Caroline, Author at Columbus Culinary Connection

September 2, 2015September 2, 2015 by Caroline

Introducing: Foodie Fight Friday Trivia

It’s trivia time! Get ready for a “foodie fight,” because starting this Friday, Columbus Culinary Connection will be posting a new food-related quiz question each Friday night. Test your wits about topics related to fun and food, both locally and across the U.S. Here’s how it works:

Follow Columbus Culinary Connection on Twitter and Instagram: @cbusconnect
Look for the trivia question graphic on Friday nights, #foodiefightfri
Post your best guess for the answer (write A, B, C, D) by comment or reply
Correct answers will be posted in the comments on Instagram, and by reply tweet on Twitter after a number of users have answered
Sign up for my monthly newsletter where I will recognize the weekly winners.

To whet your appetite and kick-start your brain for Friday, try your hand at the questions below. Find the answers at the bottom of the post.

1. The Circleville Pumpkin Show is one of the best Central Ohio festivals, featuring tasty pumpkin treats. What year did this favorite fall festival begin?

A. 1887 B. 1948 C. 1994 D. 1903

2. The Aztecs have been credited with being one of the first to crush peanuts into a chunky paste resembling peanut butter. Which major PB producer created the crunchy version of the spread as we know it today?

A. JIF B. Peter Pan C. Skippy D. Reese’s

3. Do you recognize this local dining hot spot? Where was this snapshot taken?

A. The Crest B. The Whitney House C. The Crafty Pint D. The Pearl

I love trivia, and I think it is apparent that I am obsessed with food, so this will be a match made in heaven! Start looking for the hashtag #foodiefightfri to answer and play along. Thanks for reading!

Keep Connected,

Caroline

Answer Key

D 2. C 3. B

August 30, 2015August 21, 2016 by Caroline

Bacon, Cheddar, + Zucchini Scones Recipe

Are you swimming in zucchini from your summer garden haul? These biscuity creations would be great for breakfast, a side dish at dinner, or a scrumptious snack. Anything with bacon and cheese is bound to be good, but add some scone ingredients and grated zucchini and you’ve got a home run. Plus, it is a great way to eat zucchini and pretend that you are being healthy!

Ingredients:

1 cup grated zucchini
3 T. fresh chives, chopped finely
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 stick cold butter, cubed
2 1/2 cups flour
1 T. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 cup of milk
Pinch of cayenne pepper

Preheat oven to 425° and spray 2 cookie sheets with nonstick cooking spray. In a bowl, add the flour, salt, baking powder, and cayenne, and whisk together. Add in the cubed butter. Cut the butter into the dry ingredients with a pastry cutter or two knives until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs and butter is well-incorporated. Using a mixer, combine the butter and flour mixture with the bacon, cheese, chives, and zucchini until just combined.

Do not over-mix. With the mixer on, slowly drizzle in the milk. Drop the mixture by spoonfuls onto the greased cookie sheets, in circles about 2 1/2 inches wide. Leave space between each scone. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bottoms of the scones are golden brown.

Gobble up the scones at any hour, for any occasion!

What are your favorite zucchini recipes? Let me know in the comments below!

Keep Connected,

Caroline

Check out some of my other veggie recipes here:

Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad
The Best Sweet Italian Dressing

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Bacon, Cheddar, + Zucchini Scones Recipe

Author: Caroline

Recipe type: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Prep time: 20 mins

Cook time: 25 mins

Total time: 45 mins

Serves: 20

Ingredients

1 cup grated zucchini
3 T. fresh chives, chopped finely
1½ cups grated cheddar cheese
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 stick cold butter, cubed
2½ cups flour
1 T. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 cup of milk
Pinch of cayenne pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425° and spray 2 cookie sheets with nonstick cooking spray.
In a bowl, add the flour, salt, baking powder, and cayenne, and whisk together.
Add in the cubed butter. Cut the butter into the dry ingredients with a pastry cutter or two knives until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs and butter is well-incorporated.
Using a mixer, combine the butter and flour mixture with the bacon, cheese, chives, and zucchini until just combined.
With the mixer on, slowly drizzle in the milk.
Drop the mixture by spoonfuls onto the greased cookie sheets, in circles about 2½ inches wide. Leave space between each scone.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bottoms of the scones are golden brown.

