Foodalicious Follies- NC Triangle Restaurant & Food Scene

Cocktails of a Higher Calling at C. Grace in Raleigh

2012-02-15T04:58:00.000-05:00

When I lived out in San Francisco, cocktail hour was just that. Mixed drinks with a bit of panache and meant for some serious sipping. Chrome shakers, lots of ice and specialized barware. Out here in North Carolina, beer is the drink of choice but that may be changing soon! Over the last couple of years, cocktails are slowly becoming a great option in the Triangle when you're looking for some high quality libations. First came the fantastic Foundation bar in downtown Raleigh on Fayetteville Street. Then the clubby Whiskey and Roxy out in Durham on Main Street. And with the recent opening of C. Grace on South Glenwood we may now have the BEST cocktail option right here in the Oak City!

Look for their discrete awning and white lights next to Cafe Helios. Pop down the short set of stairs, open the door and whoa... What used to be Trim has been transformed into a cozy but spacious speak-easy. An iron grill and antique couch guard the entrance right behind the double door. Once your eyes adjust to the dim environment, you've got a lovely curved bar to your right, cafe seating, a stage and a piano to your left. Each small table is lit up by a small glowing lamp, adding to the clubby ambiance here. But I like to grab a seat at the bar where you can watch one of C. Grace's talented bartenders dazzle you with their mixology skills!

The cocktail menu here is small, focused on the classics with high quality ingredients and a twist. Even their dense ice cubes are shaped for maximum surface with a minimum of melting and dilution. C. Grace has a standard menu of classics like a sidecar, whiskey sour, negroni or martini but my favorites fall into their specialty cocktail category. The Jack of Hearts is a nice mix of brandy, rye and chocchi which ends up as a potent drink in a small glass. The Earl's Tea is another favorite: Earl Grey, bourbon and lemon. And the Mendacity (lemon, sugar, gin) is a light and smooth cocktail for easy drinking. The guys behind the bar at C. Grace are professionals and will sometimes dip a straw in for a taste just to make sure they've got everything right. Just like a chef making sure the food meets their stringent expectations. And the cocktails are served in small, champagne like glasses. A bit dainty but yeah, treat that cocktail with some respect!

While C. Grace has its drinks down cold, they're still working on the entertainment schedule here. Jazz trio's, fortune tellers, mind readers and more have been on the schedule here but expect more goodness moving forward. If you're not into the bar or front bar area, out back they've also got some quiet space with pull curtains for some privacy. Overall they've done a fantastic job decorating the space to give it a luxurious 1920's feel. The space works for an intimate date night or group hangout with all the room here! It's obvious a lot of love, care and style was put into C. Grace's interior

But of course, bars are all about the people from staff to customers. The crowd and mood at C. Grace can vary tremendously. Stop in on a weeknight and you'll have the place nearly to yourself, things will be quiet and mellow. Come in on the weekends and the craziness of S. Glenwood spills into the place with a buzzing crowd. So time your visits according to your mood. But in the end, C. Grace is a fantastic new entry to the South Glenwood and Raleigh cocktail scene. And with all the restaurant options in the area you'll have plenty to eat before or after your visit.

Whether you're a hipster, preppie, married or single, you're going to love this place! Anyone with an appreciation for good drinks will understand exactly what they're trying to do here and the beauty of it all is that C. Grace is priced a bit lower than Foundation or Fox's. So whether you're starting or ending your night at C. Grace, stop on by. I promise you she'll treat you right, cheers!

C. Grace
407 Glenwood Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27603
919.899.3675

Location on Google maps

No Way Out for Valentine's Day

2012-02-07T14:02:00.012-05:00

You've seen all that red, all those hearts on display when you go shopping. Hide from them as much as you want, my friend but Valentine's Day is right around the corner! It may be a Hallmark holiday but you know you can't ignore it, the risk is too high. Even if she says, "you don't have to do anything special...", you better read between the lines and do SOME-thing. Anything! So I do get asked from time to time, about which restaurant one should go to for a special date. And I certainly have my favorite spots (shhh, don't tell anyone)! But Valentine's Day is a whole nother deal, similar to New Year's Eve. One of those nights when everyone's trying extra hard but you often end up feeling under-served and under-whelmed.

So yeah, I'd love to make a restaurant recommendation for you but there's a good chance it'll miss the mark next week. What I would suggest is drop your kids off with the grandparents and just cook up a great meal at home. I talk about food a lot because it's a lot of fun but as I've always said, it's as much about the people around you as it is about the food. And cooking is all about appreciating and caring for your dinner guest. People talk about oysters and chocolate as aphrodisiacs but the part of a woman that you really want to excite is her mind and heart. Do something unexpected for her out of your heart and we'll see what happens next...

And cooking is THE perfect way to show your appreciation. It takes listening. Find out what her favorite foods and meals are and whip up some similar dishes. It takes effort. Buying something is easy compared to planning a meal, choosing ingredients at the store and slaving away in the kitchen. It takes attention. Attention to the cooking, attention to the dining area, it's all in the details. In the end I think the effort gets appreciated as much as the actual results so why not woo your special somebody with a home-cooked meal? And if that doesn't work, a couple of bottles of really good red wine can make up for any culinary clumsiness. ;-)

Bon appetit, in the kitchen, in the bedroom and wherever else you like to cook....

Get your Chicken Roasted Peruvian-style at Mami Nora's- Raleigh

2012-02-02T05:01:00.012-05:00

While fried chicken always hits the spot, it's probably not the best long-term option for consuming your chicken buck-buck-cluck. Between the cholesterol, trans-fats and calories, rotisserie chicken is typically a healthier choice. And with Mami Nora's out on Wake Forest Road, you won't even be sacrificing any taste, either! While the original Mami Nora's is based out of Durham, the newer sister restaurant seems to be doing better in the online review world. If you haven't tried Peruvian chicken before, you're in for a treat. The meat is rubbed with spices and grilled over wood to create a VERY tasty bird. Along with Mami Nora's traditional South American sides, you've got the makings of a hearty but reasonably priced meal.

Step inside the bright yellow building, head on over to the counter and you'll see a handful of choice on the menu mounted above. Three or four rotisserie chicken options along with some sides (black beans, three types of plantains, yucca fries, and more) keeps things basic. I'll typically go with the 1/2 chicken option along with two sides for $8. Grab a seat after you order at the counter, it'll typically take five or ten minutes to get you served. Mami Nora's also has a nice array of S. American soft drinks (Inca Kola, Cola Champagne) available. Yes, you could probably get your rotisserie chicken faster at Boston Market but it's going to be worth the wait.

Out pops a smallish chicken, cut into two quarters with well-browned skin. The meat is slightly smoked from the wood flame and tender. And the spices? Not a typical sweet marinade but a hearty mix of what tastes like oregano, garlic, and more. The chicken is served with aji (creamy pepper sauce) as a condiment but I have yet to try it. Be aware that if you do take-out, they'll be packing your bird and food in a lot of styrofoam, if only they could be greener! I brought some Mami Nora's chicken to a potluck and it disappeared in a blink of an eye...

Mami Nora's also does awesome sweet plantains that have been softened and sweetened to perfection. Toothsome and satisfying, they are up there on my best plantains ever, list. The chicken soup is a bit salty but full of veggies and meat. And their black bean (frijoles) are basic but very tasty. In addition to the chicken, I've also tried their arroz chaufa (fried rice with chicken, sausage) and a side salad which was excellent. Mami Nora's has a small selection of desserts, including flan and a tres leches cake special from time to time.

What I really like about Mami Nora's is the authenticity of the place. Between the staff and patrons, the place has a real latin feel. Salsa music on the speakers overhead, simple carved wood chairs and tables, Mami Nora's has enough personality to briefly take you to Sud America for your meal. And yeah, the food is inexpensive and good, always a winning combination on Foodalicious Follies! There's nothing like great roasted chicken and that's what Mami Nora's delivers on the cheap, bon appetit.

Mami Nora's Rotisserie

2401 Wake Forest Road

Raleigh, NC 27608

(919) 834-8572

Menu at Mami Nora's

Location on Google maps

The Good, the Bad, and the OK- Five Star and Irregardless Cafe

2012-01-26T00:02:00.011-05:00

If you've read Foodalicious Follies for any length of time, some of you might be thinking: "Great he likes this place but looks like this guy eats and likes EVERY-thing"! Which is partially but not entirely true, I'm actually a bit picky about my restaurant favorites. I do like most of the places I dine at and totally respect restauranteurs. And when I'm trying out a new restaurant, it's typically based on recommendations by friends, online reviews and local buzz. So admittedly, my opinions skew to the positive side of things because that's the way I roll and yes, I don't like wasting my money. That being said, I have to confess to not liking a handful of popular Triangle restaurants, mea culpa.

Five Star is a tough one for me, there are some really decent things about the place. Find their discrete entry-way, push open the heavy wooden door and voila! Love the multi-level space and stylish decor, perfect spot for a first date. Great lounge space, bar and their service is solid. Prices at Five Star are pretty reasonable and portion sizes decent. So what's not to like? Well to be honest with you, the food.

I've eaten at Five Star several times and try to give it a chance. Tried everything from the heatseeker shrimp, sesame beef, scallion pancakes and spring rolls. The sesame beef seemed to be mostly coating and the scallion pancakes? Way too dry and floury. Everything I've eaten seems overly sweet, battered and totally Americanized. My overall take is that I'd prefer PF Chang's to Five Star and I really don't think much of PF Changs. In the end, I think you should eat whatever you like but Five Star doesn't come close to five stars for me, it would be lucky to get two. And yet I know many in the area adore Five Star. Love the space, love the concept but yeah, the food just falls really short. But you know what? I'm sure I'll give 'em another try sometime soon...

Another Raleigh classic is Irregardless Cafe over on Morgan Street. Several people recommended this place to me when I first moved in the area so I had high expectations. What started out as a vegetarian restaurant has become more of a mixed bag of cuisines with a focus on local and sustainable. Again, I've eaten here several times and never been really impressed. Chicken marsala, ok. Shrimp and grits, ok. And I know they use great ingredients and are an institution but still... My experience has been that the entrees have always been a bit uninteresting, lacking in flavor and poorly presented, not a good combo.

Between the location, decor and mixed service, I really can't see paying the $18 - $24 price for entrees. But if you're a vegetarian, Irregardless might be a decent dining spot. In a perfect world, Irregardless Cafe would morph into a restaurant more akin to Watts Grocery in Durham but I'm not holding my breath. The challenge with being a local institution is that it's so hard to evolve and improve when your customer's expect a certain experience and menu. Unfortunately Irregardless Cafe falls into the really middling category for me. However at their prices, I can't really recommend them. Too many better choices out there, my friend.

