Pasta Primavera

Sometimes, you just have to wing it with whatever ingredients you have in the house. Earlier this week, I had leftover prosciutto, frozen peas, a pint of half and half and a hunk of parmigiano reggiano. With a little garlic, olive oil, butter and most of a box of penne...I knew my best option. Pasta Primavera!

After a quick glance at a few recipes, I decided to "wing it". Here's an easy and healthier version of this authentic Italian dish.

3/4 lb. dried whole wheat penne

4 oz sliced prosciutto

4 leaves fresh basil (washed and chopped)

2 tbs. half and half (cream is ideal, though)

grated fresh parmigiano reggiano cheese

1 tbs. olive oil

2 tbs. butter

1 tsp. crushed garlic

1/2 c. frozen peas (baby peas are nice)

Bring a 2 qt. saucepan filled with water to a boil. While it is heating up, prep the basil by washing it and chopping it (see directions for creating a "chiffonade" in last entry). Use the same technique to slice up the prosciutto. Once the water is boiling, add a little kosher salt and a splash of olive oil to prevent the noodles from sticking together, the water from boiling over, and to keep the pasta from over cooking. While the noodles cook, saute the garlic with 1 tbs. olive oil. Add two tbs. butter for flavor, if desired. Once the garlic is cooked, but not brown, add the frozen peas, basil and prosciutto. Continue to saute over medium heat to warm the ingredients. Add the half and half and turn the heat to low. Once the pasta is done, strain it. Return it to the cooking pan and add the contents of the saute pain. Return to the stove with the heat at low. Once the primavera is mixed with the noodles, add the fresh parmigiano to thicken the sauce and intensify the flavor.

Serve immediately with extra cheese.

“Glass City Gourmet” is a chronicle of one woman's attempt to cook, eat, diet and entertain with both flair and whimsy while based in Toledo, Ohio. I encourage you to read on as the "Glass City Gourmet" attempts grand recipes, samples locally owned restaurants, visits indigenous markets and humbly pursues her quest to be formally recognized as the official "Glass City Gourmet".

Savory Steak Salad

I'm not sure where the trend originated. Someone came up with the idea of combining dried fruit, nuts, bleu cheese and red onions with varieties of lettuce to create a more interesting salad . The farthest back I can go in my own cookbook colletion is to a salad with blue cheese, pear, and a walnut vinaigrette from the Silver Palate Cookbook published in 1989. I do know that once this combination hit mass production at national chain restaurants and got drowned in sweet raspberry vinaigrette dressing, it lost it's zing.


Last night, I had a few people over for a light summer dinner. I served this hearty salad, an assortment of cheeses and crackers, along with some fresh cut fruit and a glass of wine. Starting with a few ingredients I already had in my apartment, I did my best to update the unique combination of strong cheese, sweet dried fruit, and earthy nuts. I hope this leaves the McDonald's version in the dust...



Savory Steak Salad

(Serves 4)



1 - 1lb. sirloin steak (grilled or broiled to preference, and sliced into 1/2" strips
1 1/2 bags of European lettuce mix, rinsed and dried (yup, I'm a cheater!)
3/4 lb. asparagus spears (lightly cooked, and plunged in an ice bath to cool and keep the crunch)
1/2 c. dried cranberries
1/2 c. crumbled bleu cheese
1/3 c. toasted pine nuts
1/4 red onion (sliced thinly into rings)
3-4 leaves of fresh basil
balsamic vinaigrette to taste
crushed black pepper

Pepper the steak on both sides, to taste, and then Broil or grill the steak to preference. While it cools for a few minutes, wash the asparagus spears. Clip off the tough ends. Bring water in a large saute pan to boil. Add asparagus spears. Turn off heat and let sit for 2-3 minutes or just until asparagus is "tender crisp". Plunge into a bath of ice water to cool and retain bright green color. Cut asparagus into 1 inch length pieces and chill. Return to the steak, and slice it against the grain into 1/2 inch thick strips. You may refrigerate until just before serving.

Toast pine nuts. I prefer to use a small saute pan over a medium flame, or spread the nuts on aluminum foil and put into a toaster oven on 325 F until the nuts get lightly browned. Remove and put in a glass cup or bowl to cool to room temperature.

