Hog and Hominy – Founded in the shadow of Clark Tower by the kind of rowdy Ole Miss frat boys that your mother warned you about, Hog and Hominy is an epicurean delight.  It merges two of the heaviest styles of cooking in the world, Southern and Italian.  The menu changes with the seasons and includes masterpieces like biscuit dough gnocchi carbonara with thick sliced bacon.  The Pizza Bianca that we had was wonderful.  Except for pizza, all dishes are served on small plates meant for sharing, so order half a dozen and pass them around.

Locals choice: Moscow Mule to drink, Biscuit Gnochi, Poutine (fries, gravy, cheese curd, caputo and chili oil) and the Pizza Bianca, Peanut Butter Pie, then a cab ride home, blanket, pillow and teddy bear.

Oh and for you Skinny-Mini’s out there, do not fear, I hear they have a wonderful mixed greens salad with a delightful vinaigrette and chicken skins- now go sit in the corner until such time as you are called upon.  We know this is not healthy, its what Elmo from Sesame Street calls a “sometime food”.  Its meant to be enjoyed.  I actually witnessed a woman order their peanut butter pie which is a homemade graham cracker crust, a layer of thick banana pudding, peanut butter mousse and fresh merengue, then proceed to complain about the calories in the dish.  The waiter was much more patient than I would have been.