BDM1's Profile
Scungili available in Charlotte at Super G
It was fantastic. Totally cleaned and ready to go.
Delicious Asian restaurants in Raleigh
I love the Asian Grill on Falls of Neuse: http://www.asiangrillnc.com/default.html
Was there today and ordered off the lunch bento specials (usually have them fix something "they would eat". Excellent value. If you order off the "real" menu and not the stuff youve heard of before, you will get as close as you can get to Shanghai between DC and Atlanta.
Enjoy!
Scungili available in Charlotte at Super G
I've ben here almost 15 years and have had to settle for canned scungili for our traditional Christmas Eve "Feast of the Fishes" fix.
I found that Super G in Charlotte has what they call "conch" but is actually the welk that is the basis of this salad. At $9.99 it is reasonably priced and I hope all us hounds buy it on a regular basis so it becomes a staple in their inventory.
The product was fantastic and I just finished up the leftovers. It's defrosted in the back case to the right of the fish counter.
Slice it as thinly as possible (it's totaly cleaned and ready to go!), add diced 1/2 cupcelery, 2T diced red onion, 5 cloves minced garlic, parsley, red pepper flakes, S&P and about 1/4 cup of lemon juice and 1/4 cup olive oil and let it sit overnight. I love it with a great Vermentino from Sardinia.
Meeting at Asian Grill in Raleigh 12/29
Sorry I'm going to miss this - I'll be in DC. Anyway - keep us posted. I thought these "conclaves" were supposed to be a secret :)
Any good recs for Charlotte?
There's a ton of info out here already most of it current - do the research and then we can finetune the advice - "I'm just saying. . . .", ,
An Outsider Review of eating in RTP
Just FYI - they won't anymore. Once it's ground it has to be, by some crazy law, 165 degrees. People posted all the places in Charlotte that would do mid-rare and they all go busted within a few weeks. There are some thing better left unsaid. . . sorry.
South Charlotte Area - Ayrsly Town Blvd-ADVICE
Portofino's is always solid if you need to feed hunger soccer players. It's in the same center as Saffron. Beware that portion sized are "gavone" American portions which might be wasted if you're in a hotel.
All-You-Can-Drink Fun Brunch in Charlotte?
This is the south where you can drink as much soda as you can fit for $2 (not $3 each like in NYC) but the alcohol will not be free - it's basically against the law.
The specials listed below are the best bet. Another good choice would be Common Market (2 locations) where you can get breakfast style wraps, etc. and choose from an amazing beer and wine selection all at retail pricing instead of restaurant pricing.
Good luck!
2 Hours in Phoenix Airport this evening - Anything worth eating?
We are passing throught on our way to San Fran and I realized we have 2 hours on a layover at dinner time.
I know this may be a crazy question but, is there anything passable to eat at the airport? We're pretty easy but I'd rather not have to pack sandwiches.
Thanks in advance for the help.
Barringtons or Red Rock Cafe
I'll preface this by saying that Barrington's is one of only two or three that I actually frequent (once a year or so) If you like Barrington's you may also enjoy Terra on Providence - small, great staff, great food, etc. The price will be in the same range as Barrington's. Plus it's kinda on the way to Ovens
No more juicy burgers at Firebirds.
Looks like they may have been busted by the health department for selling edible burgers. Went today and got the standard "well or medium well" NC hockey puck.
I have to admit that the server was well coached in relating that the "health dept. had a "specialist" come in and "analyze" the process. . . . ." Nice job.
Anyway, can't vouch for their burgers anymore. If you like dead burgers the great wood grilled taste is still there.
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Firebirds Rocky Mountain Grill
7716 Rea Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
italian in charlotte
If you can venture out of Charlotte proper, there are a few places worth visiting:
Caruso's in Morresville is very good - Neopolitan owner by way of NJ
Gianni's in downtown Concord - it's sometimes "Concord" service but the food is right on the mark. Best to go with a group and eat family style.
New place opening in Davidson in the next month or so. Will keep you posted. If you were a fan of Firenze on Rea Rd you will enjoy this place!
If you were alone on New Years: what would you treat yourself to?
For something simple:
3 Freshly laid eggs scrambled soft, with a golf ball sized white alba truffle shaved over the top - served with any DRC red
Will be in SF during Dine About Town - any we shouldn't miss?
We will be staying in SF right in the middle of this. We are renting an apt in the middle of the Richmond's ethnic food mecca and have a bunch of places all lined up all over town. We are traveling with our teenage daughter who will eat anything except tomatoes out of season and tuna that's cooked more than rare so we are open to almost anything. My wife and I were there in June and were able to get just about everywhere on mass transit so we are comfortable taking that.
We are partial to seafood and most Asian as both are lacking in Charlotte. Actually, anything but steak houses but I don't see any of those in SF in general (yeah!)
Anyway - we will be traveling light and probably won't be prepared for anything that requires a jacket. I am a wine broker so a great, reasonably priced wine list is an added bonus.
Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thank you all in advance for your help!
Best neighborhood for restaurants?
