Photos by L.G. Patterson In the early 2000s, I had a friend who worked at a restaurant in New York City. The first time I went to this Chinese/French fusion restaurant, they said, “Make sure you get the shrimp toast.” Being a Midwest boy in New York, I was expecting some type of cooked shrimp on […]
Photos by L.G. Patterson Mezcal is one of the hottest trends in the cocktail world right now, but it’s complexity can be intimidating. Its smoky essence provides an element to cocktails that can level up any drink typically made with tequila. The mezcal margarita we make at Room 38 Restaurant & Lounge has the perfect […]
I ‘m not what you would call a rabid sports fan. But my husband, being a sportscaster when we got married, is one and we’ve raised three sons who are committed. I also have brothers and friends who are pretty hard core, so I’ve seen my share of football, baseball and basketball games. And while […]
Photos by L.G. Patterson Being born and raised on a cattle farm, some of my fondest memories are of riding in the truck with my dad, checking fences, water and cattle. My family still owns the same cattle operation, and we still produce some of the best meat anywhere. I’m literally all about beef. And cooking […]
Photos by L.G. Patterson The Bee’s Knees is a cocktail that’s special to me right now because it uses hyper local ingredients and embodies what we are trying to do at Ozark Mountain Biscuit & Bar with the bar program. We think it is important to honor the classics while innovating and experimenting with new […]
Photos by L.G. Patterson Is there anything better than time with your favorite furry companion? Lucky for local dog lovers, Columbia is quite the canine friendly place, and there’s more than a few patios that allow pups. We’ve put together a short list of a few of our favorite spots to grab a bite or […]
Photos by L.G. Patterson It’s been a few years since Marcus Lucas called Columbia home. The Liberty native came to mid-Missouri to attend Mizzou, where he played for the Tigers, graduating with a business degree in 2014. After becoming an undrafted free agent for the Carolina Panthers, Lucas eventually settled in the Charlotte, North Carolina, […]
Photos by L.G. Patterson I love a good Philly cheesesteak. You can always buy one (if you can find a good place), but sometimes I want onions and peppers; sometimes mushrooms; sometimes garlic; sometimes I want “Wiz” (we can talk about that one later); and sometimes I want everything. So, sometimes I cook it at home. […]
Photos by L.G. Patterson Healthy drinking — it’s hard to think the two can be talked about together because alcohol is toxic no matter how you use it, but there are ways to incorporate nutrients while enjoying an adult beverage. Alcohol in any form is going to be a toxin to your body. If you […]
Photos by L.G. Patterson A few years ago, at a PTA salad luncheon, someone brought the most wonderful shrimp and pasta salad. It was all the things: crunchy, creamy and full of shrimp and vegetables. I found myself going back for a second helping and doing what caterers do, breaking down the recipe in my […]
Photos by L.G. Patterson If you take a trip to New Orleans, the muffuletta from Central Grocery is a must have. And, after you’ve had one, it apparently becomes a craving that you just have sometimes. I have some friends who were having a baby and, as they went into labor, the muffuletta craving hit. […]
Photos by L.G. Patterson When it came to green chartreuse, I absolutely hated it when I first started working at Günter Hans. The flavors were all wrong and unfamiliar to my whiskey and beer-loving self. If I were to drink a cocktail, it would have only been an old-fashioned or a whiskey sour. Then, one […]
Photos by L.G. Patterson It’s been nearly six years since Shelly La Fata held a pop-up event at Cafe Berlin, selling giant, hand-made toasted ravioli and marking the official start of Pasta La Fata. And after several phases, from pop-up to community kitchen, the business is making a new home in a permanent location. Pasta […]
Photos by L.G. Patterson When Ahmad Alkadah came to Columbia in 2016, he came with a dream: A better life for his family certainly, including his wife, children and mother. But he also dreamt of opening an authentic Syrian restaurant, serving the kind of food he grew up with and missed. That part of his […]
Photos by L.G. Patterson While riding in an Uber on my way to work, I began to think about how cumin and bell pepper marry together in food so well, and how that may work in a cocktail. My first attempt didn’t really pan out — the use of mezcal mixed with cumin seed resulted in […]
Photos by L.G. Patterson One of the best things about late spring/ early summer is the abundance of fresh seasonal produce. But picking — no pun intended — the top of the crop requires some savvy. We asked several local resources for tips on how to select the best early season bounty or successfully cultivate […]
Getting people to eat salmon in the Midwest can be hard. I know, I grew up in the Midwest. As a kid, my diet mostly consisted of Midwestern food, until I was about 5 or 6 and we went to California to visit a relative. My parents told us that they didn’t have hamburgers or […]
Photos by L.G. Patterson I’m going to admit something to you. I’m not a huge fan of change. I buy the same kind of shoes all the time, and I’m known to be very brand loyal in a grocery store. My ice cream order is pretty much set in stone. An oaky chardonnay and I’m […]
With a dish that is pretty much as simple as pre-cooked cornmeal and water, it is amazing how arepas are so much more than a delicious sum of their parts. This hybrid of bread and tortillas from Colombia/Venezuela is a delicious side to any meal, or you can stuff it after cooking and make it […]
Photos by L.G. Patterson A love story dedicated to the bitter and strong flavors of Jamaican pimento dram, this allspice and pepper-forward drink can be best enjoyed year-round, as the balanced and intricate flavors make it perfect for any occasion. A moderate citrus tang with smoked Demerara syrup combine to satisfy your palette, while the romantic […]
