Meatfest Part 4 Dining

Dining amongst the trees, not only do they do meat, they do great atmosphere too!

Dining on the Deck

Who is the handsome guy?

Dining on the screened in porch. Basically everywhere you look people are enjoying Meatfest!

Chris and Sam relaxing in the grass after a long days work. Time to get ready for next year!

This is Meatfest Part 3 The Smoker and the Main Event MEAT!!

In Part 1 I talked about my Brother-in-law starting to cook meat at midnight the night before Meatfest. Here is the brisket that has been on all night.

The ribs get a good rub down with Chris' secret rub before going into the smoker, they also were marinading all night in a secret marinade.

Chris rubbing his meat.

Ribs laid out and ready for a good rub

The Smoker is loaded! Now we just sit and wait while the meat gets all that smokey goodness cooked into it. There was pork, chicken and beef. Meatfest does not discriminate!

As if Chris doesn't make enough on the smoker, he also whips up this brunswick stew, which similar to a chili but chock full of different types of meat!

Let's not forget this is a BBQ

MMMM, Is it ready?

The chicken is ready for prepping, Chris has his cutting station set up next to the smoker.

Beef Ribs or as I like to call them Fred Flinstone Ribs

It's all done and begging us to start eating!

Hey! Is she sneaking some meat?!?! I guess it is pretty smart to hang out by the smoker

Dr. Chris and his electric knife, Apron courtesy of the cutest kid ever, Sam

Now you know how it got it's name

Look how happy Kira is, the work is done, now all we have to do is EAT!!!

This is Meatfest Part 2 The Appetizers and Sides

Sure it's called Meatfest, but man can not live on meat alone, and that is where Kira comes in. Kira makes sure there are plenty of appetizers to nibble on while the meat is cooking, and she also makes all the sides for the party, does all the shopping, makes sure there are plenty of paper products, and decorations. Almost anything but heavy lifting and meat are Kira's responsibility, and no once can multi-task like she can.

Kira in her kitchen finishing up the appetizers and getting rolls ready for later.

An assortment of crackers and breads to go with apps.

Why not have a meat appetizer? After all how do you think it got the name Meatfest?

These deviled eggs were made by a friend of Chris and Kira's who has his own chickens! The great thing about Meatfest though is unless you offer, they won't ask you to bring anything but yourself. Chris and Kira want you just to relax and enjoy.

A view of some of the sides, mac and Cheese, two types of pasta salad, regular salad, cole slaw, beans, potato salad, and pineapple casserole are just a few of things Kira puts together the day before.

Festive Memorial Day meatball appetizer

Did someone ask for Decorations? This is one Patriotic Party! I say they do it on the 4th of July this year too!

Here are the proud hosts by the finished appetizer table. One thing I didn't get a close up of is the apricot preserve, gorgonzola, mozzarella and ham pizza. I think Lou is expecting me to make this one at home.

No party would be complete with out a bar including Skinny Girl Margartita's and Mojito's!How do you think my sister stays so thin with all the meat she is about to eat in part 3 of Meatfest! Also,unlimited soda, water and juiceboxes for the kids.

This is Meatfest Part 1 Salmon!!!!!!

Every Memorial Day weekend my sister Kira and her husband Chris have the mother of all Memorial Day picnics. It has become affectionately known as Meatfest. For the past few years I have been promising to get down to Alpharetta, Ga, where they live, to join in on the festivities. This year we finally did it. I began taking pictures to document some of Chris's smoking techniques and came away extremely impressed with how much work they put into this party. Approximately 60 to 70 people show up with kids in tow to chow down on a meal Chris and Kira start preparing for over a week in advance. Chris actually has to start cooking at midnight the night before the party so that everything is done on time for the picnic. They really go all out for friends and family. Here is some documentation of the process.

This is Chris washing off Salmon before he marinades it.

If I remember correctly the marinade has apple cider, salt and pepper and some other spices and it sits over night.Salmon is the only thing that Chris cooks on the smoker which cooks quickly, about 45 minutes. Kira adds it to the appetizer table while the other meats still cook.Here is a close up of the finished product. This Salmon is award winning. I almost spoiled my appetite.Kira puts it out with sour cream, capers, tomatoes and onions, all excellent accompaniments.

Just What I Was Looking For, The Style Cafe

Style Cafe

www.stylecafeonline.com

197 8th Street

Charlestown, Ma 02129

Menu: Basic Lunch and Breakfast items with a Brazilian influence, coffee and smoothies available.