If you need a short term rental, I would strongly suggest finding an apartment. This way you really "live" in your neighborhood and can set down some roots; even for a week or two. YOu'd be amazed at how good it feels to stop in for coffee in the morning on the 2nd or 3rd day and feel like a part of your neighborhood. We rented a great place from a food blogger near the Mark Hopkins back in June and will be out with our daughter to visit Stanford and staying in Richmond in late January. We always use VRBO.com worldwide, but I am sure there are a slew of decent rental sites for SF . Have fun - eat well!
Kalu Asian Kitchen in Charlotte
I must preface this by saying that my company sells him the bulk of his wine and sake. . . .
I ate there last week with the owner of NY Mutual Trading Company who is the largest importer of fine Japanese sakes, foods, and materiel from Japan. Brian Emporer has used them in all of his restaurants.
Without the time to go into detail; I can say it was one of the most inventive meals I've had in a long time. Don't go expecting sushi - this is old-school Japanese with a hybrid twist. The food was awesome and made you think.
Mr. Emporer is planning a month in Kyoto after the first of the year to study for a month at the premier restaurant in Kyoto (average price $1,000 per person) can't wait to see what he brings back.
This is a place to take your time and be educated in Japanes fusion cuisine. If you do it properly, you will not be disappointed!
Don't Shoot me ... Looking for "Greek-Style" Pan Pizza in Charlotte
Will definitely check it out - they're a good customer to boot. My wife thinks I'm crazy - my daughter can't wait. Thanks for the info!
Lake Norman area Recommendations?
How could I forget. . .
If you are willing to drive 5 or 6 miles up the road I can HIGHLY recommend Caruso's in Mooresville. Great Italian with a decent wine list. It's easy to find in the Lowes Foods shopping center. I don't typically order pasta in the states but I do there!
Lake Norman area Recommendations?
Might want to look up Flat Iron Grill in Davidson. This is owned by Tim Groody who did his magic with the Sonoma Rest. Group in Charlotte for so long.
Haven't been there but I would count on the food being good. Service; don't know.
Let us know if you go. . .
Don't Shoot me ... Looking for "Greek-Style" Pan Pizza in Charlotte
Thanks! Right across the lot from Savor (try it if you haven't), Will stop by next week.
Don't Shoot me ... Looking for "Greek-Style" Pan Pizza in Charlotte
Ok - I know there aren't a lot of requests for this type of pizza but I've got a craving. . .
Grew up in S. CT where there were two kinds of pizza; Italian (thin crust) and Greek (in a pan but not deep dish)
Just wondering if anyone knows of anyone that does old-school Greek pizza (cut into squares!) in Charlotte - I make my own thin crust so I'm all set there.
Thanks in advance for the help.
Anyone have the "rules" for a food truck (high-end) in Charlotte?
Thank you all - will do the right thing and go through the health dept. Will let you know. . . .
Anyone have the "rules" for a food truck (high-end) in Charlotte?
Can't seem to get a good answer. Would rather do this on the "up and up" but would love to hear what the real rules are.
Thanks in advance for the help.
Pernod (anise liquor)/Apple Brandy availability in Charlotte
Frugals definitely has both. The calvados selection isn't Zachy's but the have 5 or 6 to choose from.
have a great dinner!
street food in the charlotte area
The powers that be in Charlotte make it VERY difficult to so street food legally. There's a bit around (Grateful Growers has a station at the Airport Farmer's Market) but for the most part they are rennegade mexican carts with GREAT food but always on the run from the Health Dept.
Good luck!
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Farmer's Market Cafe
63 Chattahoochee St, Helen, GA 30545
Seeking whole-belly fried clams, as always [this time in Corolla, NC... OBX]
Ipswich clams are a unique experience. Unfortunitely, you don't realize how special they are until you move away (moved to Charlotte, NC in 1995)
From a culinary standpoint - they are extremely perishable and fairly expensive. They are basically a softshelled clam (like a "steamer", fried).
Never had the pleasure of visiting the outer banks but I know there is great local seafood there. Try it our and wait until you get back to the CT/MA/RI/ME area for those GREAT fried clams (In college I drove 4 hours to the clam shack at the national seashore on the cape, slept until they opened, ate a quart of fried clams at lunch and got back to work a dinner shift in SW CT) They are that good!
Settle a bet? Prettiest restaurant in Charlotte.
I might not call it the prettiest but the decor at Blue Taj in Ballantyne is worth a look. . . .
Quahogs in Charlotte?
You have got to try the Super G Market in the old BiLo on Independence (Margaret Wallace and Independence/Rt 74)
They had BEAUTIFUL large clams there last weekend. Growing up in CT I would say they were a bit smaller than the quahogs I grew up with but they were definitely perfect for stuffed clams. If you a closer to Central Ave., I've always gotten my large clams at the New Harbor fish market there near Dim Sum (I think we had lunch there as a group once?)
Word of caution - if you are strapped for time - walk to the back, get your clams and go home and cook. My daughter and I killed an hour and a half just walking around looking last weekend.
Good cooking. . . .
