wintersummer's Profile
Charlotte - Good Eats Near Courtyard City Center (South Tryon St)?
Carolinadawg - thanks for helping. I know nothing about Charlotte! I didn't know I was staying in Uptown Charlotte. I thought I was downtown....or are they the same thing? It's a challenge learning what different parts of cities are called.
Charlotte - Good Eats Near Courtyard City Center (South Tryon St)?
We will be making a trip to Charlotte, staying at the Marriott Courtyard City Center (237 South Tryon Street). We will be in town 4 nights.
I'm looking for suggestions for dinner, preferably places within walking distance of hotel. I'm not looking for any particular price point, open to any type of food as long as it's good (great!). We are not fond of Chinese food. We prefer local type places.
Any thoughts?
Chefs John and Karen Shields leaving Town House (Chilhowie, VA)
I'm so sorry Town House closed! It was on my list of places to try. I remember having the Old Chatham Sheepherding Inn (in New York) on my list of places to try - and it closed before I made the trip.
Shrimp 'n Grits, Hominy Grill, Charleston, SC
Mikeh - I live right here in Chapel Hill and have had Shrimp and Grits at Crooks with some regularity. I'll admit - because it's always on the menu, I don't order it that much, preferring to try different things. However, I can't wait to try Hominy Grill's version.
Shrimp 'n Grits, Hominy Grill, Charleston, SC
Thanks for this post. We're making a trip to Charleston next week and will have to try Hominy Grill.
Tracy's Deli - Chapel Hill
We made another lunch stop at Tracy's. I had the Matzo Ball Soup and half Reuben sandwich. Both were excellent! All tables full and line of 3-4 people most of the time. Seems like they are doing lots of takeout.
Tracy's Deli - Chapel Hill
Has anyone been to Tracy's Deli on Elliott Road? We dropped in last weekend and had a great hamburger. I've heard people talking about their sandwiches, potato pancakes, and breakfasts. They had a pastry case (but think pastries are made outside the restaurant...not sure who is supplying). It's a small space, maybe only 10 tables or so. All tables were full last Saturday lunch and the take out business was steady. Just another alternative in Chapel Hill!
Help me use this mixture of olive oil and sherry vinegar
I was putting together a number of dishes during the weekend and accidentally mixed ingredients of one recipe with ingredients of another - and got one measurement mixed up.
As a result, here's the mistake I have leftover: 1 cup of olive oil mixed with 1 cup of sherry vinegar.
I know I could make a vinaigrette of some sort, but it would make so much. I'm looking for some more ideas. Maybe a marinade? If so, any thoughts? Any other ideas of what to do with my olive oil/sherry wine vinegar mixture?
Chola Nad Chapel Hill
I've been following all the posts about Chola Nad.
Does anyone know the history of the people involved in the restaurant? For instance, has the chef been in this area for some time? Moved here from another place? I'm just intrigued by history or development of restaurants. Also, intrigued by decision to add another Indian restaurant to Chapel Hill, especially so very close to 3 other Indian restaurants.
Chola Nad Chapel Hill
Vegan - that's what I'm looking for. I want someplace with good, homemade comfort food, serving 3 meals a day, at reasonable price point. I'm not saying inexpensive, just good (great) food. Also, I'm not interested in the typical diner menu of offering everything under the sun, but just good fresh food.
Chola Nad Chapel Hill
I've never heard of International Pizza....where is it? I know Thanksgiving at Elaines is going to be great. It's one of my favorite places.
Best Biscuit in the Triangle
Tom - I love biscuits! And, Neal's has to be my favorite.
Chola Nad Chapel Hill
I've seen the sign too, but only while driving by...not enough to see the specifics. My first thought was Indian, followed by a thought we might be getting saturated with Indian. (side note - Rory, we always hit the same spots on the same nights. I was at Kitchen on Saturday)
Panzanella Chapel HIll
Rory - We were against the window wall, at the 3rd table from the front. Rather than a special wave, we might just have to meet up! We seem to have the same taste in food!