Crumble bleu cheese into another small container and refrigerate. Slice the onion and store in a Ziploc plastic bag until ready to serve. Wash and dry basil leaves. Stack them on top of each other and roll it up legthwise, like a jelly roll (could also look like a green cigarette). Using a sharp pairing knife, hold the roll steady and slice every 1/8 inch starting at the tip of the leaf and ending with a slice to cut off the stem). This is easier done than typed. It is known as creating a "chiffonade" of basil. Set the basil aside. It may be refrigerated in a closed container or plastic bag until ready to serve.

When ready to serve: Rinse and dry the lettuce leaves. Place them in a large salad bowl. Add all of the other ingredients and spread evenly across the top of the lettuce pile. I started with the beef, then the asparagus, the onions, then the cherries, then the nuts, the basil, and finally the cheese. I prefer a light amount of dressing, so I tossed mine with a quarter of a cup of salad dressing and left additional dressing on the table for people to add as needed.

Salad ingredients may be prepared, and chilled, for up to 6 hours in advance of serving.


“Glass City Gourmet” is a chronicle of one woman's attempt to cook, eat, diet and entertain with both flair and whimsy while based in Toledo, Ohio. I encourage you to read on as the "Glass City Gourmet" attempts grand recipes, samples locally owned restaurants, visits indigenous markets and humbly pursues her quest to be formally recognized as the official "Glass City Gourmet".

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Brunch with "The Girls"

This weekend my boyfriend treated me to a trip to Virginia Beach to meet his kids. This might seem like a low key event, but after six months of dating it seemed a little scary. Anyway, day one we were driving through his old neighborhood and I thought it would be fun to see the house in which he lived. As we were driving around the cul de sac, we could see his two boys shooting baskets and his former spouse standing on the driveway....yikes! Worlds collide! Actually, it went surprisingly well. His former spouse was perky and pleasant.

We ended up having dinner with his boys and eighteen year old daughter at a local Italian restaurant. I let the kids know that I was fully aware that dinner with their father's girlfriend was about as appealing as eating bugs as a contestant on "Fear Factor" and that seemed to help. Somewhere between appetizers and the main course, the BF blurted out something about my cooking skills. He invited them to dinner at his place on Sunday night. His two older kids immediately announced other plans were in place already. By the end of the night, his daughter offered to have a few friends over to his place to have brunch on Sunday morning and I agreed to whip up something special. The request was for French Toast. Thank goodness for the Internet...clearly, I did not travel with my cookbook collection and I felt the need to do something a little unique after the build up on my culinary skills. So, here it is:

Grand Marnier, Cheese Stuffed French Toast

12 slices firm-textured white bread
1/4 lb. butter
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
4 tbsp. Grand Marnier or orange juice, divided
1 1/2 tsp. orange zest (rind), grated
1/2 c. pecans, chopped (optional)
8 eggs or equivalent amount of egg substitute
2 1/2 c. milk
2 tbsp. granulated sugar
Strawberry or maple syrup
Powdered sugar (optional)

Butter 1 side of each bread slice; lay 6 slices flat, buttered side down, in lightly buttered 13 x 9 x 3 inch pan. In small bowl mix cream cheese, 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier, orange zest and pecans, if desired. Spread evenly over bread in pan. Place remaining bread slices over top, buttered side up. In medium bowl, beat eggs, milk, granulated sugar and remaining 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier until well blended. Pour over bread slices in pan. Refrigerate overnight. An hour before you are ready to serve brunch, bake bread at 350 degrees for 50 minutes. Serve hot with warmed maple or strawberry syrup. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

The dish was a hit. I served it with turkey bacon, roasted potatoes, and pineapple boats with strawberries. The girls had fun and enjoyed the brunch.

“Glass City Gourmet” is a chronicle of one woman's attempt to cook, eat, diet and entertain with both flair and whimsy while based in Toledo, Ohio. I encourage you to read on as the "Glass City Gourmet" attempts grand recipes, samples locally owned restaurants, visits indigenous markets and humbly pursues her quest to be formally recognized as the official "Glass City Gourmet".

