It didn’t take long to figure it out at Frank’s Diner, located in a turn-of-the-century presidential railway car in Spokane, Washington.  Almost as soon as we were seated at the counter where we had a front-row position for the cooking action, we struck up a conversation with the customer next to us — a chef from Seattle getting ready to open his own restaurant. He was in Spokane to pick up some custom-made sinks, but said he never misses a chance to eat at Frank’s. We asked him what he was ordering.

 Every time I come here, I think I’ll order something else, but I get the same thing:  Corned Beef Hash and Eggs with the big side of hashbrowns, he confessed.

Sure ‘nough.  About that time, the cook poured out a stack of hashbrowns, flattening the pile with a turner.  (Sorry about the blurred picture, but it’s a candid of this constant-motion cook moving from flipping omelettes to spreading out the taters!)

A cook at Frank’s spreads out a mound of hashbrowns on the griddle.

Right about then, the waiter brought out the order for the chef seated next to us: two cooked-to-perfection eggs atop a mound of corned beef hash with almost a foot-long stack of golden hashbrowns snugged right beside!

Corned Beef Hash and Eggs, Frank’s Diner

I was pretty sure I wanted what the chef was eating, but still felt compelled to check out the menu with an eye toward what was unusual or unique at Frank’s.  It wasn’t hard to find.  I even liked the name of it: Gourmet Purple Oatmeal – Snoqualmie Falls Oatmeal with huckleberries served with toast, raisins, brown sugar, butter or milk.  Tempting.

But I decided to duplicate the chef’s order, and husband Bert decided on a cheese and bacon omelette. Both came with those toasty, hot hashbrowns!

Meat & Cheese Omelette with a side of hashbrowns

While waiting for our orders, we took a look around. The place has back-in-time ambiance.  To our left was a long counter where customers sipped good strong coffee and watched as two quick-action cooks fired out orders with an enviable rhythm known only to folks who work together well.

Eating at the counter at Frank’s gives you a front row seat for the cooking frenzy.

And to our right were cozy booths filled with eager diners and waitresses pacing up and down the classy checkerboard floors.

A waitress takes breakfast orders at Frank’s.

Two chatty, non-stop servers kept our coffee mugs full and then handed over our big-enough-for-two-but-we’re-not-sharing breakfasts with a smile!

Friendly, organized waitresses never missed a beat.

We came.  We sat.  We ordered and watched.  Then we dined in style!

And if we ever come back, we just might try some of these other interesting-sounding favorites:  Great Nana’s Meatloaf Benedict, Hobo Scramble, Grilled Banana Nut Bread, or Frank’s Special French Toast.

But for now, I’m just tweeting what made us sit up and take notice:

Great #hashbrowns at Frank’s Diner.  You betcha!

Frank’s Diner

1516 West 2nd Avenue

Spokane, WA

509-747-8798

http://franksdiner.com

“Voted Best Breakfast 14 Years Running!”

And where have you eaten great hashbrowns?  Would love to hear from you.  Just leave us a comment at the end of this post.

For more posts on our trip to Idaho, Washington, and Montana, click on the page labeled Inland Northwest located at the top of this post.

Beautifully carved columns frame one of the porches at Blue Lake Ranch. (Photo from Website: http://www.bluelakeranch.com)

The second day of our New Mexico journey took us from the Casa Blanca Inn  in Farmington to the town of Shiprock on the Navajo reservation where I conducted a workshop for teachers. (Click here for post on Casa Blanca Inn.)

Wanting to combine work with pleasure, my husband and I booked the second of the Three Sister Inns owned by David and Shirley Alford and found our favorite by far — Blue Lake Ranch in Hesperus, Colorado — only 30 minutes away from Mesa Verde National Park.

View from the Cabin on the Lake

Marked only by a small lighted mailbox on Highway 140, Blue Lake Ranch is unknown even to most locals. But the ranch is a wonder with 230 acres of natural vegetation, trout-filled lakes, and spectacular gardens bursting with color from heirloom flowers and over 10,000 irises.

You may find yourself wondering if you’re in the right place as the winding  road (newly paved, by the way) meanders to the front door of the main house.

Although winter gardens offer little in the way of color, the entrance still beckons travelers to a lovely Southwestern hideaway.

We stood in awe of the elegantly furnished Southwestern living room. (Just typical good taste, Alford style, like the Casa Blanca Inn, I suppose.)

