9 Sep 2010

Taste of Kill Devil Hills: American Pie

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When you drive into any beach town, doesn’t everyone bee-line straight for the nearest ice cream place? Well, we did.
We pitched our tent, had ice cream, hiked deserts, and then waited an hour for dinner.
These ladies who ran the locally owned and homemade ice cream (and pizza) place were friendly and informative to us (especially since we didn’t know anything about the OBX). They let us try about 5 flavors each.
I ended up getting two, but only eating one of them. Both were good but too much ice cream, so I had to go with the better.
The Chocolate Peanut Butter was out of this world. I loved it. And I’m not usually a chocolate fan. But, will go there again and get it (hopefully they have it). Winner!

9 Sep 2010

Taste of OBX: Tortugas Lie

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I know you have waited patiently for it – the best food I ate during my first stay at the OBX: mahi mahi tacos at Tortugas Lie. This is definitely my brother’s type of place.
Late lunch consisted of unsweet tea at a bar, mahi mahi tacos with beans and rice, and cocoloco chicken with a lime curry sauce served also with beans and rice (yellow and black).
All was fabulous. My friend’s parents suggested this place just up the road from their condo and beach access.
We had to wait about 10 minutes for 2 seats at the bar on Labor Day Monday. Prices were decent (9$). But, the food was great. Rach said the tacos would have been better with corn tortillas, but I took them just like they were. The lime and curry sauce for the curry chicken was fabulous – and I finished that off with the yellow rice.
So, when I go back again – I’ll definitely hit this local joint and maybe just get the tacos again so I can have both of them.

8 Sep 2010

NC Happenings: Hendersonville's NC Apple Festival

by | posted in: Festivals, food | 0
Labor Day. End of summer. Beginning of Fall. Beautiful this time of year in North Carolina (Fall is definitely my favorite time of the year).
Over in a little town in the mountains of western NC, Labor Day brings hundreds of visitors to its quaint streets. Hendersonville comes alive!
My friends and I attended:
1. Loved the smell of the Greek food and roasted corn from Mother Shucker’s right when we turned the corner on to the main street of the fair.
2. I loved the Moss Farms where I could sample the apples but also mix and match my pecks that I bought.
3. I realized that Raleigh is sort of in a warp outside of Hendersonville.
4. Kilwin’s used local apples for their candied apples.
5. The Mast General Store had been there well before the turn of the century (1900) and had a quality assortment of long ago candy. And I stocked up on some mixed amish popcorn for 5$ (which is a better price than I can get in any grocery store.
6. I practiced restraint. We had just eaten at Hot Dog World, and even though all of the food smelled wonderful, I think I just took 2 bites of one apple. Thank you Jesus for self-control being put in practice that night.
7. I loved the sun glistening off the main street buildings. Pretty at sunset.
8. Singing in my head “small town Saturday night.” Everything’s a country song.

Next year, may make a return trip to the Apple Festival.

8 Sep 2010

Our State #4: Hot Dog World (Hendersonville)

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My friends are great. Not only were we able to knock off one of the places in my magazine on Saturday – but two!
This local hangout in downtown Hendersonville was packed out for a Saturday night. Might have had something to do with it being Labor Day wknd, or the NC Apple Festival around the corner, but I tend to think that Hot Dog World might be this packed every Saturday night.
Housed in what looks like an old Sonic, which I know isn’t true, but it gives you an idea: round cement or rectangular wooden tables under a covering, slanted parking spots (minus the call order box), walk-in to order your food, and cheap good American food. This place did have much more than hot dogs, but when in Rome…
I had the Slaw Dog: hot dog, grilled bun (my favorite part of the hot dog), chili, mustard, onions, and slaw. The slaw wasn’t too tangy which is good for me. The other great thing about this hot dog, while being messy (which is a good thing), was that it stayed together. The toppings didn’t fall off or anything. Every bite was good.
My friends also got hot dogs – only complaint I think was that they weren’t as big as they looked in the magazine.
We also ordered onion rings and french fries to share. The onion rings had a delicious batter that stayed on the onion ring when you bit into it. My complaint about most onion rings (I had more on Sunday night) is that most of the time the onion slides out or the batter falls off. These did neither of those things – so that is what made them the second best onions rings I’ve eaten (best being at Red Robin – the Tower o Rings).
And since it was the Apple Festival, they had baskets of apples around the inside of the restaurant to have for dessert. Cost: under 4.75 for a hot dog and large onion rings. I love cheap food. Wish I would have saved room for the Apple Festival though.

