If you don’t read Korean, figuring out the name of this restaurant is tough. The word “Bakery” is prominent, enough, but it’s hard to read the name on the sign outside, impossible when the logo is shrunk to fit onto their business card. I got the name off the sales receipt. On the other hand if the pastries are good and the coffee is hot, does that matter? And did I mention gelato?

If anyone should be writing about Chicago-style anything, it’s most definitely not me. As much as I hate to admit it, my only forays to Chicago have been confined to transfers at O’Hare…

I have, however, heard that they make some pretty tasty hot dogs there (along with a few other things). So this past weekend, feeling as though I had no energy to even walk (sleeping sickness, mono, who knows), I was suddenly struck with a craving for a hot dog. This is even more odd, as I grew up …

I saw a flyer for this festival this week when I visited Leon’s International Grocery for Orange Blossom water. If you have never tried Middle Eastern food, you are in for a treat. The cuisines of Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Syria, and the rest of the Middle East are among the oldest. Development began with the dawn of agriculture and was established before cookbooks were even thought of. It is among the most delectable cuisines of the planet and has influenced the world.  This …

Escabeche de Pescado
From the pictures, you’d be excused for thinking this was a Peruvian festival. This just happened to be my first time trying food from Machu Picchu in more than 15 years. I didn’t like in on my first visit. What I tried at the festival blew me away. The escabeche was by far my favorite, followed by the Peruvian tamale (surprising, given my obsession with papas a la Huancaina). Yes, there was a lot of food there, from many other countries – I was just too busy eating …

I’ve learned that the rule of thumb in ordering a Cuban sandwich us to ask the provenance of the bread. Even if you’re not entirely satisfied with the answer, this is your warning shot across the bow that they had better step up to the plate.

The second annual Latin American food festival, sponsored by the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of commerce will be held at Atlantic Station on May 1, 2010.
Participants include:

Brazilian Bakery
Costa Verde Peruvian Restaurant
Coco Loco Cuban Restaurant
Eclipse de Luna
El Azteca
Frontera Catering
Lime Taqueria
Los Andes Bakery
Machu Picchu Peruvian Restaurant
Raul’s Catering
Sausage World
El Toro Mexican Grill
The Iberian Pig

There will be a People’s Choice Award for best dishes along with cooking demonstrations.
Degustar
Atlantic Station
Central Park
Saturday May 1, 2010
11:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Admission: $5.00

The Renaissance Festival takes you back, way back in time to the end of the Dark Ages and the beginning of the Age of Light. Special themed weekends are a real treat, for no more money.
What: Georgia Renaissance Festival
When: The Festival is open Saturdays and Sundays, from
April 17 through June 6, 2010 plus Memorial Day, May 31
10:30a – 6:00p, rain or shine.
Where: The Festival is located minutes south of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. From Atlanta: Travel southbound through downtown Atlanta on the I-75/85 Connector. Exit onto I-85 south …

I come for the sauce. It’s recipe is top secret, but I think it would be possible to eat chair legs if you cut them small enough and covered them in this sauce.