by Kimberly | Sep 8, 2010 | Uncategorized
There are several places in North Carolina that one just has to go to, at least once, to say they’ve been there. Chimney Rock is one of those places. Beautiful even in the summer – much more so I can only imagine if it were the fall.
God created a beautiful world for us to enjoy and by which to praise Him in our enjoyment. I loved being at the top of Exclamation Point and being blown over by the wind, hearing children laugh with excitement, having time to listen to Aquafina music (insert laugh), and just to be on top of a mountain looking down on to Lake Lure or looking across the gorgeous mountains of our state. Longings just to climb rocks and the sheer sides of a waterfall plague visitors.
Only two complaints about the whole time there:
1. 14$ to get in. I still loved being in KY when all state parks were free.
2. Two lane road to get in – 1 in each direction. Oh, well. Testing my patience huh?
What I really enjoyed:
1. Their organization (knowing when the upper parking lot was full so they would start to shuttle patrons and hikers again from the bottom of the mountain).
2. Trail guides for whatever length of stay you wanted. That was very helpful.
3. Pure beauty of the location.
Enjoy the photos.
by Kimberly | Sep 8, 2010 | Uncategorized
I love traveling with adventurous people. Saturday was one of those days. I brought along my Our State magazine (just in case). When my friends and I were discussing lunch desires, they allowed me to look through that. When you can eat at a fabulous local dessert caterer and cafe – who wants to eat at Taco Bell or McD’s?
Ketchie’s is just that place. Located only about 1 mile off 40, its a great location for travelers (once you know about it, and now you do). It looks very business/caterer like from the outside (they’ve been in this location about 12 years I think). But, the inside opens up into a bright world os fun colors, smells, cakes, designs, tea, decorations, etc. Very girlie but the food doesn’t make only a chick-food place.
Our three meals: spinach quiche and pastrami (hands down was the winner by all three of us. I took one bite of the quiche – it was possibly the best quiche I’ve tasted – EVER). Popeye would have been proud is a direct quote from the guy who ordered it. Perfect blend of the cheeses that didn’t wasn’t overwhelmed by the spinach – and all balanced out with a light and flaky crust. Another friend had the chicken salad on greens with a fruit salad. I had the chicken salad on croissant and a side salad. My favorite part was the croissant and the croutons! These meals were all around 7$ – which is what you would pay for at Panera or a place like it – but you have more options on the cafe side – and on the bakery side.
The bakery was the winner part of this cafe. Gorgeous cakes lined the cafe cases. Cupcakes, cookies, bars, anything you could think of. Engaged couples were there ordering their wedding cakes, many folks came in to pick up specialty cakes while we were there. They were hopping for a Saturday. Their bakery does a lot of business.
We had: a cream horn (thicker, richer (but not overly sweet cream); a coconut turtle blondie (my opinion it would have been better served room temp, but it was chilled – but still chewy and yummy which is what a blondie should be), and mine – the 5 flavor pound cake (which is what they are known for). If I had 10 times to choose a dessert and pound cake was an option – it would probably be the last one I pick. This one would be the first one I pick almost every time. Vanilla, almond, rum, coconut and lemon with a delicious and thick cream cheese frosting – not a glaze – a frosting. So good. It finally got eaten (about 1 am – all of it). WE all shared the desserts – and loved each of them.
The owner of the restaurant was out serving and working along with his wait staff which was a refreshing sight. Gerald was a pleasing sight and told me about the bakery (in business for 27 years, so you know they are doing something right).
If I ever do get married – if a Publix isn’t in the area (please, NC) – maybe I’ll drive to Mocksville.
by Kimberly | Sep 8, 2010 | Uncategorized
I’ve written about Foster’s Market before on my other blog, but I wanted to highlight it here. This is such a gem of a place to sit all day if you really wanted to:
1. Cup of coffee and the newspaper
2. An old friend over lunch
3. Dinner with the family
4. An afternoon smoothie out on the lawn (this was the second thing I had there, my first time at the Chapel Hill location)
5. A hot summer day with an iced latte under the covered patio.
6. Parking it at a table with lots of books and a laptop – or just a legal pad and a pen.
Sara Foster has done an amazing job creating two cafes that are as distinct as the cities they are in. Foster’s Durham is more of a home-town feel. Locals are from Durham, moms come in after dropping their kids off at school, young twenty-somethings hang here for lunch or for a coffee break from studying. At Foster’s Chapel Hill the cafe is always filled with students, professors, athletes, moms, the elderly.
This place is local in every sense of the word – even the employees being able to offer help with directions (always helpful).
The best things on the menu (from either personal experience or from other’s personal experience):
1. The breakfast burrito – the first thing I had, and probably the best thing I’ve had there.
2. the Spinach avocado BLT. Crunch bacon – basil pesto aoli – good eats.
