Southern Comforts - Wednesday

This morning on my way into the office, the "Hot and Now" sign at the Krispy Kreme was turned on. My car suddenly swerved into the driveway, around the building and into a parking spot in front of the entrance to the bakery. My feet magically lifted me up and into the building where my nose inhaled the fresh aroma of warm donuts coated in that magical frosting. A gentle voice beyond the counter said, "Good morning! Would you like a donut?" My hand left my side and took that donut, bringing it up to my mouth. Between bites my voice came together long enough to say, "I'd like 2 dozen please."

I had nothing to do with it.

After class I passed three certification exams (A+ Essentials, A+ Desktop Technician, Network+) before heading out for dinner. Tonight's comfort food was bar-b-que, courtesy of Whole Hog Cafe. According to the sign out front, it is a "World Champion BBQ" establishment. Upon entering, the credentials are further burnished as there are shelves full of trophies, and a few on the ground which stand 5 feet tall. Who knew that they handed out trophies for good bar-b-que? As usual, I ordered a sample platter which came with ribs, beef brisket, pulled pork, beans and cole slaw.

http://picasaweb.google.com/khalaf.writes/WholeHogCafe

When my food was served I was pleasantly surprised that there was no sauce on any of the meat. This gave me the opportunity to taste the meat on its own merit before adding the sauce. This meat was done so well that it didn't really need any sauce to enhance the flavor. Nevertheless, there were six different bottles of sauce to choose from. After trying a couple of them I settled on the sweet molasses (Number 1 in the photos).

But the real winner in this meal was the beans. Now most bar-b-que places do a decent job with the meats, but the really good ones take the time to think through their beans. The beans here had the perfect blend of herbs and spices. They weren't too sweet; neither were they too dry or too wet. I haven't had beans so well balanced in all areas ever. And the flavor was perfectly complimentary to the meats.

They didn't have any cobbler on their dessert menu; only brownies, which I was told were "highly addictive". I decided to forgo the opportunity to pick up yet another vice, as the meat and the beans were enough to keep me in penance for a massively long time.

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