Alexis, the inn’s new manager, opened a scrapbook to reveal a picture of the abandoned shell of a homestead that Don found and developed into a property now celebrated as one of the best “hidden getaways” in the U.S.

Humble beginnings of Blue Lake Ranch as found by Don Alford

Impressive to say the least.  Not just for the property turnaround but also for the grounds, casitas, cabins, and main house appointed with collections gathered over time.

With an expanse of windows to catch the view, the living room is always open to guests.

You may think that Tuesday night in November is not the ideal time to sink into a luxury B&B, but there are some advantages:  We had the place to ourselves and our choice of rooms.  Lucky us.  Just upstairs with a balcony facing the sunset over Blue Lake, we settled in to the La Plata Vista Room with comforts we were becoming accustomed to on this Three Sisters Tour!

Carved headboard and sink-in bed linens typify the sleeping area of the La Plata Vista Room.

Providing ambience and warmth were Navajo rugs, hand-painted pottery, rough-hewn furniture, and, for the second night in a row, our very own Kiva fireplace.

We’ve come to love Kiva fireplaces. Doesn’t Tennessee need to know about these, too?

Southwestern touches extended to the sink area with copper basin and personalized punched-tin light fixture.

Unique lighting above the mirror and basin of the dressing area.

Satiny sheets and lofty down comforter enticed us to linger in bed, but not for long.  We wanted to see the inn in the early light of day and sample what we knew would be a breakfast to remember.

Personalized Louisville Stoneware mugs stand ready to hold the morning java.

Downstairs, hand-woven baskets lined up over doorways . . .

Navajo baskets circle-up above the doors.

and Indian figures stood guard on the mantel.

Lined up in native dress, these figures stand tall at Blue Lake!

A watercolor of the main house faces the coffee bar . . .

leading us to the buffet set just for us.  We placed an order for eggs over-easy, then grazed accordingly on granola and yogurt, sausage patties, and homemade bread with house jam — Blue Lake Ranch Peach & Raspberry – sold in the gift shop. (Note to readers:  Unless you want an airline dude to get the breakfast you dreamed of having back home, do NOT pack jam in your carry-on bag!)

Breakfast buffet ready for the taking!

At Blue Lake, people make the difference.  We listened with interest as Alexis told us of her personal cross-country journey in her own RV (alone!), and then heard how Maggie became involved with the properties, too.  In fact, Maggie said she had booked a night at the Don Gaspar Inn, the third of the Three Sister Inns, in Santa Fe, the following Friday – the same night we’d be there!

Maggie poses in the Gift Shop

For dinner, Alexis recommended Kennebec Cafe & Bakery.  We expected a Mom-and-Pop meat-and-three, but what we found was a gourmet experience due in part to the creative chef and gregarious waiter who treated us like locals.   If you go, try flatbread with mushrooms, asiago cheese, asparagus, arugula, and crispy prosciutto — if the chef’s of a mind to offer that as one of his nightly specials!

Alexis, the lady who traveled the US in her own RV, makes the best dinner reservations!!

Saying good-bye was difficult, so we took out time driving the property, scoping out the other cabins available for nightly or weekly stays.

Porches like this are meant to face the great outdoors and Blue Lake, and we dream of returning some day, rocking in the chairs and waiting for the sunset while nature unfolds in this heavenly retreat.

A porch on one of the rental cabins faces the lake and invites total relaxation!

Enjoying a few last leisurely moments in the sun-filled breakfast room at Blue Lake Ranch. And then off to Mesa Verde!

It’s not too late to take advantage of the Three Sisters Road Trip.  Stay in all three inns and receive a discount — all three times!  (http://www.bluelakeranch.com/summerspecials.htm

Note: You’ll find the address on the Website for Blue Lake Ranch as Durango, Colorado, as well as Hesperus, Colorado.  So just call Alexis for directions.  You can’t get too lost, unless you want to . . . right there on the property!

Blue Lake Ranch

16919 Hwy 140

Hesperus, CO 81326

970.385.4537 (8-6pm MST)

www.BlueLakeRanch.com

Fountains under the night lights of downtown Silver Spring.

Although I’m no authority on Silver Spring, Maryland, or any big city for that matter, it was my good fortune to explore this progressive downtown area for a few days and get a feel for the people and places that make it unique.  Yes, it had the usual national chain restaurants, stores we all know, and people doing the usual city things — waiting in line to cross the street, board buses, get a table, etc.  But Silver Spring is different.

