Every time I come to visit my grandparents we dine at the Peppermill. The restaurant is somewhat of a hidden gem – it’s not glamorous and attracts an older crowd, but the food is quite good and the homemade desserts are worth going for alone!
My grandmother always orders an Old Fashioned. I discovered in recent years that I LOVE bourbon, but I never order it myself. So tonight it seemed appropriate. This is definitely my new favorite liquor drink (well, maybe behind a Cosmo)
Dinner comes with a side salad. I had dip-the-fork-in bleu cheese dressing -
For dinner I ordered the lobster tails with parmesan zucchini and squash, lemon and butter. I did a little butter dipping, but I thought the lobster tasted great on its own (probably because it had already been brushed with a little…). I also had half a roll, which I ate with dinner instead of before to savor it more.
As I said, the Peppermill always has two desserts that are made by a woman there daily. They are always great. I was planning to “save up” dessert the first days of our trip so I could order one tonight, but I suppose I’ve already had my share of desserts thus far! But I couldn’t resist and split one with my uncle – it was the perfect portion. I was hoping they had the Coconut Creme Pie that I had at Christmas, but the Banana Creme was a great replacement. I also had a taste of my grandparents’ Lemon Shortcake, which was even better!
Dinner in North Carolina
In the spirit of the earlier curiousity, the husband writes:
“I walked to the grocery store and got some shrooms, peppers, and beef for a stir fry. Here it is, my mountain of veggies and beef! I used a peeler on the carrots to get them real ribbony. It’s delicious!”
From the blackberry -
Guess he’s got me beat on eating healthy today!!
Ramblings
This afternoon my mom and I went walking again and then I took a nap!! I hate sleeping and am not a napper, but it was a fun change on vacation 
We also rummaged through the house for treasures. My grandmother is sending me home with lots of cool things for the house – vases, glasses, spoons, blue glass, linens, framed photos, and even her painted broomstick garden! (I’ll explain when it gets back to Charlotte and displayed in our yard.)
Looks like rain tomorrow 
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
Always fun to come home with fun, antique family treasures…more to add to your already great collection
Your dinner AND the husband’s look yummy! Glad it was a good weekend!!
has anyone read the superfoods health style book? i have 2 questions, is it like another stupid diet book, or an health non-diet intuitive eating book? and also could you tell me a list of superfoods that he lists in the book? thank you!!
I love reading your blog. I live in Baltimore. Have you tried One World Cafe, on University Blvd, across from the Hopkins Lacrosse stadium. It is a great vegetarian restaurant. They have a veggie burger of the day which is always delicious.
Sorry for the bad weather, I’m sure you’ll find something nice to do anyway.
Wait, what? You hate sleeping?
IS THAT EVEN AMERICAN?
What a nice dinner at the Peppermill!
Haha, I love seeing Matt’s dinner photographs, from his Blackberry :0D
Oooh, sounds like you’ll be taking home LOTS of great treasures from your grandmother’s – fun!
yum – both your dinners look so good!
Kiala – haha, I hate taking naps too. I always feel lazy for the rest of the day, and I feel like I’m wasting tiime – like I should be doing a million other things instead. weird, I know…my friends think I’m nuts. Everyone I know LOVE their naps!
Kath – Can’t wait to see all your goodies when you get back!
I ADORE blue glass and have also collected some from various family members
Hope you enjoy your new treasures 
gaby- one world cafe is a great find! i love the “monday meatballs” special- pasta, tofu meatballs, salad, and garlic bread for 6.95!!
i’ll actually be heading down to baltimore next weekend for my college graduation! (i finished a semester early so i’ve been home since december).
right now, i’m in the process of picking a restaurant for lunch with my family after graduation. i’m considering mt. washington tavern. for anyone in the area- have you ever been there? do you have any other recommendations for a nice post-graduation late lunch/early dinner? i’m trying to steer clear of the inner harbor because of the preakness crowd…
Aww that’s sweet of your grandma to send you home with all kinds of neat stuff. Take pictures of some of it!
Your meal looks delicious. I’m not even a huge lobster person but seeing your dish makes me want some right now!
Love your blog Kath!
Jessica — I used to live in Baltimore. Here are some suggestions — Helen’s Garden, The Wine Market, Ixia, The Bicycle, Helmand, City Cafe (pretty casual). Congrats on graduating!
Healthy eating is great, but you gotta splurge once in a while. I’ve gone to similar places that appeal to an “older” crowd and always love them. I think by the time you reach that age you really know what you like and where to get it. They also tend to be cheap places which I enjoy too =)
you might like sydenstricker glass. Gorgeous stuff. It’s in Brewster, MA. I also like pierpont glass, again on the cape, you can see the artisans as it’s blown. have you ever heard of cup plates (great for resting tea bags).
Banana Creme pie is amazing – esp when it’s homemade! Glad you enjoyed it!
I think not liking naps is unamerican too! LOL! Although it is a bit hard to picture Kath relaxing down for a nap, no offense! I just picture you as the Energizer bunny!
haha….the thought of taking a nap later in the afternoon is the only thing that gets me out of bed sometimes! (although i rarely do, i always believe myself!)
Jessica, from where are you graduating? Skip the Tavern. There are too many other better options. I can give a ton of suggestions but off the top of my head here are some good ones in various neighborhoods: Gertrude’s (located in the BMA), Dogwood Deli (Hampden), Sascha’s 527 (Mt. Vernon), The Helmand (Mt. Vernon), b Bistro (Bolton Hill)…
I’m not a nap person either. I always feel worse after taking one.
I want the hot milk cake recipe!!!
I’m a fan of the unplanned nap…usually falling asleep on the couch watching tv on a rainy day. During the week who has time!?
Yum…beef stir-fry.
If you like bourbon, you’ll have to go to Bourbon & Branch when you’re in SF for Blogher. It’s an upscale speakeasy with a huge drink menu, including tons of bourbon drinks (and they make a damn fine cosmo as well!).
I’m not a big napper either- there just always seem to be too many other things to do!
That dinner looks great, especially the lobster and zucchini/squash. We own Old-Fashioned glasses, but I’ve never actually tried one! Looks pretty good…
Thanks for the suggestions KC and AC! Gertrude’s was a restaurant I always wanted to try but never did so I may look into that.
KC- I’m graduating from Loyola College.
Kath! Your vacation looks so fun!! I think that I’m going to be in Charlotte on Saturday. I want to check the Trader Joe’s! And my mom wants to go shopping. Where do you get your haircut? I am trying to find a decent place and have had trouble with that in the past!!
I hate napping too! I always feel like I’m wasting the day.
I love naps!
Here’s a “light” hot milk sponge cake recipe:
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup skim milk
1 teaspoon butter
Preheat oven to 325. In mixing bowl, beat eggs. Add sugar and vanilla, mix until incorporated. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Fold dry ingredients into egg mixture. In a small saucepan, bring milk and butter to a boil. Slowly add milk mixture to batter, stirring carefully. Pour into 9×9 inch pan that has been sprayed with Pam. Bake 30 to 35 minutes.
Makes 9 servings: 167 calories, 1.7 fat, .7 fiber and 33 grams of carbs.
You can use this as a base and add lemon zest, different extracts, etc. I think its good as is, no need for frosting (but buttercream frosting is so good!)