josephin's Profile
What's New in Chapel Hill?
I think the menu looks great, and the next un-committed paycheck, I'm there! Good for Alex... super-scary time to open a restaurant, but I wish him well.
Any ladylocks makers in the Triangle?
The Pittsburgh recipe looks promising. Let us know how it turns out! I haven't even HEARD that word in 25 years, but well remember them at our little neighborhood bakery in South Jersey. Sugar bombs!
Bon Appetit Oct Edition - America's Foodiest Small Town
So nicely done! I'm running out to get a copy, and wish I could afford stacks to share! They got it just right.
Carolina/Kure Beach
We have always loved going to Freddie's. Food is pretty good, and a little nostalgic if you've ever spent time in the Northeast and miss some of that homestyle Italian cooking. Service is usually good, owner/s on site and attentive, and you can walk it off at the fishing pier right there! My favorite: eggplant parm!
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Freddie's Restaurant
111 K Ave, Kure Beach, NC 28449
Durham Tailgate Food
Try the Refectory at the Divinity School; they do all kinds of catering through:
http://bonvivantcatering.com/ref.html
and are very convenient to pick up before a game.
Panciuto Hillsborough
I see so many folks who are in H'borough and fans of the town (and markets!)...
...dare I suggest a gathering? Perhaps around the fried squash at the Wooden Nickel?!
South Estes farmer's market, Chapel Hill
Just back from Estes, and I thought it was fabulous. A great cross-section of vendors, fabulous selection. Among the stuff I got:
peaches (from a 'guest' vendor, a little farther afield)
fresh-never-frozen chicken from fickle creek farm, my favorite meat guys
just-picked carrots
garlic, sweet onions
eggs
bread from an italian baker; (gorgeous loaf, working hard to keep my hands off 'til dinner)
an oatmeal sandwich loaf, from a woman who also makes incredibly beautiful quilts
tomatoes (greenhouse still, but ok; I couldn't wait anymore)
baby zucchini squash
perfect cut flowers, zinnias and sunflowers, etc
fresh farmer's cheese
So a great selection, great parking, not nearly the carrboro mob scene that turns me off a little.
I'll still stick w/Hillsborough, but I understand these guys had to go somewhere this Spring to get selling while the County dinked them around, and I'm glad they're doing well.
josephin
Student Fare in Banner Elk
A friend's son is heading to Lees McRae this fall, and we'd like to set him up with a gift certificate to someplace he'll like to go in town.
Anyone locals know the best coffee shop? Deli? Sushi Bar? Other suggestions for a hungry (vegetarian) student on a budget?
Thanks!
Durham: Good food near Duke Hospital?
Have them step over to the Divinity School (next door to the Chapel, very close) and eat at the Refectory. I believe it's closed this week, but then is open for lunch and, I believe, breakfast. Would love a Chow report if you make it!
http://www.bonvivantcatering.com/ref.html
The "New" Taqueria Lopez, post-3/08, Durham, NC
What's the current scoop? Anyone been back lately?
I'm especially wondering about the mariachi band, which USED to play once a month, but calling to ask them helped not at all.
The "New" Taqueria Lopez, post-3/08, Durham, NC
Hmmmm. I've been through a health inspection or two, and with all due respect, that's bull(#&^. Their setup was fine, and I am sad that they changed it. They're probably just trying to figure out how to make money at what they're doing. One of the things we can do is let them know how unique it was and how much we miss it! Haven't tried the new menu, but will soon.
quick recs in Raleigh?
Yes, yes! That was it! SO yummy. I'm a big viognier fan, and that is a blissful blend. I'll be there the first Monday possible : )
quick recs in Raleigh?
Thanks, y'all. Ended up at 518, good Italian. Not great, but very good, and VERY quick and nice service. Also, had a terrific wine by the glass which I'll check up and get the name of, because it was outstanding: a Shiraz/Viognier (who knew?).
Only kind of weird thing was the 5 or 6 young ladies congregating around the host/ess stand, I felt like we'd interrupted a... I don't know what, but something we weren't invited to. They did rally, but it was a strange first impression.
quick recs in Raleigh?
I'm meeting someone in Raleigh, tonight and don't know where to take him. From the posts here, Frazier's is a little TOO, but BBQ and pizza won't do either. It'll be near Hillsborough Road. Any comfy places with good scratch-cooked meals you'd recommend? It if helps, if we met in Durham I'd take him to Federal.
Thanks!
Raleigh Breakfast
Amen, amen, amen to Big Ed's. Pancakes are out of this world. I'd been told that, and when I went I ordered my usual favorites: 2 OE, bacon, biscuit, grits. And one pancake, please. I was eating alone, and she looked at me a little funny.
The platter was everything it should be, perfect eggs, particularly tasty bacon. The pancake was good 13" in circumference, 3/4" high, and dreamy good. All was eaten that day, but I learned to choose after that.
They're also so tasty they don't need anything on top, just rip 'em up and eat 'em with your fingers.