I really hate being disappointed with my dining dollars so even if I'm stepping into a restaurant for the first time, I've typically done my research. And when I go out to eat, I try to order food that I can't cook at home. As a decent home chef, who wants to order up a meal I could whip up myself?! Which is why I love my pizza, slow-smoked ribs, and fried goodies when I go out. And if you can't beat what I could cook at home, why should I bother?

Foodalicious Follies is about getting the most for your dining dollar. And while Five Star and Irregardless Cafe are not bad restaurants, I typically find them lacking and wouldn't really bother unless someone asked me to go. Because in the end, I'm all about the food and want you to be happy and full of bon appetit! But I'm still hoping these Raleigh favorites can pick up their foodie game, I'm not ready to give up on you yet...

Five Star
511 W. Hargett Street
Raleigh, NC 27603
919. 833.3311

Menu at Five Star
Location on Google maps

Irregardless Cafe

901 W. Morgan Street

Raleigh, NC 27603

919.833.8898

Menus at Irregardless Cafe

Location on Google maps

You Say Empañada, I Say Delicioso! Calavera in Raleigh

2012-01-12T05:04:00.024-05:00

Now when is a dumpling, not a dumpling? When it's an empañada, baby! These little stuffed pastries are a common meal down South (no, I'm not talking S. Carolina) and eaten in many different countries. Take a spicy filling, wrap a nice crispy crust around it and voila, it's time for lunch. Or dinner. Or dessert! The beauty of empañadas is the variety of fillings you can toss inside. Over on Blount Street, the recently opened Calavera ("skull" in español) specializes in empañadas, along with a selection of high-quality tequilas and cocktails. Perfect for a date or small dinner party, Calavera is now open for lunch, dinner and late-night eats.

Located in the old space that used to be the 101 Lounge, Calavera's ambiance hits you as soon as you step in. Crimson glowing candles on wall, light canopy overhead and a sexy back-lit bar. Paying homage to it's name, Calavera has Dia de Los Muertos pieces scattered about. The first floor space is small, great for a cocktail and snack. Or head on upstairs where there's a larger dining room overlooking the E. Davie/Blount intersection. The menu is remarkably simple but delicious. About 10 types of empañadas ranging from veggie-friendly to meaty, including an NC barbeque version. You've also got a couple of options for dessert. At $3 a pastry, you get great value at Calavera. You'll probably need 2 - 4 to keep you satisfied. Calavera also has a small selection of apps (guacamole) and salads if you're not up for an empañada, booo!

But you'd be remiss if you skipped out on these delicious, semi-circles of gastronomic delight! I've tried empañadas at several places in the Triangle and these are probably the best of the bunch. Large, flaky and served piping hot, choose from a variety of spiced beef, chicken, pork and cheese options. Pretty certain these savory empañadas are all baked, which takes a bit of time. My favorites are the New Mexicana (chili-spiced pork) and the Piggly Wiggly (NC barbeque). Empañadas are served with a side of sauces (salsa-quacatillo) for a bit more heat but most are spicy as is. If you're looking for something sweet, try the Manza Manza apple empañada, a delicious dessert. But I'm really dying to try their banana-nutella empañada, King of Kong. Nothing like hazelnut to end the evening...

Along with the good food and delightful environs, Calavera also delivers up professional and friendly service. They've got a young but service-oriented staff here which makes for a solid dining experience. I'm often in this area, visiting Artspace or Fayetteville Street so I'm really thankful for this newest entry in the Raleigh dining scene. Love good ethnic eats at a reasonable price and Calavera totally fits the bill. And I'm guessing they'll even expand the menu over time because I'm pretty sure they're going to be around a while. So rock on Calavera and bueno appetito! Your empañadas are to die for...

Calavera
444-101 Blount Street
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 617-1661

Menu at Calavera
Calavera on Facebook

Location on Google maps

Great Vietnamese Food Pho Sure, Pho Far East

2012-01-03T04:58:00.011-05:00

If you're looking for a more exotic lunch in the Capital Boulevard area, why not give Pho Far East a try? For about $10, you can go in a lot of different ways, ranging from soup, rice plate or a noodle bowl. If you're unfamiliar with Vietnamese food, ignore all the jokes about cats and such, Vietnamese food is similar to Chinese cuisine with a bit of a French twist. Pho Far East is a very typical Vietnamese restaurant that provides a very authentic experience. Really similar to what I might find in San Francisco. The place is not much to look at and service is perfunctory but it's all about the delicious eats here!

Inside the decor at Pho Far East is pretty basic: worn black, 80's chairs, fish tank in back, the usual Asian eatery accoutrements. Start off with some cold summer rolls, probably one of my all-time fave appetizers. Summer rolls are made with a soft rice-paper wrapper and inside, there's thin vermicelli noodles, mint and basil, lettuce, sliced shrimp and pork. They call summer rolls a salad in a roll and yeah, in the summer time they are really refreshing! Pho Far East serves their rolls with an excellent peanut sauce. I spoon some on top before each bite, yum. Or maybe go with a more traditional fried spring roll, for all its crunchy glory...

When it gets cold and rainy, Vietnamese pho (pronounced "fuh") is one of my favorite comfort foods. And Pho Far East might have the best pho in the area. We're talking about a large bowl of beef broth spiced with cardamon, anise and cinnamon. With vermicelli noodles at the bottom and thin slices of onion, beef, cilantro and scallions floating on top, you've got a meal right there! Take a sip of the broth to taste it on it's own, stir up the bowl to loosen up the noodles and you're ready to dig in. Now Anthony Bourdain may be a BIT over the top but check out the video below to see his reaction to a great bowl of pho in Vietnam.

Pho Far East also provides a large and fresh plate of pho condiments to bling out and customize your soup: bean sprouts, lime, basil, and jalapenos for some kick. I always make sure to taste the soup on its own just to make sure it's up to snuff and then start adding in the condiments. Some fresh lime juice, crushed peppers and basil along with some crispy sprouts. Others like to add some sriracha sauce or hoisin for extra flava, but I keep it simple. Pho can be done with all sorts of more interesting cuts of meat (tripe, tendon, meatball) but for beginners, stick with the flank steak and brisket. No matter what goes in it, it's gonna be delicious! And while pho is traditionally always beef soup, there are chicken versions out there for something different.

Another great choice for lunch is a rice plate (com in Vietnamese). My favorite is the grilled pork chops at Pho Far East. Again, there are a bunch of slightly different combinations on the menu so be careful! The pork is marinated and grilled for some sweet carmelization. Scallions on top, jasmine rice on the side along with a fried egg is perfect! Typically I put some fish sauce (nuoc mam) on top and make sure you get a taste of everything on the plate in each forkful! A little grilled pork, some egg and rice, yum... Or you can do this grilled pork in a noodle bowl (bun in Vietnamese) which is like having a Cobb salad. Vermicelli noodles with sliced cucumbers and carrots, topped with the same tasty grilled pork. A slightly different dish but equally good. Most of the rice plates and noodle bowls will come with the same protein options: grilled pork, chicken, beef, shrimp, etc.

At Pho Far East, the menu is quite extensive and it'll take some exploring to really get into all their great dishes. But from what I've seen, they do it all pretty well. Vietnamese cuisine runs the gamut of soups, sandwiches (banh mi) to rice plates and hot pots. And it's all spicy with a lot of flavor! So don't let Pho Far East's bland, strip plaza location fool ya (they don't even have a website). And they've even got bubble tea if you'd like to finish things off with something sweet. I guarantee you, when you're eating here you'll be full of bon appetit...

Pho Far East
4011 Capital Blvd # 133
Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 876-8621 ‎

Location on Google maps

Out with the Old, In with the New!

2011-12-31T14:01:00.017-05:00

2011 has been a great year for me and Foodalicious Follies! The Triangle dining scene has been growing by leaps and bounds, and all for the better. Blink and there'll be some new, cool eatery opening up around the corner someplace in the Triangle. But of course that means saying good-bye to old favorites like Hi5, Red Room, the Duck and Dumpling, Cherry Bomb Grill and more. In return we have some great new spots like Mantra Indian, Bull City Burger and Brewery, Beasley's Chicken, and C. Grace for cocktails. All good things must come to and end and change is usually a good thing.

So what to expect in 2012? Who knows but I really hope I can spend more time at points out West. I've got some Durham love going on but exploring Chapel Hill and Morrisville sounds like a good new year's resolution! Still need to hit up An, Lucky 32, L'Uva Enoteca, G2B Gastropub, Geer Street Garden sometime soon. And of course new food trucks like Baguettaboutit and Will and Pops. I'm just glad that Raleigh has partially resolved its food truckaphobia, competition along with change, is always a good thing.

And a huge thanks too all the Foodalicious friends who have shared meals and opened up their homes to me. To Christina and Phil who always throw a great party, Yelp or otherwise. To Tripp and Jane, who somehow remain remarkably fit despite their huge, foodie appetites. To Michael and Brit, congrats on taking the next step together. To Stacy and Jon, one of the funniest and most Loko couples I know! To Andrew and Meredith, I can say I was there when you two first met. To Helena and Al who do the Academy awards better than ANY-body. And thanks to Amanda, Susan, Mark, Erin, Brandon, and Jim for putting up with all my food photography over the year.

Foodalicious Follies is certainly focused on the food, but more importantly it's really about the people you're exploring and sharing your meal with. People have asked me during my current job search why I just don't go back to San Francisco or Boston, there are SO many more jobs there. And I always talk about the weather here, the growing Triangle region and its hospitality. But more importantly, it's really about all the cool, smart, interesting people I meet out here on a regular basis. So thanks to all for the impromptu fun in 2011 and let's amp it up a notch or two for 2012. It's been a great ride, let's keep it all going!

Regards,

RonW

Cheap Eats with Lots of Meats: Char-Grill, Cook Out, Roast Grill...

2011-12-27T05:01:00.018-05:00

You've got $10 in your pocket and you're starving, what to do? While you could hit the drive-though at McBurger Hut, why not spend your hard earned cash on something local and delicious? Look, I've been guilty of eating a chicken McNugget or White Castle sliders in my day but I always feel badly about not supporting my local businesses. Especially when you've got some great options here for cheap, meaty eats! Ranging from a double drive-thru, to a tiny, diner and even a place where you order on slips of paper pushed through a window slot. There are lots of options to keep you full and happy on a budget in the Raleigh area, read on my friends...

Let's start on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh where it meets up with Glenwood. You'll see smoke bellowing out of this classic Char-Grill and yes, it's hard not to get hungry if you're within a couple of blocks! Grab a slip of paper, a #2 pencil and jot in your order. Slide it through the metal slot at the order window and hang out till your order's ready. You get to watch the Char-Grillers decked out in all white and paper hats, custom grill your order. Char-Grill customers often wait in their cars since it'll be 10 minutes or so until you get your goodies. When they say Char-Grill they do mean it, the burgers here have a bit of smokiness in the flavor! I love their chili-cheeseburgers and southern red dogs (pink, pork dogs). Add in some apple turnovers and I'm going home happy. Char-Grill has been around for over 50 years so they must be doing something right!

