The Lee Bros. Southern Cookbook by Matt and Ted Lee, Screen Doors and Sweet Tea by Martha Hall Foose, and Charleston Receipts by The Junior League of Charleston are my "go-to" Southern cookbooks. They have the traditional recipes that I remember without all the "gimmicks" attributed to Southern cooking like a jar of mayonnaise or a pound of butter in every recipe.

Guess you are leaving New Orleans out of the South. Philadelphia nor Jimmy John's can't beat a properly made Po' Boy!

No "free zone" any more.

I have to disagree - Lowells is my favorite. It's not gourmet, but really a good market choice.

Jif - 'nuff said!

I really like Lowell's. If you want breakfast at the market - it's the place to go. If you want a pricy hotel (nice hotel) breakfast go to Cafe Campagne.

Combine the grits with cold milk/water and start cooking from there (instead of bringing liquids to a boil). This works with most grains - makes the creamiest oatmeal.

The Costco on Hacks Cross Road does not sell liquor (does have beer and maybe wine???) but there is a liquor store in the same building - don't know if it is part of Costco or not. We were visiting.

Our new favorite is Boathouse 19. Good for TV viewing - nice view of the boathouse - and great food. Food is casual - my favorite is the Shrimp Po Boy and hubby's is the burger. Steamer clams have the best broth; but make sure you order the garlic bread to go with. Happy hour starts at 3 PM and you don't have to sit at the bar. http://boathouse19restaurant.com/

I have used both onions - sweet and red - and shallots in my gazpacho and have never had a problem. Are you peeling your cucumbers?

Especially when it comes to specialized baking supplies, I almost always shop King Arthur Flour's online shop. I think you would find your vanilla paste there. They are especially good about answering product questions online.

I see Sandra Lee wannabes shopping at places like Michael's, Artco, World Market, Cost Plus and the Party Store.

And I have had exactly the opposite experience. Had some quality problems with the liner of the All-Clad Slow Cooker about a year after I purchased it and WS replaced the entire unit - all handled over the phone.

I shop both stores - depending on special offers. I, too, fondly remember shopping at the original SLT and still enjoy browsing that shop. WS sometimes has a bit more "polish" or I believe a reader above described it as being "precious" - but sometimes I like that.

We did end up going to the Germantown Commissary and enjoyed it. Thanks for the recommendation! We both had the chopped pork sandwich plate. Sadly, I now see that I forgot your recommendation of their potato salad - but I was very impressed with the cole slaw and took a "to go" container back to our condo. Again - thanks for the response.

I like Delmonico's also - didn't comment because I have not been there in some time. It was a wonderful evening - took the streetcar to the Garden District (the stop is in front of Delmonico's). I remember that we both really enjoyed the evening and it wasn't noisy at all. Had the barbequed shrimp for an appetizer and it was wonderful.

I know Brennan's is old school and expensive; but I thought it was elegant and the food was very good. I may never have the need to enjoy a breakfast like that again, but I am glad I had the experience of eating there once.

Unfortunately the hotel is in "fast food land" right off the parkway. When I was there last, the hotel's food was very good but the prices are probably above your allowances.

Obviously from the previous posts many will disagree with me. I have not found any truly great BBQ in the Pacific Northwest. BBQ is just not a local specialty. That being said, if I wanted to have BBQ at my party and didn't want to cook myself. I would go to "Famous Dave's". I know it is a chain but it comes closest to the barbeque I enjoyed from the other side of the country where BBQ is a specialty that varies from region to region.

I shop Metropolitan Market frequently - more than once a week - and I cannot understand how they can consistently come up with such a dried up bird. For my money Costco wins hands down.

I don't know if I would call it dining, but my families' favorite place to eat around the Vandy campus was San Antonio Taco Company. Fun, filling and cheap!

I bet it is Tzatziki - some recipes use a bit of mayo in it. Makes it not quite so tart. I have never understood some peoples' almost religious hatred of mayo.

Thanks Michael and bulldog for the tips.

My husband and I will be in Oxford, MS in a couple of weeks. One of the days of our visit we will need to drive back to Memphis to the Costco on Hacks Cross Road. Would like to try a good representation of Memphis BBQ for lunch while we are there. Is there a good place near that part of town that you would recommend? Thanks!

They are relatively close by - but not walking distance (I know a couple are across the road from each other). There are some tasting rooms in Kirkland - probably elsewhere also - but they are in strip malls and not much fun. Maybe try to mimic one of the organized tours.

I live on the West Coast and even though White Lily is not quite the same, it sure fills the gap when I need cornmeal mix - these guys (West Coast) have never heard of it. It is sometimes tough to find Self Rising Flour. Going to Mississippi in a couple of weeks and you better believe White Lily and Dukes will be coming back with me!

Just an idea - but had a friend who requested small toys - stickers - stuff he could hand out to the local children. I sent a box of all kinds of stuff from Oriental Express and he and his buddies loved handing out the goodies.

My family and I (husband, mother - in - law, 12 yr old son) enjoyed our tour of the distillery and our day in Lynchburg. Also the lunch at Miss Mary Bobo's was enjoyed by all; however in the spirit of full disclosure - it was 22 years ago and though I would not like them to - some things change.

Asado is good but is not open until 5:00PM on Sunday for dinner service. The Lounge there opens at 4:00PM. Masa is Mexican and also good - just across the street from Asado and is open in the afternoon. Just thinking - if my family were taking in the museum we might want a late afternoon venue rather than waiting for dinner service.

I like Gretchen's.

So silly... I drink it because I like it. A lot of things are not necessary in our diets -- Brussels sprouts and beets come to mind.