bbqme's Profile
Farm to Fork 2012 [Triangle, NC]
I did notice that they advertised the event on WUNC so it required some marketing to get there. I wonder how much that cost.
P.S. I, too, am an economist.
Venable Bistro Carrboro
They do have a website. No menu though, just a blurb about locally sourced food at reasonable prices.
http://venablecarrboro.com/
Sai Krishna Bhavan in Morrisville (RTP)
Thanks for the write up. I'm guessing the lack of customers may be because there are a bunch of veg Indian restaurants in that area now-- I'm guessing at least 8. GHreg Cox reviewed them recently, mostly favorably. He mentioned the owner did a long stint at Udupi Cafe so he certainly has the right credentials.
NC now allows rare burgers!
On a related note, I had a really good, properly cooked medium burger at G2B in Durham last week. Had a charcoal flavor to it as well.
Saffron in Chapel Hill, NC
Agree on both counts. It's also easy to make. I make it at home sometimes.
Saffron in Chapel Hill, NC
Finally got around to trying Saffron. We went on a wet, Wednesday evening to find it pleasantly full of diners. Maybe it was the 1/2 off bottles of wine on Wednesdays. This is by far the most attractive Indian restaurant in the Triangle. You feel like you've stepped into a small Indian palace.
For apps I have the alu chole tikki chaat and my wife had the tomatar shorba. My chaat was okay but I much prefer the renditions at 1) Kebab and Curry House in Durham or Cool Breeze in Cary. The shorba was a creamy, tomato soup that had lovely spice to it. For entrees we ordered the tandoori mixed grill, baigan pasanda, and kofta malai curry. The tandoori was fine but nothing special. The kotfa malai curry had a rich, creamy curry with a hint of saffron. They were generous with the curry gravy but were parsimonious with the koftas, only providing two the size of golf balls. The highlight was the baigan (eggplant) dish. It was roasted, mashed eggplant is a spicy, tomato curry. The fried disks of eggplant on top distract and make it harder to eat but still a solid thumbs up. This dish had a good amount of heat, one of the few dishes on the menu with spice. I have a feeling that to accommodate the high proportion of elderly diners that live nearby they spice their foods modestly. If you like your food spicy make sure to tell the waiter of your preference.
The service fell short. The waiter was nice but he forgot to bring the onion kulcha and then forgot to take it off the bill. That aside, if atmosphere and a dining "experience" is of utmost importance, Saffron is your place. But if a more casual, moderately priced Indian dinner is what you're looking for I'd got to Vimala's Curryblossom Cafe or Cholanad instead.
Fire Pit BBQ, Wake Forest - First Impressions
I read somewhere that the owner is Keith Allen's neighbor. Sounds like he picked up a tip or two from Keith.
Blue Bell ice cream now in Raleigh/Cary
Physiologically, there is no difference between HFCS and sugar. Don't fall for that nonsense.
Parisian-style macarons/macaroons in the Triangle: A report
I suspect that is mostly due to their large size. Most macarons I've seen are made to be popped into the mouth whole rather than bitten into.
Magnolia Grill in Durham is Closing
Assuming they were game, a great transition would have been to turn the restaurant over to Chip and Tina of the former Bonne Soiree. I think Chip is up to the task of carrying on the Barkers' legacy and the Barkers could have played an emeritus role to ensure MG's reputation stayed intact yet still have time for family, etc. MFG would provide Chip the steady clientele that apparently was missing at Bonne Soiree.
Parisian-style macarons/macaroons in the Triangle: A report
Macarons aren't supposed to be crumbly?
Magnolia Grill in Durham is Closing
Here's a blurb from the Durham Visitors Bureau. Looks like they are retiring, from the restaurant business at least. I was going to try Pancuito for our 20th anniversary dinner but it'll now be MG instead. We used to live near MG when the kids were little. Our favorite respite was to get a sitter and sneak a way to MG for coffee and some of Karen Barker's amazing desserts. MG will be greatly missed.
http://durhamnewsservicemainfeed.blogspot.com/2012/05/durham-culinary-powerhouse-magnolia.html
Parisian-style macarons/macaroons in the Triangle: A report
Does SS make them themselves or is it sourced from elsewhere? I know Open Eye gets their goodies from Guglhupf.
Parisian-style macarons/macaroons in the Triangle: A report
The new place I've discovered making macrons is Daisycakes in Durham and they are ridiculous. Of course, Miel Bonbon in Carr Mill Mall has been making them for awhile now.
Duck breats in Chapel Hill, Carrboro or even Durham?
I've seen vacuum sealed Dartagnan Magret duck breasts in Southern Season in the past. Not sure if they were frozen at one point or not. I'd given them a call and ask.
Blue Bell ice cream now in Raleigh/Cary
Read right here on CHOW perhaps?
http://www.chow.com/food-news/70450/more-trader-joe-s-exposed/
best BBQ in Raleigh NC
We Chapel Hillians claim Allen and Son as our own. It's much closer to Chapel Hill than Hillsborough.
Blue Bell ice cream now in Raleigh/Cary
Off topic, but I've been digging the ice cream from Trader Joe's. High quality stuff and some really interesting flavors. I'm not an ice cream guy (crazy, I know) but I actually like TJ's ice cream.
Farm to Fork 2012 [Triangle, NC]
That is a good point. It is unfair to charge those between 13-20 $100 when they can't drink-- as well as those who don't want to drink. They should have kept beer and wine purchases by the glass as they did in years past.
Farm to Fork 2012 [Triangle, NC]
I think you may be anointing F2F with ideals that the organizers didn't intend. You're assuming it's meant to be accessible, educational, etc. They are likely just trying to raise money for their endeavors-- any other positive side effects may be of secondary consequence.
Farm to Fork 2012 [Triangle, NC]
But tax and tip adds almost another $30-- and besides, for a fair comparison of out-the-door cost, tax and tip should be included.
Farm to Fork 2012 [Triangle, NC]
What other ways of fundraising are there? This and the farm tours are the only fundraising endeavors of this nature that I'm aware of. Look, I'm disappointed that I've been priced out too but I also understand it's a fundraiser and thus requires a level of altruism on our part.
Farm to Fork 2012 [Triangle, NC]
I have to take issue with that. You must not have eaten at MG in awhile. No way two people can have such a meal at MG for anywhere near $100. A farm to table dinner at Celebrity Dairy prepared by Chip Smith of the former Bonne Soiree costs over $100 with tax and tip-- and you don't get to eat all you want, you can't bring kids for free, and it's not a fundraiser like Farm to Fork.
All this said, I won't be going. With my oldest son now being 14 and having set the precedent of bring my mother-in-law to past picnics I would have to drop $400 to attend and that's too rich for my blood. But I wish F2F well. I hope they raise a lot of money.
Sunday night dinner in Chapel Hill
Tonali is definitely not Tex Mex! It is about as refined Mexican cuisine as one will find in the Triangle. Think Rick Bayless as an analogy.
Sunday night dinner in Chapel Hill
You should make her come to the Franklin Hotel so that you can have dinner at the Indian restaurant across the street, Cholanad. That place is a cut above most other Indian restaurants.
Abbreviated NC BBQ Tour
Agree about The Pig but I'd skip the que. The pastrami, country ham, bologna, hot dogs-- all homemade-- are great.
