<p><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG00266-20110219-1852.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-4095" title="IMG00266-20110219-1852" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG00266-20110219-1852-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>I mentioned in a previous post that <a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/02/05/day-130-cheesy-cheesier-cheesiest/" target="_blank"><strong>"I don't do chain restaurants"</strong></a>.</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p>Life is too short to eat blah food, my friends.</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p>I prefer indie restaurants with a flair for interesting, yummy bites and cozy decor.  (I'm a sucker for ambiance.)</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p>A rare cold and rainy day descended upon my fair city on Day 146.  Lisa and I agreed to brave the elements and try a new restaurant.</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p>My friends always look to me to seek out novel places.  If it weren't for me, they'd be o.k. with Olive Garden.  I am therefore more than willing and able to assume the role of Restaurant Finder.</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p>For this night, I chose <strong><a href="http://www.tuckinphx.com/" target="_blank">tuck shop:  neighborhood comfort food</a></strong>.</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p>Whoa.  You know a place is going to be too cool for school when they use lowercase letters to spell their name (as well as a colon and subtitle to help the masses figure out "What exactly is a tuck shop?)</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p>tuck shop is also conveniently located downtown which means that all the superficial peeps who think they're too cool for school but are <em>not</em> will be far, far away in <strong><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/02/17/day-140-artisan-ice-cream-huh/" target="_blank">other parts of the valley which I tend to pick on too much</a></strong> so I'll zip it for now.</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p>Upon walking up to tuck shop, I had a goooooood feeling.</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p>As usual, my restaurant intuition was spot on.</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p>Here are The Top 7 Reasons Why I ♥ tuck shop</span></p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p>1.  It's in a converted home.  Uber-cozy. </span></p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><span style="font-size: 13.1944px;">2.  The menu is whimsical.  Whimsy makes me smile. </span></p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><span style="font-size: 13.1944px;">3.  "Cooler weather" on the menu signifies seasonal dishes. </span></p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><span style="font-size: 13.1944px;">4.  Yes, this may be the desert, but we do grow food here.  And tuck shop lives off the land.  (Within reason.)</span></p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><span style="font-size: 13.1944px;">5.  There's a Portuguese person behind the menu.  I sussed this out as soon as I read "linguisa" and "Vovo's favorite".  My mother is going to gasp when she reads this.  Our "Vovo" (grandmother/great-grandmother) was a little scary though. </span></p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p>6.  Best Fried Chicken in the Universe.  Although it could be baked for all I know.  Let's just agree that it was sublime.  Served with white cheddar waffles.  Who knew?</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG00268-20110219-1942.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-4096" title="IMG00268-20110219-1942" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG00268-20110219-1942-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p>7.  Free dessert.  Cookie dough ball!!!!</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG00270-20110219-2036.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-4097" title="IMG00270-20110219-2036" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG00270-20110219-2036-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>