You only have to walk a few blocks to see the concentration of interesting venues undergirding the city’s strength: Silver Spring celebrates diversity in its people and places. . . and welcomes visitors to join in the celebration!

When I checked in at the Marriott Courtyard, this 1963 photo by Owen Duval greeted me as I stepped off the elevator onto my floor.  Titled “Miss Silver Spring at Jesup Blair Park,” the photo of Barbara Chamberlin was a nostalgic reminder of the Silver Spring of yesteryear.

Miss Silver Spring at Jesup Blair Park — 1963

But what I found after tossing my bags into my room and then hitting the pavement was a new, classy, downtown area with international flair!

Discovery

It’s possible that downtown came to life after Discovery Communications moved from Bethesda, Maryland, to Silver Spring, but I have no idea.  What it did do, however, was infuse the area (and now the nation — heck, the world, too) with creativity the likes of which we hadn’t seen before.

The world’s #1 nonfiction media company: Discovery Communications

My behind-the-scenes tour of Discovery uncovered not only the historic acquisitions positioned in the front hall — dinosaur bones, fossilized bambiraptor remains, a triceratops head — but also vestiges of creative genius behind the Discovery Channel and umpteen new series that have grabbed hold of American viewers:  Yukon Men, Shark Week, Deadliest Catch, American Chopper, TLC, Animal Planet, and on and on and on.

No wonder we love ‘em — they’re us on screen!

(Click here for more on Discovery Communications.)

A wall in corporate headquarters of Discovery Communications

When you get off the elevator on the 2nd floor, you can do as Tom Turner did and sit yourself down on the whoopie cushion bench — a fun way to start the tour!

Discovery doesn’t take itself too seriously — whoopee anyone?

Or you can rest a while on the shark couch.  And check out the bite-out table, too.

Shark couch and surfer table at Discovery Communications

Creativity is everywhere — from cubicles decorated with Hello Kitty to life-size replicas of chopper dudes, aliens, chimps from Animal Planet, and a royal seat from TLC.

Discovery’s royal seat!

Shopping

Shopping, too, had that international flair – everything from ordinary to odd and then some. Since I’m from Knoxville and Whole Foods is coming soon, I went there first.  Produce, coffee, even seaweed from around the world filled the waist-high tables.

Whole Trade produce at Whole Foods Market

And long bars boasting pans of prepared dishes catered to people of all ages and backgrounds who just wanted to try something new.

American, Mexican, Lebanese, you name it . . . at Whole Foods

DSW Shoe Warehouse is a shoe mecca.  Filled with ballerina flats, stacked-heel boots, and running shoes, this store could outfit all the feet in Silver Spring and then some.

Boots lined two aisles from front to back at DSW Shoe Warehouse

I couldn’t resist asking this saleslady if I could snap a picture of her butterfly earrings, and she was happy to comply!  After all, she enjoyed being the fashionplate behind the DSW counter.

Workin’ the register in style at DSW!

Other places to shop include Pacers Running Store for activewear and  New York & Company. On its way is H &M which should do well in this fashion-conscious D. C. burb.

Entertainment

I crossed the street at Veterans Plaza mainly because I spotted a crowd of folks stopped at a street vendor’s stand and then others running/gathering/playing in this large open area.  Two men seated at a chess board said it was OK with them if I took their picture, and I tried to capture kids on skateboards whizzing past these guys who can obviously concentrate in the midst of urban hubbub.

One of them looked up at me and said, You know this is an ice skating rink in the winter, don’t you?

And I replied that I didn’t, but it made sense.  This downtown has a lot going for it in terms of bringing people together, and I’d love to come back and see a winter rink filled with skaters of all ages right in the heart of things.

Two chess players enjoy the warm air before this area becomes a downtown ice skating rink.

The AFI Silver Theatre was a find, for sure.  The American Film Institute (AFI) opened the old Silver Theatre on Colesville Road in downtown Silver Spring in 2003.  Since then it’s been an attraction for its quality renovation and events such as the Latin American Film Festival which was in full swing while I was there.

AFI Silver Theatre’s opening of Latin American Film Festival

A huge movie theatre, The Majestic, looms large on the corner at Ellsworth Drive near the skateboard park/ice skating rink. The IMAX theatre is bound to be a big hit with residents and visitors, too.

