We first partook of croissants the size of fallen boulders on Hwy 82. Complemented with lattes from Black Bear Coffee down the board, Kennabelle's kroissants were a perfect harmony of a crispy-buttery exterior with a soft-as-a-mountain-meadow insides.

The bread bowl, created by slicing off the top of a monkey-head sized loaf of sourdough and carving out the innards, is perfectly crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside (but dense enough to not get soppy). The bread perfectly complements the thick, flavorful chowder.

I adore Dorothy Parker, the sassy satirical writer of 1920s New York, so we had to stop in to eat at the Algonquin Hotel last year to see the infamous round table where Dorothy and a number of notable friends held daily court during lunch starting in 1919.

Nathan expertly grinds out good-uns using New Mexican artisan roasters, turning the Bear into a morning mountain must-stop.

The earthy wriggles of crispy hash browns and coffee-and-cream gravy adorned with clouds of egg whites and snowy asadero, a dawn of sunny yolk, motts of scallions, red onions pickled purple, and the plum perfection of amarnth microgreens all atop a hazy gray plate itself atop a blushing picnic table still takes my breath away.

Rosedale is a bright and cheery place designed for aspirational families while offering elevated childhood standards for the adults.

I particularly recommend the Bulgogi Taco on corn (char-grilled ribeye, cabbage, corn, onions, spicy mayo, teriyaki sauce, topped with green onions; $3.25): savory and delicious with hints of the Korean Peninsula.

The pandemic is really messing with the pots and pans of the restaurant industry as owners and chefs adjust to the new reality of shut-ins, take-outs, and partial openings.

If you're up in northeast Texas heading one way or the other on Interstate-20 and feel your tummy growling in the Tyler vicinity, you should really consider stopping in at the Brisket Love about mile off the pavement near Lindale.

In a fit of cabin fever (and fearing the lack of public restrooms during a longer trip), the bride and I cruised (and strolled a wee bit) downtown in search of COVID-inspired murals and graffiti.