25 Aug 2010

Taste of Raleigh: 18 Seaboard

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Treated my parents here for a belated Father’s Day/Dad’s birthday dinner. Made reservations through Open Table and everything went great from there.
The hostesses were extra accommodating to us. Our waitress was able to make recommendations and not afraid to do so. She wasn’t too pesky but did check on us throughout our stay to refill our water, bring us complimentary good eats, and make sure we had everything we needed. Definitely worth a good tip.
The decor was lovely, brick, soft drapes, dim lighting, classic place settings, sectioned off bar area (in the front of the restaurant). 18 Seaboard is set in an old rail station, so the ambience isn’t too “new fangled”. Loved it – my type of nice restaurant.
We didn’t start with any appetizers, but the kitchen gave us some crostini with their basil goat cheese. I could eat goat cheese day. This was exceptional. Creamy and bursting with flavor from the fresh summer basil. Thank you, Kitchen!
I ordered a refreshing salad with peaches. Here is their description: Pee Dee Orchard peach and field greens salad with basil balsamic vinaigrette, pecans, and aged balsamic crouton. The aged balsamic crouton was stellar and it tasted like a fruit jam. Wonderful. This salad was light and refreshing and Fresh! I loved it.
Mom ordered the Chopped Asparagus Salad and the Black Eyed Pea Cakes. I tasted both. Mom loved her salad and ate one of her black-eyed pea cakes. Too much food! 🙂 I love asparagus! They do have vegetarian options for those who have those dietary needs/wants.
Dad got the special which was salmon (he got it blackened) with potatoes, onions, corn and spinach. I could have eaten a bowl of the onions all by themselves, maybe I should have asked for an order of them. I think they were cooked with a honey balsamic – but man, they were some of the best onions I’ve ever had.
This food was local and fresh, which is something else I enjoy about a restaurant.
For dessert, we ordered the roasted Amoretti stuffed peach with homemade (in-house) blueberry and sprite melon ice cream. Could I get a quart of the ice cream to go please? So fresh and light. But, also a taste treat from the kitchen – little squares of blueberry cake with a blueberry mousse. The mousse was light and a perfect topping.
Jason and his crew at 18 Seaboard definitely know how to cook a meal and serve it up to their patrons. Will be returning! Maybe just for peach salads, onions, and ice cream! I think I could handle that.

21 Aug 2010

Our State #2: Sherefe – Fayetteville

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I used to be in Fayetteville a few times a week back 10 years ago, but this place wasn’t there. How I wish it was.
A non-descript inside decor gave room to a delicious meal that was fabulous – rivals anything The Grape Leaf (my fave Greek place in Louisville) puts out – and definitely better than anything I’ve had in RDU to date.
Favorites:
1. When I tasted my first shrimp out of this dish I immediately said “I’ve gotta learn how to make this!”. KARIDES ALA TURCA
Jumbo shrimp sauteed in white wine with garlic, tomatoes, feta cheese & mushrooms Served over fire-roasted eggplant mashed potatoes. I could have passed on the mashed potatoes, but I am not an eggplant fan. The shrimp was superb! Nice suggestion by our friendly waiter who was kind and helpful.
2. The falafel. I have grown to love this. And if a Greek/Turkish place can do this well, most other things are going to taste great as well. Their’s was perfectly fried with a pop of spice that hit you about 5 seconds after you put it in your mouth. I only had one of these, and definitely could have had more.
3. The small Greek salad. Fantastic, refreshing, diced tomatoes and cucumbers with a wonderful vinaigrette and smallish bites of feta (instead of bigger chunks). Next time I will get a large salad with falafel on it.
4. Their tzatziki sauce. Perfect to go with the spicy falafel and sop up the doughy and pleasantly warm pita bread served on the side.
Negatives:
1. Too far away (Took 75 minutes to get there).
2. I wish it was cheaper. Mom and I got the salad, sampler, and the shrimp dish, 1 tea for just under 40$. But, we got a TON of food – Mom had plenty for leftovers tonight which she just gobbled down.
So, if you ever find yourself traveling down Ramsey Street in Fayetteville, or there is a traffic jam on 95 and you want a place to stop, go here. You won’t be disappointed. Saturday – every table in the place was occupied.

21 Aug 2010

Our State #1: Neal's Deli – Carrboro

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Here we go. This will be a journey. I picked up Our State – the edition with 100 counties and 100 restaurants you must eat in this wonderful state of North Carolina.
This quaint, slightly too small for everyone for eats there, deli is in the little town of Carrboro. If you still think you will be in Chapel Hill, you may be right. The two are so closely connected. When you cross through a red light you are in a new city.
Bill Neal, now deceased, who started such restaurants as Crook’s Corner (man, I wish they were open for lunch), is the father of Matt Neal, the man running the show. Their pretzel (brezel) rolls are fabulous and soft with just enough salt to make any sandwich better.
The sandwich that got my attention on the website was the local grilled zucchini and mozzarella sandwich. Tomatoes, basil, local mozz cheese, and fresh grilled thin slices of summer goodness of zucchini. With an olive tapenade. This such was great. I could have done without the green olive tapenade – too salty when mixed with the brezel roll. Still good – that basil. The fresh mozz cheese. The perfect tomato – fresh from a summer garden.
The other sandwich we decided to try was the egg salad on rye. I love egg salad but not a huge fan of rye. The two together – amazing. That was the best egg salad ever eaten (and I’ve eaten a lot). The perfect crunch of the lettuce added that toothy bite. The rye was not overwhelming which was very nice. No need to overpower perfectly good egg salad.
The only thing I would change would be the price. They are a little steep when you only get a sandwich and a pickle. I know you are paying for freshness, locavore food. That’s why I like – wish it was just a bit easier on the debit card.
Go, enjoy this local deli. Much better than the standard Panera or Bear Rock. Support your local growers!