Yeah, its that time of year again.  Wasn’t it just 2008?  2005?  Sheesh.

If you want to do something a little different but not crazy over Valentine’s Day, head out of town just a few miles to the green pine trees of Cedar Crest and the Greenside Cafe.

The owner/chef Jay Wulf is of the Range Cafe / Standard Diner clan and has been giving those in the East Mountains a better alternative for the last few years, with reliable morning-noon-night hours that keep nearly everyone happy.

On top of that, Jay likes to do wine dinners and special  occasions like he’ll be doing for Valentine’s Day.

Some teaser menu items from the evening pre-fixe meal:  crab cake salad, homemade truffles, pepper steak….

Here’s his info from the website (greensidecafe.net):

http://www.greensidecafe.net/valentine.pdf

At the downtown growers’ market this a.m., I talked with a friend who said that Azu Cappuccino Cafe in Cedar Crest is now open, after some permitting issues that left all of us wondering what the heck was up with the signage and no action.

For months already, Fat Boy Cafe has been plying locals with sandwiches and homemade pastries in addition to the already spank-your-cheeks good roasted coffee.

Gordon’s italian opened in the previous Kokopelli’s (previously Pete’s Home of the Halfbreed), by Vivace’s Gordon Schutte.

And…. now we have North Inspired Cuisine in the old Chilepeno’s Bagel spot in the A-Frame up near the ski turn-off.

It shall be a good fall, friends.  Reports to follow, but comment away if you’ve been!

I’m the maid of honor for my brother’s wedding and as part of my tasks I am making all kinds of snacks for the guests to nibble on the evening of the reception as we wind down, keep drinking, and listen to the music while (hopefully) dancing and having a grand old time.

In the list:

• Marshmallows in funky flavors to make Smores
• Truffles, more decadent than imaginable
• Crackers, from olive cheddar to savory herb
• Mexican Wedding Cookies, natch
• Roasted/spiced nuts, at least 3 kinds from sweet to spicy to savory and combinations thereof

I love making snacky foods – it is such a personal touch.  Local bakeries could provide this, and if I were going that route I’d call up Flying Star, Le Paris, Just a Bite, and a few others to supply those treats.

Seriously, why does anyone need cow juice when you can get this amazing frozen delight made with the world’s best “nut” at about a dozen locations all over Albuquerque???

My local grocery store implored customers to buy it by putting up a hand lettered sign saying, “better than ice cream!!!”, and hopefully the message will get through to those a little shy about paying the admittedly steep $6/pint for the ambrosial dessert.  It taps into a recent trend giving gluten and sometimes dairy the cold shoulder, while embracing healthy fats from nuts and fish – including coconut.  Purely unsweetened coconut would fit into a primal diet, and this ain’t unsweetened, but in a showdown vs. regular ice cream, I think you’re in safer territory here.

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.