A bit further down off of Hillsborough Street is the iconic Roast Grill. This tiny little diner keeps things simple, dishing out dogs with only a handful of options: mustard, slaw, chili and onions. The menu can't get simpler than this place: coke and one dog, coke and two dogs, coke and three dogs. Guess what comes next? Yep, coke and four dogs. However you can ask for your dog burnt and crispy which sort of gives you an option. The hot dogs here are good, skinless and the toppings make the difference. But the real reason to hit up Roast Grill is to see all the Raleigh locals enjoying a simple lunch at this classic hot dog joint. With only a handful of seats, you may have to get your dogs on the run. And don't even think about asking for ketchup, Roast Grill just says no to that tomatoey sauce...

Although it's a chain, Cook Out does fast food that's amazingly good and cheap. With locations throughout the state, you'll find Raleigh locations on Falls of Neuse, Capital Boulevard and Western Boulevard. Drive on in because there's usually little to no seating, order up at the window and Cook Out will have you in and out, lickety split. Service is always unfailingly polite, they train their staff well here! Their Cook Out platter is an amazing deal for $4.73 with taxes, talk about a recession buster.

Choose from either a 1/4 lb burger, barbeque sandwich (with diced slaw and Texas Pete), chicken sandwich or foot-long hot dog. Add in two sides and a drink (soda or Cheerwine float) for that one low price. Or you can even add a milkshake in for an extra dollar. The sides range from fries and onion rings to a corn dog or wrap. Cook Out burgers ARE just the way you would grill em outdoors and the meat is ground fresh daily. And the 30 or so milkshake flavors are to die for, ranging from chocolate peanut butter to their summer favorite, watermelon. With late-night hours, Cook Out makes for a great stop after a night on the town.

Heading out west you'll find a small sandwich shop off of Tryon Road in Cary called Anvil's Cheesesteaks. While the menu is simple (12 sandwich options, chips and drinks), what Anvil's does to meat, cheese and bread is wonderfully special. They start off with a fresh Neomonde roll, fill it with plenty of grilled steak, add in some melty provolone and maybe some grilled onions and peppers for good measure. The melange of steak, cheese and veggies in your mouth makes for an awesomely delicious experience. And don't miss out on their roast pork sandwich with provolone and spinach, which is nearly as good as the steak.

So even if you need your food fast, you can support your local businesses by hitting up one of these old-school grills! I really don't mind doing a fast-food chain from time to time (and later paying a dear price for it) but it just feels better to eat local. There's nothing that hits my lunch spot better than unwrapping a good sandwich or dog, perfect when you're on the move. And it just tastes better when you're doing it on the cheap, bon appetit!

Cheap Eats for Meaty Fun

-------------------------------

Char-Grill- Raleigh

Roast Grill- Raleigh

Cook Out- Various Locations

Anvil's Cheesesteaks- Cary

Favorite Kitchen Gifts for the Holidays...

2011-12-11T05:01:00.016-05:00

Even though Foodalicious Follies is all about dining and eating out, I have to admit that there's really nothing better than a home-cooked meal. Breaking out the bowls, measuring spoons and a sharp knife is my idea of fun at home! And with the holiday season coming up, there's nothing better for the home cook than getting some new tools and toys for the kitchen. But let's face it, it's all about practicality and usability in the kitchen so while these items may not be the sexiest gifts, I'd still love to receive em! It's really not about the money you spend with kitchen tools, it's all about the utility.

On the inexpensive side, I have several favorite items. Bamboo tools ranging from spatulas to spoons and more. Bamboo works great because they don't scratch pans, don't conduct heat and are made of very sustainable wood. My favorite bamboo tool is probably a scraper spoon which acts as both a spatula and a spoon, super useful. Flour sack cloths are also awesome! Lightweight, durable and great at cleaning up spills, keep a couple of these cloths handy for any counter accidents. And finally, glass prep bowls. These little bad-boys can be hard to find, typically they come in a lot of sizes but I use the small ones to hold spices, chopped ingredients like garlic and other items for my recipes. They're used for mise en place, making sure all your ingredients are prepped and ready to go. Love em!

Stacking mugs are a great gift and super inexpensive. My set from World Market cost about $10 and gets used for everything from tea, ice cream, soup and more. Use em plenty often so how can you go wrong? A decent pair of wine glasses is perfect for vino-lovers. While Riedel is the preferred glass used by oenophiles, I'm fond of Spieglau glasses. Super thin, and I've had good luck over many years, sticking them in the dish-washing machine. And they do make wine taste better, even if it's a cheapo bottle! I'm also in love with some aluminum pans I've purchased over the last year. Always went with non-stick, steel pans and they always end up nasty. Aluminum bakeware from Nordic Ware is super lightweight, easy to clean and will last a lifetime. Just be careful not to cut or scratch the bake-ware when serving food, there are some concerns that aluminum consumption can cause long-term health issues.

And finally on the more expensive side, one of the most important tools in the kitchen, knives! It's a manly gift, there's nothing better than getting some sharp steel for the kitchen. Just be aware that many cooks have preferences for a certain brand or country, whether you're talking about Global (Japanese), Henckels (German), Shun (Japanese) or Wusthof (German). Sharp, high-quality knives are key to quick and effective ingredient preparation and are worth the money.

Many years ago, I bought my mom a set of Global knives and I really enjoy seeing her use them in the kitchen today. And of course with knives you'll need something to chop on, so don't forget about a nice, maple cutting board! Maple works great since it's hard and dense, plus it also looks pretty cool. John Boos and JK Adams have reputations for putting out great maple blocks but of course they're not cheap. But there's nothing better than the whackety-whack sound of working in the kitchen on a solid wood cutting board.

So whether you're celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, there's nothing wrong with gifting some great kitchen tools to inspire your loved ones. If they're really into cooking and entertaining, even the most basic tools can be a special present. And who knows? Maybe they'll even cook you up a wonderful meal in return? So Merry Kwanzakah, y'all! And bon appetit...

Super Useful Kitchen Gifts for the Holidays
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Bamboo Kitchen Tools- Amazon.com
Flour Sack Towels- Amazon.com
Glass Prep Bowls- Williams-Sonoma
Stacking Mugs- World Market

Spieglau Wine Glasses- Amazon.com
Nordic Ware Aluminum Bakeware- Amazon.com

Global, Henckel, Shun, Wusthof knives- Williams-Sonoma
Maple Chopping Blocks- Amazon.com

More Pub than Brewery, Natty Greene's in Raleigh!

2011-12-02T05:00:00.015-05:00

Over the past three years in the Triangle, we've seen the emergence of several new breweries: Fullsteam, Lonerider and Roth to name a few. And while I love to quaff down a fresh beer at one of these spots, I'm always about the food and eats which is why Natty Greene's Pub and Brewing Co. is one of my favorite go-to spots for a quick meal and beer. And while there may be slightly better beer at Big Boss, Natty's hits the trifecta by delivering solid eats and fresh beer in a GREAT space. There's nothing better than some good pub food washed down with a brewski, right? And the food at Natty's is definitely a cut above most bars.

Crack open the door at Natty Greene's and you'll immediately notice the place is HUGE! The cavernous brick space (complete with brewing equipment) has three main rooms, a loft with private room and a small outdoor patio. I always end up in the center room, just because the action of the bar and televisions makes things a bit more lively. Grab one of the large, thick round tables with stools and admire the polished hardwood floors and ceiling beams. Behind the pub area is what I call the game room where Natty's houses a shuffleboard table and more. And Natty's also has a calmer and quieter dining room up front, boring!

While Natty does brew all of its beers, not all are brewed on site in Raleigh. With the original sister restaurant in Greensboro, they've got two facilities for making their beers! The darker brews are my favorites, love the Old Town brown ale and Black Powder imperial stout. Appetizers are great at Natty Greene's, I've enjoyed the chipotle BBQ wings, nachos and crab dip here. The best appetizer is probably the mesquite fries: a delicious pile of thin-cut fries, covered in cheese sauce, bacon and scallions. They definitely give the Raleigh Times a run for its money for best cheesey fries in town.

The menu here is pretty expansive with plenty of choices for everyone. And while Natty's does salads and plates, their sandwiches are where the real value is at. From great burgers to Cuban sandwiches all on a delicious soft roll. I'm a huge fan of their Jones Street Philly which is chopped chicken breast, peppers and mushrooms smothered in garlic aioli sauce. And the Chipotle BBQ sandwich with roast pork and slaw is fantastic, also! Toss in a side of house-made chips and I'm a really happy camper. Portion sizes at Natty's is pretty good, we're talking very solid, rib-sticking pub grub.

Service is probably the only thing I can occasionally gripe about here, they do a team service which means the food comes out quickly but the main server has always been a bit hit or miss for me. But you know what? With all the other pluses, I tend to overlook the inconsistent service at Natty Greene's. I've eaten here so many times I've lost count and whether you're talking an outdoor lunch on the patio, a late night dinner or just beers, I always enjoy my visits. And with a location tucked away off of Glenwood, the place is usually a lot quieter in the off nights. So rock on Natty Greene's! I guarantee you that when they drop that plate of mesquite fries in front of you, you'll be thinking bon appetit and let's dig in...

Natty Greene's Pub & Brewing Co
505 W. Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 232-2477

Menu at Natty Greene's
Natty Green's on Facebook

Location on Google Maps

Soothing and Savory Czech Food at Klara's Restaurant in Cary

2011-11-22T05:00:00.002-05:00

Ok, I have to confess. I have a bit of a blind-spot in my food rearview mirror and Eastern European cuisine sometimes gets missed. Why? I'm not sure exactly why, I've been to Budapest, Hungary and really enjoyed the culture and restaurants there. I guess when I think of Eastern European food, visions of thick stews, starchy potatoes and dense sausages come dancing in my head. For some reason when I go out to eat, that's rarely what I'm up for. But you know what? I have a great restaurant that's changed the way I think about this ethnic cuisine: Klara's Restaurant out in Cary. A restaurant that delivers delicious Eastern European food with style!

Klara's is the ONLY Czech restaurant that I know of in the area and it's worth the effort to find. Located in downtown Cary, you'll have to brave a swath of relocated Yankees to eat here (just kidding). Head on over to S. Academy street and pull into the tight little parking lot in front. Klara's got a wonderful outdoor patio on the street-side of the restaurant for when the weather's nice! The inside of Klara's is comfortable and inviting. Classic European decor with cloth napkins and flowers at each table signal a great meal to come.