The Regal Majestic 20 and IMAX

But what intrigued me most was The Fillmore Silver Spring on Colesville Road near the Silver Theatre.  It’s a live music venue for up-and-comings as well as already famous groups like Gov’t Mule playing there November 3rd.  With a capacity of 2,000, The Fillmore serves as a cornerstone for entertainment in this community.

Concerts and private events fill the calendar at The Fillmore.

Food

Without a doubt, Silver Spring provides foodies of all ages and all tastes a wide range of choices. International offerings can be found at Asian Bistro, Lebanese Taverna Cafe, Nando’s Peri-Peri, Pho Hiep Hoa, and Thai at Silver Spring.  Thumbnails on my favorites follow below.

Adega Wine Cellars & Cafe can seat you in a wine cellar atmosphere while serving you Mediterranean flatbreads, Adega Fries (sweet potato fries with mango-lime vinaigrette), or my favorite – Arugula, Pears, & Gorgonzola Salad. Gourmet food in a tucked-away atmosphere!

Order at the counter at Adega Wine Cellars & Cafe

Arugula, Pears & Gorgonzola Salad at Adega Wine Cellars & Cafe

Eggspectation won the Best Brunch Award in the 2012 Best of Silver Spring Winners, but you don’t have to go in the morning to load up on three-egg omelettes or the Eggstravaganza with two eggs, two slices of French toast, Canadian bacon, and grilled potatoes!  It’s around-the-clock breakfast food that’s uneggspected!

Enter here for eggs benedict and three-egg omelettes — served any time!

You won’t leave Austin Grill hungry if you order a Texas Brisket Taco Plate with dry rubbed brisket, tomato, fried onion straws and BBQ sauce or The Willie Nelson with four tacos: skirt steak, grilled chicken, carnitas, and picadillo.

Austin Grill in downtown Silver Spring

Texas brisket tacos with fried onion straws at Austin Grill

For fine dining, head to 8407 Kitchen Bar and order the house made charcuterie board with Pastrami, Bison Salami, Chef’s Terrine, Smoked Bluefish, and House-Cured Virginia Ham for starters.  Then add Moulard Duck Breast or Organic Scottish Salmon as an entree topped off with Caramelized Fig & Raspberry Tart for dessert!  Oyster Reef Coffee, anyone?

House-made charcuterie and artisanal cheeses on the menu at 8407.

But if you’re just out strolling, stop in for a cold treat at FroZenYo where you fill a cup with your choice of flavors, add toppings to your heart’s content, and then pay based on weight — of the cup, of course.  Not what you weigh after indulging!

Shannon Gaumer fills her cup to the brim with great frozen yogurt!

Maybe Next Time

If I’m lucky enough to return to Silver Spring on a weekend from April to October, I’ll head to the Fenton Street Market on the corner of Fenton & Ellsworth – a fun, multi-cultural street fair featuring local vendors set up on the sidewalks selling everything from glass beads to straw hats.

Silver Spring, Maryland, pulls people downtown — just for the fun of it!

A resident enjoying one of the many sculptures in the parks of Silver Spring!

Silver Spring, Maryland

http://www.silverspringcenter.com/

The current owners, Mark and Cindi Ladd , shared a bit of history with us when we stayed there recently.  Edmond G. Watkins in 1889 completed this home using some of the finest construction techniques and even some of the stones from the Union Army redoubt during the Civil War in Chattanooga.  Watkins, president of the Lookout Mountain Land Company and the Chattanooga and Mountain Railway Company, was elected mayor; thus, his home became the Mayor’s Mansion.  This 14,000-square-foot property was renovated in 1995 and opened as a B&B in 1996.  McLadd Hospitality purchased the inn in 2008 and established a standard for elegant accommodations that has earned them a place in the Select Registry.

As I mentioned earlier, about 10 years ago — in preparation for writing an article about it – I toured the inn, marveling at the 11 guest rooms with private baths, the tasteful updates bringing the mansion into the 20th century, and the details that had been preserved by people who obviously cared for exacting period renovation.

Fortunately, the elegant setting that I observed this time has not only endured — it may have improved.  I like the furnishings even better this second time around.  They seem (how shall I put it?) even more comfortable, yet fitting for the time period. Relaxing in the spacious rooms is not only possible — it’s encouraged!