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August 26, 2015September 7, 2016 by Caroline

The Oilerie: Grandview

1409 Grandview Avenue
Columbus, OH 43212
Phone: (614) 824-2668
http://www.oilerie.com/columbus.php

Let’s get something straight – samples are amazing. At The Oilerie in Grandview, you can taste until your heart’s content, and you will want to do exactly that. Tucked away in a strip mall off of Grandview Avenue, you would never know that this tiny spot could inspire so many recipe ideas in one visit!

(This is the third in a series of posts highlighting the food and drink scene in Grandview Heights. To learn more, click here)

The Oilerie

All of the olive oils from the store come from olives harvested by the same producer, whose picture is hanging on the wall. The store is a maze of tables topped with large metal dispensers called fusti. Each of these containers is filled with a perfect olive oil or vinegar; there are little cups beside the fusti for endless sampling. It is so hard to choose which ones to select – each variety seems better than the last. For olive oils, there are choices such as chili, dill, lemon, and oregano, as well as speciality oils like avocado and hazelnut. The garlic oil is the best seller, and would be perfect for all kinds of cooking: topping grilled veggies, dipping bread, or a simple drizzle on pasta. In vinegars, The Oilerie stocks flavors like blueberry balsamic, pear balsamic, raspberry balsamic and a delicious aged signature balsamic. I can’t wait to make a spinach salad with the pomegranate balsamic vinegar – yum! Once you do decide (after 30 minutes of debate and tasting, in my case) the selection will be bottled and poured in front of you. It is then sealed and labeled with the date for maximum freshness.

The Fusti at the Oilerie

Overwhelmed by all the options? The staff is happy to help you select an olive oil that is right for your needs. During my recent visit, I chatted with Harley, who gave me plenty of tips on how to use the more unusual oils in the best way (cinnamon olive oil on a baked sweet potato? Yes please!). He also told me that The Oilerie does parties, which for around $10 a person, is a great deal. They shut down the store for your group, make a few dishes using their oils and vinegars for you to devour, and then let you go taste crazy!

Tasting Cups at The Oilerie

In the store, you will also find other tasty products like pastas, sauces, spices, and even olive oil-based skincare items. Any of their offerings would be a fabulous gift for an out-of-town friend too. I also picked up some cherry balsamic preserves that will be amazing on pork tenderloin, but I’ll be back soon for that white balsamic that I’m having insane regret that I didn’t buy.

Cherry Balsamic Sauce

Culinary Clue: Still need ideas about how to utilize that bottled goodness? Check out the Oilerie’s recipe suggestion guide here: http://www.oilerie.com/recipes/index.html

This is the third review post for my Grandview culinary scene series. Sign up here to automatically be informed when new Grandview posts are released! To see my breakdown of the best Grandview spots for dining and shopping, check out the initial roundup post here.

Keep Connected,

Caroline

in Grandview / Local Love 2 comments

August 23, 2015 by Caroline

Buckeye Lake Winery

Buckeye Lake Winery
13750 Rosewood Rd
Thornville, OH 43076
740-246-5665

http://buckeyelakewinery.com/buckeyelakewinery/

Let me preface this article by saying that I know that Buckeye Lake has been in the press lately for some negative reasons. If you aren’t aware, much of the lake’s summer boat traffic was eliminated by the lowering of the dam’s water levels. Please don’t let that deter you from going to Buckeye Lake Winery! It truly is a tranquil place with tasty small plates and incredibly kind owners.

The atmosphere is by far my favorite aspect of visiting the winery. The interior of the building is well-decorated, but you must sit outside if you can. The patio is enormous, filled with umbrella-topped tables and shade trees, as well as a gorgeous view of the lake. You can also find a firepit, surrounded by a number of super-comfy Adirondack chairs. Snag one of these chairs if you can – they are so relaxing to sit in, and they have a built-in wine holder slot. In fact, I liked them so much that I bought two for my own home! There is also live music outside on many weekend days. It is indisputably a picturesque spot to spend an afternoon, just watching the water and enjoying the wine.

