked delish. I will definitely eat there again. Oh, and we split a piece of apple pie at the end. Could eat that every night!