dingey's Profile
Asheville area Updates - November "11
Heheheh. I had the same thought. "Is that really the name your mama gave you?"
This summer in Asheville
I always like to recommend Early Girl as an alternative to Tupelo HOney. Modern southern fare, more moderately priced, and usually less wait time, unless you're trying to get brunch on a weekend. Always pretty easy to get into for dinner. I've heard a few knocks against it, but I've never been anything but supremely satisfied with any meal I've gotten there. Right downtown on Wall Street. Also, if you vegetarian family member wants a real taste of funky Asheville, hit up Rosetta's Kitchen. It's about as crunchy as it gets. Even non-vegetarians will dig "The Family Favorite," a massive helping of peanut butter tofu, greens, and mashed potatos with a gravy that I would swear was chicken-based...
Mirch Masala- S. Asheville - what a find
We've tried it twice, and YESSSSS! So good! I imagine this is what it's like to eat at somebody's house in India. Everything I've tried has been simple, but super, super flavorful and deep. It's not a part of town that I get to often, so I keep trying to think of excuses to find myself on that end of Asheville just so I can get Mirch Masala again. The folks that run it are really nice, too. Besides, you can round out your meal with a killer custard from Cin-Tom's! I'm kind of surprised to not see more chatter about it on here....
awful news about Sarkozy's Bakery in Kalamazoo
http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2012/02/buildings_shell_all_that_remai.html
VERY sad news to any one who lives in or has lived in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Fantastic bakery that's been doing it right since 1978, not only in terms of the quality of food, but in dedication to a problematic part of downtown, treatment of employees, and being damned good neighbor to all surrounding businesses. I moved away from Kalamazoo a few years back to a very foodie part of NC, and am STILL trying to find a bakery that can touch Sarkozy's. :(
Best lunch in downtown Asheville?? (Weekday)
I always recommend Early Girl as well...I think a lot of folks think it's only a breakfast place, but I actually prefer lunch and dinner there!
I third Curate (which is downtown) and 12 Bones (which isn't....but it's not that far!)...haven't had a chance to try White Duck, so I have no opinion. ;)
You could also cruise around and watch for food trucks. ElKimchi seems to stop most Mondays and Fridays in the lot for Vinnie's on Merrimon. Of course, if you're coming in from out of town, you're probably looking for a place to sit down and eat!
Where to eat in kalamazoo and Three Rivers, Michigan?
As someone who moved out of state, I can tell you the two places I miss most in Kalamazoo are Rasa Ria and Martini's! Martini's has good homemade italian fare, totally kid-friendly as well. Just know that it gets a little insane on weekends. Oh, for a Martini's pizza, and a takeaway of Gaddo gaddo from Rasa Ria! Also: Shwarma King on Drake Road for middle eastern or try the fancier version at Zooroona. In my experience, Michigan is the best place outside of the middle east for middle eastern food, particularly Lebanese and Syrian!
Asheville area Updates - November "11
HOLY MOLY! We finally tried Frog's Leap and i feel like a fool for not trying it sooner!
Went for an early Valentine's Day blowout on Saturday night and were well and truly floored by the food we got. I figured it would be "good" to "really good," but I was not prepared for greatness. Seriously, I was very, very pleased. We got angels on horseback (bleu cheese/bacon/fig) appetizer, as well as an order of fried green tomatoes that had some sort of bacon marmalade on top. For dinner, my husband got the meatloaf (which looked like a gigantic slab of ribs when it arrived) and I ordered a scallop dish, which comes with bacon/corn risotto and a nice arugula salad.
I know, it all sounds like pretty standard, straightforward fare, but they really know what they're doing with flavors here. There were some pretty stunning moments throughout the meal.
I still consider Admiral my favorite place in the area, but I've gotta say....Frog's Leap jumped up to a HIGH-ranking spot somewhere just below it, based on one visit!
Paczki Search
I searched the Asheville area in vain last year--I, too, am a Michigan expat. Not from the Detroit area, but paczki fever spreads across the lower part of the state this time of year! Kalamazoo's Sarkozy Bakery was always my go-to spot when I still lived in the northlands. Now? I think I may have to take a cue from a friend who moved to L.A. and just learn how to make them myself and throw a liquor-and-paczki blowout each year.
Asheville, NC, getaway
Early Girl and Homegrown are also both really good in the nouvelle-southern style cuisine. May not be terribly different from what you can get back home, but delicious (and more affordable) alternative to Tupelo Honey, where there's often a loooong wait.....
Asheville area Updates - November "11
OH! Just to add to the Waynesville area part of the discussion...there' s a farm-to-table place in Hazelwood (west adjacent to Waynesville) called Bourbon Barrel Beef and Ale that we saw and tried for the first time last night. Apparently they've been open for about six months (where have I been?!) and seem to be doing good business. Granted, we've only been once but the food was really good. My husband got the bacon-wrapped meatloaf and I got a pan-roasted chicken with sweet potato succotash, sauteed mushrooms, and a cheesy grit souffle thingy. Super tasty, very nicely cooked, and locally-sourced wherever possible.
