Joanne Drilling

When I saw the words “head cheese sliders,” on a small blackboard leaning against a wall in an eclectic little strip mall just off 275 and Montgomery Rd., I knew it was just my lucky day.

If everything you know about guns, dogs, and wild animals comes from rolling through Bass Pro and loading up on Duck Dynasty swag, meet the small but hardy group of sportsmen in the Ruffed Grouse Society.

The brothers Lanni (of The Eagle and Bakersfield fame) are at it once again, this time with a German-influenced homage to canned beer. Step inside Krueger’s cool interior and forget where you are for a moment.

It’s officially oyster season and if you’ve been eating out a lot, you’ve probably noticed a few places with Oysters Rockefeller on the menu. Sadly, I’ve had several versions that were nothing more than subpar bivalves slathered in creamed spinach and a horrid crust of industrial breadcrumbs. So what’s up with the Rockefeller, you ask?

Respect must be paid to the grande dames of fine dining.

When your father is a steakhouse baron , you don’t just show up and take over the family business when you come of age.

Francophiles will delight in Andrea Sims and Krim Boughalem’s Lexington café.

Stop in and pick up a loaf of Blue Oven bread, a jar of Fab Ferments kraut, Mt. Kofinas olive oil, farm eggs, and plenty of other local products, including a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.

These four classic food-plus-beer pairings will activate your taste buds.

Mt. Carmel eagerly claims the title of “first microbrewery in town.”