For the love of chocolate

Just got back from a hilarious and interesting adventure with my friend Ann in Austin. Although I had not planned on it, I decided to embark on a little mole expedition by tasting it every chance I could get. I'm intrigued by its deeply layered flavor -- savory but with chocolate and cinnamon. I think I'll do some experimenting by making my own this weekend with some Mexican chocolate that my brother sent to me. 

In the meantime, here's a  chocolate-related nugget that I overheard today:

Friend #1: (while eating a Hershey's Kiss)…I love all the foods that
begin with a ch….chocolate, cherries, cheese....

Friend #2: Chianti?

Friend #1: Yes….(pause)….ciabatta…(pause)...Okay, that’s a ci, but even so.

Weekly specials...

1. Just got home from a screening of Food Inc. I laughed, I cried, I considered becoming vegan. But even with it's heavy message about the totally screwed state of agriculture, it also has a power-to-the-people vibe. I'm inspired, and I plan on dragging all my Nashville friends to the Belcourt when it comes back here this summer. 

2. The following video isn't food-related, but I really liked it. I think you will too. Unless you hate things like butterflies and peace and chocolate chip cookies. Then, well, you're on your own. 

Playing For Change | Song Around The World "Stand By Me" from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.

3. My friend Ann(imal) and I put the names of cities in a glass and drew Austin. So we're going there tomorrow. Perhaps the universe has good things in store for us there? At any rate, we'll be keeping it weird like the locals. More later on the fine cuisine of Texas...x

Sweet dreams, Texas-style.

So I just got back from Austin where my friend Lindsay took me on a mini culinary tour between shows at the Austin City Limits festival...More on that later...But for now, I wanted to profess total love for the Hotel San Jose, one of my favorites on earth (so far). I stayed there a while back, but this time we just went for a bite, drink and good conversation by the pool. Still so lovely.

Hank Williams III once said Hotel San Jose is like Mexico meets Japan.

While there you can borrow an old-fashioned typewriter from the front desk and pretend to be William S. Burroughs. 

And even the pencils by the bed are printed with a message:

"Do you know the way?"

Poolside music: Maybe Sparrow by Neko Case.