Shag Waits's Profile
G2B Gastropub - Durham, NC
Just had dinner. Everything was very good, especially the foie gras torchon. Prosciutto wrapped figs a little on the sweet side. Ribs were delicious, and at $11, quite a bargain. Bouillabaisse for $14 again excellent value, and the broth was very true to the classic version. Shrimp and fish a little overcooked, though. Instead of bread, they serve breadsticks with mustard—a nice departure from typical bread. There was a decent crowd for fairly early on a Sunday; by no means packed, though. Hopefully the word will get out that G2B is a now a formidable venue on the scene.
G2B Gastropub - Durham, NC
They have a re-revamped menu now. More pizzas, new bar snacks. We plan on going tomorrow.
G2B Gastropub - Durham, NC
G2B has a significantly cheaper, revamped menu. This change was necessary for its survival. Looking forward to trying it out.
Who has best fish tacos in Triangle?
The fish tacos at Tonali are quite good.
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Tonali Restaurant
3642 Shannon Rd Ste 1, Durham, NC 27707
El Paraiso in Durham has changed hands
I hear you on La Vaquita. I've called ahead and when I got there it was evident that the kitchen hadn't even started the order. This has happened multiple times. Yet, I still go because it's convenient. Very sad to hear about El Paraiso. It was my favorite taqueria and I will miss it.
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El Paraiso Restaurant
2609 High Point Rd, Greensboro, NC 27403
Barbecue Joint (Chapel Hill, NC) closed?
Sadly, the Joint is out of business. This is from a reliable source (former employee).
Breakfast Biscuits in NC/SC
I was also blown away by the sausage, egg, and cheddar biscuit at Neal's. I think there may have been chives in the egg. Top notch in every respect. Totally kills Sunrise, which is overrated.
Rehearsal Dinner in Durham,
Of these good suggestions, I'd like to wholeheartedly recommend Four Square. The setting is quite nice and they have the most interesting food, the best in the area in my opinion.
Durham, NC - Guglhupf Dinner
Starting tonight, Guglhupf is serving dinner. Menu is small but looks good.
Tonali Saturday Brunch- Durham, NC
Just got back from brunch. Tonali delivered as expected. I tried the tortilla which was similar to an omelet with potatoes, zucchini blossoms, onions, and Oaxacan cheese surrounded by a spicy sauce. Awesome. My wife had eggs poached in a tomato chile broth with beans and asadero cheese. Her plate was cleaned swiftly and efficiently. In addition to the breakfast items and regional dishes, they offer 6 different tortas, one of which contains house smoked bacon.
Tonali Saturday Brunch- Durham, NC
Sorry for the delayed response. Their hours for brunch are 11 to 2:30. I haven't the means to post the menu but I can tell you that they offer a couple of salads, 5 different free-range egg dishes, a Spanish tortilla, a quiche, and some regional Mexican dishes including carnitas, pollo con chilaquiles, carne asada ala huasteca, and sincronizada de pavo y mole poblano.
Huitlacoche in Durham?
It tastes like a smutty mushroom. I am rather fond of it. Never seen it fresh, but you should try it from a can, you'll like it.
Tonali Saturday Brunch- Durham, NC
Tonali is now serving brunch on Saturdays. I haven't been yet, but they gave me a menu when I stopped by last week for takeout. It looks awesome and should meet a long felt need for good brunch on Saturdays.
Herons, Cary, NC - New chef Scott Crawford introducing $20 3-course prix fixe lunches
The current menu: melon soup with country ham, creme fraiche, prosecco and mint; triggerfish with heirloom tomatoes and arugula (a butter-based sauce as well); blueberry buckle with lime soaked blueberries and whipped cream. For $20, this cannot be beat. The portions were more than generous and everything was well conceived and executed. I'm looking forward to trying more of Chef Crawford's cuisine at Elodie Farms on August 1. Anyone else going?
Four Square's 4-course NC menu - Durham
Through July 27th, Four Square in Durham is offering a $35 four course menu featuring exclusively NC products. Tried it on Saturday and it was awesome. Please take advantage of this fantastic deal if you like good food. Menu featured lamb carpaccio, a trio of gazpachos, prosciutto wrapped trout, and buttermilk cupcakes. Dessert was less than stellar but the other three were top notch.
NO's Top 50 for Triangle area - what's yours...
Do not be alarmed. As a regular patron of Guglhupf, I have noticed no decline in quality.
Herons, Cary, NC - New chef Scott Crawford introducing $20 3-course prix fixe lunches
Your review reads like an attorney at a poetry slam. I read it jaw agape at the verbosity yet nodding at its talk-turkey-ness.
Scones in Raleigh/Durham/Cary area...