Panzanella Chapel HIll
Rory - Can't believe this! We were at Panzanella on Saturday night. You and I were at Vimala's on the same night (maybe even two nights) several months back.
We enjoyed our meal at Panzanella. I had the chicken and mashed potato dish (Panzanella has a better name for it!) and my husband had the Orange County Chopped Salad. No desserts, no wine, just a simple supper. I remember the wait person telling us about the bean and collard soup - sounded great.
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Panzanella
101 E Weaver St, Carrboro, NC 27510
The CHEW
I think Daphne is perfectly "cast" for this show. Understand that not everyone has the food knowledge that all of you have. She's the one that asks questions and allows for an introduction of basics. They are attempting to create a program for a wide range of individuals and it's working for me. Just as an example, during the hot dog/bratwurst segment. Daphne was asking what might have been considered "dumb" questions but I learned a lot about bratwurst. The discussion would have never come up if everyone on the panel had the same level of experience. Daphne's innocence and youth allows her to ask these types of questions. And, she shouldn't be faulted for not be as widely traveled or skilled. I think she admits she's learning. Look at all the other cooking shows that have attempted to have "students" as part of the programming.
The CHEW
Am I the only person on this board who likes this show? I know there's been lots of negative comments about Daphe - but I think every person brings a certain point of view and I like the balance. I didn't know Daphe existed before this show and have never watched the Dr. Oz show. And, I've never watched All My Children - so this is not a replacement show for me.
Raleigh NC - Lunch near Cameron Village?
We'll be making a trip to Cameron Village in Raleigh. I've recently read or heard something about a great place in Cameron Village. Not sure if it's new or if it's been there a while. I just remember thinking "I'll have to try this place!" - but now, I can't remember one single detail - other than it was a restaurant in Cameron Village.
Any ideas what I'm thinking of? And, if not, any suggestions for lunch in this general area?
Cypress on the Hill closes (Chapel Hill)
Oh, no! I've had some great meals there. Gosh, this is so sad.
Danville Virginia - Lunch Recommendations?
I'll be in Danville one day at lunch. Any recommendations?
I'm open to anything except Chinese.
Best Local Type Chains in Burbank/Santa Monica/Oxnard/Ventura Areas?
I guess I'm not doing a good job of explaining why I'm looking for a chain type restaurant. Typically, that's not what I want or the general type of food I'm looking for.
In the best situation, I'd be asking you all (or searching) to find the best places to eat in Southern California. If my time schedule was a bit different, I'd plan everything around making a trip to that special restaurant I've picked out. However, on this trip, our timing will not be perfect, meaning I'm not sure where I'll be in the general area of Southern Cal. Part of it is flying from the east coast....I'm not sure exactly how hungry will we be or what type food we will want. I've flown from east to west before and wanted a light lunch, other times been ready for a nice relaxed dinner. I'm just not sure. Also, we might be tired from the full day of flying - I don't want to drive 1 hour to get to a special place. If we get in BUR early enough, we have to make one stop (at a store I want to visit), then we plan to head on up toward to PCH. If we get in late, we plan to spend the night in BUR and head off the next morning. In other words, I don't know where I'll be - thus, the vague title of the post (Burbank, Santa Monica, Oxnard, Ventura)
This is a time where I'm making some compromise. However, I was looking to get help so I didn't just pull into some random restaurant OR just find anything on my GPS and go there OR just decide to eat at McDonalds. I was hoping to find something that might be unique to Southern California.
To some of the more specific suggestions:
CPK - I first ate in a CPK in LA, I think in Beverly Center. It might have been 20 years ago. We now have a local CPK, so that's no longer unique to me.
Banana Leaf in Vancouver - We eat there all the time! That's a great example of a small chain. I think they started on Denman and now have 4 locations in the city. It's a great go-to type of place.