There's also a brewery officially opened in Wayneville called Frog Level Brewing...off to try it tonight.
AND City Bakery's opening in Waynesville sometime soon. Are we becoming an Asheville exburb? Bring it on!!! :)
Asheville area Updates - November "11
Ah, good to know about Frog's Leap! We'll try it and stick to small plates. We tried to go one night when it first opened and was INSANELY busy, so I took a very speedy look at the menu because I was feeling claustrophobic. Probably missed the small plates all together. Duh. Are a couple of small plates generally enough to eat for two? That's usually what we do at the Admiral, and we're more than happy with the size of the grub! AND YESSSSS, so glad to hear somebody else is nuts about Thai Spice. I've been soooo pleased to see how well they seem to be going over. We couldn't even get in a few times during tourist season! I haven't even tried the soups yet. Oh, lordy.
Songs with restaurant names in the lyrics
The Gories (of Detroit) have an ode to a Ypsilanti landmark: The Chick-Inn!
"Well, I'm goin' there baby, can't miss it, all right!
It's got a chicken on the sign and a neon hotdog!
Whoo! Hammy sammy! Strawberry banana milkshake!
You can get it in chocolate, too!
CHICK-INN WHOO HOO!
Chick-Inn, WHOO HOO!
It's just a little drive in AAAAAAAAAAH!"
carryout Thanksgiving options in the Asheville area???
As a relative newbie to the area, does anyone have recommendations on this front? My husband and I each have only Thanksgiving Day proper as a vacation day, which prohibits travelling the distances required to visit family (they're all in Michigan) and kind of puts a damper on the idea of putting together the whole Thanksgiving feast (that's a lot of work for one day, much as I love cooking). I know 12 Bones has a delicious sounding Thanskgiving menu, but it seems to be for 4-6 people. We might cave and do that anyway and just plan on having crazy freezer leftovers, but I'm curious to hear any other ideas and/or personal recommendations that anyone may have.
Asheville area Updates - November "11
I'll cover the "area" part instead of the "Asheville" part this time...
I live way out in the Maggie Valley/Waynesville neck o' the woods, and we've actually had some positive developments in the past year, foodwise, which is worth noting for folks who like to head west for the hiking and wish there was more there for the eating once the hiking's done.....
Waynesville:
THE TIPPING POINT--supposedly at some point, they're going to start brewing, too, but for now it's one of the few non-upscale joints in town where you can get a variety of regional brews. The grub is bar food, but really, really d*mned good bar food. I'm hoping that their popularity will convince other places in town to start carrying non-macro beers.
http://www.tippingpointtavern.com/
THAI SPICE: (NOT related to Thai Spice Hendersonville) Holy moly. Seriously. Who'd have thought? A Thai restaurant opened on Main Street in Waynesville. I feared blandness and watering-down for the sake of an unfamiliar populace. Shut my mouth. Instead, this place whips the pants off most Asheville Thai places...it ranks up there with Little Bee and it's a lot easier for me to get too. They opened strong, and have just gotten better and found their pace with the food and service. If you're already comfortable with Thai food, always err on the side of ordering one level hotter than you normally would, though. GREAT depth of flavor to everything I've tried, and super-nice folks, too. Prices are pretty standard ($10.99 and up for dinner) and much cheaper for the same amount of food at lunch (just a hint). Can't find any website link...
MAGGIE VALLEY:
Frankie's Italian Trattoria--Another new place doing gangbusters business. I know they do pasta and stuff, but for our house, it's all about the pizza. YES. A real Italian pizza joint, RUN BY ITALIANS! Thin crust, good ingredients, fresh mozarella available as a topping, AND very reasonably priced....It's really good, flavorful, non-chain-inspired pizza. Still need to try the sandwiches. My only gripe would be that the homemade sausage is surprisingly bland, but that's a minor complaint when I have the option to toss prosciutto on as a topping instead. ;) That meatball ricotta pizza is killer. We're here for takeout about once a week, and the dining room seems nice, too.
http://frankiestrattoria.com/
I've also heard really good stuff about Frog's Leap Public House in Waynesville, but we're waiting for a fancy occasion to drop cash there....when i saw a menu, it seemed a bit pricey.
