Do you ever wonder why all the foods that raise your cholesterol and make you fat taste so good? Why can’t plain lettuce or brussel sprouts be absolutely delicious? Why do I crave cheese? Why is butter so good tasting? And why can’t fried chicken and potato salad work just like oatmeal? These are the great unanswered questions in life. Well, as you might guess, this is leading to another great place to eat.

Have you been to Zoey’s in downtown Ventura? If you’re going to worry about your cholesterol then be cautious, because I will recommend the cheese platter. It has a variety of cheeses, fruit and crusty bread. Not low carb bread, not low-fat cheese but good natural arteryclogging cheese with extremely high-carb bread. You know, life is short and I hope when my time comes I will have the smell of cheese or chocolate on my breath. But when that time comes I know they are not going to look at me and think I died from lack of food. I feel guilty already and I haven’t even had the cheese yet.

For those who are worried about their health, Zoey’s has a great variety of healthy meals. They have wonderful sandwiches on crusty bread, accompanied by a really good Caesar side salad. They make homemade soup, homemade cookies, and fresh pizza. I’m not sure the pizza is always on the menu but it appears sometimes on weekends. Actually this is a great place for a vegetarian, as they have a wonderful vegetable and cheese pannini. I recommend eating the chocolate chip cookie before you get your meal. This is one of the few perks of being grown up.

I will say Zoey’s is one of my favorite places to eat downtown. They have nice wine, incredible Jasmine tea and the cutest kids to wait on you. I can say kids because anyone under 30 appears as a kid to me. I love to spend the day downtown pretending I’m a tourist and having lunch at Zoey’s. I really think everyone should throw caution to the wind and order the cheese platter; if you survive the cholesterol rush you won’t regret it. And, well, if you don’t survive you will at least have cheese on your breath and a smile on your face.

Share your favorite food with your best friends and make it an adventure not a meal.