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Frozen Lemon Torte

Spring is in the air and a warm night is the perfect time to indulge in something sweet and refreshing. This frozen lemon torte takes minutes to make, but is always a crowd pleaser. I typically go to a locally owned Italian market (Sofo's) to buy the gourmet lady fingers. These should not be confused with the yellow, cake like lady fingers sold in most chain grocery stores as 'lady fingers'. They are NOT the same thing. The Italian version looks pretty with the light glaze and dusting of extra fine sugar on one side, and their crunch holds up during baking.

2 (3 oz.) packages of ladyfingers

2 (14 oz.) cans of sweetened condensed milk (OK to use 1 low fat can)

8 egg yolks

1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest

8 egg whites

1/4 tsp. cream of tartar

confectioner's sugar

1 thin lemon slice (twisted) or one large strawberry for garnishing the top of the finished dessert

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line the bottom of a greased 9 inch spring form pan with some of the ladyfingers, trimming the lady fingers to fit if needed. Stand the remaining lady fingers around the edge of the pan, with the pretty side facing out. You will need to cut the bottom ends so the tops of the lady fingers are EVEN with the top of the edge of the pan. This is important! I missed this little clue the first time I made this and it just looked silly to have the tops of the lady fingers towering over the lemon part.

Whisk the condensed milk, egg yolks, lemon juice and lemon zest in a large bowl. Beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar in a mixing bowl until stiff peaks form. Fold into the lemon mixture. Spoon into the prepared pan. I've always found that this recipe makes more filling than you need...so maybe you can use some leftover ladyfingers and a small souffle pan to make a mini tart? Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the top of the torte is light brown.

Cool pan on a wire rack. Freeze, covered with foil, for up to three months.

To serve, remove the side of the pan and place the torte on a cake plate. Dust lightly with confectioner's sugar and arrange the lemon slices in the center of the torte. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving. I like to fan a strawberry on each plate. Leftovers may be refrozen.

Gotta be honest about that picture of the torte...I don't suppose I'm fooling anyone that the photo is a half a torte! I used it as the end of a dinner party before remembering that I wanted to put this lovely dessert on the blog. Oops.

“Glass City Gourmet” is a chronicle of one woman's attempt to cook, eat, diet and entertain with both flair and whimsy while based in Toledo, Ohio. I encourage you to read on as the "Glass City Gourmet" attempts grand recipes, samples locally owned restaurants, visits indigenous markets and humbly pursues her quest to be formally recognized as the official "Glass City Gourmet".

Humpty Dumpty Egg Salad

Once in awhile, we all crave the simple pleasures of childhood. Easy living when decisions pertained to what to eat for lunch, whether to run around outside or create some indoor fun. Right now, I'm juggling tight deadlines on a new community service project, the normal demands of my work schedule and efforts to maintain other ongoing activities. This afternoon, while doing some serious multi-tasking I got a hankering for an egg salad sandwich. Somewhere between running the vacuum cleaner, typing up a media release, and painting my toes for a job as a hostess during a fundraising event tonight...my brain shifted to egg salad.

Using just what I had in my kitchen, I whipped up a batch and I think it bears repeating.

3 hard boiled eggs (chopped)
2 tbs. low fat plain yogurt
1 tsp. Country Dijon Mustard
dash of Tobasco
1 tbs. chopped leeks

Combine all ingredients and stir until the egg salad starts to bind. Cover and chill for one hour or more until cold. If you want more crunch, diced celery is an old fashioned favorite. I like to serve egg salad on toasted whole wheat bread with sliced tomato and lettuce.

“Glass City Gourmet” is a chronicle of one woman's attempt to cook, eat, diet and entertain with both flair and whimsy while based in Toledo, Ohio. I encourage you to read on as the "Glass City Gourmet" attempts grand recipes, samples locally owned restaurants, visits indigenous markets and humbly pursues her quest to be formally recognized as the official "Glass City Gourmet".

Rouge Bistro...Mais Oui!

