Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

Starbucks needs no saving. They need to take their big box corporate identity and their coffee flavored water and bail bail on the whole idea. After that, all the local coffee shop owners that they've shamelessly put out of business could open their shops again. These local owners are people who live in and care about their communities. Many of them actually roast their own beans ON SITE, not thousands of miles away in a factory. Their food is made in the store, often with local ingredients, not trucked all over the US marinating in fossil fuels along the way. If you, like me want another option, check out this link that tells us about many privately owned, respectable coffee shops around the country: http://www.ihatestarbucks.com/other_choices.php

Blueberry Pie. Soooo good!

Dark Dark Darkity Dark

Brussels sprouts - sliced in half, sauteed in lots of butter until they're a bit browned, then finished with whole grain dijon and white wine. So delicious!!!

It's a toss up between fried chicken livers (my mother makes the best!) and the beef tongue served with fried mayoniase at WD-50. OMG, Yum!!

Gingerbread Men (and women)! My mother used to make them with me whenever we had a snow day. We would listen to motown records and decorate the warm cookies! Just the smell of molassas and ginger is enough to send me back.

We have a local bar that we frequent. It's a bit Cheers-like in it's familarity. We were there last night and, as usual, our last drink of the eve was on the house. I can't say we're surprised when it happens, but it's definitely nice that they appreciate their regular customers.

$25 or less per person is cheap for us for breakfast, certainly for lunch. We'd like to stay around $100 - $150 for dinner for two. We're interested in good wine lists where there are interesting bottles are at reasonable prices, and good beer as well.

Butter, without a doubt. Steamed veggies, bread, and popcorn are merely vessels for smooth, creamy, sweet, salty butter.

The Surrey House, in Surry, Virginia. They have the most wonderful ham biscuits and the BEST peanut soup. And - you get to ride a car ferry from Jamestown to get there. How much fun is that???

Green Bell Pappers without a doubt. I can't even stand the smell of them cooking! I'm so glad others share this aversion.