Extol Sports September 2017 | Page 19

HOLY COMBO, BATMAN! Chefs can take (often humble) ingredients and transform them into something delightful. Can I do those things? Sometimes, but usually only when the stars are aligned perfectly. But these chefs can come up with things that I can’t. I’m a decent enough cook, but I’m not masterful the way so many of the chefs at our SoIN restaurants are. Three of my favorite ingredients are goat cheese, bacon, and honey. Some genius at the Exchange Pub + Kitchen decided one day to serve delicately breaded goat cheese fritters on a bed of bacon aioli. Then, to top it off, they drizzled them lightly with smoked honey. Talk about delicious! My friend paired these with a glass of sauvignon blanc from the Exchange’s menu. It’s now my standard order. THE EXCHANGE PUB + KITCHEN 118 W. Main New Albany 812.948.6501 ExchangeForFood.com Wine is usually my libation of choice, but on a hot afternoon, there’s nothing like an ice-cold beer. Who, then, would use it as a glaze for salmon? That’s right, a chef. The folks at Floyd County Brewing Company use their amber brew to glaze their salmon filet. Served with steamed veggies and rice pilaf, this is the healthiest and yummiest way to appreciate a good beer. Pair that with any of FCBC’s beers brewed on site. FLOYD COUNTY BREWING COMPANY 129 W. Main St. New Albany 470.LUV.BEER (470.588.2337) FloydCountyBrewing.com TIMING IS EVERYTHING They say timing is everything in love. That saying is even more appropriate for a meal. I’m doing good to get all my dishes finished at the same time (within a couple of minutes of each other). Could I do that for a group of people each night? Probably not. That’s why I’m amazed at a restaurant’s chef and staff. They work as a team to feed dozens, hundreds or even thousands of guests a night – every night! These rock star chefs and others are waiting to prepare a meal for you. If you want to sample any of the dishes described here, search SoIN’s website for a restaurant that strikes your fancy. Visit www.gosoin.com/restaurants/ to browse the restaurants for a memorable – and delicious – taste of SoIN. 17