As you can see in the picture below, hand-painted walls (Soooo much better than plain ol’ wallpaper!) form an interesting — and lovely — backdrop.

Details such as the coffered ceilings and intricate parquet floors are a testament to the craftmanship and creativity that are often missing in many of America’s “updated” B&Bs.

Bedrooms were a bit formal – yet easy to enjoy with sink-into beds (We love down comforters!) and modern baths.

Although we choose to stay in B&Bs periodically for a taste of the past, we have another reason to select old homes-turned-hotels: It’s the people.  For example, on this stay, we met David and Margaret, former owners of a macadamia farm in  Africa, but now residents in Ringgold, Georgia.  They, too, loved the inn and the elegant breakfast.

Speaking of breakfast, the Mayor’s Mansion Inn serves it each morning in three courses — and they do it up right! Katie, our server, led us into the Tiffany Dining Room where stemmed crystal held a fruit medley.  Pretty china and silver set the tone for elegant entrees yet to come.

Katie pauses for a picture between servings of hot pancackes and bacon

Main course — beautifully presented!

We dined on Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Blueberry Compote*, and the owners graciously shared the recipe so I could post it for my readers!  (Be sure to check it out at the end!)

After a restful night’s sleep and a breakfast the likes of which we definitely don’t have at home, we felt the need to walk the neighborhood sidewalks and get a glimpse of other Fort Wood homes. Lined with centuries-old trees, Vine Street shows off some of Chattanooga’s grand ol’ dames —  homes that have been well-loved by their owners, sometimes several of them.  Here are just three of the houses for you  to enjoy — and you don’t even have to walk to see them!

I guess you’re smiling by now, because you can imagine what came next for us — and maybe what befalls everyone who comes to the Mayor’s Mansion Inn:  a leisurely time on the porch where we just “sat a spell” and got a feel for how the residents in 1899 might have enjoyed the morning air after a sightseeing walk!  It’s enough to make us want to come back just so we can do this again at twilight!

The Mayor’s Mansion Inn hosts weddings, receptions, even business meetings.  A large room in the back can seat 64 people, and all food, table settings, etc., can be arranged with their staff.  On our way out, we met Josh who said he does a little of everything around the mansion from arranging this display to helping with all manner of events and special occasions!

If you’re planning a trip to Chattanooga and you like staying in B&Bs, consider the Mayor’s Mansion Inn.  We enjoyed our overnight in this historic property – modern comforts, beautifully prepared food, and friendly servers and guests. Perhaps this t-shirt has the right idea!

The Mayor’s Mansion Inn

801 Vine Street

Chattanooga, Tennessee 37403

423.265.5000

email: info@mayorsmansioninn.com

http://www.mayorsmansioninn.com

*Recipe: Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Blueberry Compote

Blueberry Compote: In small saucepan, blend 1 teaspoon cornstarch, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 1/4 cup water.  Cook over medium heat until clear and slightly thickened, stirring constantly.  Add blueberries and heat until warmed.

Lemon Riccota Pancakes: Make pancakes according to mix directions and add 2 tablespoons ricotta cheese.  Batter will be slightly thicker than normal.  Pre-make three round mini pancakes per person and rest on baking sheet in warmed oven. When ready to serve, place a thin layer of lemon pudding between pancakes, top with blueberry compote, and garnish with decorative butter pat and lemon thyme leaf.  Dust with powdered sugar.  Serve warm maple syrup on the side.

Would love to hear from any of you if you’ve stayed at the Mayor’s Mansion Inn!  Leave me a comment!

Click here to read about another Select Registry Bed and Breakfast Inn, the Black Walnut Inn in Asheville, North Carolina.

And so it was that we came to stay at the Black Walnut Bed and Breakfast Inn nestled under years-old shade trees in the historic Montford District.

Built in 1899 by the supervising architect of the Biltmore Estate, Richard Sharp-Smith, the mostly intact original structure is one of his finest residential commissions.  The home was purchased for $10.00 in 1917 by a hardware store owner, Mr. Ottis Green, who later became the Mayor of Asheville. He willed it to the housekeeper who cared for him until his death. Years later, a woman from Chicago purchased the house and renovated it to create a bed and breakfast.  In 1992, the Black Walnut Bed and Breakfast Inn was placed on the National Register of historic buildings.