Joe's Crab Shack - I'm pretty sure that's a national chain.
Best Local Type Chains in Burbank/Santa Monica/Oxnard/Ventura Areas?
I know this in not the normal post. But, we can't always have the absolute best and are occasionally in situations where we can't drive long distances to get good food. My challenge is I'll have no idea what part of Southern California I'll be in and what time I'll be there. I know that many areas do have local type chains that do good food - not the national chains you mentioned, because I can get those right here. In-and-Out sounds like a good option. I've heard of In-and-Out before and never experienced it. Also, some of eating is for the "experience", and not necessarily the food. Hope this all makes sense!
Best Local Type Chains in Burbank/Santa Monica/Oxnard/Ventura Areas?
Any suggestions about casual type places?
I recently asked the same question for a trip to the Vancouver area and the recommendations were places called White Spot, Earls, and Cactus Club. They were a step above fast food, but with lots and lots of locations. I think I was able to find a White Spot within 5 miles of anyplace in Vancouver. It a Vancouver go-to standard when you need relatively quick and good food.
Best Local Type Chains in Burbank/Santa Monica/Oxnard/Ventura Areas?
We're flying into Burbank airport, using Southern California as starting point for driving up the PCH. Our flight is scheduled to arrive around 1 p.m., and we'd love to have a nice lunch. We're also looking for a place for dinner.
Here's the catch - with airline schedules being what they are, I have no idea when we will arrive. If it's late, we'll just stay in Burbank. If we arrive on time, we might drive to Santa Monica, then head up Highway 1. If we arrive somewhat late, we might drive to Oxnard or Ventura and spend the first night. In other words, I don't have any idea where we will be for dinner!
Here's the question: are there any good (great) reliable chain type places in Southern California, where I could plug it into my GPS and be taken to a decent meal - regardless of my general So Cal location?
The new Sandwhich now open for lunch (Chapel Hill, NC)
fara - I'm 100% in agreement. I know the prices are considered a bit high, but I don't mind paying for great food! Sandwhich consistently delivers - I love it!
Best Local Type Chains in Greater Vancouver Area?
Thanks for these replies! This was exactly what I was looking for.....just the names of a few places I could enter in my GPS and head toward some decent food. I'll be in situations where I don't want to drive 30 minutes for lunch, but just to something nearby - and hopefully, good!
Best Local Type Chains in Greater Vancouver Area?
We will be spending about two weeks in Vancouver and the surrounding area. I've picked out some places to eat, using recommendations from Chowhound and other sources.
Here's what I'm looking for: does British Columbia/Vancouver/Canada have any good, reliable chain type restaurants? We're going to have a considerable number of meals where I won't be able to make reservations, won't know exact times we'll be eating, and really won't know what area of town we'll be in at the time. I'm looking for some "go-to" places in these situations and was hoping to just have a few reliable type places to search for in my GPS. Just as examples, I've heard about Cactus Club, Earls, Joeys. Any opinions? Any other thoughts?
Farmville VA Recommendations?
We made our trip to Farmville, but only stayed for about half a day. Lunch was at Charleys Waterfront. Service was very good. Food less so. Husband had chili and I had red pepper and crab soup. Both were over-the-top salty, almost to the point of not being able to eat them. I mentioned this to waitress and she offered to replace it, but I had eaten about half the bowl. She was extremely apologetic and mentioned that others had also commented on the saltiness. I had salad also and about 1/4 of the lettuce was brown, with a few pieces completely slimy. It does seem as if ForFoodsSake post is 100% correct - it didn't knock our socks off, but it was about the best to get in Farmville. Thanks!
Merritt BC recommendations?
Bob Mac - I attempted to get reservations at the Ramada and it was booked. Hockey, maybe? I booked us into the Best Western.
Merritt BC recommendations?
Bob Mac - where do you stay when you overnight in Merritt? We are hoping to base ourselves in Merritt and travel around the surrounding area, using that as a base.
