Dunking Across America

Can I let you in on a Hollywood secret?

Daily donuts. While the Google elite get organic, whole-grain breakfast, us film folk keep it old school with the American classic. Each morning, the craft service table is decked with doughnuts, offering a sweet distraction to our 5 a.m.call. With coffee, the sugar & carb combo packs a potent, energy boost that revs you up for long days of shooting.

In my early days of costuming, I learned my favorite doughnut denomination: Vitamin O. Created by my co-worker, Jim, he used this nickname to trick himself into believing his glazed treat was good for him. What was once considered fattening suddenly became nutritious. Mind over fatter, right?

Tomorrow is National Doughnut Day (..and we are living in a material world...) Based on the Salvation Army's holiday honoring the women who served donuts to soldiers in WWI, the marketing wizards have dubbed the first Friday of June a Day For Dunking. Like mothers and valentines, I come from the camp that celebrating should not be a one-day deal. Nevertheless, I can't resist this doughy opportunity.

From my 3 most well-trodden cities, where to dunk your doughnuts:

Tres Leches

Doughnut Plant NYC
www.doughnutplant.com 

What began as a one-man, bike-delivery service has morphed into one of the Big Apple's best doughnut shops. Doughnut Plant handcrafts all natural deliciousness, excelling in filled and cake varieties, which they describe as "a texture somewhere near the intersection of a classic birthday cake and buttery pound cake". My favorite marriage of the two, the Tres Leches, was inaugurated on Cinco de Mayo in 2006. Like its namesake, this vanilla-glazed doughnut is filled with a dairy threesome of evaporated milk, condensed milk, and cream. As they sang in Schoolhouse Rock, three IS a magic number!

In addition to storefronts in Chelsea and the LES, find these dunkers at Joe cafes around town. Deal Alert: For National Doughnut Day, Doughnut Plant is giving a mini, rainbow sprinkle doughnut FREE with every purchase (while supplies last).

Randy's Donuts Los Angeles
www.randy-donuts.com

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a donut! It's hard to miss L.A.'s most iconic display of novelty architecture, the famous Randy's Donuts. Open 24-7, this classic drive-thru is my LAX pit-stop for on-board snacks or welcome-home treats.

Wheat & Honey and Buttermilk Bar 

My usual is two-fold. In the foreground, the dense, buttermilk bar is shellacked with sugary goodness. Tucked in the back, the wholesome wheat & honey is a fresh-baked spin on my preferred, childhood cereal, Honey Bunches Of Oats.

Deal Alert: Randy's will be dishing out FREE DONUTS for National Donut Day. Morning only - while supplies last.  Call for exact times 310.645.4707

Cinnamon Sugar Minis 

Market Mini Donuts  Seattle
http://ballardfarmersmarket.wordpress.com/

There's a bit of State Fair fried-ness at the Ballard Farmers Market. Nestled among the rainbow chard and golden beets, Market Mini Donuts fries up made-to-order, bite-size beauties. Opt for a dusting of cinnamon & sugar if you fancy.  Best when consumed piping-hot, the steaming bag doubles as a makeshift hand-warmer on cold mornings. Check out the action below (audio by my nephew, Robert)

Pub Grub For The Seafaring Set

Jolly Roger Taproom @ Maritime Pacific Brewing Ballard Jan. '13
www.maritimebrewery.com
eat: Smokers, Jalepeno Caesar, Green Curry Mussels, Oyster Po' Boy, Steak Frites, Corn Dogs.
sip: Flagship Red, Nightwatch, Cask-conditioned Ales

I like my sports with a side of savory.

The game is the means to the drinkable & edible end.  I pick bars based on their non-televised offerings--Belgian Ales, stellar nachos, spicy Bloody Marys, schnitzel.   With the Superbowl just upon us, I have memories of my last football outing, or more appropriately "routing", January's BCS Championship.  Lured by onion rings and curious about the new & bigger locale of Maritime Pacific Brewery, my sis, her hubby, their son, and I headed to their pub, the Jolly Roger Tap Room

If their former locale was a weathered, small dinghy, the current space is more akin to the clipper that graces their logo; the concrete floor features an antique, nautical chart, wooden booths and tables allow for ample seating, and Captain chairs at the bar offer choice, game-viewing.  While the beers are the main attraction, it is the culinary details that draw a diverse crowd.  A beer-based demi-glace seasons the steak, a variety of veggies pepper the menu, and homemade hot sauces adorn the tables. I especially liked the jalapeno, cilantro, lime combo, a mild & zesty sauce that goes great with the oceanic offerings.