Start off with one of their soups to warm things up. I tried a delicious cabbage soup peppered with ham and hints of savory smokiness, wonderful stuff. For the mains you'll find a lot of classics like beef stroganoff and goulash, along with some more interesting choices. The moravian chicken, a braised breast layered with peach and cheese, sits in a light broth, tasty stuff. And the potato dumpling stuffed with ham?! The dumpling is covered in bacon and carmelized onions, and served over warm sauerkraut, yum! While the food at Klara's is certainly not lightweight, it's perfect on a cold day when you need something more hearty and filling. And with dessert options like apple strudel or crepes drizzled with chocolate and strawberry puree, Klara's will satisfy your sweet-tooth too.

While I've only done lunch at Klara's Restaurant, the setting would work perfectly for a dinner date. Service for both my visits was efficient but could have been more friendly, still no major complaints there. I'll definitely get back here soon for dinner to get the full experience with vino. Now that the weather has turned colder here in NC, Czech cabbage soup sounds perfect to me. Thank you Klara for reminding me that there is great food across the ENTIRE European continent. Bon appetit!

Klara's Restaurant
200 S. Academy Street
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 319-5656
Menu at Klara's Restaurant

Location on Google maps

Much to be Thankful For, Unless You're a Turkey...

2011-11-20T10:40:00.021-05:00

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, along with plenty of turkey, stuffing, green beans and pie, I wanted to wish everyone out there, a warm and wonderful holiday season. I know I focus on food quite a bit but it's really about the entire meal and who you're sharing it with. In the end, it's always really about the people in your life. And over the past year, it's been a lot of dining, fun, sharing and support. So I have to absolutely give thanks to the many peeps in my Foodalicious world!

* To my friends who put up with me snapping pics at the table, they even patiently wait before diving into their meals!

* To my family who has endured many phone calls and online chats outlining the latest news and events in my life and it's not always rainbows and unicorns, thank you.

* To Band Together and Danny for putting on such great music and volunteer events. And yes, supporting me during my current job search.

* To my Yelp posse and Christina, thanks for the tremendous fun and Elite events, if anyone can keep up with my eating it's all of you.

* To Rocky Top Hospitality for all the tweets and your support for the upcoming Jingle Ball. Great job, RTH and I'm looking forward to your new restaurant concepts in 2012.

* To R-Town Living and Chuck for finding away to pull together a lot of Raleigh's Young Professionals. Well-run events, super networking opps with food and fun, grazie!

* To the trivia crew at Atlantic BT for allowing me to crash their party, whether we're Sandusky Showers or Jalopy, it's always fun.

Let's keep things Foodalicious, fattening and fun for the holiday season and beyond!

My best,

RonW

Hip-Hipster Hooray for Capital Club 16 in Raleigh!

2011-11-01T05:00:00.026-04:00

With the opening of Kings Barcade and Neptune's Parlour, excitement returned to what was a quiet section of Martin Street in Raleigh. But in addition to these great, hipster bars, don't miss out on the wonderful food and dining at Capital Club 16, located right next door! Capital Club 16 does an updated Continental-American menu but at the core, it's all about high-quality meats and ingredients with deft preparation. While the location and food may seem a bit unassuming at first, repeat visits to Capital Club 16 make you quickly realize how amazing this eatery really is.

Inside, Capital Club 16 is all awash in whites, traditional wallpaper, dark woods and refreshed continental decor. A lot of work and effort was put into finding specific pieces that enhance the interior. From the ornate mirror behind the bar, to the classic wooden chairs around dining tables, you get a sense of style and airiness at Capital Club 16. The open space and high ceilings means the place can get noisy-busy at times but you've got the option of sitting outside on the sidewalk.

Pop open their menu and you'll see some familiar dishes (salad nicoise, roasted chicken, mac n cheese) but you'll also seem some specialties like beef brisket mini's, schnitzel sandwich and a wonderful butcher's plate. And don't miss the chalked specials menu next to the bar, where the chef really pushes the envelope. I've tried a great porchetta sandwich and lobster mac n cheese, off the specials board!

The devil is truly in the details and that's where Capital Club 16 shines. Start off with their shanny fries, tender medium-cut fries sprinkled with sea salt and parsley. The fries are available with most meals but you'll miss out on the delicious aioli dipping sauces. The sausage sampler app is a fantastic plate of meat served with a zippy, fresh mustard, great stuff...

For the main entrees, I've done a great golden buck breakfast burger with the fried egg cooked just right. The butcher's plate comes with amazing grilled pork belly and sauerkraut. And I had a friend tell me that his beef brisket mini's may have been some of the best barbeque he's ever put in his mouth. Everything at Capital Club 16 is reasonably priced but they don't skimp out at all on the quality of ingredients, a great combo.

The service at Capital Club 16 is also really good. Pleasant hipsters in casual plaid, they do a great job making sure your meal is well-paced and water glasses are filled. The old-school bar in front is small but has a decent selections of beer and liquor. Capital Club 16 also does a great brunch with options like challah french toast, sausage gravy over eggs and biscuits, along with a fantastic bloody mary!

So if you're ever headed on Martin Street to a show at Kings, don't miss this unassuming but delicious restaurant! Capital Club 16 works so well in many ways. A casual business lunch during the day. Late-night eats on the weekend. Or maybe a relaxing brunch on their busy sidewalk. And all at a decent price. Bon appetit Capital Club 16, and keep it up with all the great food and dining!

Capital Club 16
16 W. Martin Street
Raleigh, NC 27605
919.747.9345

Menus at Capital Club 16
Capital Club 16 on Facebook

Location on Google maps

Best Burger in Raleigh? Draft on S. Glenwood!

2011-10-17T05:00:00.022-04:00

Burgers, burgers, burgers! Have you ever stopped to think how many of them you've eaten over the course of your life? Everything ranging from Mickey D's to White Castle to Red Robin and more. Burgers are one of those food categories where it's REALLY hard to get a bad one. Same deal for me with pizza and pasta. But your mouth knows when it gets a really good one, and for that reason alone my friend, you need to check out Draft in downtown Raleigh. As part of the Rocky Top Hospitality group, Draft took over the sunken space that used to be the Hi 5. With a very similar menu to Rocky Top's Tribeca Tavern, Draft does burgers and beers a little bit better in my opinion!

Head over to 510 Glenwood and take the stairs down to the lower level. There you'll find the inconspicuous and industrial doorway to Draft. Step on through and you'll be thinking, wow! You're in a whole different world at Draft, maybe the second happiest place in the world because how can you go wrong with great beers and burgers? Lots of dark polished woods, gleaming beer taps and dim lighting give the place a tavern-like feel. Great space for a casual date, night out with the boys or even solo at the bar.

Pop open the menu, it's simple but with tons of options. Draft has a set of Mash House brews on rotation and plenty of other high-quality NC brews on tap, about thirty choices total. The food menu has a solid choice of appetizers, pizzas, burgers, sandwiches and salads but if you're coming to Draft for a salad, shame on you! With twenty different specialty burger choices, ten different cheeses and seven different base burgers (ground beef, kobe, bison, chicken, lamb, turkey and veggie) you've got nearly an unlimited combination of eats.

Given how big the burgers are at Draft, I'm hesitant to recommend getting an appetizer but let's throw caution to the wind. For appetizers, I've tried out the pickle chips, potato skins with short-rib and grilled Asian wings. Loved the plump wings with a tangy dipping sauce, highly recommend! And Draft still has the crab dip appetizer and Japanese blackened wings from the old Hi 5 menu.

But lets move on to the burger main course, you really have to appreciate Draft's focus on local North Carolina ingredients. House-ground Angus beef from Ayden, NC, locally smoked bacon and sausage along with fresh Neomonde buns. They pride themselves on the quality of the ingredients here and you will taste the difference. But with prices ranging from $11 to $15 (with a side), you have to be good!

I'm a sucker for meat on meat so anything with bacon works for me. The Hurricane burger is stacked high with pork shoulder barbeque, slaw and bacon. The double-patty Wolfpack comes with monterey jack cheese, bacon and fried onions. Or go with the Pirate which is somewhere in between, with cheddar, chili, slaw and bacon. All of these burgers are meant for two-handed eating or you'll have to take a knife to Draft's meaty beasties. My strategy is to pop the top bun on, squeeze down slowly to compress this burger bad-boy and slice it in half for easier eating. Sides of onion rings, house-made potato chips, twice-baked potato and mac n cheese are also done really well, not that you'll need more food after the burger!

In addition to the great burgers at Draft, service is prompt and professional. Beer specials pretty much every day of the week give you some low-cost quaffing options. And if that wasn't enough to get you to visit, they also have five full-size pool tables (9') in game rooms available for rent ($7/hour). A shuffleboard table completes the entertainment options.

The Triangle is experiencing a burger renaissance with the openings of Bull City Burger & Brewery and Chuck's in addition to Draft and Tribeca Tavern. A year ago I covered some of the best burgers in the Triangle and I'm happy to say that Draft may be the best of them all. Depending on when you stop in, Draft can have a different feel when you visit. It walks the fine line between restaurant, brewpub and sports bar really well. But what I guarantee is that you'll get a great burger, solid service and fresh beer. And that's a formula that's hard to beat any time, bon appetit!

Draft

510 Glenwood Avenue

Raleigh NC 27603

919.834.2955

Menu at Draft

Location on Google maps

Modern Indian Flavors at Mantra Restaurant- Raleigh

2011-10-02T05:00:00.016-04:00

As a self-proclaimed ethnic food addict, I have to say that I typically use a reverse sliding scale for my Asian and Indian eats. The rattier and dirtier the place is, the better the food HAS to be, right? But in the case of the new Mantra Indian restaurant restaurant in Raleigh, they blow that theory right out of the water. Because Mantra Restaurant does great Indian food in a stylish environment, without giving up any of the taste or flavor one would want in S. Asian food. So you get tasty ethnic food with great ambiance AND service, woohoo!

Located in the old space previously owned by Blue Martini and Vintage Bar, the owner of Mantra (Gamer Rawat, previously from Saffron Restaurant) has renovated the space to bring it back to life. Jewel-hued rooms, modern tableware with sparkling wine glasses and just a hint of Indian decor prepare you for the delicious treats to come. A long and stylish bar gives you some cocktail options while you wait and a covered patio offers some fresh-air dining. But make no mistake, the overall feel at Mantra is upscale no matter where you end up!

Mantra's extensive menu is focused on tried and true northern Indian classics but Chef Rawat puts a couple of twists in the menu with items that I haven't seen elsewhere. Lobster masala? Potatoes in a pomegrante-tomato sauce? Whoa, I think a little bit of Indian fusion has snuck onto the menu. What I really like is that Mantra does a great job describing the entrees. Indian food has always been a challenge for me and I stick to the basics because I know for sure what I'm getting. The details in Mantra's menu makes it easier for newbies and veterans to go explore a bit in their dining choices, fantastic!

