There’s another new place to check out in Ashland besides the Trackside Grill, which I wrote about earlier this month. Turner & Bragg Restaurant (504 England St., 752-2626) opened in January just south of Randolph-Macon College.

Dan Turner, the co-owner with Jim Bragg, previously ran a restaurant and catering business at the Hollows Golf Club in Montpelier.

“I’ve been in the restaurant business for 20 years, so I have somewhat of a following,” he says. “We started off with a bang, and it’s been really busy and really good.” Read full story

The first time I ever made bread, I got up from the living-room couch, opened a book by Julia Child and followed the directions. In the end, I had two lovely baguettes, and although my friends complimented my work, I found out later that they thought I’d been doing this for a long time, so they were only moderately impressed. They should have been astounded.

I’ve never made bread like that again. I’ve come close. I’ve Read full story