BBQ in our city

Or village, rather. (Well, I don’t even know if it’s even in East Aurora, but it’s close.)

Andrew found the neatest little hole-in-the-wall barbecue place a couple weeks ago and has already gone twice. This past Thursday, he took me for lunch. (Technically, I ‘took’ him since I did the driving, but that’s neither here nor there.)

Anyway, R & R BBQ isn’t much to look at on the outside (which I think was due mostly because of all the snow), but it’s cute and clean on the inside. It reminded me of City Barbecue, a chain restaurant in Ohio, with its multiple self-serve sauces and menu.

Interestingly enough, I think they started out as a food truck and now have both the truck and a free-standing location. I’ll get more on the story soon; I’m going to write about them for the Advertiser in the next couple weeks. Score! Another lunch just a week away!

The price was right–$6 for a lunch combo–the food was excellent, and the atmosphere perfect–not too quiet and not too loud. Drinks are from a fridge and no frills, just cans of soda and bottles of water.

We both got the pulled pork sandwiches–served with coleslaw on top, just the way I like it–and seasoned fries.

OMG. Awesome. Please stay in business! Seriously. R and R, you are my new favorite place. Not that the sandwich or the fries were singly amazing or anything (they were good, even great perhaps), but rather it was the whole package: the locally-owned business, convenient location, reasonable prices, good food and comfortable atmosphere. It made having lunch with Andrew an enjoyable experience, rather than a mad-dash to get our food and finish before he had to leave again to get back to work.

Oh, and did I mention the made-on-premises desserts?

I might have inhaled my red velvet cupcake. (I’m such a sucker for red velvet.) And don’t think I’ve resigned my allegiance to Firefly; this morsel had nothing on them. Think more ‘out-of-the-box’ mix, almost too airy and light, but a delectable end to an otherwise savory meal. (Don’t tell Andrew, but I can’t wait to try their rocky road brownie!)

Ahh, at long last, a replacement for City Barbecue here in our own neck of the woods.

Sweetness 7

*STILL working on the post about last weekend’s trip to Ohio… Enjoy this in the meantime!

So, Friday after Christmas, Regina and I FINALLY (and I mean finally–we hadn’t seen each other since JULY) got together for a brunch date. Where did we go? A cute-as-can-be little creperie in Buffalo near the zoo. Andrew and I had actually pointed it out before while driving by and remarked that it was a must-try.

We ordered coffee first–a regular for her and a Vanilla Ginger Latte for me. I was all set to get a regular coffee (cheaper, fewer calories), but the word ‘ginger’ on the menu caught my eye and I couldn’t resist.

There was even a hunk of crystallized ginger in the mug! I would definitely get it again. Andrew is a huge crepe fan (who knew?), so I’m sure we’ll find our way back there at some point.

When we decided on our breakfast, it was a nutella and banana topped crepe for Regina and a baked-brie-filled, sauteed apples-topped crepe for me. Heavenly.

And, fingers-crossed, Regina and I have another date coming up next week. This time, we’ll probably partake in a little frozen yogurt…

thursday is for baking

I made it through today (Wednesday I leave at 8 a.m. and don’t return until almost 9 p.m.) and am exhausted. I have an open Chem lab in front of me to complete, two GIANT tests coming up in the next couple days (one is Friday; the bigger one is Monday, thank goodness!), as well as a ‘to-do’ pile the size of Texas.

And all I can think about is baking.

Tomorrow, I am not painting. I am not doing yardwork. (Unless, of course, it’s beautiful and I need a break and the guilt overcomes me.)

I’m baking and studying. Baking, studying. Repeat.

There will be cinnamon apple scones. There will be pumpkin amazeballs. There might even be another treat, although it’s hard enough around here to eat what little I DO find the time to make!

And, not only do I get to bake–I get to cook! Our neighbors had their baby and I’m bringing them dinner 🙂 She’s a vegetarian (the mom, not the baby, obviously), so I’ll be giving them a quinoa dish with zucchini, dill and feta, as well as our favorite Nutty Sweet Potato Soup and a green salad. Oh! And I can make bread! In the breadmaker…I’m already probably too overcommitted (ahem, the still un-done lab in front of me).

Alright…enough procrastinating. Eyes are drooping. Still have to pack the swim bag for the morning. Sheesh…