For starters, they bring out some crisp papadum with a lovely spread of dipping sauces: tamarind and some chutneys. The tamatar basil sorbha I tried was a delicious tomato soup spiked with veggies and slivers of ginger for contrast. As with most Indian menus, the food at Mantra is very vegetarian-friendly with plenty of options for non-meat-eaters.

For mains, try the murgh tikka masala which is a classic dish of tandoori chicken pieces in a tomato-yogurt sauce. Mantra's version is very savory with a touch of spice and heat. The lamb korma consists of chunks of lamb in a cumin-ginger sauce, great stuff. And the goan machali is a filet of fish over a tomato-onion sauce with some coconut milk was delicious. The fish was cooked through just perfectly. A side of basmati rice and fluffy naan completed our main meal, both were great for soaking up the wonderful sauces in our dishes. Two key differentiators at Mantra is the preparation and presentation of food. You can tell they want you to enjoy the meal with your eyes, a definite step up from most Indian restaurants.

And of course how could you end a meal without some sweets? If you do the Thali lunch, you have no choice about dessert (twist my arm!). Try the mango mousse which is a light, fruity palate cleanser. Or maybe the traditional rice pudding with crushed pistachios. To be honest with you, most Asian desserts aren't going to blow you away but at Mantra, they make for a perfectly fine ending to a great meal.

While Mantra restaurant transforms upscale Indian food with a hint of fusion and French flavor, it does so in a way that's extremely subtle and still delicious! Indian food is fantastic so why mess with a good thing? But the addition of modern decor and twists to the menu really completes the experience here. So repeat after me, if you like great Indian food, visit Mantra. If you like great Indian food, visit Mantra... And I'm pretty sure after you visit the place you'll have found your mantra for tasty Indian food, bon appetit!

Mantra Restaurant and Bar

116 N. West Street, #100

Raleigh, NC 27603

919.822.2823

Menu at Mantra

Location on Google maps

Halloween Haunts in the NC Triangle Area!

2011-10-01T05:00:00.008-04:00

With Halloween right around the corner, it's hard not to get excited for all the spooks and frights ahead! For some people, Halloween is THE holiday of the year and if you want to bump into things that go bump in the night, here's where for 2011...

(Note: These haunts are pretty realistic, not sure if I'd recommend anyone under the age of 12)

Raleigh Jaycees Haunted House- Raleigh, NC

Haunted Forest at Panic Point- Youngsville, NC

Woods of Terror- Greensboro, NC

Kersey Valley Spookywoods- High Point, NC

The Original Hollywood Horror Show- Snow Camp, NC

Map of all Haunted Attractions

And if you're getting dressed up for a party, Spirit stores in the Triangle

20% off coupon at Spirit Stores

The Masters of Mixology, Custom Cocktails in the Triangle

2011-09-23T05:00:00.004-04:00

Man can not live by bread alone so it's been said and I whole-heartedly agree! How could you have a great meal without a refreshing drink along with it? Along with some of the great food in the Triangle area, where can you go for a great cocktail? While I love my beer or a glass of wine, sometimes you need the complexity and class of a cocktail made with love from a master mixologist. Thinks of cocktail as both fluid science and a whole lotta fun! It's all about a relaxing drink in a relaxed environment for some sipping pleasure.

Starting on the west side of the Triangle, stop in at the Crunkleton where you'll find bow-tie bedecked bartenders serving their best libations. While the Crunkleton has beers on tap, it's more about the liquor here. With its muted, speak-easy decor and beautiful bar, the Crunkleton feels like the perfect spot for a classic cocktail. And one of the few choices on Franklin Street (in addition to West End Wine bar) that seems made for adults. Despite the name, it's NOT about getting "crunk" here...

Over in Durham is the newly opened Roxy out on W. Main Street, another speak-easy type joint. Pop up the steps to the inconspicuous entrance, push the heavy door open and whoa! Inside the Roxy is dressed up in deep reds and dark woods. A long bar to the right, high metal-ceiling roof with fans and cozy seats on the left. The space is long and deep, similar to the Crunkleton. What used to be the Down Under Pub has taken on a whole new face!

With their specialty cocktails, wines and beers, you've got a range of libations to keep you happy. I've tried out their cherry Sidecar and a Gingersnap, both very well mixed cocktails with a bit of spice for the colder winter weather. And the bar-staff (stylishly dressed) knows what they're doing here. They serve up a mean drink and can keep you entertained! Make sure to check out this inconspicuous but very cool bar in Durham.

Heading east to Raleigh you'll find the well-talked about Foundation. Well, if you can find it! Foundation is hidden below-ground with barely a hint of where it is, up top. Just keep your eyes peeled for their neon-red sign in the gray metal stairwell. Inside you'll find rough-hewn tables, exposed brick, concrete and a beautiful bar! Foundation takes their cocktailing SERIOUSLY with fresh egg cream, in-house tonic water and fresh juices. Try one of my faves, the Basil Smash made with bourbon, basil syrup and lemon. Or how about the Tar Heel? Rum, house-made ginger ale and lime. Service may take a bit of time at Foundation because everything is custom-made and takes a bit of work. The subterranean interior of Foundation along with their fantastic cocktails will have you wondering how time has passed by so quickly.

Two other great choices for cocktails that come from the restaurant side of the world is Frazier's and the Hive above Busy Bee Cafe. I've reviewed Frazier's earlier as a wine spot but they also put out some mean drinks like an elderflower cocktail or lemon martini. While the Hive is known for its beer and live music, they also have a handful of great specialty cocktails. My favorite? The Sting: passionfruit vodka, jalapeno, and citrus. And with the recent opening of Fox Liquor Bar by Ashley Christensen, I'm sure we'll be pushing up the cocktail bar even higher.

While I'm mostly a beer and wine guy, there are some nights when only a cocktail will do. Fresh juices, high-quality mixers and great spirits combine to make for a magical mix. And it's perfect when you're dressed up and out on the town! So here's to cocktails in the Triangle and of course we're not going to end with bon appetit today. But how about salud (Spanish), slainte (Gaelic), a votre sante (French), and to your health...

Great Cocktails in the Triangle

-----------------------------------

The Crunkleton- Chapel Hill

The Roxy- Durham

Foundation- Raleigh

Frazier's Wine Bar- Raleigh

The Hive- Raleigh

Fox Liquor Bar- Raleigh

Great Fried Chicken in the Triangle! Beasley's, Dame's and...

2011-09-08T05:00:00.007-04:00

Everyone needs some guilty food pleasures in life and I'd have to say that fried chicken is one for me! There's nothing like biting into a crispy, crunchy piece of freshly fried chicken that gets me drooling. It's one of those classic, treats that you know you should stay away from. But fried chicken is sort of like pizza to me: even when it's bad, it's still pretty damn good. And while any good Southern restaurant will have its own special recipe, even fast-food fried chicken will hit the spot! Fans of Bojangles will clash with Popeye's lovers over which one is better. The newly opened Beasley's Chicken & Honey has been getting rave reviews. And what about the classic chicken and waffle combo at Dames? So in the interest of culinary clashes, I present to you my Fried Chicken Deathcage Match! May the best bird come out on top.

Let's start with the Louisiana kitchen at Popeye's! I ordered up a standard 3-piece meal (dark) along with a side of dirty rice. Popeye's is decked out in the traditional orange fast-food motif but we're here for the fried chicken, amiright? My chicken came out very lightly fried without much grease. Popeye's fried chicken is famous for its Cajun style spice so their chicken has a tiny kick at the end. The batter is pretty light and not overdone at all, just enough to keep the meat juicy! And while the chicken pieces were a bit smallish, there's plenty to eat in the meal. And the sides? The dirty rice was decent enough for a fast food side but the biscuit was pretty awful. Small, hard and dry, think hockey puck. Overall Popeye's does put out good fast food fried chicken for the price ($6.75 for meal, drink). Not a bad meal here but also not very memorable.

Moving on to a Southeastern classic Bojangles (or Bojo's), you'll often find their chicken at tailgates and parties and it ALWAYS disappears quickly. But it's not all about the chicken at Bojangles, their biscuits and sweet tea are equally popular. My three-piece dark meat dinner, mashed potatoes and biscuit came out to nearly EXACTLY the same price ($6.80) as Popeye's so there's no price advantage to either. Bojangle's fried chicken is cajun-style and a bit heavier on the breading so there's a lot of crunch and snap to the skin. Inside the chicken was really juicy and there was just a hint of heat at the end. Portion size, the chicken was about the same as Popeye's but the biscuits at Bojangles are solid: large, fluffy and with a bit of salt. The mashies? Well, nothing to write home about but if you put sausage gravy on top, I'm eatin' it! Bojangles makes some excellent fast-food fried chicken, you really can't go wrong here.

Going up the fried chicken food chain is the down-home, Dames Chicken and Waffles in Durham. I'm not sure who the brilliant person was that concocted this combination but they should be congratulated! Dames is a small family-run joint that has only one thing on the menu: chicken and waffles. BUT you get to choose from a variety of plates for chicken drums, wings or filets. There are different types of waffles and different shmears (flavored butter) and syrups to go along with that delicious fried chicken. Home-made sides ranging from fruit to mac n cheese and sauteed squash, finish off the meal.

Supported by a group of voracious Triangle Yelper's, we popped into Dames for lunch today. My order of the Red-Crested Rose Comb comes with two chicken legs kissed with powdered sugar, strawberry shmear and a beautiful, soft waffle. Dames really knows its fried chicken: well-seasoned coating, deeply fried which makes it tender, tasty without much grease. Syrup at the table gives you an opportunity to bling out your waffle a bit. Slice off some chicken, fork it on with some waffle, dip it into some butter shmear-syrup and whoa. Flavor party in your mouth! The side of macaroni and cheese was also great, creamy and spiked with oregano. At $12.80 not a bad deal at all for the chicken, waffle, side and sweet tea. (Note: Dame's dishes out a LOT of food and in our group, the clean plate club was dominated by the Yelp women. A tip of my hat to the ladies...)

Pretty much anything Chef Ashley Christensen touches turns to gold in Raleigh so when Beasley's Chicken & Honey opened up, there was a tremendous amount of buzz. I waited a couple of weeks before visiting just to let the place settle in a bit. The space is open and well-lit with natural sunlight. One long communal table down the middle, some four-tops on the edges and stools at the bar make for plenty of seating in Beasley's space. The menu is brilliantly simple, you can have chicken, chicken, or if you feel like it, chicken! Chalked up on the overhead (similar to Poole's Diner) menu you've get three chicken options (1/4 chicken, chicken biscuit, chicken and waffles for brunch/late night) and maybe six or so sides.