Speaking of wine, Buckeye Lake Winery has some solid wine options. I am partial to the Lake View Red (a dry red blend), but there are plenty of great choices made just for the winery, such as a Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Zinfandel, and Lake View White, a dry white blend. All are made with California grapes, with the exception of the new Sweet Lake View, which is made on-site with Ohio grapes. Try a flight to sample them all and find one that suits you!

The small plates menu is small, but very satisfying. Nothing goes better with wine (or anything else for that matter) than cheese, and the Walnut and Apple Brie, served warm with port wine reduction and crostini hits the spot. Don’t miss the Deep-fried Green Beans, or the Winery Chips, house-made and topped with French Onion sauce, Parmesan cheese and scallions. My absolute favorite item though? The Fig and Gorgonzola flatbread. You should probably order two, because you won’t want to share. This pizza delight contains garlic cream sauce, mission figs, smoked bacon, caramelized onions, and gorgonzola, meeting all the sweet and salty cravings you’ve ever had. There are a few dinner selections with entrees like salmon, strip steak, and chicken penne, but ordering a bunch of small plates is so much more fun because you can try everything that way! The winery also offers brunch on Sundays from 11-2, complete with menu items such as eggs benedict, bagels + lox, and made-to-order omelettes.

So, stop in and visit Buckeye Lake Winery! Get there before warm weather is over to enjoy the magical patio and serene vibes.

Culinary Clue: If you are a food truck fan, stop in on Tuesdays for Food Truck Tuesdays! They feature a different mobile eatery each week, so you can nosh on a variety of treats while you imbibe!

Keep Connected,

Caroline

in Drink 0 comments

August 19, 2015August 24, 2016 by Caroline

Caroline’s Picks: 5 Local Products to Buy

One of my favorite aspects of living in Ohio is that we have so many local small business owners putting out great products. Why shop at the big box stores when you can get unique gifts and tasty treats from retailers right here in Columbus? All of the items shown below are available at either Celebrate Local at Easton or the New Leaf Market at the Lancaster Greenhouse, and in the case of some items, both locations!

Liberty Pottery is based in historic Roscoe Village in Coshocton. This thrown stoneware often has an Ohio theme, and comes in a variety of interesting colors to suit any decor. Look for beautifully-made platters, pitchers, coffee mugs, and more. I especially like the robin’s egg blue glaze they use, and the saucers serve as great bases to hold a candle.

I’m in love with Ridiculously Good Salsa. It is super fresh and great for summer entertaining. My husband lived in New Mexico for a while, and knows good salsa. He and I both give the onion-based zing of the “happy medium” version a big thumbs up. Or, pick up the “mellow” style for topping nachos or fish. Appetizer dilemma solved.

One of my favorite companies for rustic home decor is Columbus Barrel Co. These talented folks craft everything from tables and clocks to sunglasses and cutting boards from re-purposed bourbon barrels. Every creation is gorgeous, and because of the unique grain of each piece of wood, no two items are the same. They do custom orders as well!

Looking for a sweeter wine for patio weather? Wagon Wheel Wines in Canal Winchester has a huge selection of fruit-based beverages, made in-house. Try options such as strawberry-pear cider, hard pink lemonade, black cherry pinot noir wine, or coconut-yuzu wine. I can’t wait to make a tropical sangria with one of these wines as a base. Check out their brick-and-mortar shop in downtown CW too.

These lollipops from Lollipop Lush come in tasty flavors like red wine, root beer, and pineapple lime chili. The suckers would be a great favor for a wedding or as part of a gift box for a friend! You can even customize the wrappers for special occasions, or order the pops made in a fun shape like lips or a mustache for a memorable treat.

