by Kimberly | Oct 28, 2010 | Events, food
One of the highlights of moving back to Raleigh was the anticipation of the annual State Fair. I only live 2 miles from the fairgrounds, so that is a perk.
I chose to go on a Sunday afternoon with a new friend from church. It took us 45 minutes to get there (note the above distance from which I live from the fairgrounds). We got free parking (a plus)! Finally got in for a price of 8$.
I only really wanted grilled corn, but by the time I was hungry, the only place that was near had burnt corn – no good. So, it was really warm that day and my tummy wanted ice cream – soft serve waffle cone with sprinkles was ordered up. My friend got lemonade and a frozen banana. The line for the NC State homemade fresh ice cream looked like the line for Space Mountain at Disney – but it may have actually moved slower. We didn’t wait.
We saw exibits and huge watermelons and cows that looked like they had not a care in the world.
Over a million folks came to the fair this year, which makes me happy because of the economy and the finances it brings to the Wake County area. But, really…it was a let down for me. 2.5 hours and I was ready to come home.
by Kimberly | Oct 12, 2010 | Uncategorized
Parked in the happening downtown of a small neighborhood suburb of Charlotte, NC (NC’s biggest city) is The String Bean, a delightful cafe and deli that can supply any wine, beer, meat, hummus, cheese need that you have in your life on any given night.
A friend of mine, with ties to the areas GG Boutique (right around the corner from The String Bean), took me here. She knew I loved local, healthy, fresh, different food. This place has it all.
We started with a cabernet and the hummus platter. Cabernet was a nice robust start with a sweet finish. Great wine. The hummus platter (I could eat hummus every day of my life) was a chunkier one. Nice bite to it on the way down. Served with a warm pita (which we had to get a double order of and was graciously awarded one) and a spectacular cheese – some of the best I’ve had. Can someone from the market tell me what it was? (Saturday night, October 9)
For our meal we shared the garlic pesto flatbread. Delicious. Chicken, pesto, garlic, caramelized onions – nothing bad on this plate.
Dessert – or no dessert. Well, dessert of course (especially with the dessert guy standing at the front counter). We chose the seasonal specialty of the beer spice cake. The glazed IPA nuts I could eat by the palmful, but I just picked off the top of the beer ricotta and cream cheese icing. So good. Pale in color – very fitting for the cool evening.
The setting was a calm, refreshing evening. We could have sat there all evening. Speaking with other diners, feeling right at home, hearing about the boom boom shrimp which was great if it got all over your hands because you didn’t mind the smell because they were so good, conversations with the staff and owners. Waltzing through the extensive wine and beer collection (which they would happily open a bottle for you to have with your dinner).
There was outdoor seating, indoor pub tables or bench seating, a wide variety of take home deli needs. They have wine tastings and have splendid, friendly service. Great prices as well.
So, go here. I will be going back I’m sure of it. Love treasures like the String Bean.
(Only thing I would change is have more lighting at night in the dining room so I can come back and take better pictures. Since I don’t like flash – I would like more lighting. That’s all. Thank you!)
by Kimberly | Oct 12, 2010 | Uncategorized
A few Sundays ago I got to to get a taste of the nations by heading downtown Raleigh to the 2010 International Festival. One of the joys was seeing all the flags flying high in the new Raleigh Convention Center. That is one of the things I love about RDU – the nations come here.
I ate in Lebanon that day with a great falafel sandwich. The falafel was good (Grape Leaf’s may be better, though) but the bread was outstanding! Nice and warm. I had a taste of France’s desserts and they were good – nothing like the best I’ve had in the world, though.
Other newsworthy things: the dress (every age of participants dressed in country garb), the dance (looks so much fun), and the price (7$ to get in, plus parking). Great deal for a Sunday afternoon.
by Kimberly | Sep 26, 2010 | Festivals, food
You never really know what to expect with small town festivals, even if they have years of reputation.
20$ isn’t a bad way to spend a day, enjoy the fruits of muscadines and scuppernongs, beach music, and shag dancing, and any fair food that you would want.
Kenansville in DUplin County was the setting for the NC Muscadine Harvest Festival. Small town and people from other counties came to enjoy the dancing and the vineyards’ tastes.
Chestnut Farms, Stephens Vineyard, and Duplin Winery at Rose Hill were by far my favorite. Whether it was the grapes, the customer service, knowledge, friendliness, or the sweetness – they are the winners in my book.
The shag dancing was fun to watch and I actually want to learn it. But, that requires a partner – one whom I want to be that close to – so I may just have to learn the steps and be ready. There were some dear elderly people who were dancing the night away.
What a fun event – and I’ll probably head back next year. You want to go. It surpassed my expectations.
by Kimberly | Sep 26, 2010 | food
Yacht Basin Provision Company is a local’s haven. Provisions, as known by the locals, has its own t-shirts, honor-system beer, and great prices for fresh local seafood.
The decor is local fishing pier with all seating outside on the porch, under flaps by the pier. Fresh seafood marked up a chalkboard and buns were searing on the grill – that’s where you placed your order. They walked it out to you and you paid after you ate. Trusting owners.
I ordered the lunch special which was the crab cake and 1/4 fresh steamed shrimp. The crab cake was good but a little too wet for me. The shrimp were perfect. Steamed and seasoned to perfection, the 9 shrimp I had were the highlight of my day.
I will definitely go to this pier stop again.
