Recipes

I had a request to put up recipes and menus when I don't have time to review places. So I will be periodically putting up gluten-free, lactose-free, sugar-free recipes as well as personal favorites. To get notifications of when this post is updated, subscribe. You can also use the comment section below to post some of your favorite recipes. Happy Eating :)



Basil Cream Sauce
Yield: About 1 pint (16 oz)

1 tbs butter
1 tbs flour (or as needed)
2 tsp garlic, minced
1 tbs dried basil
1 pint (16 oz) milk
1/4 cup mozzarella or parmesan cheese
salt
black pepper

1. In a medium sauce pan, melt the butter on medium-high heat.
2. Add the garlic and let cook for about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add the flour, stirring constantly to form a paste.
4. Add milk, whisking to make sure no clumps form. Reduce heat to medium.
5. Add basil and whisk until sauce becomes nape.
6. Add cheese and stir until incorporated thoroughly.
7. Add salt and pepper to taste.





Vegetable Soup with  Beef

2 qts beef broth
1 cup tomato juice
6 oz cubed beef
1 half yellow onion, chopped
3 large carrots, chopped
4 potatoes, skinned and chopped
1/2 can peas
1 cup fresh green beans
1/2 can corn
2 tsp garlic, minced
1 tbs basil
2 tsp garlic pepper
2 tsp oregano
1 tsp thyme
1 small dash of red pepper flakes, adjust as desired
cornstarch slurry

1. Brown meat in saute pan.
2. Combine all ingredients in a large sauce pan and cook on medium high until all vegetables are tender.
3. Add the slurry until the desired thickness is reached.

Village Bakery & Cafe, Athen Ohio

First off, this place does not have espresso. Now I have never heard of a cafe that doesn't not serve espresso, until now. They have fair trade coffee and organic food, with a menu true to their theme. I would say this place is not bad. It is kind of like a cafe meets a market meets a gift shop. With stickers, mugs, t-shirts, and other various items to purchase, they let you buy just about anything that's not nailed down. They have two different seating areas. One is more diner-esk with padded booths and a bar by the wall. The other is in their little market area, more secluded in the back. Pasta, meat, Paw Paw popsicles, cheese and, yes, wine, entice the passers by to take a gander and browse. The atmosphere is like a vintage diner meets a hippie commune, in a good way.

Now, lets get to the good part....what I ordered. Because they have no blended drinks nor cold coffee, I got a regular cup-o-joe. They have self-serve coffee with optional 2% milk or half and half. (Those of us with a lactose intolerance are SOL it will seem.) They also provide honey and organic sugar for sweeteners and cinnamon and something I assume is cinnamon sugar seeing as how nothing but the milk was labeled. I decided to get something to eat, to complete the experience, and purchased a lemon yogurt cookie.All of this came to $4.35, eat in tax included. The coffee was 2.50 so 1.50 for a cookie the size of my fist (and I have small hands) is not a good start.

The coffee is bold and nutty with definite traces of bitter dark chocolate (which I find altogether pleasant). The cookie is.....well lemony. The yogurt gives it a crisp, freshness about it, but it still is a little dry. The combination isn't bad at all, though the prices are a bit steep for a cup of coffee and a cookie. I would want to revisit this place. It is quiet and seclusive enough for my anti-social personality. I highly recommend stopping by, if just to glance, at their market items. They strongly promote local products, like Snowville Creamery. (Their chocolate milk is AMAZING.)

Even though I kinda like this place, there are some down points. No espresso at a coffee shop should be a sin. They might want to rethink having their pastries in a refrigerated case with no containers or wrapping. Finally, and this is not something they can control, their parking options are the worst! I am a horrible person when it comes to backing up and their parking lot makes me cringe. So, for the whole experience, I give it  3.75 stars.  I really like espresso.

Recommendations

I have decided to post about my favorite products. I will only be using this post, editing it whenever I find something I like. So you have to SUBSCRIBE in order to get news of any changes. Click on the "followers" button on the right.

Silver Bridge
Anyone who knows me knows I love coffee. I have tried this coffee at the Farmer's Market in Athens and I am in love with the Jamacian Me Crazy blend. It is flavored and an amazing mild brew. The company that sells it is "Silver Bridge Coffee Company". It is owned and operated by Lorraine Walker in Gallipolis, Ohio. It is fair trade certified, with is the new craze now adays. They have really great coffee for about the same price that you would pay for a bag of Starbuck's coffee. To order online go to: silverbridgecoffee.com

Rhapsody
Live around Athens County and looking for a quiet, romantic place to take someone to dinner? Rhapsody is the perfect setting. With a romantic ambiance, delicious menu and acceptional bar,  you can wine and dine your honey. But be prepared to pay a pretty penny. This is not a cheap place but aren't they worth it?

