My granddaughter Natalie told me about a new place on Market Street over by Taco Mamacita’s called Milk & Honey. My sister Myrtle was visiting and we met Natalie there.

Myrtle is my baby sister so I have always called her Myrtie. She has done a lot of traveling and she is what she calls a “foodie”. She calls me one too, but I just am not as hip as she is. From what Natalie told us about this new place; I had a feeling I would be the one in left field and my posse would have to do the leading.

Natalie cheated. She told us that she had already been a few times. She knew exactly what to order, which was good because she helped me decide what I wanted. Now Myrtie, being new in town, could have been at a disadvantage but because she traveled a lot she knew how to feel at home wherever she goes.

She was all excited about this place and it seemed they were excited that she was excited. Myrtie asked if they served breakfast and, though we were past time when they served breakfast, they were willing to accommodate us. They had not turned off the grill yet. I didn’t want breakfast; I was interested in something Natalie told me about – Gelato.

I’d never heard of that before so I guess I am not really a foodie. Natalie said it was like ice cream but healthier. Gelato is made with whole milk rather than cream so it has less butter fat and it also has less air whipped into because it is slow churned. I may be an old dog, but I like learning new tricks!

Natalie only came for the coffee; she couldn’t stay long. Myrtie asked if they had “poachers”. I was a little afraid when they said ‘yes’. Apparently I still had more to learn and was not hip to the lingo of these foodies (I guess I was just an oldie). A poacher was a poached egg and Myrtie wanted it in Eggs-Benedict-fashion. They did not have hollandaise sauce, but suggested their special vinegar-based mayo. Thin sliced country ham was also added and she ordered mixed fruit, which looked wonderful.

I ordered three sample-sized scoops of Gelato in different flavors. Here is where my fun began.

I got their signature Milk & Honey flavor and then I saw Lime-Basil, which I would normally have never put together; and Sweet-Beet. I combined a rainbow of flavors and thought it would be awful but would make for a great story!

The food wasn’t that expensive, but the coffee was. Myrtie said they give you double shots of espresso but it costs more than Starbucks for the same amount of shots. I have never had an espresso in my life so I didn’t know what it meant for her to have four shots …but I guess it didn’t matter since I was driving.

I had a Horchata Latte which Natalie suggested. I’d like to share the prices of everything but with two chatty foodies, I forgot (and I forgot to snap a photo until Myrtie had already eaten half of hers).

I let my latte cool for a bit and tried the Gelato. I dove into the most offensive color first – the Sweet-Beet! Do you know that it was my favorite? Never thought I’d have beet for a treat! I didn’t expect to like it. Then I tried the next offensive color – the Lime-Basil. I love basil and was excited to see how it tasted in a cold treat. It was good also. It made my lips pucker – it was tart!

The Milk & Honey was a bit too sweet for me, but it was good. Of course, it might be that after tasting the Lime-Basil – it just seemed really sweet. It was all delicious but the Sweet-Beet was my favorite.

I wasn’t sure I had thought it through, trying my latte after the sweet treats. Deserts usually make sweetened coffee taste bland. The first sip was not good. I took a sip and got all foam. I just knew I could do one of those “Got Milk?” commercials. I had it all over my mouth!

My second sip was much better. The foam had settled or maybe the Gelato had faded from my taste buds and my latte was sweet and delicious. I was pleased to know this place also got many of their ingredients from local farms.

Even though Myrtie says I am a foodie because I like most things, I don’t talk the lingo or claim to know the latest food craze. I just know what I like and I will try just about anything.

From my experience, I think even non-foodies would like this place. Take your pick – nourishment, coffee or sweet treats! But if you try the Gelato - tell them Willie Mae sent you!

Pardon the half-eaten Poacher and Gelato