Beautiful brick pathway entrance on 288 Montford Avenue.

In 2004, the inn was purchased by Peter and Lori White, owners of The Old Stone Bakery with two locations in Martha’s Vineyard and one in Tequesta, Florida.  They sold the businesses to concentrate on fine pastry and sugar art (Lori has been both pastry chef and cake designer)! And their talents don’t go unnoticed at breakfast time! 

Owners Peter and Lori White and Lola!

The Whites’ attention to detail in decor is evident — every room we saw was tastefully decorated in period decor but without the fussiness that sometimes ”hangs over” a room in a period house.  Our room on the first floor had recently been painted a rich, chocolate brown in contrast to the elegant creams of the fireplace, sumptuous down comforter, and window seat pillows.

Chocolate brown and ivory color scheme for The Sunshine Room

The bathroom, too, had an Old World feel from the gilt framed landscape to the lush Turkish towels.

Old World art, white tiles, and premium towels for the bath

Upstairs we peeked into the Walnut Room with its king-size sleigh bed, ample seating, and Oriental rugs.

The Walnut Room — a king-size luxury suite

The Whites invited us to relax beside the pond where koi swam gracefully under the waterfall and take a look at the perennials just coming into bloom.

Perennials border the koi-filled pond.

Ruthie, who has prepared as a chef, greeted us at check-in and then proceeded to “whip up” a few tasty hors d’oevres for Afternoon Tea from 5 to 6 each day served in the foyer. All of us guests who felt quite fortunate to have found this place, sat on the expansive front porch, sipping and tasting, talking of travel and hobbies and where to dine that evening.

We enjoyed talking to Dana from Raleigh.

We met Gayle and Bob Bencivenga from New York who own a very interesting Internet business. Their blog, Places of Value, shares tips on where to visit and possibly settle/retire in North and South Carolina! We immediately checked that out on our iPad, since we love vacationing in both states!

Gale and Bob Bencivenga from New York

The next morning, Annika and Vincent from Washington, DC enjoyed cofee while waiting for breakfast to be served! 

Enjoying breakfast before heading back to DC – Annika and Vincent

First course — light, delicate coffee cake topped with strawberries Peter had purchased at the local farmers’ market. Second course — baked pear, halved and filled with cream cheese and walnuts, drizzled with honey and Marsala — warm, sweet, and dreamy to eat!

Baked pear drizzled with honey

And the main event: Red pepper and organic spinach three-cheese frittata — a hearty, textural blend of veggies and cheese — served with two sides: field greens topped with figs, Craisins, apples and pecan vinaigrette, and stone ground grits!

Spinach frittata, field greens, and organic stone ground grits – Ah, the South!

Peter says he loves his work.  Mainly, I suppose, because sometimes it doesn’t feel like work.  He and Lori do what they love, talk to guests from around the world, and sometimes greet famous people.  Like the actors from The Hunger Games and several of the principals from the Sandra Bullock movie 28 Days — all filming in North Carolina and staying at The Black Walnut!

Peter White, chatting with the guests at breakfast!

Well, Peter and Lori — we loved it, too!

Enjoying breakfast before hitting the shops in Downtown Asheville!

The Black Walnut Bed and Breakfast Inn, winner of Best B & B in Downtown Asheville (Travel Smart), has been featured in 1000 Places to See Before You Die and Travel and Leisure. For more information, please check out their website: http://www.blackwalnut.com/

The Black Walnut Bed and Breakfast Inn

288 Montford Avenue

Asheville, NC 28801

800.381.3878

But we only had about an hour and a half on this Saturday morning, May 19th, to taste and tour! 

You hafta get up pretty early in the morning “if’n ya wanna git the best biscuits” — so we did — and arrived around 7:45 A. M.!  We found out that’s the time to hit the Biscuit Festival in downtown Knoxville — before the more than 20,000 folks scarf up all those doughy delights! (A friend told us later that he arrived at 2:00, and there was little to be had.  So, mark that early morning time down for next year!)

First, this cute guide, Lauren, directed us down Biscuit Boulevard to pay $10.00 and line up for breakfast!

Then Kay Mayes, who long ago worked with Jim Walls (former Director of the Dogwood Arts Festival) and knows a thing or two about events of this size, pointed us to the line. This many people already? It’s only 8:00!