I went with the dark chicken and we went a bit crazy beyond that ordering biscuits, collards, beans and mac n cheese. Beasley's chicken is beautiful on the plate: well-browned, plump and drizzled with a little bit of honey. Bite in and there's a bit of salt (my guess is the meat may be brined) on the tongue, along with juicy chicken and some sweetness, delicious! Breading is minimal so it's all about the meat at Beasley's. And the sides are excellent, chopped collard greens, beans spiked with jalapenos and a square of baked mac n cheese. The biscuits are nearly scone-like, fluffy but a touch dry. However at Beasley's prices, the meal HAS to be good. At $7.50 for just the chicken, $3.50 for a la carte sides, you'll drop $13 at the minimum for a meal.

Now it's really hard to go wrong with fried chicken, it's all good! And I'm certainly not trying to directly compare upscale Beasley's chicken with Bojangles but you do need to know what you're getting for your hard-earned dollars. You can go fancy, get the frou-frou honey-chicken at Beasley's or just feel content to eat your fried chicken at a plastic table, the choice is yours. Or you can go the middle route of fried chicken with those delectable waffles! And don't forget the biscuit, mac n cheese and collards, because the sides count too. Bawk-bawk and bon appetit...

Great Fried Chicken in the Triangle
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Popeyes- Various Locations
Bojangles- Various Locations
Dame's Chicken and Waffles- Durham
Beasley's Chicken and Honey- Raleigh

European Style Shopping and Dining in Lafayette Village, Raleigh

2011-08-20T05:00:00.005-04:00

Way up on Falls of Neuse Road in Raleigh is a quiet little shopping area called Lafayette Village. You could pass this plaza a hundred times and not even notice it. But if you drive by without stopping, you my friend, are missing out! Because inside Lafayette Village are a slew of gourmet options for eating, drinking, and shopping. Slate stone walkways, stucco exteriors and metal hanging flower baskets accent the plaza. The quaint European facades give you some idea of what to expect but there's no easier way to experience Lafayette Village than with a quick virtual visit!

If you're a home cook, Savory Spice is a must stop. A small chain based out of Colorado, Savory Spice's Raleigh location is the only one in North Carolina. Pretty much any spice you can think of is available here. Take a sniff through their sample containers, buy a bag of spices or maybe one of their mixes. Paprika, peppers, meat rubs and more, this place smells wonderful. They even have a grinding room on site for their custom blends. As a home chef I can tell you that fresh spices can make all the difference in the end results. If you've had that little bottle of rosemary sitting on your shelf for a couple of years, maybe it's time to replace it!

For those of you who don't want to cook and get something pre-made, Antonio's Gourmet Market is an AMAZING find! Step inside and you'll pass a small produce area only to find yourself in front of a long, winding refrigerated case. Wonderful looking seafood, meats and deli products lie behind the glass in addition to a huge selection of cold salads, warm entrees and more. In the opposite corner you'll find Antonio's pizza and sandwich area where you can grab lunch. I had a huge Goombha (meatball) sandwich there which could have easily fed two people. Soft, crusty bread and meatballs covered in marinara sauce and cheese, deelish! Antonio's is a throwback to NYC type gourmet markets and if you appreciate good food, you'll love Antonio's.

Simply Crepe's recently just opened up in Lafayette Village and again, it's the only North Carolina location for a small, upstate NY chain. Inside, Simply Crepes has a continental feel but service is all Southern and friendly. You can do crepes for breakfast, lunch or dinner but I highly recommend checking them out for dessert. Their chocolate mousse crepe with strawberries and blueberries was great. And don't miss their side of roasted potatoes if you're doing breakfast at Simply Crepes.

If you're having dinner at Lafayette Village what better way to finish off your evening than with a glass of wine or gelato? Vinos Finos y Picadas is a labor of love from owner, Pat West. They specialize in S. American wines and appetizers. Grab a glass of malbec, a plate of empanadas or a charcuterie plate and kick back. Pat has family back in Argentina so he constantly visits to get the best wine deals for you. This classy little wine bar is worth the trip if you're looking for a relaxed evening.

And around the corner from Vinos Finos is Henry's Gelato, a neat little shop. Check in at the front touchscreen to join their loyalty club and order up one of the sixteen or so delicious flavors: hazelnut, strawberry and more. Don't get too disappointed when your order comes in a tiny cup. Italian gelato is a rich, dense and flavorful alternative to ice cream. A little cup will do ya fine!

In addition to all these great choices you've got Italian food at Paparazzi, baked goods at Upper Crust and Jubala's coffeehouse. Lafayette Village is still growing into its space so I expect even more in the upcoming year. The circular design of the village means there's a ring of patios behind the shops where you can see all the action. They've also got a huge common area where I imagine they could do some great festivals and events. And while it may be a bit of a drive to get to Lafayette Village from downtown Raleigh, it's worth the effort. Because all I can think of when I'm wondering through the area is bon appetit, it's time to eat!

Shops in Lafayette Village
8450 Honeycutt Road, Raleigh

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Savory Spice Shop

Simply Crepes

Antonio's Gourmet Market

Vinos Finos y Picadas

Henry's Gelato

Upper Crust Bakery

Jubala Village Coffee

Paparazzi Restaurant

Location on Google maps

Babylon Restaurant- Raleigh: Moroccan in a Sumptuous Setting

2011-08-07T05:00:00.004-04:00

Ask and ye shall receive! A couple years back I was sitting outside of Mosaic Wine Lounge with its owner, Samad Hachby and lamenting the lack of a Moroccan restaurant in the Triangle. Aziza out in San Francisco was one of my absolute favorites and always did an amazing job serving up fresh food, bursting with flavor in rich surroundings. Fast forward to July 2011 and Babylon Restaurant opens up in Raleigh, the first Moroccan restaurant (that I know of) in the area! For first-time visitors to Babylon, beware. The location is tucked away off of N. Dawson Street in a hidden location. Heading south as the road bends to the right, there's a sharp right turn into Babylon's spacious parking lot across from the Days Inn.

From the outside, Babylon looks like a private compound. A weathered, dark building behind brick walls sets the mood. Push the large gate door open and you step into a refreshing oasis. Reflecting pool in the center, dark wicker seating topped with plush cream cushions and a large outdoor bar. Babylon's courtyard is perfect for some fresh air cocktails! Head over to a heavy wooden door and step inside to Babylon itself. Babylon's space is subtly highlighted by polished stone floors, deep, dark woods and dim lighting. No expense has been spared with the decor, many of the pieces were imported from Morocco. The most comparable restaurant I can think of is Revolution out in Durham. Babylon is definitely an upscale and sexy spot for dinner. Think dress to impress and bring a special date type place.

I've stopped by for drinks, appetizers and a full sit-down meal. Babylon's got a lot of space so it can play a lot of different roles for your evening. Grab a glass of wine ($7 - $11) at the bar or a full-course meal in the dining room. Start off with the seafood brawat, a delicately fried roll of shrimp and calamari with a hint of lemon juice. Think of a seafood ceviche eggroll! Or try their zaalook cold platter: pureed eggplant, olives and Moroccan bread perfect for sharing. On the night I ate at Babylon, I was excited to try their chicken bastilla (chicken in phyllo dough) but apparently so was everyone else so unfortunately, they were all out. My backup dish of Marrakech couscous with chicken tagine was served with stewed chickpeas and cherries. Very tender, creative and delicately spiced. And the pizza paysanne here was great, a large pie with fluffy crust and topped with fresh zucchini, peppers and eggplant, dee-licious!

The staff at Babylon is well-trained, professional and knowledgeable about the menu. Our dinner party of ten was well-served throughout the evening. And the patrons fall into the professional adults demographic, pretty much anyone who can appreciate a fine meal and good glass of vino. Babylon is certainly not cheap ($15 - $24 entrees) but for the organic ingredients, upscale environment and service, you get what you pay for. And don't miss the party room on the far side of Babylon's bar. The painted wood inlaid ceiling is amazing and with the DJ booth in the corner, I've seen some serious dancing going down at Babylon. On Friday and Saturday nights, Babylon really does become more of a bar and club so be aware!

While Raleigh may not be a major urban center, it will be restaurants like Babylon that will help it reach the next level when it comes to entertainment and dining. Sparkling decor, interesting ethnic food, sophisticated dining and late hours makes for a nice change of pace in the Triangle. While I love my Southern seasonal food, I'm always looking for more edgy and interesting meals to mix things up. And Babylon certainly fits that bill. So kudos to Mr. Hachby for delivering a unique Moroccan experience to Raleigh! They're off to a great start and I'm looking forward to see what Babylon has cooking up over the next six months. Pour me a glass of wine, hand me over that basket of delicious Moroccan bread, all I'm thinking is bon appetit and Šukran bezaf!

Babylon Restaurant

309 N. Dawson Street
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 838-8595

Location on Google maps

Gourmet Eats on Wheels- KoKyu BBQ, Klausie's, PiePushers

2011-07-23T08:00:00.001-04:00

You know you're a real foodie when you're a huge fan of food trucks. Decades ago, you only went to a food truck when you were stuck without transportation and you gave the food truck all sorts of awful names (roach coach, grease truck) but guess what? All things change with time! Now food trucks are often on the cutting edge of the culinary world. An option for budding restauranteurs to try out their latest offerings and treats with a minimum of overhead. Out here in the Triangle we've seen quite a few pop up over the last three years and I guarantee you, they can definitely be worth the effort to find.

But let's face it, you really do have to make the effort because they're constantly on the move. Best way to keep up with these rolling, culinary delights is to add them to your Twitter feed or become a fan on their Facebook page. Some also do have fairly sophisticated websites but for real-time information (crucial), I find Twitter and Facebook are better options. And given that many food-trucks are budding entrepreneurs, their schedules can be less than consistent as well as their locations.

Two of my favorites in the Triangle just happen to begin with the letter K, Klausie's Pizza and KoKyu BBQ truck. Klausie's Pizza is run by the hard-working Michael Stenke who brings us a regional favorite, Michigan pan pizza! Sort of like Sicilian pizza, this thick pan pizza features brick cheese melted to the edges and a hearty tomato sauce on top. Or go with a lighter vegetarian slice full of olives and feta cheese. Klausie's pizza is for hearty appetites, a couple of these thick bad-boys will have you snoozing back at the office soon enough! Klausie's Pizza is based out of Raleigh but due to challenging (and hard to understand) food truck regulations, he spends more time at points west. But do make an effort to find Klausie's, it's really good pizza and different than most other options you'll find out here!