Have fun.
New Locopops, and Sugarland
Any scoop (ha!) on WHERE in Hillsborough they're gonna be?
Chocolate shops the hot thing in the Triangle
Can't say enough about Matthew's in Hillsborough. Super-nice guy, exquisite chocolates. He's working hard to keep up with the demand, and to see that no one is disappointed. Worth the trip : )
Wine Tastings in Chapel Hill?
chapel hill wine company and sister store hillsborough wine company have regular saturday tastings, sometimes with yummy food treats as well (like the hillsborough cheese company's delights). Their weekly email gives you lots of into to decide if you want to taste, and their box-of-the-month deal is often interesting.
Chicken and dumplings
If you're eating those dumplings in Charlotte, they won't ever fluff. That would be Southern style dumplings you're eating there.
We call those others you like 'yankee dumplings'. I make both: the southern style are flat, but shouldn't be chewy. I use those in C and D. For beef stew, I use the fluffy kind, and though it's not the pinnacle of my culinary prowess, I like the taste of Bisquick because that's what my mother's were ; )
Where to Buy a Small Chest Freezer in Durham, NC
Try Ron at RCF 493-8600. He might not have it, right now, but can find just about anything.
NC - Triangle Area Butcher/Boucherie
A really good way to get those 'interesting' cuts is to get to know some of the area meat folks. I like Fickle Creek Farm, they sell out of Hillsborough and Durham farmer's markets. Once you get on the news list, you'll know when animals are being brought to market, and what cuts are available.
NC chowhound needs Madison WI help
Hi~
I want to do a long-distance gift for a friend in Madison. Where would a little money go a long way towards satisfying a sweet tooth in your fair city?
Also, I'm a chef in interested in slow/local/honest and fabulous food, so would especially appreciate something like a great area baker, or dairy that makes their own ice creams, etc.
Thanks!
Highlands Bar & Grill - B'ham
Will you tell us more about the menu when you were there?
Haven't been to Birmingham, but would definitely make the stop: His book is one of my regular sources of inspiration.
Where to buy pork belly in the Triangle
Try my friends at Fickle Creek Farm:
http://www.localharvest.org/farms/M7567
They are at Durham and Hillsborough's Farmer's Markets. Often have fresh chicken and pork, sometimes (this week, I think) fresh lamb. Can't beat them for freshness, taste, and really nice people.
ISO free range organic chicken breast in Durham/CH
Fickle Creek Farm in Mebane is producing the yummy, happy, healthy chicken you want. They are at the Hillsborough and Durham Farmer's Markets.
VA Beach recs for bkfst/lunch/dinner?
I second the rec for Mary's. We were desperate for some good scratch breakfast, especially pancakes. We were staying at the swanky Hilton VA Beach. Breakfast was tasty food, hit or miss service, and the concierge there sent us to Mary's.. HIS favorite breakfast place. Just right.
How was Taste of Durham?
Yup, I was there. Wish I'd taken notes. There was more wonderful food than I could really take in, but here are a few highlights:
The lamb was from Fickle Creek Farm, slow roasted and served up with corn tortillas and a wonderful fresh green salsa. mmmmm.
Ben Barker and Glenn Lozuke's pig was of course delicious, with fresh slaw. Karen Barker's lemon pound cake with green tomato conserve was the first thing you found when you walked in the field! Yum.
I'm embarrassed to say I don't know who made the watermelon gazpacho, I kept trying to blend in with the crowd so I could get more. It was perfection. Crisp, tangy, sweet, fresh.
Beautiful pea shoot salad with a buttermilk dressing.
Perfect little strawberry shortcakes with fresh cream.
Scrumptious white sweet potato vichysoisse.
Cheeses, cheeses, cheeses....
Wish I'd paid more attention to each thing I tasted, but it was such a beautiful evening, with so many interesting people to meet and talk to. Carlo Petrini's informal speech was lovely, capturing the concept of eating close to the earth, being a part of the 'metabolism'. I'd only known Slow Food from the fringes, thinking it is sort of elitist, but I'd like to think that enough people are keeping a balancing perspective that it won't slip out of our hands the way the 'organic' movement did.
It was great to see so many farmers out there with the people who love to cook their food. Very fun.
The best part was the egg toss, though ; ) It was nice of them to let the grownups play, too.
Kitchen Supply Store in the Triangle
Also Allstate Restaurant Equipment in Greensboro. Blocks and blocks of stuff, if I remember right. They also have a 'basement' of piles of old used stuff that's fun and profitable to pick through. Nice helpful people, too
Isn't there anything good to say about life as a chef?
I often feel left out of such discussions, as I am a relatively contented chef with a kitchen crew that makes me proud and happy every day. There is rarely any yelling, instead respect and a sense of fun. Bad language, sure (but that's my fault). That said, I'm surely no celebrity, and never will be. Does that come with the territory? Or with the big money? Then you can have them.
Best of luck to your son. There are all kinds of kitchens out there ; )
