Julie is looking for instant espresso powder, dry scallops and knishes. Can anyone help? By the way, when I proposed a “Lost and Found” section a few months ago, it was Julie who pointed out that “Sought and Found” was really more expressive of the intent–and she was right. I love it that we’re trading so much useful information these days on the blog. Tomorrow, I’ll FINALLY post about our Chicago trip and set up a section for others to tell us about their out-of-city dining. I’m also going to start posting the contents of my fridge/freezer and pantry–and before you have time to wonder why you would possibly care about that, let me explain.

I’ve been a shameless consumer for years and have finally hit that STOP point with my kitchen that I do from time to time with my closet. So I’m making myself cook with what I have until I finish it. Read more about it in the Whining & Dining column tomorrow and look for periodic updates on the blog. Let’s see how creative I can get–or all of us can get, since I’ll likely be calling on everyone to help me figure out what to do with lima beans and shrimp…

Folks were go nice when Stephanie wanted to find crawfish that Heather is coming to us now for help finding vegetarian fare. Here’s her e-mail. Let’s give her some help: 

“I’m a vegetarian, and being a vegetarian in Memphis is definitely not easy. I was wondering if you could help me in finding a list of vegetarian friendly places (as in, they have vegetarian entrees aside from uninspiring vegetable plates or slimy overdone pasta!). I’m not necessarily talking about ethnic restaurants (Indian, Chinese, etc); though I do tend to have my most success with those places, and love them, I’m thinking about more of a fine dining restaurant, or an “American” style place. My usual dinner partner is a tried and true meat eater and tends to get frightened at the sight of too many beans and sprouts, so a restaurant with a mix of meat and vegetarian selections would be ideal.”

Stephanie sent me an e-mail wanting to know where she can get crawfish: “Not at a restuarant, I know plenty of restaurants that are selling them now, but the bagged, hot, sold by the pound kind you take home and pour over newspaper. I went to college in Louisiana and haven’t found anything of the sort since I’ve come home. Any help would be greatly appreciated!”

Can anyone help her?

Jane wants good catfish she doesn’t have to drive to get and I promised her we’d turn to the bloggers’ experience for this. It does seem that every time a group gets together for catfish, there’s driving and often state lines involved. She’s looking for good catfish in town, preferably in East Memphis or Germantown.

I offer Soul Fish, with the disclaimer that it’s west of the Parkways. Still, you don’t even have to cross a county line to get there.

 We’re adding a new category to the blog, which will eventually make its way to the food section. If you’re looking for a food or food item, just let me know and I’ll post it. Let me start with this nifty gadget–a chop sticks holder. I’d love to come across some of those to keep at the house when little kids are around (and a certain friend, no names!). Have you seen them anywhere? These belong to a coworker whose children were given them at Benihana last week.