And I'm not sure what KoKyu stands for but to me, it means delicious takos and quesadillas full of braised meats and popping with flavor! Check out the artistic, graffiti covered trailer and you know that KoKyu is not your ordinary food truck. They specialize in global foods, think intra-ethnic flavors like pork belly takos spiked with sesame oil and a bit of heat. Their short rib quesadilla is a large cheese-laden, umami delivery vehicle. Lots of meaty chew, rich cheese and pan-fried goodness. And their duck fat tots sprinkled with herbs? Dee-licious! KoKyu normally hangs out at Motorco off of Rigsbee Street in Durham but gets around a bit in the Triangle.

One final food truck option that I enjoy is Pie Pushers! Pretty much the opposite of Klausie's Pizza, Pie Pusher's calls their slice "Durham-style". It's pretty comparable to a NYC slice with a crisper, snappier crust. Which is really helpful if you're going to put great toppings on it! And yes, Pie Pushers has some seasonal gourmet options from meat-based, vegetarian and even vegan toppings. Think jalapenos, pesto, sprouts, lamb and more! But yes, I always go with my tried and true plain ol' cheese just to make sure a pie is up to snuff. And Pie Pusher's definitely dishes out some high quality slices for $3 to $5.

Now I'm not sure if you're a food truck doubter or lover but I hope you give the three mobile options above a try. Yes, you will have to do some footwork and it won't be easy. But that's what I love about food trucks, their quirkiness, the personalities and the passion that goes into their offerings. Pretty much the exact opposite of what you would get from a cookie-cutter, chain restaurant. You know that the owner is probably cooking, serving and taking your cash at his or her truck. So bon appetit Klausie's, KoKyu, and Pie Pushers! May your tires always be full of air and your gas tank never on E...

Great Food Trucks Rolling in the Triangle!

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Klausie's Pizza- Raleigh (Web, Facebook, Twitter)

KoKyu BBQ- Durham (Web, Facebook, Twitter)

PiePushers- Durham (Web, Facebook, Twitter)

Savoring Sushi and Japanese Food in Raleigh and Cary

2011-07-10T08:00:00.002-04:00

There's nothing like the breadth of food in Asian cuisine. Thai, Vietnamese, Indian and Chinese, it's difficult to choose a favorite. But for many people it's hard to go wrong with Japanese food and sushi. The simplicity of Japanese food means that the focus is on high-quality and fresh ingredients, with nuanced preparation. The flavors and textures are what make Japanese food so special in the restaurant world! But I've found that Japanese food is a cuisine that can often be intimidating to newbie diners. So let's take a quick look at some basics in Japanese cuisine!

At many Japanese restaurants a great way to start off your meal is with some green tea, miso soup, edamame and tempura. Edamame is lightly steamed soybeans dusted with a bit of salt. Pop the shell in your mouth, squeeze out the bean and enjoy! Tempura is lightly fried seafood or veggies like shrimp, sweet potato or green beans. Grab your chopsticks and dip the tempura quickly into the sauce for a bit of salt and sherry flavor, yum...

Moving onto the main course, you'll find sushi rolls, nigiri and sashimi. We're talking mostly raw seafood prepared with some combination of vinegared rice (shari) and seaweed wrapper (nori). Since the fish is typically served raw, it has to be of VERY high quality for food safety reasons. Some favorite types of fish include tuna, salmon, squid, shrimp, and eel. Sushi is most often served in tightly wrapped rolls, sliced for easy eating! Nigiri is raw fish laid atop formed piles of rice and sashimi is just plain slices of raw fish. Eating sushi with your hands or chopsticks is equally acceptable.

Given all the different combinations and types available, start with the basics of sushi roll 101 and work your way into the more advanced versions of nigiri and sashimi later. Many sushi lovers also love to dip their rolls into soy and wasabi (spicy horseradish) for some extra kick! Make sure to dab the fish-part with soy sauce, not the rice, and place the piece in your mouth with the fish side down on your tongue. Eating your sushi in this fashion makes sure you get the maximum taste. And a little bit of pickled ginger helps cleanse your palate between pieces. No matter what type of sushi roll, nigiri or sashimi you try, it's all about the savoriness and mouth-feel as you eat. They even have a Japanese word for that savory mouth-feel, called umami. And if you're not in the mood for sushi, there are other cooked options like teriyaki, donkatsu and teppanyaki (grilled meat/seafood) where the chef not only cooks for you but dazzles diners with his knife and spatula skills (Benihana).

Now where to go in Raleigh and Cary when you've got a hankering for Japanese food? I've got several favorites to recommend and they vary across the board in terms of the dining experience. If you want to eat Japanese in a traditional setting, try Waraji Restaurant on Duraleigh Road off of N. Glenwood! Inside you'll find a very subdued decor complete with tatami rooms (seating on floor cushions). The staff appears to be Japanese (many/most sushi restaurants are actually owned and run by non-Japanese) and the service is excellent! Sushi rolls are large and fresh, Waraji also does a great pork donkatsu (pork cutlet served with egg over rice). Many people consider donkatsu a basic comfort food and I'd have to agree!

Moving to the upscale side of the world, Sono in downtown Raleigh does sushi hip and modern! With specialty rolls like the Screaming O (spicy tuna, shrimp tempura), and G-Spot (eel, crab salad) means that you'll be doing your sushi, sexy! Presentation of plates at Sono is very good and really enhances the meal. And with the stylish red and black interior, set off by bamboo stalks, Sono makes for a great first date spot or night at the theater on Fayetteville Street.

Out in Cary in the same plaza as Trader Joe's lies the unassuming Yuri Japanese restaurant. Yuri is both casual and stylish with an updated, mod Japanese interior. But their fish and sushi is some of the freshest around! Stop in for lunch and try out their bento box for $10, it's an amazing amount of delicious Japanese food and a great deal. I had the donkatsu with miso soup, 3 pieces of nigiri and 4 pieces of California roll (crab meat, cucumber, avocado) which was all very well-prepared. You wouldn't think you could find great Japanese food in a strip mall plaza but Yuri does a fantastic job!

And finally up in N. Raleigh off of Creedmoor Road is the well-hidden Orchid Japanese restaurant. While Japanese can get a bit pricey for big eaters, Orchid delivers its food with a twist, an all you can eat Japanese buffet without the stacked plates and steam trays. At your table you'll have several slips of paper to check off menu items. Hit the big white button and the light will bring your server to the table. Food is cooked to order and brought to your table. Edamame, gyoza, tempura, teriyaki and seaweed salad are some appetizer options. Then move on to a variety of rolls including their delicious King Kong roll (crab meat, tuna, avocado) fried and served with masago. I found all their food to be pretty decent, maybe a step down from the top Japanese restaurants in the area but a great value play if you're really hungry.

In the end, Japanese food isn't cheap but it focuses on fresh flavors and interesting textures with a subtle preparation. I adore the ascetic decor in Japanese restaurants and it always feels a bit more elegant to me. It's like the difference between chugging a beer and sipping some scotch, you take your time to savor Japanese food! And sushi is typically beautifully presented, I often feel a bit guilty when I start diving in to eat. So slide me over some chopsticks and wasabi, eating at these Japanese restaurants will have you on a roll. Bon appetit and arigato!

Favorite Japanese Restaurants in Raleigh-Cary

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Sono- Raleigh

Waraji Restaurant- Raleigh

Orchid Japanese- Raleigh

Yuri Japanese- Cary

Eatin' Outdoors in the Triangle- Patios and Blue Skies

2011-06-30T08:00:00.001-04:00

With summer just around the corner, where to go for some fresh air, sunshine (or stars) and a meal? After dealing with the cold, summer nights in San Francisco for five years, it was fantastic being out here in North Carolina watching the fireflies light up the evening air. There's just something about eating outside that makes for an amazing meal when you've got a warm summer's night! So where to go in the Triangle for a great outdoor meal or beer? Here are some great choices for a patio or rooftop to get your meal going.

One of my favorite patio's in downtown Raleigh is at Humble Pie in the Warehouse District. While inside Humble Pie it feels hip and urban, the patio is a whole different ball game. A large wooden deck with covered tables and a tiki bar, Humble Pie makes for a great way to start your weekend! Humble Pie specializes in small plates and big flavors. Try their spinach tart with goat cheese and parmesan or maybe their grilled andouille sausage with jalapeno bread pudding, yum! And on Sunday they do a nice brunch complete with biscuits and sausage gravy, shrimp n grits and of course the ever-popular bloody mary. Humble Pie is a great spot for a larger group, service is solid and there's plenty of space to stretch out in.

Another great outdoor option in downtown Raleigh is the rooftop of Busy Bee Cafe. Head on up the side entrance or the hidden staircase in the back of Busy Bee. Up top there's plenty of sunshine and fresh air! Order up their mac n cheese appetizer which is huge and meant to be shared. Their fried chicken drumstick with mashed potatoes and tangy collard greens are delish! And you can't go wrong with a Busy Bee burger, I stick to the tried and true American burger with cheese and fried onions. Busy Bee Cafe also specializes in hard to find draft beer so don't miss out on their cask-aged specials!

Now who doesn't like sipping a freshly brewed beer out on a deck with a great view of the city? Boylan Bridge Brewpub delivers both in a tucked away location. Bring out the dog and kids because Boylan Bridge's deck is large, shady and has a great vantage point for viewing the rapidly growing Raleigh skyline. Order up some of their popular beer battered onion rings or the delicious short-rib sandwich. Paired up with some of the seasonal ales, you'll be happy as a clam! The menu isn't big but perfect for a relaxing lunch or after work happy hour. Boylan Bridge Brewpub has come a long way since they first opened up, check 'em out when the weather is nice!

Moving out to Durham, it's easy to miss the inconspicuous Tobacco Road Sports restaurant. Located behind DPAC and next to the Durham Bulls ballpark, they've got a smallish sign out front, just look for the water fountain next to the parking structure. Step inside and your bombarded with HD flatscreens and the latest sports events. But the real action is in back on the patio! Tobacco Road Sports' patio overlooks the Durham Bulls outfield and is right above the big Blue Monster in left field, cool... Order up some of their asian lettuce wraps or buffalo chicken rolls to get the meal started. Tuck into some delicious frizzled chicken or maybe a cheesesteak. Tobacco Road sports does bar food better. But don't get too focused on your food, homerun balls will occasionally pepper the patio, so heads up!

And finally you've got the wonderful patio at Top of the Hill in Chapel Hill. A local landmark Top O' overlooks the main intersection of Franklin Street and Columbia which is perfect for high altitude people watching. Order off their eclectic American menu and definitely grab a fresh-brewed beer! Top of the Hill is really known as much for its beer and drinking as it is for its food. And service at Top O is really good, just be careful about coming here on a weekend evening after 9pm. Top of the Hill becomes a full-on party spot for Carolina kids and the place will be jammed!

