A San Francisco Treat...Make that Treats!

Hi Friends:

Georgia’s was on the move again last week, this time hitting the west coast. For what? To eat and shop our way through San Francisco, CA while visiting some great friends. Take a look at the sights and tastes that inspired us!

First up, a trip to the Saturday morning market at the Ferry Building on the bay for some homemade oversized fig newtons, donut muffins and pluots. Yummy.

While there we found a stand devoted to mushrooms. Check out all of these varieties!

We also stopped at the can’t miss Cowgirl Creamery for easily one of the best grilled cheese sandwiches I’ve had in recent years. Their grilled cheese special of the day is not to be missed and be sure to ask for extra homemade bread and butter pickles, they are delish!

The market is home to many local artisans who come out on Wednesdays and Saturdays to sell their handmade jewelry, clothing and woodwork. We could have snapped something up at every booth.

Next up, as we made our way down The Embarcadero, we stopped in at TCHO, a chocolatier that calls San Francisco home and boasts some of the most delicious dark chocolate around.

Moving right along our next step was, of course, the world famous Boudin Bakery for a Sourdough bread bowl filled with Clam Chowder.  

To wash it down we sampled the local brew Anchor Steam and it was such a delight. Boudin, you never disappoint.

All this walking, eating, sightseeing and shopping left us in need of a serious caffeine pick-me-up, so we swung by Buena Vista for one of their famous Irish Coffees.

Named the “Best Irish Coffee in Town" by the New York Times, Buena Vista boasts that their establishment perfected Irish Coffee. We took their word for it and gladly partook in the spiked, caffeinated delight.

Last stop - the famed Ghirardelli Square because we couldn’t end our day without one last taste of San Francisco, chocolate style.

We took a lap around their mix-and-match candy bar and picked up a few of our favorites including the luscious pumpkin spice caramel square and peppermint bark square before departing for home.

Liz, Sameer and San Francisco: thanks for your hospitality, history and great food. We will most certainly be back!

Care for a Toddy (wait...what's a Toddy?)

Hi Friends:

For those who have followed Georgia's for the last several months, you've surely noticed our coffee obsession. You know how we brew the hot stuff, so let's talk iced coffee now that temperatures are rising (finally for us Midwesterners).

Coffee, an acidic beverage, can have a bite or bitter taste when we brew it hot. Plus, brewing hot java then adding ice waters it down. I suppose we could go the brew it hot then stick it in the freezer route; but come on, when we brew coffee, we want to reap the reward instantly.

Our lives changed when we discovered the Toddy Cold Brew System. Easy to use and the best way to reduce acid in your coffee, this system is a must have for any coffee connoisseur. And, the deliciously smooth coffee concentrate the system produces is just what this summer heat calls for. Here's the how to.

You start by setting up your Toddy; it has four parts: the bucket, the handle, the plug and the filter. Slide the handle on your bucket, put in the plug, then wet your filter before placing in the bottom of your bucket.

Next add 1 cup of water then half a pound of coffee. As you know, we are all about organic so we make a quick trip to Whole Foods to pick up a medium to dark roast variety. Be sure to coarsely grind your coffee.

Add 3 more cups of water in a slow circular motion. You don't want to clog the filter by compressing the coffee grinds into it.

Wait 5 minutes then add the remainder of your coffee and 5 more cups of water. Your bucket will be very full so be careful.

The hard part's now done. On to the waiting game...a 12 hour waiting game. We recommend setting it up in the evening so it can steep overnight. (Side note, we add a plate to cover the top of our toddy bucket to seal it off from the elements in our kitchens.)

12 hours later: voila! The smoothest, best-tasting coffee concentrate you can find. Simply pull the plug and drain your coffee concentrate into your carafe, then refrigerate. The concentrate stays fresh for up to two weeks in the fridge!

To enjoy: pour a shot of coffee concentrate into your vintage glass, add water and a splash of milk (we recommend trying almond milk) and you are ready for a caffeinated summertime treat.

Don't forget the whipped cream!

Lisa and Nikki's Friday Finds - Java Edition!

Hi Friends:

What has inspired and delighted us this week? Here they are - the java-inspired sights, sounds, tastes and one-of-a-kinds we loved!

While flipping through TV channels the other day, I caught the tail end of "My Family Recipe Rocks" on Live Well Network. Host Joey Fatone and his chef-for-the-day Jonathan Sara were making Amaretti Panini Cookies that I had to try. So I made them this past weekend and let me say, you are missing out if you don't give these a whirl. They are easy, delicious and pair perfectly with a hot cup of coffee. Click here for the recipe.

Coffee in our homes is an experience, not a beverage. That’s why we take our coffee beans seriously. If you want a great cup of java, then look no further than Jim’s Organic Coffee from Whole Foods. It’s not only delicious; it’s organic, fairly traded and socially responsible!

Can you think of a better way to enjoy a hot cup of coffee or a foam-covered latte than in this vintage-inspired coffee cup from Anthropologie? We can't!

Need to take your coffee on the go? We've tested countless travel mugs and found the Contigo Autoseal mug keeps our coffee hot through the last sip.

Have a great weekend!

The Full Coffee Experience!

Hi Friends:

Coffee? Back then, I could take it or leave it. Honestly, I preferred English Breakfast tea with milk and sugar. But all that changed when I went to pastry school. The 4:30 a.m. wake up pushed me over the edge and into the hard stuff. It wasn't long before a latte turned into a cappuccino and a cappuccino turned into an americano; a tall turned into a grande and a grande turned into a venti! Espresso was preferred over drip, and the stovetop Bialetti Brikka system was best. Hold the milk and add frothy steamed almond milk made with a stovetop Bellman CX25S Stainless Steel Milk Steamer please. As for the coffee? Intelligentsia, Jim's Organic Coffee or Starbucks Reserve - preferably sweet and syrupy. I didn't intend for this to happen, but I've become fanatical, even maniacal about coffee! And now this....  

Vintage Hoosier embossed coffee canisters! I love them! What better way to house my fresh grind. Having one of these on the counter just makes me happy. Georgia's is hunting them down and will have them available soon. Do you have a coffee tale to share? Tell us about it in the comment section. 

Wishing you a cup full of frothy goodness! 

Friday Finds!

Welcome to "Georgia's Friday Finds" where we will share with you a few things that have inspired and delighted us during the past week. At Georgia's, we believe in celebrating life by fully living in the moment and, on Fridays, we'll share some of the sights, sounds, tastes and, of course, one-of-a-kind finds that thrill us!

We love this vintage Hungarian server found at the Texas Antiques Week show. The original butter yellow paint is so warm and charming, isn't it?      

This time of year brings us fabulous fall foliage. How about this gorgeous Sugar Maple!

We love our sweet dogs! Meet Ally, a rescue from Paws Chicago. Ally's happy-go-lucky personality brings Nikki and Mark joy every day. This pupster loves to cuddle! 

Johnny, also a rescue, is a lovey, too! He is quite timid, afraid of thunderstorms and loves coffee and tea. There's nothing like the unconditional love that dogs give.

What inspired you this week? Tell us in the comments!