Cantrell Honey
Love honey and want some non-store brand, over processed, almost synthetic honey-food? Cantrell Honey, based out of Athens Ohio, is the perfect honey. They saved a species of bees from Florida that was on the brink of extinction. The honey is sweet with a hint of floral. They have their products in the Athens Kroger and at the Farmer's Market in the parking lot of the Athen's Mall every Saturday from 10am-1pm. Red heads get free honey sticks.

The Donkey
Love organic, fair trade coffee? The Donkey is the perfect place, with a sedate atmosphere that allows for studying, conversation, or just reading a book. A two story seating area is the best combination for the favorite coffee shop amungst Ohio University students. The coffee is delicious, no matter what you get, and the staff is friendly.

Weebly!

I have decided to make a weebly! I am unsure exactly what I want to use it for. Should I use it as another blog? Should I just create teasers for this blog? Should I use it for my food critic persona's blog? I don't know! Suggestions will be helpful! Post comments below to tell me what you think. Here is a link for all of you to view my awesome weebly site.

www.viewtothepoint.weebly.com

I do need subscribers! This lets me know people are actually reading and not just waiting for me to post a link on my twitter/facebook. Subscribe to this blog by the pop up tabs on the right. -> over there.

Bagel Street Deli, Athens Ohio

This is a quaint little place. It looks more like a hole in the wall place, but the food is actually extraordinary. They have bagel sandwiches ranging from extremely carnivorous to tofu and vegetarian. They also have breakfast sandwiches, which I haven't tried yet but will soon. The names for their sandwiches are humerus. I got "Kim's Kraving" that is turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, cheese and mayo. I like to start off with something I know when I am going somewhere new, unless their specialties look scrumptious. They food is pretty well priced and the sandwiches are well sized. They have a various assortment of chips as well. It is very college-est.

The decor is kinda punk rock-ish. Bar stools and tables line the walls. The only odd thing I find about this is that there is a sort of hallway you have to pass through to get to the counter. It seemed very weird when I first went there, but now its kinda unique. It does take a little while to get the food, but it is worth the wait.

I give it 4 stars.

Mini Chef

Fluff Bakery, Athens Ohio

Like a band aid, some things are better off when you don't hesitate. I did not really care for this place. I was looking forward to experiencing the food and coffee here, having heard so many great things about it. After entering, I found the menu hard to read. A lot was jumbled up on the chalk boards and they used, what I like to call "seller's lingo". "Seller's lingo" is a fancy way of saying their descriptions are a bunch of B.S. that make the customers think they are getting something special or a bargain.

I got an Iced Mocha Coffee with an extra shot of espresso. The girl taking my order told me about the mocha milk they make for this drink that contains "20 shots of espresso, half and half, skim milk and Hersey's chocolate". She ranted about how sweet, chocolaty and delicious it was, so I gave in and tried it. It was NOT at all chocolaty and not even in the least sweet. It tasted like espresso with ice. I was highly disappointed. Even after I added simple syrup to it, which they do offer at the sugar it up station, there was hardly any improvement.

But the real kicker was the hubby's drink. He got the "Train Catcher" It was half mocha milk, half toddy. To quote the hubby "It was half mocha mix, half toddy and all gross". It tasted like someone poured ice water in a shot of espresso.

The only plus side were the pastries. I got a honey glazed blueberry scone and the hubs got a peanut butter cookie. To me, it seemed like a kindergartner priced their pastries because everything was either $2 or $2.50. Keeping it simple, I understand, but I know the pastry industry and the items they had was either way over priced or they were practically giving them away for free.

The music in this place was mind blowing, and not in a good way. Sort of Latino band stand music, it was loud and we had to practically yell to talk to the employees. The cashier did not seem informed at all about the products, adding to the disappointment. Oh, and the kitchen closes at 5, before the bakery closes.

We gave this place 2 stars, because the tables and pastries were nice. The decor looked like a college kid who liked the 1950's retro era decorated it but didn't have a sufficient budget to finish the job.

Not worth the hype.

Mini Chef.



Ok, aftermath rant. I found out today that this place charged me twice. I don't know if it was a holding charge or they are just incompetent. I am expecting a call from the manager when they figure out what is going on. This marks it down to a .5 of a star, still like the tables. I will post the results.

Time for video?

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Mullins Pizza, McArthur Ohio

WORST PLACE EVER!

Now let me fill in the rest. The hubby and I went here looking for some classy diner time. We heard it was pretty good and now that it is under new management, wanted to see if it was better. We were tired and lazy this day but we still should have walked out.

It too them 45 MINUTES to MICROWAVE my chicken Alfredo. I don't even remember what the hubs got, but you know what, this place is so bad I don't even care. The back of the house dicked around and got slammed when they had an order of 6 pizzas. They even said they wished they could take off everything that wasn't pizza in the menu because then it would be easier. IN FRONT OF CUSTOMERS! We had people eat and leave in droves before they even realized we were there.

