Visited the brand-spankin’-new coffee roaster in Cedar Crest today called Fat Boy.

He is an east-coaster and rather slender, once you identify the source of fresh cups of jitter:

As it turns out, I was reading the guy’s news feeds months ago and was all excited the someone – anyone – was handling Ethiopian Harar in these parts.  Once Thomas set up shop inside Wooby’s Cafe, I had to go pay a visit, exchange Twitter pleasantries, and of course talk about coffee.

He also had me sample some Harar brewed with an AeroPress, a new-fangled contraption that combines the best of the french press with the strength of a moka pot.  Sheer wonderment ensued as I snarfed down a mega-caffeinated black cuppa right there on the spot, scalding my tongue in the process.  Perfect!

Fat Boy (and Wooby’s) is open from 7:30-3pm daily, but call ahead especially in the morning, just in case they’re running a little late.   Wifi is provided on the premises, and if they’re especially busy or bored, the 3pm closing hour could be extended at whim.

When that fails to hold together into a bar form, you tweak the amount of fruit.  Then the nuts.  Over and over, until, a nearly-burnt-out food processor later, you have a formula.

Make a bunch, take it with you hiking and voila - great story to tell and a great hunger abater.

Years later, when you are a successful company, after many trying experiments such as proper shelf-life packaging (the tale of how to make a multi-layer wrapper for many months of shelf time is absolutely fascinating, but my Googlyness is failing me today – no link for ya), you, Lara Merriken, get an offer to sell.

Its General Mills knocking at the door.  Do you answer?

To Larabar, the answer was yes.

Good luck, ya’ll – please don’t change too much.

The next time you’re partaking of the lovely creations by Ms. James, make sure you whisper to your waiter,

“…pssst!  How about some foie gras?”

It is not front and center on the menu, but they have it, and oh does she know how to cook it.  I’m getting a craving just writing this – too bad she’s not open for another 19 hours.  Start the countdown!