farm fresh

Look how simple-cute this menu is.

As recommended by numerous Internet sources, we ventured Watt's Grocery for lunch, just a few blocks from East Campus.  What a local/organic/farm/Durham-like movement gem.  Not that I've been there for dinner, but this place totally strikes me as an ideal lunch spot - simple fresh sammiches for a doable price (unlike dinner).

 It was a very clean cut setting, apparently known for amazing hush puppies.  Being a recent victim of constant hush puppy cravings, I was all over that [Farmer's Cheese Hushpuppies with basil mayo].  I love that they are spherical, and I thought they were preferable to Cookout, Bullock's, and Allen & Sons... but the dip might have made me a bit bias - it was a nice change from ketchup and barbeque sauce.

 Andrew ordered the BBQ Pork and Sunny's Pimento Cheese on sourdough with creole potato salad.  True to my fat ass self, I loved the potato salad (and the word "creole" really caught my attention).  It wasn't a totally outstanding sandwich for the price, and if you lean more towards meat rather than cheese, I wouldn't order this because the salty cheese is a bit overpowering for me (and I enjoy pimento), but if you like boldness, go for it.

 Niel and I went for the Market Po-Boy with lettuce, tomato and remoulade with a cucumber and tomato salad.  I kind of became obsessed with po-boys after watching Emeril make one on Food Network, oh, about... six years ago.  Actually, since I've adjusted to good ole southern cooking, I've been excited by any dish that reminds me of New Orleans: gumbos, jambalaya, po-boys of course, and anything described as "creole" (yes, I realize the word comes with many varying meanings).  [I also think watching The Princess and the Frog contributed].  Even with the fried shrimp, the overall meal felt pretty light despite the fact that I devoured the entire thing.  Don't be discouraged by the seemingly bone dry bread.  A bite of the sandwich, followed by a bite of the cucumber salad (which was lacking in tomato by the way :( so if you're not a fan of fresh tomato then... actually probably shouldn't go for this because it's in the sandwich), etc etc works out very nicely.  If you have leftover bread without any fillings (which always happens to me), dunk it in the cucumber juice - because wasting food, except in Marketplace, kills me.  The only thing that would have made this better is if it was piled with fried oysters instead.

While Niel had to rush back to get another wrist workout, Andrew and I went in search of Scratch Bakery at the enthusiastic recommendations of Ann and Jeanette.  We got a Mexican chocolate cream pie and a pecan sandie.  The pie was absolutely heavenly (because all things delicious and creamy are described as heavenly).  Not too sweet, bitter, spicy, cool, all things I appreciate in my dessert.  Only had a bite of the cookie, good flavor, but nothing outstanding since I can't really give you an accurate flavor description.  Overall, I guess I was expecting more, but it was small and modest (as I should've expected for Durham), and quite a hassle to locate...but that may just be the Asian woman in me speaking.  However, to be fair, I'm not a big pie/pastry person, so it was difficult for me to make a decision.

Earthquake on the east coast.  Perfect opportunity for a run.  Exercise for the win.