I know staying wasn't the smartest thing to do but we thought maybe its worth the wait. By the time I finished my barely lukewarm pasta, there was hair on the bottom of the bowl. When I brought this to their attention, they merely stated it must have been when they made it because they freeze their food. I was APPALLED to say the least! Then they REFUSED to take it off the bill! Just said "oh well".

I want my $22 back! They ripped us off and they don't even deserve to be open! An apology from the owner would be lovely, but seeing as how that will NEVER happen, I am advising every to never, ever, ever, ever go to Mullins Pizza. Save your money. Unless you feel like throwing it away then you are better off tossing it in the blender.

As for stars, I will dip down into the negatives for this one. In fact, I give this one 5 black holes.

Mini Chef.

Boot Factory Grill, Nelsonville Ohio

I just remembered this place today and rushed to my computer to review it. Although I am trying to get more "higher class", I guess you could say, places to eat, the Boot Factory Grill should not be discarded. This little rustic eatery in the middle of Rocky Boots is actually quite tasty. They have menu items such as Bison Burger, Black Angus Steak, Ribeye and Fish tail. As well as Grilled Chicken, Hamburgers, Ruebens and Onion Rings. They range from trying to be extravagant to staying true to simple classics.

Even though I am partial to this particular place, it does have its flaws. The service is on the slow side and the people in the back do not seem to be running on all cylinders, putting it nicely. But, with a little borrowed patience, you can get a pretty decent meal for cheaper than the fast food chain down the street.

I usually, as in always, get the baked steak sandwich. Now, it is a sin to cook steak any longer than medium, but when its on bread, I do like it well done, or even to the point of falling apart. It goes great with beef gravy and the mashed potatoes they serve. Their sweet tea isn't half bad either, though they could up their dosage of sugar. It is called SWEET tea after all.

A grand total of 3.75 stars.

Mini Chef

Best Coffee in Athens County?

Because none of these social media sources are working, I am entering my blog to soak up the fond from my audience. Where is the best coffee in Athens County? Was it fair trade, chain company, mom and pop cafe? Leave comments here and I will test your buds. I will rate your favorite place and feature it in my blog!

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Court Street Diner, Athens Ohio

This is located smack dap in the middle of Court Street in Athens. It is a typical 1950's looking diner with an awkward atmosphere. The menu alone is enough to give anyone a headache, trying to decide how they are going to be over charged. When the hubby and I went here, I got a classic club with cottage cheese. It was the only thing on the menu I figured out not be able to be screwed up....but you know what they say about assuming. Every club I have ever had was toasted with tomato, lettuce, turkey, sometimes ham, bacon, cheese and mayo. This one had plain, non-toasted white bread with turkey, two slices of bacon, tomato and a little piece of lettuce. It was about the size of my hand, and being 5'2'', that is pretty small. For $7.99 I could have gotten a foot long that was better quality. 


The menu is outrageously huge, but being a college town whose students major in hangovers, I see why they have to releave every single craving anyone could possibly have. From burgers to quesadillas to breakfast food to classical American comfort food, this place has about everything here...about. It is definiatly not worth the price.

2 Stars. That's it.

Mini Chef

Brenen's Coffee Cafe, Athens Ohio

This is a coffee/sandwich shop on Court Street, just a hop, skip and a jump away from OU. It serves coffee, specialty drinks, sandwiches, homemade ice cream, various salads and soups. It has plenty of inside seating, as well as outside. Its a quaint place, simple decor, and plays some pretty awesome alternative and pop music.

This place rarely disappoints. I usually get a Milky Way (sound familiar?) with soy and no whip. Here, the soy definitely makes it taste like a cookie, if it is made right. They do blend all their hot drinks and it is perfect if you aren't wanting a really strong coffee taste. Of course, I always put my orders in as Batman, which makes the staff laugh and somewhere question my sanity. They try to serve in a timely manner, but patience is supposed to be a virtue.

However my last visit wasn't quite up to par. I went with my husband, my sister and her boyfriend. We got sandwiches and, of course, coffee. My sister hates cold coffee but I have been slowly converting her to frappicinos, as long as they taste good. Now I will say they this guy was new and he was still being trained. However, one must know not to put in so much caramel syrup that is tastes like you are licking a sugar cube. It was far too overpowering and extremely sweet. Luckily, that is how my sister's boyfriend likes his drinks. So nothing was lost. My replacement was a Frozen Lemonade, which was strong as well but that is how I take my lemonade.

Their sandwiches are delicious. I always get mine on ciabatta. That day the hubby got a Court on Bleu. A play for Cordon Bleu. It had the usual suspects, turkey, ham, lettuce, tomato, honey mustard and I believe onions. It was good, even though I loath honey mustard. They do come with sides, which is nice since the sandwiches are about $4-7.

During the summer, this place is not really too busy. Everything dies down when OU is not in session, but the peaceful solidarity is refreshing from the insane chaos when people are horded around. But, if you like a crowd, make sure to come at peak hours between August and May.

I give them 4 stars.

Mini Chef