http://www.thingsithinkarecool.com Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:38:56 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.thingsithinkarecool.com/food/el-cortijo-mexican-restaurant http://www.thingsithinkarecool.com/food/el-cortijo-mexican-restaurant#comments Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:35:07 +0000 admin http://www.thingsithinkarecool.com/?p=2297

HEY BURLINGTON. THERE IS FINALLY A GOOD MEXICAN RESTAURANT IN TOWN. It’s called “El Cortijo” and it occupies the downtown space at 189 Bank street where Katz’s Deli used to be. Started by the owners of “The Farmhouse Tap & Grill” which is just a few blocks away, El Cortijo does something that’s not very difficult, but has eluded all previous attempts at Mexican eateries in town (and up until very recently, in the state) – it serves delicious Mexican-style food you will gladly eat on a weekly basis. Hell, I’m going back in a few days for lunch. Up until the opening of El Cortijo, if Burlingtonians wanted to eat half way decent Mexican food they had to make the 45-minute drive to Frida’s Taqueria & Grill in Stowe. Before that, they ate something called Mexican food that barely qualified as food. *Shudder.* I don’t even want to think about those times. My good friend Richard Witting, chef extraordinaire, mans the brunch shift at El Cortijo on the weekends, creating specials that are sublime and exotic. This morning I had his 3 cheese quesadilla, containing goat, sheep and cow cheese, accented with pickled jalapenos and toasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds) nestled between 2 soft, organic corn tortillas. Really amazing. I also had a chorizo and a fish taco. Both were delicious and so far above the other tacos in town, it almost seems unfair. But not quite. I was sort of surprised to find that the guacamole at El Cortijo is actually better than Frida’s, where they make it fresh at your table with a pestle. One of the main differences is huge soft (but not mushy) chunks of avocado. It’s made every morning instead of on the spot. Despite this, I like it better. I’ve been waiting for simple, delicious, low-cost, city-quality Mexican food in Vermont for 20+ years. It’s finally here. Thanks El Cortijo. Burlington owes you one.

]]> http://www.thingsithinkarecool.com/food/el-cortijo-mexican-restaurant/feed 0 http://www.thingsithinkarecool.com/joy/emily-garrett-yoga http://www.thingsithinkarecool.com/joy/emily-garrett-yoga#comments Sun, 24 Jan 2010 17:13:29 +0000 admin http://www.whyilovevermont.com/?p=1899

Lately I’ve been distracted by all the things I dislike about Vermont and not focusing on the positives. Good and even great things do exist here. Take Emily Garrett Yoga, for example. I’ve been practicing yoga with Emily off and on since 2006 and consider it one of the nicest things I do for myself. Emily is certified in both Kripalu and Vajra Yoga. She is currently on maternity leave, but offers both individual and group classes, privately and at local yoga studios such as Yoga Vermont in Burlington and Winooski. If you can, go and check out one of her classes.

]]> http://www.thingsithinkarecool.com/joy/emily-garrett-yoga/feed 0 http://www.thingsithinkarecool.com/self/vermont-ennui http://www.thingsithinkarecool.com/self/vermont-ennui#comments Sun, 10 Jan 2010 04:18:37 +0000 admin http://www.whyilovevermont.com/?p=1791

I was away from Vermont for a week and had THE BEST time. I really needed to get away. I was drowning in ennui. I guess, some people get comfort from doing the same things week in and week out. I’m beginning to realize that I am not one of those people. AT ALL. Or at the very least, I need lots of variety to challenge me and keep my brain moving and I’ve not been getting much of that for the last 4 months or so… Ugh. I think I might start a group on meetup.com for people to brainstorm ways to make Burlington more livable, vibrant and INTERESTING. Otherwise, I can’t imagine staying here for much longer. I NEED AMUSEMENT, PEOPLE. And my play-doh and coloring books aren’t cutting it any more… When I saw this drawing by Natalie Dee I burst out laughing.

]]> http://www.thingsithinkarecool.com/self/vermont-ennui/feed 1 http://www.thingsithinkarecool.com/food/richard-witting-duino-duende http://www.thingsithinkarecool.com/food/richard-witting-duino-duende#comments Fri, 25 Dec 2009 02:07:41 +0000 admin http://www.whyilovevermont.com/?p=1745

My second holiday dedication is to my ultra-talented friend Richard Witting. Richard is the chef and culinary creative force behind ¡Duino! (Duende), the new Burlington, Vermont restaurant that is part of the recently expanded Radio Bean cafe/music venue. Duino Duende specializes in international street food, has an extensive menu and is reasonably priced. Everyone is raving about the food, including online reviewers. The menu will change frequently, but currently includes Hawaiian sliders, avocado milkshakes and churros dripping with chocolate. The ginger napoleon is delicious, by the way. Richard believes in using the freshest, local products whenever possible and his commitment to do so goes beyond that of most chefs (he gathers his own mushrooms from nearby forests in the summertime). He also designed the Duino Duende sign (shown at the left) and is musically inclined. Can you say “super talented”? You can read more about Richard in this 7 Days article. Duino Duende is open 7 days a week, until 2am on the weekends, serves lunch Monday through Friday and will serve weekend brunch in the coming weeks. ¡Duino! Duende – 10 North Winooski Avenue, Burlington, VT (802) 660-9346

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Esox is a genus of freshwater fish. The species of this genius are known as pike and pickerel. Esox is also the name of a bar in downtown Burlington, Vermont that is known for it’s large, strong, cheap drinks. Some people consider it a dive bar. I like Esox. It’s one of the only places in town where I can play pool almost any time (I’m not sure, but I think it’s open at 9am everyday); it has a video jukebox with a good selection of music; and the customers and people who work there are very nice and don’t seem to mind that I blast bad music on the jukebox and never drink anything. I’ve spent some very happy afternoons and evenings playing pool there. Hoorah for Esox.

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It’s snowing again tonight. The flakes were falling all around me as I walked up the hill toward home. Peaceful and quiet. Actually makes me look forward to Christmas. If only it would keep snowing and stay white. I found this photograph of UVM campus on Flickr. Taken by Lenscap. Sort of reminds me of tonight.

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Every year, Select Design, a local branding/design company, has a Christmas party for its clients. It’s considered a pretty big deal. Each year there is a new theme. Last year I think they rebranded the Twinkie… (I was there. I saw the Twinkies, but I can’t remember what the actual concept was). This year the party has to do with the Winter Olympics and “the Nordic Egg Toss,” a fictitious sport that some fictitious locals supposedly tried to get entered into the Lake Placid Olympics of 1980. This concept is just random and weird enough to really appeal to me. I like the idea of some burly, backwoods Nordic redneck-types, decked out in plaid and corduroys, tossing eggs back and forth. In my mind, they take it very seriously and put real muscle into it (like some guys do football or rugby). Maybe they decide to get spandex uniforms, making it utterly silly in a Sacha Baron Cohen sorta way. Yes, this idea appeals to me a lot… (This photograph was taken by Sandra and can be seen on Flickr).

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The Burlington Vermont Farmers’ Market, located in City Hall Park. Which is, unfortunately, only open on Saturdays until 2pm from May thru October and then open once a month in Memorial Auditorium the rest of the year. It’s small, but fun. Occasionally there are new vendors. I like the beef and cheese samosas. The almond tarts. The cheeses and breads. The root beer and brownies. Just about everything.

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