Find more info about the products mentioned here:

Celebrate Local: http://www.celebratelocalohio.com/

New Leaf Market at Lancaster Greenhouse: http://www.lancastergreenhouse.com/

Ridiculously Good Salsa: http://rgoodsalsa.com/

Liberty Pottery: http://www.libertypottery.com/

Columbus Barrel Co.: http://www.columbusbarrelco.com/

Wagon Wheel Wines: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wagon-Wheel-Wines/1488666614739202

Lollipop Lush: https://www.facebook.com/pages/lollipop-lush/461397554025459

Keep Connected,

Caroline

The salsa and lollipops were provided to Columbus Culinary Connection gratis. This in no way impacts the nature of my opinions or writing.

in Caroline's Picks / Local Love 0 comments

August 16, 2015August 16, 2015 by Caroline

Fox in the Snow Cafe Review

1031 N 4th St.
Columbus, OH 43201
http://www.foxinthesnow.com/

The food scene is buzzing about Fox in the Snow Cafe. Maybe it’s the delectable pastries and coffee, maybe it’s the trendy industrial interior, or it could be that iconic fox painted on the outside of the building. Regardless of the reason, let this be your call to head there immediately.

When you first walk into the renovated space, you can tell instantly that this is a place you can linger for hours. It is clean with plenty of plants and natural light, plus an awesome bar area surrounded by glass where you can watch the bakers roll out dough for floury treats. And did I mention that the fox on the building is my spirit animal? I mean seriously, have you ever heard anyone say, “Foxes are just not that cool” ? The answer, of course, is no. In case you were wondering, the cafe’s name comes from the indie group Belle and Sebastian’s similarly titled hit song.

The beverages are memorable too. Try the affogato, espresso with a scoop of ice cream in it, or the beautifully decorated lattes. The tangy-tart blackberry lemonade tastes like liquid summer, served in a mason jar. Sample other coffee and tea varieties as well.

But let’s get to the important part of this discussion: the food. I have never tried a single item that has not been spectacular. Think enormous cinnamon rolls slathered in icing, custard-filled donuts, and biscuits. The hand pies, an adult-version of Pop Tarts, come in both savory and fruit-laden versions. Both are delicious. Don’t miss the enormous souffled egg sandwiches, so big you have to unhinge your jaw, Guy Fieri-style. I am currently crushing on the egg tarts, flaky croissant-like dough filled with cheese, herbs, and a perfectly runny egg. It’s everything you love about breakfast in one pastry delight. With so many mouthwatering options, there is bound to be an item you will love.

Culinary Clue: The cafe’s Italian Village home has exploded with must-visit spots, all within a short walk of each other, such as Seventh Son Brewing, Cravings Carryout Cafe, and Little Rock Bar. So saunter over to this North Columbus neighborhood and buy every baked good in sight at Fox in the Snow Cafe, then do some exploring nearby.

Keep Connected,

Caroline

in Food 5 comments

August 12, 2015August 12, 2015 by Caroline

2015 Columbus Food Truck Festival

Food truck lovers unite! It’s one of the best times of the year, because the Columbus Food Truck Festival weekend is upon us. At the Columbus Commons from Friday, August 14 through Sunday, August 16, find all of your favorite food trucks all in one place! Where else can you eat Korean pork sliders, walk a few feet for a brisket taco, and then stroll a couple more paces for a gourmet cupcake? It is a great opportunity to try a new mobile food vendor, or sample a new cuisine without any commitment. I suggest bringing a large group, and then utilizing the “divide and conquer strategy.” This way, you can each pick a truck, load up on multiple items, and then divvy up the spoils so that each person gets to try a wide variety of dishes. Need more convincing? Entrance to the festival is free, there are tons of great musicians playing on the Commons stage, and there are craft vendors lining the perimeter.

At the event, you can graze on offerings from some of these great trucks:

The Burrito Bus

Hot Chicken Takeover – Click here for my review

Mai Chau

Pitabilities

Mixing Bowl Asian Grill

Mikey’s Late Night Slice

Tortilla Street Food – Click Here for my review

See you there! To learn more about the festival, head to: http://columbusfoodtruckfest.com/

I’ve been on a whirlwind food truck tour the last few months! Learn more about my adventures in meals on four wheels with the food truck tab of Columbus Culinary Connection: http://columbusculinaryconnection.com/foodtrucks/

in Food Trucks / Local Love 1 comments

August 9, 2015July 27, 2016 by Caroline

Sugar Cookie Peach Cobbler Recipe

In summertime, all I want to do is eat peaches, all day every day. So I tend to stock up on them to the point of insanity, and then it’s a rush to beat the clock and use them before they go bad. One of my all-time favorite recipes to utilize my hoarded peaches is my mom’s sugar cookie peach cobbler. It is sure to impress but so easy to make! The cobbler part tastes like a sugar cookie, and is ridiculously addictive.