Asheville Saturday Night notes
No real claim on "authority," just an unreasonable amount of time spent scarfing the stuff down in the past! ;)
Asheville Saturday Night notes
I want to like Gypsy Queen more than I do, too. I've tried it a couple of times. Her hummus is right on the money (my only gripe being that I'd rather get some good homemade pita instead of fried pita chips with it), but when I tried the chicken shwarma....something was missing. I can't even quite identify it. Maybe I'm looking for the exact taste of my fave Lebanese joints back in my strongly Arabic home state of Michigan and haven't yet adapted my taste buds to the Gypsy Queen's version, I don't know. Chowhounds in my homestate will argue to the death about "what's the best middle eastern restaurant" (it's like BBQ--EVERYONE'S got an opinion) and probably wouldn't agree with me that the indefinable Shwarma-King-on-Drake flavor that I'm looking for is the ultimate....
I wouldn't deter anyone from visiting the Gypsy Queen truck, because it's still good food with a lot of locally sourced ingredients, etc, but I did feel like a certain dimension of flavor complexity was missing. It may just be some spices that are harder to source here, I don't know.....
I'll still totally try Gypsy Queen again if she's parked at a bar where I've had some suds! That hummus is goooooooood. Also, I haven't had a chance to branch out and try any lamb dishes or falafel, so I may wind up eating my words along with the food!
Asheville Thai..?
I'd just like to report back that THai Spice in Waynesville started out really good and is actually getting BETTER as their business and flow improves. Top-notch stuff. I love this place and am SO GLAD to have it out in our western neck o' the woods!
Attention, Asheville Foodies!
Wait...maybe I was reading about the Charlotte presentation....
Attention, Asheville Foodies!
I believe I read that it's he and Eric Ripert! It's PRICEY, though. I think I read that tickets start at $35....
The Junction, Asheville
OH! And they make a GREAT Pimm's Cup! Perfect for these scorching summer evenings! Pipp pipp!
The Junction, Asheville
My husband and I went last weekend just to have a drink and kill some time before an art opening. OMG are the cocktails great! I've never been to a place that changes their COCKTAIL menu according to what's fresh and in season. I had the Black Mariah (blackberries and bourbon and I can't remember what all but oh......my......) and my husband had a peach-based drink that was bonkers, too. The food looks great, the folks are friendly, and the space is beautifully designed. Definitely heading back to try the food!
Most Mouth Watering Scenes in Film
The most unappetizing thing about that movie was that whiny Julie character! i wish they'd have just made a Julia Child biopic. It's like it's two separate movies grafted together: one of them is fabulous and the other drives me cursing from the room.
Lucky Peach magazine
Glad to see that somebody else is falling under the same spells! i've never seriously considered a pasta maker before, but somehow all those images of the alkaline ramen noodles? GAAAAAAH I NEED ONE! NEED, NOT WANT! I looked at Goodwill yesterday, hoping that maybe pasta makers are showing up there at the same rate as bread machines, but no luck. I can't wait to try the saran-wrap poached egg thing!
I'm loving the whole thing so far. I'm just slowly working my way from front to back. The Tokyo travelogue killed me. LOVE the old fellow with the towel-wrap who benevolently rules his business from his tea table on the porch!
What to cook with cast iron skillet in oven?
Or BLACKBERRY upside down cake! It's the BOMB! it doesn't always turn out looking completely gorgeous, but nobody's complaining once fork reaches mouth...
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Fruit/BlackberryUpsideDownCake.htm
Cabbage Cabbage, I love cabbage! Need new recipes
The other night I was feeling lazy, so I just finely sliced some shredded cabbage, jullienned some carrots and red peppers, broiled a few hunks of soy-sauced tofu, and tossed it all with some peanut sauce that I'd already made. SO simple, and so good!
(Peanut sauce courtesy of this super simple recipe:
6 tablespoons natural creamy peanut butter
½ cup light coconut milk
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
1-2 teaspoon grated ginger
1/2 to 1 teaspoon sriracha sauce (optional)
Mix everything thoroughly in a small bowl until smooth. Add more of any ingredient to taste as needed.)
Cabbage Cabbage, I love cabbage! Need new recipes
That sounds AMAZING! I've also winged it and made a coarser version of this same idea: slice up cabbage in thick-is slices, place in oiled roasting pan with whatever other veggies you want (carrots, onions, etc). Roast in a 400 oven until it starts to brown, throw in some stock, and roast a while longer so that the veggies soak up the juice. Devour. Flexible and good with many combinations of herbs, veggies, and/or a sausage or two tossed in!
Cole slaw ideas?
I love this "asian fusion slaw." It looks good, ti tastes fantastic: bright, gingery, with a kick of heat. It's been a huge hit with a surprising cross-section of eaters at various picnics and potlucks. I swap out the raisins for dried cranberries, and wait to toss the nuts in until each serving time, so they don't soften up...
http://www.tastebook.com/recipes/1464021-Fusion-Coleslaw
Help with Asparagus
NICE. i wish I'd revisited earlier and seen this idea while asparagus was still in season! I'm JUST becoming a convert to mushrooms, thanks to joining a CSA whose leader won a grant to study mushroom cultivation....
