A vanilla flower embellished with silver sugar crystals sprinkled sparingly on cloud-like vanilla buttercream spiraled atop the almond cream battered cupcake. Is your mouth watering? Mine was as I contemplated the five flavors featured at Scratch Cupcakery’s Curbside mobile shop … Continue reading →

Check out all the 2013 A-List Winners. BURGER BATTLE BEST BURGER: Starlite Room The battle for best burger in Eastern Iowa was a study of contrasts. To the north, in Cedar Rapids, the Starlite Room has been serving up specially … Continue reading →

Check out all the 2013 A-List Winners. DEEP DISH DISPUTE BEST PIZZA: Tomaso’s Pizza For five years, Zoey’s Pizzeria in Marion has tried to reclaim the Best Pizza honors it won in 2008. Each year, though, it has come in … Continue reading →

Check out all the 2013 A-List Winners. CUPCAKE WARS BEST BAKERY: Kathy’s Pies It was a delicious duel down to the end. This year’s battle for best bakery pitted two-time champs Kathy’s Pies in Cedar Rapids against corridor newcomer Scratch … Continue reading →

It’s that time of year again. The magnolias are flowering, the morels are popping and Benz Beerfest is upon us. For those of you not counting, this is the ninth annual Beerfest and it promises to be a great one. … Continue reading →

  The “crown” for Iowa’s Best Burger in 2013 goes to the 61 Chop House Grille in Mediapolis, where they serve the Angus Black Crown Burger, a hit whether you are looking for “juicy and flavorful” beef or have a … Continue reading →

One of my favorite things to do on a Saturday morning is to head to Fuel Cafe in Mount Vernon. Tucked into the downtown of this small town, Fuel is a treat after a long week. A beautiful drive, a … Continue reading →

  “Single Malt” is a term prominently seen on labels of certain Scotch Whiskys — note the absence of the “e,” a sign of the distinction between a Scotch whisky and one from another part of the world. There are … Continue reading →