It’s a flower in three-dimensional full bloom sheltering a sweet secret.

I trashed Delifrance’s croissant a few years back. And here I am now eating my words and their croissant – big time.

When it comes to commercially available cinnamon rolls, most aren’t worth their dough, or mine. But here’s one that is.

Everything I’ve read about chocolate and what it can do to me is true. This place proves it.

To spatchcock means “to butterfly” – in this case, a chicken – splitting it down the center whilst taking care not to cut through it completely. Yeah, I could just say “butterfly the darn thing” but I like spatchcock because it’s more interesting and infinitely naughtier sounding. Note: I aim to finish off this list by Friday, Feb 12, 2010 because I also intend to celebrate Valentine’s Day with my Valentine. (Yes, I’m a huge proponent of Feb 14). So, 12 posts / 5 days = 2.4 posts/day. Okay, so I was out of my mind when I attempted to do 12 posts in 5 days. (whacking forehead) I’ve whittled it down to 7 posts in 5 days. The rest will follow next week. The chicken you see above is from O'sonho (pronounced: aw-SAWN-yo), a Portuguese restaurant whose name means "the dream." The bird is called the Whole Roast Peri Peri Chicken (P720) and it won’t be rushed. It takes a good 45 minutes (it says so on the menu and I timed it) to cook, but wow, what an arrival it makes! Coming to table awash ...

It’s 3:50am. I can't sleep so I write. I’ve got a cup of hot green tea to keep me company (and to keep me going), and a Green Tea Crisp cookie to sweeten my reluctant wakefulness.

In racing vocabulary, the term “pole position” refers to the leading position on the starting grid, a spot awarded to the fastest racer during qualifying rounds. Similarly, in the restaurant world, there are certain (ostensible) qualifications that need to be met in order for it to succeed. Velocity Bar is one of those places in pole position.

Customization is a big word in the food world.  Starbucks “takes it to heart” during this month of hearts, most especially with that god-bless-delicious Chocolate Hazelnut and Banana on Marble Loaf sandwich.