Rouge Bistro
6060 Renaissance Place
(off Holland-Sylvania Road btwn Sylvania Avenue and Brint Road)
Toledo, OH 43623
419-824-5890

(Due to technical issues with Blogger, this is a reprint from 1/07) Dinner on New Year's Eve is always a festive occasion. It was a pleasant surprise to enter a well decorated space and be transported to the ambiance of a contemporary French bistro.

The entryway contains a large fountain surrounded by four large columns papered with black and white photographs. The main room is divided into two areas, the elegant dining room and the bar with ample seating. The main dining room features white table cloths and modern leather chairs. The banquettes are dark wood with large black framed mirrors on the walls behind them. Dividing the bar area from the restaurant is another wood banquette decorated with large candelabras and an enormous vase with a grand bouquet of fresh flowers. The tables on the bar side are uncovered but the comfortable leather chairs remain. The bar also contains a communal table. Throughout the restaurant there are sensual large scale line drawings of female nudes on the ceiling. The red silk covered chandeliers, wood accents, red walls and black and white photographs are lovely and complement the subdued lighting.

There is something nice about leaving the bar traffic at the door on your way to a fine dining experience. However, the idea of providing a more informal atmosphere near the bar is chic for diners who prefer to dress causally. It will be a great asset for separating the business crowd from the very casual "regulars" on weeknights. We were seated on the bar side, near the front door and next to the piano and found that we were the official greeting committee as everyone heading for the bar needed to pass our table, and many others, to get there. If you watched closely, it was like seeing the diners at a row of tables doing "the wave" all night as each local celebrity entered the restaurant and headed to the bar.

The chef at Rouge is John Wesley. Most recently, found in the kitchen at Mancy's Italian. However, he is best known as the chef de cuisine at J.D. Wesley's: a locally owned fine dining establishment with an open kitchen that closed in the late '90's. Wesley's had many regulars, who were often spotted mid-week dining at the bar in jeans or sweatsuits and enjoying banter with the chef. Chef Wesley has a devoted following that will ensure the success of Rouge.
With this in mind, my dining companions and I were surprised by the ho-hum menu with entrees ranging from a slow cooked lamb shank in a citrus tomato au jus ($14) to two 8-10 oz cold water lobster tails ($58). No tantalizing essences, reductions, or unique flavor pairings to tempt us. Just the standard fare of beef tournedos, salmon, steaks, and chops. Personally, I'm bored with mashed potatoes as a featured side dish.

The salads were a la carte $5.50-$6.00. I enjoyed a roasted beet salad with haricot verts(French green beans), goat cheese and the mildest sliced fennel I've ever tasted. The dressing was a pleasant citrus vinaigrette. For dinner, I ordered the poached and braided salmon. It arrived virtually unbraided with three strands of salmon askew on a pile, and I mean a PILE, of wild rice. The Dijonnaise sauce was a sunny yellow pool sans gout. The accompanying sauteed vegetables were tender crisp but drowning in butter. My tablemate commented, "it looks like a plate slapped together for a banquet of 1,000 people".

The service was excellent. Our waiter, Jake, was previously a service star at The Vineyard. He is well versed on the menu and wine selections. He is extremely knowledgeable and attentive. It is always a special treat when the waiter can accurately describe the specials, wines on the menu and serve both the wine and the meal properly.

As it was near midnight when we finished our meal, we passed on the infamous chocolate "sac du bon bon" ($9) and other desserts to watch the ball drop over Times Square in a private home. For the uninitiated, the sac du bon bon is chocolate mousse inside of a chocolate sac with the shape and thinness of a paper bag. The sac is placed on a puddle of raspberry coulis and garnished with a little whipped cream and fresh raspberries. C'est magnifique!

I am apt to give new restaurants the benefit of the doubt during the initial weeks of being open. However, Rouge Bistro has the makings of a special place for dining in Toledo.

“Glass City Gourmet” is a chronicle of one woman's attempt to cook, eat, diet and entertain with both flair and whimsy while based in Toledo, Ohio. I encourage you to read on as the "Glass City Gourmet" attempts grand recipes, samples locally owned restaurants, visits indigenous markets and humbly pursues her quest to be formally recognized as the official "Glass City Gourmet".