Atmosphere: Casual, some outdoor seating under an overhang, near the water

Prices: Most expensive thing on the menu is the panini's at $6.50, pretty good for the city.

Sometimes the decision of where I want to eat is a lot like a kid looking into the full refrigerator and still declaring, "There is nothing to eat!" The real issue is I just can't decide. If I am hungry, I have an even more difficult time picking a place.

With a 180 mile bike ride looming ahead of us in a week, Lou and I have been biking and running a lot to get into shape. On Memorial Day after a 5 mile run, we decided we would try to find a new place to grab lunch. Not only was I hungry, but I was tired and hungry! A perfect storm, making it almost impossible for me to make a decision. All I knew was I wanted a new place. I wanted to be by the water, and I wanted the ability to eat outside.

I had heard of the Tavern on the Water in Charlestown, so we headed over that way. I had no idea there was a whole community back by the Charlestown Navy yard which was a nice surprise. (Sprawling parks, a pool,if you can sneak in, cafe's, and lots of places to stroll)

When I saw Tavern on the Water, it wasn't really what I was looking for. I know, don't judge a book by it's cover, but from afar it looked like if I was going to have a liquid lunch this place would be perfect. It just wasn't what I was looking for that day.

Then I saw it! Under the awning of the building before Tavern on the Water was The Style Cafe. This is the place I had in my mind! Tables out side, a new place, and a solid lunch menu. We went in to check it out.

Inside, it was really cute. Not enormous, but a few tables, also some outside, and a long counter along the window looking out to the harbor where you can sit and enjoy a quick bite. The atmosphere was immediately pleasant, and it was very clean.

The Style Cafe only has breakfast and lunch items on it's menu, but it is open until 7 pm most days and until 6 pm on Sunday. Judging from the amount of items on their breakfast menu, I am guessing they do a pretty good business.

For lunch that day we decided to try their panini's. Lou got the Navy Yard- Smoked Turkey Cheddar, Green Apple and Red Onions.
I got the Style- Smoked Turkey, Fresh Mozzarella, Tomatoes, Basil and SpinachBoth Panini's were grilled perfectly, and what I liked most is they didn't have a bunch of butter or oil on the bread. I am not sure if they had put anything on the bread before grilling them. All the ingredients were really fresh and flavorful, and they were toasted perfectly.

The lunch menu at The Style Cafe is basic. Simple Sandwiches and Panini's, some salads. They do have Burritos which adds a twist, but ingredients are basic as well. I am not saying basic is bad, in fact this place does basic extremely well.

The Breakfast menu has more of a Brazilian influence with ingredients like smoke Brazilian Sausage, and Brazilian cheese in some of the dishes. Their catering menus also offer some Brazilian flair with Brazilian Croquetes. The owners are obviously Brazilian, and have matched American cuisine with Brazilian influences to create a nice balance and delicious food.

After lunch we each decided to try some iced lattes. The espresso machine is the real deal, and not the automated machines you see in a lot of places these days. The coffee was flavorful, and the entire staff during our visit was very friendly.

I only wish this place was closer to our house so we didn't have to drive to it.

Dutch Monkey, that Funky Monkey

Dutch Monkey Doughnuts

3075 Ronald Reagan Blvd.

Cumming GA 30041

Food: Doughnuts, doughnuts and more doughnuts, but not just any doughnuts, the best doughnuts you will ever taste

Forget the cupcake craze! Step into Dutch Monkey Doughnuts and you will swear off cupcakes forever and replace them with DOUGHNUTS!!!

This place is the real deal. Two pastry chefs from NYC who have worked under the famous Bobby Flay, and been the pastry chefs at places like the Metropolitan Opera House, have moved to GA and opened a REAL doughnut shop. Ingredients are fresh and flavorful. Real fruit filling, Valrhona chocolate, and Tahitian vanilla are just a few of the things that set these doughnuts apart.

Next time you want to bring a little something extra to the party, think Dutch Monkey!

Our selection of Doughnuts. Boston Cream, Red velvet glazed, and chocolate cream

Want to bring a special someone something sweet? These togo boxes are perfect for a one doughnut gift.

We didn't try these passion fruit filled doughnuts, but they looked too good not to take a picture of.

A close up of our red velvet glazed doughnut

These were peanut butter cream filled doughnuts. If only we had stayed in GA a few more days we could have tried more doughnuts!