Ingredients

For the fruit layer:
8 peaches, sliced
1/3 c. sugar
1 T. cornstarch

For the topping:
1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg yolk
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 stick butter, softened
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 pinch salt

Preheat oven to 375°. Place sliced peaches in a large bowl. Toss with fruit layer ingredients, until dry ingredients completely coat the peaches. Spray a 9×13 inch pan with nonstick spray, and put peach mixture in the bottom of the pan.

For the sugar cookie topping, start by using a mixer to cream together the butter and sugar until well-combined. Add the egg yolk, nutmeg, almond extract, and salt to the bowl, and mix again. Finally, stir in the baking powder and flour and beat until incorporated.

With a large spoon, scoop the sugar cookie topping in large dollops on top of peach mixture. Spread as much as possible in a smooth layer, but don’t worry if it’s hard to spread – the topping will even out in the oven.

Bake the cobbler for 40-50 minutes, until crust is just golden on top. Serve warm or at room temperature, and topping the cobbler with a scoop of vanilla ice cream is always an option!

Want more recipes and Columbus food and drink news? Subscribe to the Columbus Culinary Connection newsletter here:

Keep Connected,

Caroline

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Sugar Cookie Peach Cobbler Recipe

Author: Caroline

Recipe type: Dessert

Prep time: 20 mins

Cook time: 45 mins

Total time: 1 hour 5 mins

Serves: 6

Ingredients

For the fruit layer:
8 peaches, sliced
⅓ c. sugar
1 T. cornstarch
For the topping:
½ c. flour
½ c. sugar
1 egg yolk
¼ tsp baking powder
1 stick butter, softened
½ tsp. almond extract
¼ tsp. nutmeg
1 pinch salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°.
Place sliced peaches in a large bowl.
Toss with fruit layer ingredients, until dry ingredients completely coat the peaches.
Spray a 9x13 inch pan with nonstick spray, and put peach mixture in the bottom of the pan.
For the sugar cookie topping, start by using a mixer to cream together the butter and sugar until well-combined.
Add the egg yolk, nutmeg, almond extract, and salt to the bowl, and mix again.
Finally, stir in the baking powder and flour and beat until incorporated.
With a large spoon, scoop the sugar cookie topping in large dollops on top of peach mixture.
Spread as much as possible in a smooth layer, but don't worry if it's hard to spread - the topping will even out in the oven.
Bake the cobbler for 40-50 minutes, until crust is just golden on top.
Serve warm or at room temperature, and topping the cobbler with a scoop of vanilla ice cream is always an option!

in Recipes 2 comments

August 5, 2015April 11, 2017 by Caroline

Seventh Son Brewing Review

1101 N. 4th St.
Columbus, OH 43201
(614) 421-BEER
http://seventhsonbrewing.com/

Top Tastes:

1. The Scientist IPA
2. Humulus Nimbus Super Pale Ale
3. Seventh Son Urban Cowboy Belgian Stout
4. Syzygy Double IPA
5. Prime Swarm Saison

If you like craft beer and live in Columbus, you’ve likely sampled some of the tasty offerings from Seventh Son. They have very distinctive labels that make their bottled brews easy to spot on the shelf when you’re shopping for good suds. This Italian Village-based gem has both great beers and a spacious taproom, making it a winner in my book.

Let’s start with the most important part: the beers! Humulus Nimbus Super Pale Ale is a light and golden selection, perfect for summer drinking. Try the coffee version of Humulus Nimbus too, infused with Thunderkiss cold brew coffee; it pairs well with brunch. Syzygy Double IPA is a hoppy treat, and I am a sucker for a good DIPA. Seventh Son also does a lot of collaboration beers, which I love. Breweries supporting other breweries is one of the things that makes Columbus so great. The brainchild of one of those collabs is Urban Cowboy Belgian Stout, a dark and flavorful blend of Rockmill Brewery yeast and Seventh Son hops and malt. Prime Swarm Saison is a honey-laced beer that will please any palate, and packs a punch of ABV for a saison. The Scientist is an interesting concept beer too. This IPA is like an experiment, in that each batch brewed alters one component to make it different from the last – different hops, different malts, or different amounts of either make you want to taste each version of this beer.