We stood in the tent, plate in hand, and let ‘em layer us up with plain ol’ biscuits ‘n honey, cheddar and garlic biscuits, pimento cheese biscuits, and berry biscuits! Then we poured out orange juice and coffee and commenced the feast! Yum!

Meg Cockrum and Jack Welch (works for Gerdau on the Gay Street Bridge project) had fun building a tower with the creamer and napkins (told you this was a fun event!) while we just kept eating. 

And waiters kept bringing — seconds, thirds, or however much you wanted.

Outside the tented area, folks paid $5.00 so they could sample from 5 booths lining the street.  Then they were asked to vote for their favorite biscuit delight.  We might try that process next year, if we can just narrow our focus! 

Here are some of the offerings from booths on the street.  How would you decide which ones to pick?

Nashville Urban Gardens brought Cat-Head Biscuits — my favorite for presentation — along with a biscuit-eating boar, too!

Cinnamon Toast Crunch — a cinnamon and vanilla biscuit topped with a cinnamon sugar crunchy shell was the offering from Cafe 4!

There were long lines at the Benton’s Bacon booth! Is there anything better with biscuits than Benton’s?

Little Alex Sink loved the chocolate-filled biscuits from The Plaid Apron! He poked his finger in the hole in the top and offered us some of the oozy chocolate goodness!

Want some, he said?

Tupelo Honey Cafe won my vote with biscuits stuffed full of pimento cheese!

The folks from B 97.5 brought biscuits . . .

And so did NBC!

Cruze Farm girls offered something to wash it all down with at their Milk Bar . .

While Bruce Bogartz  of Rouxbarb set up a booth next door for his usual great gourmet fare!

And talk about accommodating! Tables were available in alleys, streets — well, in a lot of places!

But there’s more to the Biscuit Festival than just biscuits — believe it or not!

Here are

my favorite vendors

from our quick early-morning run-through.

Amy Campbell of Tennessee Folk Art does folk portraits of heroes and landmarks in Tennessee!

She suckered me in for an heirloom spinning gourd! Now, I can amaze my friends — or at least my granddaughter!

Three huge tents became the Biscuit Bookstore filled with cookbooks and other foodie publications!

Mary Constantine, whose blog Stirring the Pot appears in the Knoxville News-Sentinel, was on hand selling her cookbooks and talking Southern cooking in general. 

I told her how much I liked the recent article on Wisner Farm – and she pointed her finger thataway. And there they were, the Wisner family, just around the corner — with a copy of the article right there in the booth!

Gwen and Mo’s Chopping Blocks brought handcrafted cutting boards!

Kroger, yes Kroger, had gourmet cheeses like the one I sampled — Merlot Bellavitano – served on 34 ° Natural Wafers.  We’re headed to the Bearden store to check this out!

Murray’s brought cheese products, too!

Rushy Springs Farm sold hot sauces. I loved the handwritten labels!

The Loveless Cafe — a country cookin’ place in an old Nashville tourist court — spread out their goods with smiles all around!

Warrior King Pastries brought yummy goodness packaged beautifully. 

Just look at King Coconut: Moist buttery cake made with fresh coconut and filled with rich Mango butter!!! 

Colvin Family Farm got my vote for the tallest display and greatest varieties of spring lettuces.  Look at their turnips, bok choi, and cauliflower — fresh-picked and perfect!

I was very glad to meet Nancy Kendrick, the creator of Ms. Cock-a-Doodle’s chicken salad that I bought (and loved) at The Coop Cafe in the Knoxville Tourism & Sports Center when we lived downtown for a couple of weeks!  She gave me the best news:  She’s looking for a spot in West Knoxville to sell her many varieties of chicken salad!  Yay!

And if I hadn’t been heading to another event, I would have snapped up a tin can bouquet of delicate sweet peas from this booth that Claude Monet would have loved!!

We ended our tour listening to the sounds of Jimmy Brown Johnson and the Band of Awesome singing their original biscuit song! What a hoot!

Cheering on the lead singer (none other than Jimmy Brown Johnson himself) were his wife Christie and daughters Isabella (left) and Alana.  Son Drake was too preoccupied to stand still for this stuff!

Although our Biscuit Festival time was short, we managed to down more than a few biscuits, visit with vendors, and sway to the music! Not bad for a Saturday morning in downtown Knoxville!

International Biscuit Festival: http://biscuitfest.com/

 See ya’ll next year?