Raspberry Roulade: Take 1

Flavor Inspiration at Soby's

Anyone who has read my Carrot Cake post will already know that I didn’t inherit a knack for "Southern cooking" - or any cooking, really. My own limited talent for cooking was born solely from exposure, exploration and experimentation.

My first taste of tiramisu, for instance, was in Greenville, SC on a date at Trattoria Giorgio. I don't remember the date, but I still remember the dessert. My love affair with food has been the longest relationship of my life (so far).

Recently I visited Greenville again. It’s become so charming in the last 10 years or so... outdoor cafes defy the heat by settling in around old growth oaks whose roots crack the sidewalks. Southerners sip Bloody Marys and Mimosas under the shade umbrellas, fanning themselves with menus. I can't help but feel a little like an imposter now, having settled so far away. But as I listened to the melodious buzz of Southern voices surrounding me, I felt my accent turn up a notch.

I stopped into Soby’s for the brunch buffet. It wa…