Another reason to visit Seventh Son is for the perfection of the interior. There is a mix of old and new in the taproom, with industrial touches combined with antique bottles and funky wood. Don’t forget to greet Old Horatio, the Assistant Manager/resident cat, who has his own Instagram following at https://instagram.com/assistantmanagercat/. Plus, there are patios in both the front and the back of the space!

Like many local breweries, there is no food served here, but you won’t go hungry! Seventh Son has a super-regular food truck schedule, (posted on their website here: http://seventhsonbrewing.com/food-truck-schedule/) consisting of a truck each evening and sometimes at lunch or brunch. I’ve caught up with Cbus favorites like Challah, Por’Ketta, and Sophie’s Pierogi here!

Culinary Clue: Seventh Son is one of the stops on the Columbus Ale Trail. Pick up a passport at a participating brewery, then get to traveling! At every location, ask the bartender to stamp your passport. When you visit 4 breweries, you will receive a Columbus Ale Trail pint glass. If you check in at all 20 breweries on the list, you will get an awesome t-shirt!

Want to learn more about my brewery adventures? Sign up for the Columbus Culinary Connection newsletter to have more fun delivered right to your inbox.

Keep Connected,

Caroline

in Drink 3 comments

August 2, 2015 by Caroline

Moe’s Original Bar B Que Review

128 E. Broadway
Granville, OH 43023
(740) 920-9002
http://www.moesoriginalbbq.com/lo/granville

Top Tastes:

1. Pulled Pork
2. Cornbread
3. Alabama White BBQ sauce
4. Mississippi Mud Pudding
5. Smoked Chicken Wings

Everyone loves barbecue. It’s flavorful, you can slop delicious sauces on it, and it’s perfectly messy to eat. I too have eaten a lot of pulled pork in my lifetime. But there is something special about the barbecue at Moe’s Original Bar B Que in Granville.

Nestled in the quiet town of Granville, the historic structure housing Moe’s contains beautiful brick walls and wood floors. But as interesting as the building is, it is the food that will draw you back. Like many BBQ joints, Moe’s offers platters with sides, buns or cornbread, meat, and dessert options. And don’t forget about sweet tea!

Start your platter with meats, and pick your poison of pulled pork, brisket, smoked chicken, smoked wings, smoked turkey, catfish, fried shrimp, or ribs. I am partial to the pulled pork myself, just because it is a good gauge for a BBQ restaurant’s cuisine. Their pork is tender and full of flavor, without being over-smoked, and you get a very generous portion. The smoked chicken wings are tasty too, as are the fall-off-the-bone ribs.

As part of your platter, choose from sides like mac and cheese, collards, slaw, potato salad, baked beans, banana pudding and more. There are daily rotating side specials too; one of them that I really enjoyed was the Mississippi Mud Pudding, a spin on the chocolate and peanut butter dessert, sprinkled with Oreo crumbs. Meals come with pickles too. The cornbread, which I recommend over the bun selection, is griddled, so it is crispy on the outside and soft inside – perfect.

Different regions of America focus on their own unique style of BBQ, and Moe’s is modeled after the “Alabama” style. Enter Alabama white BBQ sauce. Make sure you order a side of this mayo-based goodness. I want to put it on everything for the rest of eternity. For purists, there are also traditional sauces, like red sweet barbecue and one with an extra-spicy habanero heat.

Make the drive to Moe’s in Licking County, and stop in some of the other shops and restaurants in the downtown Granville strip; it is a great way to pass some time on a summer afternoon.

Culinary Clue: Pulled pork or brisket and a slew of sides are perfect for entertaining. If you have a large crowd headed your way, pick up a “double-wide” pack with meat and all the fixin’s to feed your crew. The leftover meat is great to top a pizza!

Have you been to Moe’s? What are your favorites sides? Let me know in the comments below.

Keep Connected,

Caroline

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