Today at whatsGOOD , an argument broke out on the topic of spies.
Naturally being the food-obsessed wolf-pack we are, we wondered what exactly spies get to eat while they train for their glamorous life of espionage and international intrigue. After a couple of phone calls to some shady friends and a deep dive into whatsGOOD’s 30,000,000 dish database we found that our American James Bonds all bide their time at the CIA’s infamous clandestine training facility, nicknamed “The Farm,” at Camp Peary near Williamsburg, Virginia. Is that news to you?
Top 5 Spies with Bigger Stones Than James Bond
whatsGOOD analyzed the menus of all the restaurants around this top-secret facility to find out where these soon-to-be Bonds go to refuel and revitalize. Read on to see the most popular quick dishes our spies are eating to keep themselves in peak condition. Unlike us weaklings, spies have to have the right combination of brains and brawn to survive their demanding year of training. Fish is a natural brain food, and the most popular fish-dish around the base in the Chesapeake Bay is the blackened Atlantic salmon from The Trellis Restaurant in neighboring Williamsburg. Served on a bed of greens served with fresh fruit in a honey poppy seed dressing, it’s a growing spy’s dream. For a little variation, we found that our sleuthing friends head to nearby Second Street Restaurant, which serves up a panko-fried crispy Asian flounder, accompanied by wasabi mashed potatoes and a soy-malt vinegar dip.
One former visitor of The Farm described a three-week long interrogation course, where trainees are sleep deprived, worked 24/7, and served deliberately contaminated food — an absolute sin in our book. From combat training to intensive driving courses to learning how to dismantle explosives, they have to keep their spirits up somehow. To keep it international, we found a high frequency of spies letting loose on the Italian sausage cassoulet with white beans, caramelized fennel, mushroom and Parmesan from Second Street (bonus points for a stellar gluten free menu).
Think about it; While you’re sitting on your nice, comfy couch right now reading this brilliantly informative and entertaining article, some poor spy-in-training is probably being subjected to some pretty extreme training exercises. Spies have feelings too, and some comfort food goes a long way to soothe their tired body and mind after a day of fighting and outsmarting bad guys. The Turkey Chili from California Tortilla, skillet-baked cornbread from A Chef’s Kitchen, or grilled chicken breast with white cheddar mashed potatoes, collard greens slaw, balsamic honey mustard sauce from Berret’s Seafood Restaurant are some of their favorites.
To honor all the double-crossing, Baskin Robbins offers a super-secret ice cream flavor called 0031 Secret Bonded Ice Cream, inspired by James Bond himself. We tried to find out what’s in it, but unfortunately, that information is classified. Getting hungry?
Here’s how you can dine like a spy:
Starters
California Tortilla Mains Blackened Atlantic Salmon served on a bed of greens, with fresh fruit in a honey poppy seed dressing – The Trellis Restaurant
Panko-fried crispy Asian flounder with wasabi mashed potatoes and a soy-malt vinegar dip – Second Street Restaurant
Second Street Restaurant Grilled chicken breast with white cheddar mashed potatoes, collard greens slaw, balsamic honey mustard sauce – Berret’s Seafood Restaurant Sides Skillet-baked cornbread from A Chef’s Kitchen
Dessert 0031 Secret Bonded Ice Cream