PS. I returned this week to sample the appetizers. Accompanied by two friends, we ordered the fresh mussels, steamed with white, wine, garlic, shallot, and served with "thyme enhanced fries". I enjoyed using the fresh bread on the table to mop up the savory broth. The fries were sprinkled generously with a sea salt and herb mix and served in the traditionally French footed wire cone lined with parchment paper. The plate of three cheeses included St. Andre, Brie and Roquefort($9.50). While the menu suggests that the plate also contains sliced apple, the apples were replaced with chopped cucumber on an endive leaf and butterfly shaped crackers. I can only assume that a more varied assortment of cheeses and more refined crackers will come with subsequent menu updates and enhancements.

"Lime in Da Coconut"

Hot weather demands cool refreshment. There's nothing more light and refreshing than the flavors of lime and coconut together. This is a fun recipe to make while listening to Harry Belafonte CDs..."You put da lime in da coconut and drink it all up..."

Crust
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 c. confectioners sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) cold, unsalted butter
1 cup Baker's angel flake coconut
1/2 c. chopped macademia nuts


Filling
1 1/4 cups superfine sugar
3/4 c. fresh lime juice
1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
4 large eggs

Confectioners' sugar for dusting.

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Coat a 13x9 inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. To make the crust, combine ingredients in a food processor and pulse until the mixture resembles small peas. Press into the bottom of the pan, using your knuckles to press down. Bake until browned (about 20 minutes). Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
3. To make the filling, combine the ingredients in the food processor and process until smooth. Do not let it get frothy or the bars will be pocked from the bubbles popping during baking. Pour over the baked crust and bake until the filling is set, another 20 minutes.
4. Let cool completely, then cut into twenty four 2 inch squares and dust with confectioners' sugar.

These can be covered and refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

“Glass City Gourmet” is a chronicle of one woman's attempt to cook, eat, diet and entertain with both flair and whimsy while based in Toledo, Ohio. I encourage you to read on as the "Glass City Gourmet" attempts grand recipes, samples locally owned restaurants, visits indigenous markets and humbly pursues her quest to be formally recognized as the official "Glass City Gourmet".

Bodacious Black Bean Dip

Great recipes often come from friends, and should be shared with other friends. Last night, I was invited to a "kick-off the barbeque season" party and brought Jana's Bodacious Black Bean Dip. This is a great recipe because you can adjust the ingredients to taste and modify the consistency to please your own palate.

2 Cans black beans (rinsed and drained)
1/2 to 3/4 c. crumbled feta
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 c. salsa
juice of 1 lemon
3/4 cup cilantro leaves
salt to taste


In a food processor, mince garlic. Add black beans, salsa and lemon juice. Puree until almost smooth but still a bit lumpy. Remove from processor. Add feta and cilantro. Serve with tortilla chips.

Typically, it takes about a large bag and a half of tortilla chips to eat all the bean dip this recipe makes. So if you're planning on taking it to a party, bring lots of chips. Bodacious black bean dip is also good to use for making Huevos Rancheros. However, I've never had leftovers!

“Glass City Gourmet” is a chronicle of one woman's attempt to cook, eat, diet and entertain with both flair and whimsy while based in Toledo, Ohio. I encourage you to read on as the "Glass City Gourmet" attempts grand recipes, samples locally owned restaurants, visits indigenous markets and humbly pursues her quest to be formally recognized as the official "Glass City Gourmet".

Leeky Adaptation

I've heard that for a chef to own a recipe, and not be violating copyright laws, at least one item in the ingredients must deviate from the original. This was passed on to me by my mother. I'm guessing it was something that Good Housekeeping used for recipe competitions in the 50's.

Going to the official website http://www.copyright.gov/. Article Fl122:

"Mere listings of ingredients as in recipes, formulas, compounds or prescriptions are not subject to copyright protection. However, where a recipe or formula is accompanied by substantial literary expression in the form of an explanation or directions, or when there is a combination of recipes, as in a cookbook, there may be a basis for copyright protection.
Protection under the copyright law (title 17 of the United States Code, section 102) extends only to “original works of authorship” that are fixed in a tangible form (a copy). “Original” means merely that the author produced the work by his own intellectual effort, as distinguished from copying an existing work. Copyright protection may extend to a description, explanation, or illustration, assuming that the requirements of the copyright law are met.
To register the directions or instructions of a recipe or cookbook, send the following three elements in the same envelope or package to the Library of Congress, Copyright Office, 101 Independence Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20559-6000.

