Trip Coach: September 5, 2006

Jane and Michael Stern: We were amazed in Memphis, Tennessee, when we went there several months back to discover that many of the soul food cooks have forsworn hamhocks and any other pig meat in their long-cooked vegetables. (In particular, check out Alcenia's and The Cupboard: vegetable lovers' heavens with lots of meat-free choices.) Southern cafeterias and cafes generally do have great vegetable selections, but you have to watch out for the ham bone that is traditionally used to season them. We've also found that good Mexican restaurants can be vegetarian friendly (although not so vegan friendly), because it is less common nowadays to make refritos with lard.

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Roadfood experts Jane and Michael Stern (Todd France) [enlarge photo] BOOK EXCERPT • Two for the Road: Our Love Affair with American Food • Southern Café Stewed Apples • New Haven White Clam Pizza TRENDSPOTTING • Haute Diners SEPTEMBER 2006 ISSUE • Table of Contents: September 2006 • Australia: The Great Ocean Walk • Germany Castles • Road Trip: Lake Champlain • Trip Coach: Jamaica • 40 Best Vacations

Bethel, CT: While eating an ice cream at Dr. Mike's, I swear I saw you leaving the yoga studio. Is this true? Should I expect a new Yogi Roadfood in the future? And what is the best food to eat after yoga?

Jane and Michael Stern: Yes, that was I (Michael) exiting yoga class on Greenwood Ave. in Bethel, which happens to be less than 100 yards from Dr. Mike's ice cream, 1/4 mile from both the Sycamore Drive-In (home of the Dagwoodburger and swell root beer) and a small, slightly upscale storefront called Pizzeria Laurentano, where you'll find beautiful boutique pizzas and very yummy salads. I suspect my yoga teacher might not recoommend pizza and ice cream after class, but I find it builds up a very healthy appetite. As for a special edition of Roadfood for yogis only (where to eat a hot fudge sundae while lounging on a bed of nails?), it's safe to say that it is a long way off. As I see it, yoga is the yin to Roadfood yang. Or is it vice versa?

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Charleston SC: I'm heading to the charleston area. What classic low country foods are a must to try? And where is the best place(s) to chow down?

Jane and Michael Stern: Oh, the lowcountry is one of the great places to eat. In general, look for anything served with creamy grits. These are nothing like watery grits. They are rich and buttery and especially wonderful as a bed for a school of grilled shrimp and mousseline at The Old Post Office on Edisto Island. Oysters are now in season, and nowhere are they tastier in and around Charleston. If you're in Mount Pleasant, go to Gullah Cuisine, a restaurant devoted to lowcountry ways. Also, don't think that a listing of "flounder" on a menu is just a drab filet of fish. Lowcountry flounder is a thing of beauty (and deliciosity!)

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butte falls, or: will be making a quick trip from Atlanta Airport to a day in Chatanooga, TN. in early October....any ideas for a place to eat lunch and/or dinner....also the same for Atlanta, on the next day....we only have one day in each city.....thanks a lot!

Judy

Jane and Michael Stern: In Chattanooga, if you are there at lunchtime, Monday through Friday, seek out Zarzour's. It's open only for those five meals, but it is a plate-lunch treasure. In Atlanta, we love Mary Mac's Tea Room for old-fashioned southern fare and Harold's Barbecue. Also, a humble diner called the Silver Skillet has the best lemon ice box pie I've ever tasted.

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