What's For Supper?

I don't remember how I stumbled upon this Brooklyn cafe's website, but when I did, I was immediately drawn to their menu. Sure the food sounds delicious, but I get more jazzed up by the print, how it's laid out....you get the idea. And I'm a sucker for diner menus. I'm also one of those people who have to immediately check out a hotel's dine-in menu almost as soon as I bring in my suitcase. I know in another life, I will definitely sling some serious hash.

But another thing happened, too. I started to think about menu ideas for my own family. After the holidays and in between seasons, I get a case of the I-don't-know-what-the-heck-to-make-itis. I'm bored with my usual hits, but I can't seem to muster up the wherewithal to think up something new. (I'll cook; I'll clean, but please don't make me go to the grocery store—again!) Living here in the woods has its perks and its challenges, and one of them is the absence of a really good grocery store, the kind of store where you can find at least a few gourmet goodies. My grocery store leaves little to the imagination. This is when I miss living in the city most.

But menus can inspire this week's grocery list as well as what's for supper. If you print out your favorite menu ideas ala diner-menu-style, you and your family can have fun picking out your/their favorites and "order up" what's for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Then, simply print up a separate grocery list with the ingredients you'll need to whip up those dishes and you're good to go.

Just leave off the prices!