1. A completed application Form TX;
2. A nonrefundable filing fee (Current Fees)
3. A nonreturnable deposit of the work. The deposit requirements depend on whether the work has been published at the time of registration..."


Nothing in there about the number of items one needs to change in order for this to be copy written. So, I guess I can start publishing recipes as my own...as long as there is commentary around it?

That said, I'm taking the recipe from my previous "Artists make the Best Chefs" entry and sharing my most recent adaptation. Moving forward the name of the recipe will now be:

Penne con Gamberi, Asparagi e Porri
or GAP Penne

1/4 c. olive oil
Zest of 1 orange
2 garlic cloves minced
4 leeks, white part only, chopped
1 1/2 tsp. fresh chives
2 tbs dry white wine (or leftover champagne from Sunday Brunch!)
2 tbs. butter
1/2 lb. whole wheat penne
3/4 lb. pre cooked shrimp
Fresh grated parmigiano reggiano cheese

In a saute pan, combine zest, garlic leeks, salt/pepper and simmer 4-6 minutes covered. Slice 1/2 asparagus into 1 1/2 inch lengths. Add to saute pan. Also, add chives, wine, and butter and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add remaining asparagus to a 2 qt. saucepan or small stock pot of boiling water. Cook pasta with remaining asparagus. Rinse and drain shrimp then toss in sauce to heat thoroughly. Do not cook shrimp to long or it will get chewy. Drain pasta while reserving 1/2 c. of liquid. Remove overcooked asparagus from the colander and discard. Return pasta to the empty pot and add asparagus leek sauce & reserved liquid. Toss to combine. Top with cheese and serve. Serves 4.

The orange zest, champagne and the shrimp made this dish a beautiful combination of colors, textures and flavors.


“Glass City Gourmet” is a chronicle of one woman's attempt to cook, eat, diet and entertain with both flair and whimsy while based in Toledo, Ohio. I encourage you to read on as the "Glass City Gourmet" attempts grand recipes, samples locally owned restaurants, visits indigenous markets and humbly pursues her quest to be formally recognized as the official "Glass City Gourmet".

"No Bunny Blues"

It's Easter Sunday. You are probably licking melted chocoloate bunnies off your lips wondering how anyone could miss this candy coated holiday. Perhaps you're grabbing another handful of jelly beans, sucking the sugar coating off some Peeps, or just chasing your kids around the house/yard while they look for Easter Eggs. The lamb is roasting in the oven and all your favorite dishes are sitting on the sideboard waiting for the hunt to end and the feasting to begin.

Ugh. I'm Jewish. No such luck for me.

When I was a little kid, my parents took the Bunny as a secular privilege and we were afforded the joys of an Easter basket. They even went far enough to let us join Christian friends for the feast...and the Easter egg hunt, of course. My best memory is in college...three of us were home from school and we got to hunt for eggs loaded with quarters! Nothing is a better treat to a college student than bright, shiny quarters for the laundry machines.

Now I'm an adult and I have to pretend Easter isn't happening. I'm having a typically Kosher buffet (sans wheat...because it is still Passover). This includes scrambled eggs with dill, lox, cream cheese, and a few slices of "Kosher for Passover" Matzo. I woke up this morning and whipped up a citrus salad featuring oranges, pink grapefruit, blood oranges, pineapple, kiwi and a few blueberries for contrast. Coffee is brewing and I'm contemplating opening up a bottle of champagne to drown the "no bunny blues" out of my chocolate obsessed mind...

Happy Easter to my chocolate coated, Christian friends!

“Glass City Gourmet” is a chronicle of one woman's attempt to cook, eat, diet and entertain with both flair and whimsy while based in Toledo, Ohio. I encourage you to read on as the "Glass City Gourmet" attempts grand recipes, samples locally owned restaurants, visits indigenous markets and humbly pursues her quest to be formally recognized as the official "Glass City Gourmet".