Category Archives: Restaurants

Places I’ve eaten in, worked in, or read about.

Cooking in the shadow: Crab cakes with thyme aioli

Posted on November 21, 2020 by warmkn

Listen to John Handy’s Hard Work by clicking on the post title. I was fifty when I finished my final shift working for Tom Douglas at the Dahlia Lounge. I punched out, changed my sweat-soaked socks, let myself out the … Continue reading →

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The Back of the House: Sopa de Guajillo

Posted on October 3, 2020 by warmkn

This post was originally published in 2016. “Immigrants are good for our kitchens and for our country.” Ry Cooder and Harry Dean Stanton, Across The Borderline    “Le disparé cinco veces, por accidente.” Up at four a.m., on La Brea … Continue reading →

Posted in Chefs, Recipes, Restaurants | 2 Comments

Cooking as comfort: Ribollita

Posted on June 7, 2020 by warmkn

I wasn’t sure whether or not to write a post this week but silence didn’t feel right. I don’t have words that might inspire or illuminate, but I do want to acknowledge the tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, … Continue reading →

Posted in Recipes, Restaurants | 4 Comments

Dive bar or neighborhood tavern?: Iowa tavern sandwiches

Posted on February 8, 2020 by warmkn

You’ve just gotta listen to this week’s music video.  Blake Shelton Garth Brooks, Dive Bar I ate my first enchilada in the late 60s at the Half Moon Inn. The Half Moon, three dramas short of a dive bar, was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Restaurants, Travel | 2 Comments

Sound Food, the beginning: Chocolate Mousse Pie

Posted on February 1, 2020 by warmkn

Crosby, Stills, Nash, Teach Your Children A girl can always use a little money of her own. It was 1973, I was bored, new to Vashon, and wanted a job. Choices were slim—my previous work history consisted of picking currants for … Continue reading →

Posted in Family and friends, Recipes, Restaurants, Sound Food | 2 Comments

1979, 1989, 2019: Remembering

Posted on August 31, 2019 by warmkn

Charles Aznavour, Ne Me Quitte Pas Seems as if friend-making years occur when we are the busiest: during college, on our first jobs, when we’re young couples, or as playdate Moms. The Sweetie and I are lucky to have friends we … Continue reading →

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Japan and Gypsy’s: Inauthentic Fried rice

Posted on April 13, 2019 by warmkn

Eddie Raven, Bayou Boys  I assumed that my first food experience in Wichita Falls would be something Texan—barbecue, Mexican, Tex Mex, or Roadhouse. My Sunday plan was to take the downtown bus to the Gypsy Kit Cafe (eclectic Mexican/Asian/Cajun food, Cajun … Continue reading →

Posted in Recipes, Restaurants, Travel | 3 Comments

Make ‘em laugh: Caramel sauce

Posted on March 2, 2019 by warmkn

Bruce Springsteen, “I’m on Fire” Give a tribe of mostly twenty-something male misfits access to sharp knives, hot oil, and fire, add a healthy dose of cruel, X-rated humor and you have a restaurant kitchen—what could possibly go wrong. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Restaurants | 3 Comments

Jon: Lebanese cabbage rolls

Posted on January 19, 2019 by warmkn

  My son Jon was born smiling. He seldom cried; he slept through the night and loved his big sister from the start. As a rambunctious three year old, he delighted in storming in to Ed and Sophie’s house see … Continue reading →

Posted in Family and friends, Recipes, Restaurants | 3 Comments

A Christmas Caper: Pumpkin Bars

Posted on December 22, 2018 by warmkn

 Henry Mancini, Pink Panther Dennis gave me a key to Stratton’s back door so I could go in early to prep for Sunday brunch—I hated brunch. You would be hard-pressed to find a restaurant cook who doesn’t hate brunch: the … Continue reading →

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