I haven't had La Farm's scones, but I have had Guglhupf's scones. They is some real good scones.
A basque tour
I believe that rectangle of "pure fat" was a sweetbread if I'm translating "molleja" correctly, which is mostly protein and quite yummy.
Restaurant Arzak - San Sebastian
I'll tell you why they should: not everyone understands Spanish. If it is truly a world class restaurant, and they truly want all people to fully enjoy the experience, i.e. know what they're eating, then they could employ a few English speaking staff. Like i said, they certainly don't need my return business and they're not going to get it. The lack of English speaking staff is not the reason; it just wasn't that impressive. I am not the typical bad attitude having English-speaking diner that you berate. I don't walk into a restaurant in another country and demand that they speak American. I printed pages and pages of Spanish food terms and tried to communicate in Spanish. I wish my Spanish was better and that I could understand what everything was on the plate. Since someone at Arzak decided that this is not that important to them, I did not know what everything was, and that is disappointing.
I agree that it is overpriced but I think it compares favorably to French 3-stars for example. I'm sorry you didn't enjoy the food.
Restaurant Arzak - San Sebastian
I just went to Arzak and would like to share my opinion. First, I'm sorry that it was such a disappointment for you. Though not on the scale you experienced, my party also experienced some service issues:
- the surly sommelier (though looking fine in his tight leather apron) did not bring our reds for the meat courses; we had to notify a server
- after the first few courses were described in English, that server who was apparently the only one proficient enough disappeared
- a server knocked over the erupting shot glass that came with one of the desserts thrice before successfully removing it from the plate
These are certainly nit-picky things, but for a three-star, I would expect better. Not that I was surpised as I had read about some service issues on this board. My feeling is that they don't really care. The restaurant has had 3 stars for over 20 years, been ranked in the top 50 of the world since that list has been out, etc. They are not hurting for clientele, and If they truly cared about providing the best service to an international clientele who may not speak Spanish, they would employ more English speaking staff like they have at Can Roca and Mugaritz, which were two of the finest examples of service I have ever encountered.
I must disagree about the food. I sampled at least 20 different dishes and every one was delicious. I don't get excited about fish, but the two fish courses I tasted were the best I have had.
Overall, I'm glad I went. It was fun to compare Arzak, Mugaritz, and Can Roca, which offered very different settings. I don't think I would return to Arzak though.
Burratta in the Triangle?
It was even on Per Se's menu recently. It was served pretty much as described.
New Polish market in Durham?
Just stopped by today for a pickle loaf sandwich and it was the bomb. I love the quick toast they give it in the press. Also picked up some freshly made chrusciki, super light fried cookie twists flavored with vanilla and lemon, then dusted with powdered sugar. They're $8.50 for approximately 30. They, too, are the bomb. And wicked dangerous since I think I could eat all of them in one sitting. And they finally got a new sign. Halgo's has just officially made it into my lunch rotation.
Durham NC restaurant recommends?
I agree with the Magnolia Grill dessert assessment. Top notch. I've found the savory food to be hit or miss. Last time I had a seared foie gras appetizer, it was stone cold. Ambiance also kinda blows. Only good thing I've had at Crook's Corner is shrimp and grits. Maybe worth a stop for that.
While not particulary unique or Southern, I had a fantastic tasting menu at Nana's a few weeks ago. It is a quite a steal at $55 (even though their website says $50) for 5 courses and $25 for wine pairings. I don't think you can find a deal like that near Smith St. in Brooklyn. Nearly everything was technically perfect. Our wait dude was super cool, too. He was the first dude to say, "I'm going to wait a bit before putting the order in to allow you some time to enjoy your cocktails." Practically every place serves the first course while I'm working on my martini. I hate that. My boyfriend usually has a cosmo and he hates that, too.
Mugaritz - static menu?
The two menus at Mugaritz finally offer a few new dishes. It seems like they haven't changed since at least November. I understand Andoni wants to keep some signature dishes on the menus but one would think, given his reputation as the next great Spanish chef, that he would be overflowing with new ideas and that he would offer new dishes more often than every 3 or 4 months. Does anyone have insight into this?
Durham NC restaurant recommends?
Avoid Elmo's at all costs. It is terrible. Especially if you live near Smith St. in Brooklyn, you will absolutely despise this place. The only thing you can find here that you don't have near Smith St. in Brooklyn is good BBQ, and for that, go to Allen and Sons. I'll second the suggestion for using the Search feature. It works very well.
Madras Palace in Durham?
No, the poster means the old Taste of India on University in the shopping center next to Eastern Lights I believe. And it's not even Madras Palace anymore; it's Green Leaf. There's a review of it on Carpe Durham. Check it out. I'll never go there because I'm loyal to Sitar. My boyfriend is too.
