I went to another cake club meeting Tuesday night, this time accompanied by the lovely and talented Bianca (of Vegan Crunk). We got to play with my airbrush, which I only recently purchased a replacement compressor for. I bought the airbrush system about a year and a half ago, but after just a couple of months my compressor didn’t feel it could go on, and it jumped off my kitchen counter to an untimely demise.
I attempted to airbrush a fairy, but it turned out a bit… special needs. Bianca created a bunch of grapes and a rainbow, which were infinitely better than my broad-shouldered amputee fairy. We were going to bring the pictures home and put them on our fridges (or at very least take pictures and post them on our blogs), but they got thrown away without our consent. So, no pictures. I guess not everyone could appreciate the true artistic talent that went into them.
Also, my hands are still multi-colored.
I don’t have a lot to share in the way of food, but hopefully some more interesting meals are coming up soon (hint: I made my first seitan!). In the meantime, I’ll show you what I had for breakfast. It’s oatmeal made with soy milk instead of water, a mashed up banana and a spoonful of Dark Chocolate Dreams chocolate peanut butter, all mixed up together. So good.
Right now I’m at Quetzal, a little internet cafe in midtown. They serve coffee during the day, and alcohol at night. I think that’s the basic gist anyway – this is actually my first time here. It’s got a funky feel to it though, and the servers are super-nice. I’m sitting in one of the comfy chairs in the back, near the open double-doors. There is a nice breeze blowing through, giving the place a fresh and open feel – which is helped along by the tall vaulted ceiling and large sky light.
I ordered my latte at the counter and was told to go ahead and have a seat – they would bring it to me. I suppose it’s a bar-style tab system, encouraging people to drink as much as they would like before paying at the end. My drink came out and it was perfect. It’s not easy to steam soy properly – too hot and it tastes scorched, and soy foam is hard to achieve. This latte couldn’t have been better. A step up from my usual Starbucks, I have to say.
I only wish I lived closer to this place – and all the cool little places this city has to offer.
Oatmeal with Dark Chocolate Dreams is pretty much the best combo ever. I can’t go a few days without!
Oh girl, I love the Quetzal! The tofu salad (not sure what the real name on the menu is…but it’s the salad with tofu) is sooo freakin’ good. If you ever order a tofu burger, be sure an specify TOFU. They also serve Boca burgers, and the cooks get the two confused…I’m like, I get a Boca at home, thanks! They’ve cheated me that way twice.
But their coffee is yummy!!!
Oh and I’ve yet to try the Dark Choc Oatmeal combo, but I tried the same brand’s Cinnamon Raisin Swirl in oatmeal and it was great!
Oh yea…you forgot to tell people that your hosting a vegan cake demo for the cake club ladies! They were all so excited to learn about making vegan cakes…this could be your chance to change the world…or at least the minds of a few cute little older ladies.
Not to be a comment whore (but hey, I sit at a desk all day staring at a computer…I check my blog like every hour or something), but oh my god, Quetzal is sooo haunted!
I’m friends with the Memphis Mid-South Ghost Hunters, and they invite along for occasional hunts. We did one there back in the fall. We got a lot of bleepys on the EMF meters (or maybe they’re called EVP). Anyway, supposedly the ghost’s name is Annebelle and she was killed in that building years ago…according to the ghost hunters, she’s 14 years old. I totally feel creepy ghosty vibes in the girl’s bathroom…Fred, the owner, actually lives there! Creepy!
I only wish I lived closer to YOU so I could force you to be my best friend and I could tag along on all your adventures (culinary and other). Reading your blog is the most divine sensory experience, and I’m at the point where I crave your updates as much as I crave the food you highlight so deliciously in each entry. Love, R xxx
I’m jealous about the airbrush… haha but I am still such a novice that I’d better stick to mastering fondant right now!
Oh my gosh, the oatmeal sounds divine! Chocolate for breakfast = heaven!
That internet cafe seems pretty cool. I always think it’s better to support a local small place rather than Starbucks. The coffee looks awesome, too!
Everyone I’ve talked to (girls anyway) gets that same creepy feeling in the bathroom…and it’s not really a scary feeling…just like you said, “a presense.” Oooh, I’ve got goose bumps!
Give her bphillips@memphisflyer.com. I check that way more often.
And I lurk on PPK sometimes, but I’m not registered. I should be though. I’m on Veggie Boards and it kinda sucks…maybe I’ll get around to that soon…