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As a child growing up in Michigan, if I didn't order chocolate, it was ALWAYS either Blue Moon or Purple Cow. Meijer stores (back in the day it was called Meijer Thrifty Acres) used to have HUGE ice cream counters near the entrance, and I always shopped happily with blue or purple lips/clothing. It would be hard to name a flavor for either color. It was simply sweet and cold and creamy and, above all, PRETTY.

Toasted peanut butter and tomato sandwich. Surprisingly delicious.

Wow, these are great stories. I have to share a cooking story that is now an official part of our family lore. It's my mother's cooking disaster -- not mine, and it involves the Easter ham -- a CANNED ham (ick). After it had been in the oven for 90 minutes or so, she mused to my father "I wonder how we are supposed to when the ham is done if it's in a can." He went into full-on FBI bomb squad mode, marching the family out to the snowy front lawn, extracting the ham-bomb from the oven and flinging it into the backyard. No one remembers if we ate the ham -- just the day my mother became an accidental terrorist.

Make the Chicken Marbella from the Silver Palate Cookbook (it's all over the internet). I've never met ANYONE of ANY age who didn't like this, despite the odd ingredients. Instead of using cut up whole chicken, I use thighs with the skin removed. SO good.

hungrygrl7, Believe me, I am toying with the idea of paying WAY TOO MUCH for the black & gold smiley cookies -- a pittsburgh icon if ever there was one. I was visiting friends in the 'burgh mid-december and my husband and teenaged daughters gave me the death glare reminder to stop at Eat & Park for a dozen smileys on the way home. I think they were happier to see the cookies than they were to see me!

The VERY best way to enjoy Cream of Wheat is to make a slightly thicker than normal recipe, pour into a loaf pan, refrigerate overnight, then slice and panfry in butter and top with brown sugar, maple syrup, whatever you like. Mmmmmmm!

I'm with simon. There is no way they could hurt you. They could harm your sensibilities, but they won't hurt you physically.

Wow, these are some great tales (tails?). I have a few stories of our beloved dog's escapades, which I will condense briefly.

He has eaten many many items that were not proffered. These are the highlights.

He once drank a glass of Merlot without knocking over the stemware. I am still impressed.

During the same week, he drank a cup of coffee without spilling a drop.

While we entertained guests, he devoured an entire platter (3+ lbs) of chicken, lovingly marinated and grilled during a moment of inattention.

He has also eaten:
a cherry pie
a birthday cake
a large plate of blanched asparagus

We recently drove up from Palo Alto and spent a typical Northern California day at the beach at Half Moon Bay. Foggy, freezing, windy. But we made the drive and attempted to remain positive. When we left at dinnertime, we attempted to eat at Pasta Moon, a fancypants restaurant on the main street in HMB. They had a 90 minute (!) wait, however, and directed us to "It's Italia" -- what appeared to be a little pizzeria in a strip center about a block away. We felt a bit defeated, as we were looking for something more interesting than pizza, but we were cold and hungry and decided to go for it. Well, this place exemplifies why we foodies are so darn spoiled in the bay area. This little "pizzeria" had the most amazing menu, and a list of chalkboard specials that nearly made me weep. Wild boar osso buco with citrus risotto, an array of designer salads and one gorgeous entree after another being delivered to the tables around us. An excellent option as you head up the coast.

Coffee (trader joe's organic) and 1% milk. I need 'em both to make my eponymous daily latte!

Hi Patty. My family and I just moved to Palo alto 2 years ago, and I think we have already eaten at more of the local restaurants than many of our friends who have been here much longer. Here are some of the favorites that come to mind:

Casual, Cheap and Quick:
Zao Noodle Bar on University. Their vermicelli noodle bowls are made with the highest quality ingredients and are absolutely delicious.
Tofu House -- authentic Korean. Zero ambience, brusque service, fabulous food.
Mediterranean Wraps on California Ave -- great middle eastern food.

Moderately Priced:
Palo Alto Sol on California Ave.--modern Cal-Mex cuisine
La Bodeguita del Medio--excellent cuban food, fun atmosphere, great cocktails

Fancier:
Evvia -- one of my definite favorites. Mediterranean cuisine with a California spin. Great service. Pretty restaurant.
Zbibbo -- I haven't been yet, but it comes highly recommended. High on my list.
Il Fornaio -- in the Garden Court Hotel downtown. It's a small chain, but it's very good.

Breakfast:
Don't miss the California Ave. Farmer's Market every Sunday a.m. year-round. You can eat lunch at one of the many wonderful food stands, or have a great brunch at Cafe Brioche or Joanie's (?) Cafe next door.

Not in Palo Alto but nearby favorites:
Xanh's Vietnamese Restaurant on Castro St. in Mountain View-- easily the hippest, coolest decor on the Peninsula, and the food is outstanding.
CasCal on Castro in Mountain View -- Great tapas, excellent cocktails, live entertainment on weekends.
Amber India on El Camino in Mountain View -- great Indian food.

DishDash on Murphy St. in Sunnyvale -- Really good, slightly unusual middle eastern fare

Well, that's a start. Welcome to Palo Alto!

Amy Sedaris' I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence. A brilliant blend of quirky humor, possible insanity and recipes (mostly Greek) presented in earnest. She is the anti-Martha.