Flagship Red Alt Ale

Maritime offers a rotating array of cask-conditioned ales: beer that is unfiltered and naturally carbonated (aka conditioned) outside of the keg.  What results is a smooth, less effervescent brew that is served almost room temp rather than ice cold--an attribute I appreciate in these cold climes. I opt for the easy-drinking Flagship Red, a tasty balance of malt and hops.

Nightwatch Ale

 Roasted hops give this dark amber ale its toasty flavor, making it one of my favorite Northwest beers. While the Nightwatch is thankfully sold in local markets, nothing beats the creamy head of a fresh-poured draft.  Like farm-to-table, this is brewery-to-belly.

Smokers

 Considered the best around town, these onion rings are deliciously smoked with apple wood and hops.   Thanks to a signature double breading & double fried process, you avoid the oft-occurring o-ring mishap--when a bite sucks the slippery onion out of its crunchy coating, leaving the breading limp in your hands and your mouth burnt by the disrobed allium.  Served with a roasted jalapeno tartar, these thick cut beauties are reason to return.  

Smoked Jalapeno Caesar 

Ordering a salad at a bar is akin to sushi at Safeco Field. Availability does not ensure edibility.  The stereotype is shattered by this South-Of-The Border Caesar.  Crispy romaine, cotija cheese, and ancho tortilla croutons are slathered with a kicky, smoked jalapeno vinaigrette. Both smoky and spicy, this hearty salad befits beer pairings.  

Green Curry Mussels and Clams

Plump bivalves are bathed in Thai green curry, giving our meal an exotic zing.  Smothered with peppers, fennel, and onions, it is a delicate and delectable dish.  

Po' Lil' Oysters

Consider the oyster. With the Puget Sound a few miles away, the Maritime's Po' Boy is as local as it gets.  Oysters, breaded and pan-fried golden brown, shredded cabbage, and homemade, roasted jalapeno tartar make for finger-licking good sandwich.  

Hanger Steak Frites

Our perfectly medium-rare steak is slathered with a mouthwatering green peppercorn, Nightwatch Ale demi-glace and melted Stilton. The hand-cut fries would be outstanding on their own, yet the melange of beefy gravy, cheese, and potato metamorphosizes them into a mouthwatering poutine, Quebec's wonderfully trashy, and now-trendy, dish.   

Mini Corn Dogs

A welcome break from the kids menu standards, grilled cheese or hamburger, these mini corn dogs make Robert happy. Luckily, his 3-year old appetite allows for sharing with the grownups.

In spite of its swashbuckling name, the Jolly Roger Taproom is the opposite of rowdy. It is a convivial  spot, where you can wash down beers, eat well, and converse during the game without garnering glares.  And let's not forget about those onion rings.....

A Good Morning Guarantee

Take 5 Urban Market Ballard
www.take5urbanmaket.com

Ce n'est pas une McMuffin.

While Take 5's Executive Chef, Bryan, had a high school gig grilling at a nearby McDonald's, his hand-crafted, breakfast sandwich is similar only in form and packaging to the fast food classic.  At Take 5,  slathered butter fills each nook and cranny of a toasted English muffin.  Topped with scrambled egg, melted cheese, and ribbons of honey-roasted ham, it is hearty enough to fuel a day at work, yet sufficiently naughty for a hangover cure. Worth the trip from across the Sound and picnic-worthy for a beach brunch.

Considering that Take 5 has a team of chefs, it's not surprising that their other edible offerings are equally good, especially the unbelievably tasty sandwiches and dinners-to-go.  Wash it all down with artisanal sodas and microbrews.   If you're in a rush, call ahead to avoid a wait--delicious takes time.  Next time you're en route to work, why not take 5 breakfast sammies? Your co-workers will thank you (and me).