The One After the Fish Pudding

First things first because we've had a few requests for a review: We went to church. We had the fish pudding. It tasted like something grandma would make, so we loved it: casserole-y with minimal chewing and a mayonnaise & paprika-type topping (which Anna promptly scraped off, of course).

The portions weren't as meager as what you see here - this is a shot of my half of the dish. (The thing with the orange dollop and parsley on top is the pudding.) Anna and I like to split so we can try more stuff, like dessert, which was some sort of weird baked German meringue torte (pictured beneath the holy pudding). Not my favorite, but it came with ice cream on top, and hey, it's something new. I hope you were able to make it out to Calvary's Waffle Shop this week since the lenten lunches are now over. If you didn't, though, don't fear - we have another obscure foodie treat for you...





















... the 20/20 Diner. Unless you're a Whining and Dining reader or as obsessed with the Memphis farmers market on South Main as we are, you're probably not familiar with this little gem at the Southern School of Optometry on Madison. Farmers market soup-lady Cathy and bread-lady Sherry serve homemade breakfasts and lunches to students, professors, and anyone else who's willing to sign in downstairs and trek up to the fourth floor. They have free wi-fi, too. Heads up, though: I think this is a Monday-thru-Friday-only gig.


I had their delicious gravy and biscuits (Fridays only!) for breakfast but I've heard their cheap, fresh sandwiches are what's made them a hit. For a sampling, get some of their soup, hummus, and bread (separate booths) at the Memphis Farmers Market on S Main when it starts April 18. They told me they'll be there the first week. And may I recommend the African peanut or potato and leek soups? Eat, enjoy, and thank me later.

The One with the Holy Hash

Let's keep this short and sweet. Calvary Episcopal Church. Downtown. Church ladies serving you waffles, turnip greens, and bourbon pie. Through April 3. Go before it's over and you have to wait another year. Seriously. http://calvarymemphis.org/news/waffleshop.htm


Anna and I went last week to enjoy the warm atmosphere of Calvary's annual lenten lunches in their church basement. The cafeteria-style layout helped us make friends with our lovely neighbors, Nap and Jason, who swear by the peppermint ice cream with chocolate sauce. We enjoyed a waffle, some turnip greens (recommended), and chicken hash (not recommended) over good conversation and all kinds of holiness. And did I mention bourbon pie? Mmm.

We're going back today for fish pudding. That's right. I hear you have to get there early for it.