For other outdoors eating and drinking, definitely check out the Raleigh Times Bar, Mellow Mushroom, Moonlight Pizza, Cafe Caturra, the Flying Saucer and Milltown in the area. Given the choice I'm always outdoors when it comes to a sit-down meal. And with all this great weather in North Carolina it's hard not to get excited about eating outside. Happiness is some sunshine, blue skies, good company and great food! Just drop those Ray-Ban's down, it's time for a beer and bon appetit!

Great Outdoor Patios in the Triangle!

-------------------------------------------

Humble Pie- Raleigh

Busy Bee Cafe- Raleigh

Boylan Bridge Brewpub- Raleigh

Tobacco Road Sports- Durham
Top of the Hill- Chapel Hill

Raleigh Times Bar- Raleigh

Mellow Mushroom- Raleigh

Moonlight Pizza- Raleigh

Cafe Caturra- Raleigh

Flying Saucer- Raleigh

Milltown- Carrboro

Guglhupf- Durham

Parker & Otis- Durham

Take Flight with Great Restaurants & Dining Around RDU Airport

2011-06-02T05:00:00.003-04:00

I don't know about you but when I travel, I often take advantage of being on the road by stuffing myself full of high-calorie food. Let's face it, when you're flying from airport to airport, it's hard to find meals that go beyond the local Applebee's-TGIF-Ruby Tuesday trifecta. Burgers, quesadillas, chicken tenders, you know the deal! But if you are heading over to Raleigh-Durham (RDU) airport in Morrisville, you've got some good local restaurant choices to balance out all that chain food. Here's a guide to some special restaurants that will keep your stomach happy and full before jetting off.

Since you're probably driving in on I-40, head south down on Airport Boulevard, Exit 284. Pass the Hooters and Cracker Barrel if you dare, and you'll soon find the delicious Dim Sum House. Dim Sum House is true to its name and serves dim sum (small, Cantonese chinese plates) all day long! Start off with some delicious har gow (steamed shrimp dumplings) or shu mai (pork dumplings), standard dim sum favorites. Dim sum comes in three primary categories: fried-savory, steamed-savory and sweet so you'll find something to suit your appetite. And depending on what they have available (daily selection changes), I'd also recommend the braised tofu rolls, ribs with black bean and chinese greens. Dim Sum House does table service during the week but on weekends it can get quite busy with the dim sum served on rolling carts. If you're not in the mood for small plates, Dim Sum House also does great Cantonese chinese food. Their beef chow fun (thick rice noodles) and salt-pepper pork chops are reminiscent of what I might find in San Francisco, great stuff!

Just a bit west of Dim Sum House is the cozy Smokey's BBQ Shack on Chapel Hill Road! Smokey's is the real deal with a pile of hardwoods out back. Try their beef brisket or smoked wings to get your meat on. Order at the counter and then pick up your food at the magic barbeque window. Smokey's is all about slow-cooked meat whether it's pork, beef or chicken with all the traditional sides: hush-puppies, brunswick stew, fried okra and mac n cheese. Inside it's all country casual but perfect for some serious eatin' So grab an old wooden table, plop your sweet tea down and dig in to some que! The parking lot is always busy here at Smokey's so you gotta trust the locals.

Further east off of I-40 Exit 287 you'll find the classic Neapolitan pizza restaurant, Bella Mia. With an old-school coal oven, Bella Mia dishes out crisp and tasty pizzas hand-crafted with quality ingredients. If you haven't had Neapolitan pizza before you're in for a surprise! A thin, hand-tossed crust, slightly charred with some light tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella and maybe one or two toppings, just keep things simple! Don't expect any hawaiian or BBQ chicken pizzas here at Bella Mia, it's all about the basics. And Bella Mia does more than za, their rosemary oven roasted wings are a great starter along with a locally brewed beer, yum! There's no cutting corners at Bella Mia and it's a unique kind of pizza for the area so don't miss out...

If you want to go to the opposite end of the pizza spectrum, check out Rosati's Pizza on Davis Drive. Rosati's in Morrisville is the only NC location for a popular Chicago deep-dish pizza chain. We're talking about thick, buttery crust loaded with chunky tomato, cheese and your favorite toppings: sausage, pepperoni, mushroom or whatever floats your boat. Just give your self a bit of time because Rosati's is about six miles from the airport and their deep-dish pizza's take a bit of time. But totally worth the effort if your up for some cheesy deliciousness!

Besides these four fantastic choices, there are some other great restaurants like An (Vietnamese), Angus Barn (Steak), C&T Wok (Sichuan Chinese) and Randy's Pizza further out. There's definitely no reason to suffer when it comes to food and restaurants around RDU Airport! Great Chinese, Italian and barbeque means you'll be saying "bon appetit" as your plane circles and lands in the Triangle. Forget about those honey-roasted peanuts my friend, it's time to eat...

Great Eating Around RDU Airport
-------------------------------------

Dim Sum House- Morrisville
Smokey's BBQ Shack- Morrisville
Bella Mia- Cary
Rosati's- Morrisville

An- Cary
Angus Barn- Raleigh
C&T Wok- Morrisville
Randy's Pizza- Durham

Munchin' on Mexican in the Triangle!

2011-05-20T08:00:00.005-04:00

Over the years, Mexican food has become as American as mom, Chevrolet, and apple pie! With a Taco Bell on every corner and Chipotle nationwide, it's hard to argue with Mexican food being a top three fave ethnic choice along with Italian and Chinese. And of course like any popular cuisine, there's so many ways to do it. From upscale and urban to your typical hole-in-the wall taquerias. But there's something about savory spiced meat in a warm tortilla contrasted against fresh vegetables and a spicy sauce that is so satisfying. Out here in the Triangle, you've got some great basic Mexican choices so let's take a quick trip, south of the border but in the Triangle!

When I first arrived in NC back in 2005, I really missed my San Francisco taquerias. While Carrburritos was a decent option, it just didn't seem very authentic to me, sorta frou-frou! Enter Fiesta Grill out in the very western part of Chapel Hill. Drive down 54W too fast and you could easily miss Fiesta Grill! Look for the plain white building in a gravel lot. Their lunch specials are a great deal and this small restaurant fills up quickly. Try the chile verde (pork in green chile sauce) or burrito chile colarado (beef in mild red sauce) burritos. A large burrito on a platter smothered with cheese and sauce along with a nice side of refried beans, yum! Add in a Jarritos or hibiscus fresca and you'll be sitting pretty at Fiesta Grill.

While I'm not much for chains, Chubby's Tacos is one of the local exceptions. With locations throughout Durham and Raleigh, you know they've got to be good! The Chubby's Taco's in Raleigh on Wycliff Road is my personal favorite. Tucked away in a corner of a strip mall next to Sushi-Thai, Chubbys can get really busy. For lunch time it's best to come in by 11:45 or you'll be in for a wait, there's plenty of hospital workers in the area. Order up front at the counter, I highly recommend their grilled tilapia or al pastor (pork and pineapple) tacos. Chubby's even makes their tortillas in house and typically serves their tacos with corn tortillas but I'm partial to flour! While you wait for your order, grab some salsa at the bar in back and you're ready for some serious eating. I have yet to make it to their burritos but I've seen them and I'm not sure how any human being could eat one in a sitting without passing out! They've also got beer, sangria and a nice little sidewalk patio area for some fresh air eating...

Moving up to Old Wake Forest Road in Raleigh, you'll find a little lunch spot called Los Cuates! Order at the counter, grab some salsa and sides at the bar and they'll bring you a large basic of chips to get your meal going. You can do individual tacos or plates (rice and beans) with most of their meats, I've enjoyed their carnitas, fish tacos and pollo asado. Love their fluffy seasoned rice and horchata! And what's great about Los Cuates is that it's totally family owned and cheap. Definitely the real Mexican deal but gringo-friendly...

Moving out to Durham, I had the chance to check out Los Comales de Durham, a VERY authentic taqueria and birrieria. Inside it looks a bit like Los Cuates but even more Mexican. Not much english is spoken here so you need to have a good idea about what you want off the menu. Their condiment bar was great, full of sliced cucumbers, radishes, peppers and pico de gallo. I ended up getting a bisteca ranchero which was stewed beef in a tomato sauce with potatoes. Excellent but I really need to try their tacos next time, they looked a bit greasy but delicious! Overall a nice little spot in Durham for Mexican if you've got some experience with taquerias.

You really have to hit up one of these little traditional Mexican spots to do the food justice. And the less people speaking English, the better! There are still quite a few taquerias I need to try: Taqueria La Vaquita and Tonali in Durham; Taqueria El Toro and Fonda y Birriera Jalisco in Raleigh but I'm thankful for all the great choices we have available to us. Sometimes I'm in the mood for junky American-Mexican food (Taco Bell), other times for nouveau Mexican (see Jibarra) but most of the time your basic taqueria is what really hits the spot for me! So pop me open a jarritos and slide me over some tacos, it's time to eat! Muy bueno apetito...

Basic Mexican Restaurants in the Triangle

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Fiesta Grill- Chapel Hill
Los Cuates- Raleigh
Chubby's Tacos- Raleigh and Durham

Los Comales- Durham

Foodalicious Follies- NC Triangle Restaurant & Food Scene

Cocktails of a Higher Calling at C. Grace in Raleigh

No Way Out for Valentine's Day

Get your Chicken Roasted Peruvian-style at Mami Nora's- Raleigh

The Good, the Bad, and the OK- Five Star and Irregardless Cafe

You Say Empañada, I Say Delicioso! *Calavera in Raleigh*

Great Vietnamese Food Pho Sure, Pho Far East

Out with the Old, In with the New!

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Favorite Kitchen Gifts for the Holidays...

More Pub than Brewery, Natty Greene's in Raleigh!

Soothing and Savory Czech Food at Klara's Restaurant in Cary

Much to be Thankful For, Unless You're a Turkey...

Hip-Hipster Hooray for Capital Club 16 in Raleigh!

Best Burger in Raleigh? Draft on S. Glenwood!

Modern Indian Flavors at Mantra Restaurant- Raleigh

Halloween Haunts in the NC Triangle Area!

The Masters of Mixology, Custom Cocktails in the Triangle

Great Fried Chicken in the Triangle! Beasley's, Dame's and...

European Style Shopping and Dining in Lafayette Village, Raleigh

Babylon Restaurant- Raleigh: Moroccan in a Sumptuous Setting

Gourmet Eats on Wheels- KoKyu BBQ, Klausie's, PiePushers

Savoring Sushi and Japanese Food in Raleigh and Cary

Eatin' Outdoors in the Triangle- Patios and Blue Skies

Take Flight with Great Restaurants & Dining Around RDU Airport

Munchin' on Mexican in the Triangle!

You Say Empañada, I Say Delicioso! Calavera in Raleigh