Three Latest and Best

Fluffiest. Pancakes. Ever. Dateline: rural Western Oklahoma. I've learned not to be skeptical when someone suggests breakfast at the local truck stop coffee shop. At the very least, truck stops always have good coffee. After an early morning of yard work, a big plate of pancakes sounded good -- and what pancakes they were. How is it possible that with the latest in cooking techniques, equipment, and technology my pancakes come out like rubbery discs. These? Fluffy, light, and perfectly browned. Even better with lots of salted butter and maple syrup.

Half Price Martinis at Scholar's Inn: I confess, I've been known to head out with the girls on the occasional Thursday night for drinks and a snack at Scholar's Inn. With a wide array of flavored martinis (called "girly-tinis" at my house), it's the perfect place to snack on their excellent appetizer menu while drinking an Original Sin or a Flirtini or Cable Car or Hendrick's VIP. Try the spread sampler, the baked brie, and the crab fondue.

Lunch at Vitesse: While Vitesse (at the Conrad) sports a limited small plates menu in the evening, don't forget their buffet at lunch. $15 gets you a wide array of salads, breads, cheeses, antipasto, soup, and dessert with a slightly less robust offering of hot dishes. (Dried out chicken, cold lamb, and plain squash were augmented by excellent mashed potatoes.) Don't expect the Jonathan Wright experience, but the food is fine, nonetheless. Perfect for a girls lunch or to escape the downtown crowds and heat. Best of the day? The roasted beet salad and chocolate mouse cake.