3. Any of their scones or the chocolate whopper cookies
4. Snickerdoodle coffee – that you can buy by the lbs in whole bean.
You can find a plethora of spreads, jams, mixes to buy there – many of stonewall kitchen products. You can pick up dinner on your way home as they have many of their popular dishes available for take out by the pound. They have a whole slew of candy to pick from – a kid’s dream! They have luna pops – simply great for a hot summer day.
The other things I like about Foster’s:
1. You can find Sara at either of the cafes and she’ll talk with you and she is glad you are at her restaurant
2. Local ingredients and wines
3. Not expensive (I don’t think there is anything over 10$ on the menu)
4. Daily specials
5. Her cookbooks, and one forthcoming
6. Her good, stable, innovative food with fresh ingredients.
What is your favorite local place? (Even if its not in the Triangle…)
by Kimberly | Aug 25, 2010 | food
Treated my parents here for a belated Father’s Day/Dad’s birthday dinner. Made reservations through Open Table and everything went great from there.
The hostesses were extra accommodating to us. Our waitress was able to make recommendations and not afraid to do so. She wasn’t too pesky but did check on us throughout our stay to refill our water, bring us complimentary good eats, and make sure we had everything we needed. Definitely worth a good tip.
The decor was lovely, brick, soft drapes, dim lighting, classic place settings, sectioned off bar area (in the front of the restaurant). 18 Seaboard is set in an old rail station, so the ambience isn’t too “new fangled”. Loved it – my type of nice restaurant.
We didn’t start with any appetizers, but the kitchen gave us some crostini with their basil goat cheese. I could eat goat cheese day. This was exceptional. Creamy and bursting with flavor from the fresh summer basil. Thank you, Kitchen!
I ordered a refreshing salad with peaches. Here is their description: Pee Dee Orchard peach and field greens salad with basil balsamic vinaigrette, pecans, and aged balsamic crouton. The aged balsamic crouton was stellar and it tasted like a fruit jam. Wonderful. This salad was light and refreshing and Fresh! I loved it.
Mom ordered the Chopped Asparagus Salad and the Black Eyed Pea Cakes. I tasted both. Mom loved her salad and ate one of her black-eyed pea cakes. Too much food! 🙂 I love asparagus! They do have vegetarian options for those who have those dietary needs/wants.
Dad got the special which was salmon (he got it blackened) with potatoes, onions, corn and spinach. I could have eaten a bowl of the onions all by themselves, maybe I should have asked for an order of them. I think they were cooked with a honey balsamic – but man, they were some of the best onions I’ve ever had.
This food was local and fresh, which is something else I enjoy about a restaurant.
For dessert, we ordered the roasted Amoretti stuffed peach with homemade (in-house) blueberry and sprite melon ice cream. Could I get a quart of the ice cream to go please? So fresh and light. But, also a taste treat from the kitchen – little squares of blueberry cake with a blueberry mousse. The mousse was light and a perfect topping.
Jason and his crew at 18 Seaboard definitely know how to cook a meal and serve it up to their patrons. Will be returning! Maybe just for peach salads, onions, and ice cream! I think I could handle that.
by Kimberly | Aug 21, 2010 | food
I used to be in Fayetteville a few times a week back 10 years ago, but this place wasn’t there. How I wish it was.
A non-descript inside decor gave room to a delicious meal that was fabulous – rivals anything The Grape Leaf (my fave Greek place in Louisville) puts out – and definitely better than anything I’ve had in RDU to date.
Favorites:
1. When I tasted my first shrimp out of this dish I immediately said “I’ve gotta learn how to make this!”. KARIDES ALA TURCA
Jumbo shrimp sauteed in white wine with garlic, tomatoes, feta cheese & mushrooms Served over fire-roasted eggplant mashed potatoes. I could have passed on the mashed potatoes, but I am not an eggplant fan. The shrimp was superb! Nice suggestion by our friendly waiter who was kind and helpful.
2. The falafel. I have grown to love this. And if a Greek/Turkish place can do this well, most other things are going to taste great as well. Their’s was perfectly fried with a pop of spice that hit you about 5 seconds after you put it in your mouth. I only had one of these, and definitely could have had more.
3. The small Greek salad. Fantastic, refreshing, diced tomatoes and cucumbers with a wonderful vinaigrette and smallish bites of feta (instead of bigger chunks). Next time I will get a large salad with falafel on it.
4. Their tzatziki sauce. Perfect to go with the spicy falafel and sop up the doughy and pleasantly warm pita bread served on the side.
Negatives:
1. Too far away (Took 75 minutes to get there).
2. I wish it was cheaper. Mom and I got the salad, sampler, and the shrimp dish, 1 tea for just under 40$. But, we got a TON of food – Mom had plenty for leftovers tonight which she just gobbled down.
So, if you ever find yourself traveling down Ramsey Street in Fayetteville, or there is a traffic jam on 95 and you want a place to stop, go here. You won’t be disappointed. Saturday – every table in the place was occupied.
