Brunches are a girls (or guys) best friend

  Forget diamonds, brunches are a girls new best friend.  Sure diamonds are pretty, but nothing makes you happy like a good breakfast.  They say it's the most important meal of the day, so why not start your day off with a bang?  Of course brunches have more than just breakfast, you can also sample a delicious array of meats and sandwiches and soups, oh my!  But wait there's more!  No really, there is.  You can pretty much find anything your litte heart desires at a brunch.  And the best part is, you''ll leave with a full stomach and a full wallet. Most places have a pre-fixed price that covers either a buffet or a sampling menu.  If you don't see a pre-fix don't panic, even the most posh place in town has a more affordable brunch menu.  So for a small fee, you can eat to your hearts content, or your stomach fills up.  Keep in mind this is not your parent's buffet. There's no powdered eggs or burnt bacon, I'm talking about fois gras french toast, cottage cheese waffles, omelets made to order, fresh locks, steak tartare...need I say more?  There is literally someting for everyone.  You can eat them here, you can eat them there, you can eat them anywhere; "in a car or in a tree, they are so good so good you see".  Ok so maybe not in a car or a tree, but like green eggs and ham, brunch is good pretty much anywhere. So get out there, go exploring and find your favorite brunch spot.  I promise it will be one delicious journey!

My home-made brunch- Poached eggs over grilled asparagus with fresh basil pesto and crustini!

Keep your mouth happy and your wallets full!
<3 DD

Copyright © 2012 Christine Van Arsdalen. All Rights Reserved.

Wednesday’s Wine of the Week

Most of us think a good bottle of wine comes from an obscure winery in a tiny village in a country like France or Italy, and has sat around for years until it has become the best bottle of wine we have ever tasted.  While I’m sure those wines are outstanding, they are also something that us mere mortals will never get our hands on.  Instead we go scrounging around the liquor store for a bottle that doesn’t make us feel like we’re drinking our money away; for me that is a bottle that costs around $10.  Now you may be thinking I’m drinking dishwater wine, however wine from a box was something I outgrew in college.   Since my "tap the bag" years, I have discovered, much to my liking, that you can enjoy a ton of wines that that are “fit for a king” without spending like one.  These extraordinary wines come in all colors, and have more flavors than Baskin Robbins.  Red, white, pink, oaky, citrusy, floral; you name it you can find it. All the possibilities make you feel like a kid in a candy store. However, if you have ever been in a candy store you’d know there is a TON of candy, so it is hard to make a decision.  Don’t panic, this is where I come in.  Once a week I will share with you, the lucky few, a wine that will tickle your taste buds and stroke your wallet.  Wines that are not only budget friendly, but will fill your senses. So get excited people, next Wednesday I will reveal my first pick!

© 2012 Christine Van Arsdalen. All Rights Reserved.

The Dexterous Diner

We all know today's economy in a word STINKS, especially for a girl like me.  I am one of the unfortunate few who recently graduated from college.  Though normally that would seem like an exciting step in the right direction, it left me with the daunting task of finding "A Big People Job."  While I have since found one, let's just say the pay is less than desirable.  I, like most college graduates, went out into the world expecting to make "the big bucks," only to be slapped in the face by the cold hard truth.  So I settled for $12.00 an hour, not much of an improvement from my high school days.  Now, you're probably reading this going "what in God's name does this have to do with food."  Well, being a woman who has a discerning palate, my recent financial situation left me in a bit of a predicament.  I am the type of girl who likes to eat well. Some people call it being a food snob, I call it knowing what's good. At any rate, my former love of the "finer things in life" had become more like a love of the things I can't afford. That being said, I still LOVED good food.  So, I was faced with question, how can I eat the things I love without breaking my very small bank?  It was then I discovered Happy Hour's, these magical things where even the finest of restaurants offer affordable options.  I was shocked and pleasantly surprised to find that I could savor Tuna Tartare with a soy reduction and spend only 5 bucks. Since then, I have honed my skills as a "savvy shopper" so to speak, traveling around eating at some of the best restaurants and spending as little as possible.  My dollars have stretched through several states and time zones. I have decided to write share my eating know how with the rest of the food loving, underpaid citizens of the world. It is my hope that any one who reads this blog will gain the tools to become a dexterous diner like myself, or at least a new spot to get a good meal.


Keep your wallets full and your mouths happy
<3 DD

   Copyright © 2012 Christine Van Arsdalen. All Rights Reserved.