As seen in Sex & the City movie

I have always been a fan of the TV show Sex & the City. I mean, after all, at this stage of my life, a woman has got to live vicariously.

I have always wondered why Carrie settled for Mr. Big. She’s way too good for him but then again she is so conflicted and her closet is bigger than my bedrooms combined.

But back to the subject topic…the people behind Jessie Steele, a niche  apparel company making retro-chic vintage-inspired hostess aprons, kitchen aprons & cooking aprons for the contemporary woman, were so excited to learn that in the movie trailer, Charlotte and her daughter are wearing matching Jessie Steele aprons.

In their excitement, Jessie Steele asked us to invite  Circle of Food blog readers  to take advantage of a 15 percent discount on the Bib Audrey Cherry Cupcakes apron for adults and or children. Enter the code coupon BLOG10 at the Jessie Steele website; the code is valid through June 4, 2010.

You can watch the movie trailer here.

Jessie Steele aprons have always appeared on Desperate Housewives and Oprah.

I had heard for quite a while that Julia Child was a spy during WWII and fondly shared it at parties to get looks of surprise from men and women alike, but I only believed it part way as an urban legend.  But it is actually true.  This video shows actual classified paperwork, recently released, that proves it.  You go girl!

Photo: by Monica Surfaro at Omar's truck stop

Written by Monica Surfaro, guest food blogger

After a lifetime enjoying the good grub and happy experiences of NYC roadside diners, I was hankering for the same here in Tucson. Every town needs at least one awesome round-the-clock center of comfort food, trucker nostalgia and funky character. So this week I set my sights on the big TTT signage off the Interstate and was not disappointed.

TTT is a local treasure. A welcoming staff…clean facilities….appetizing and hefty diner-food portions. There are cozy booths and a homey atmosphere made even more interesting by the pleasant southwest artwork that dots the décor.

At the lively counter this week I enjoyed rubbing shoulders with gents in cowboy hats, some very properly dressed Tucson old-timers and a few obvious tourists. I stuck to traditional fare and my burger and fries were super-sized, fresh and flavorful. Looking at neighboring plates I almost was sorry I didn’t get the gut-buster breakfast with buttermilk pancakes and sizzling eggs. And yes, further down the counter was a mighty tasty-looking slab of pie and ice cream that will be tried during a future visit.

As an added treat after the meal I discovered the TTT’s automotive parts mall. So large and shiny it can be considered a tourist attraction. Every gadget, hat, tool, chrome part or supply a trucker would want is featured here. There’s also a gift shop and small game room if that’s your interest.

Day or night, this is a fascinating place to have a meal and wander. So if a 1:00 am breakfast (or a juicy fried chicken) is your thing, or if you’re just looking for a nice lunch spot, make your way to Omar’s Highway Chef Triple T. It’s one of the few independently-owned truck stops left. It’s Americana and it’s good eats, as well.

I-10 near Kolb exit – 5451 E Benson Hwy – Tucson, AZ 85706
(520) 574-0050

By Monica Surfaro Spigelman, Tucson Cowgirl

Ms. Spigelman, a Twitter pal, tweeted about going to Omar’s and I asked her to share with Circle of Food.  Thank you!

Please contact eat.Tucson AT yahoo.com to share your food and restaurant news or to be a guest blogger

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Instead of letting your watermelon rot, as demonstrated in this short video, enjoy a big slice today and have a seed spitting contest with your friends.

Originally uploaded by iceman9294

Have you ever admired something for beauty’s sake? Not wanting to own it but to enjoy it for what it is? Like looking at an endangered species, knowing that it is very rare. Or having a fascination with retro clothing for the pure artistic expression it gives to its wearers.

That’s how I felt today when I was reading about a drink called Martinez – an ancestor to today’s modern martini featured in an article in the Wall Street Journal. The article talks about the history of the drink and the changing tastes of those who imbibe – favoring sweet, then dry, then sweet again over the course of 100 years or so.

What was fascinating to me was that until as recently as a year ago, it was impossible to reproduce the Martinez because the key ingredient, Old Tom gin, was not commercially available. Now it is, thanks to a British spirits company, Hayman Distillers, who dusted off an old family recipe for Old Tom.

I may never taste a Martinez, but I don’t have to. I have already experienced the “high” of having discovered something new that is lovely, charming, and historical – dry material to some, but sweet to me.

Martinez

• 1.5 oz Hayman’s Old Tom gin
• 1.5 oz sweet vermouth
• 1 t. maraschino liqueur
• 2 dashes orange bitters

Carefully stir with ice, and then stir some more.  Strain into a stemmed cocktail glass and garnish with a slice of orange peel.