by Kimberly | Sep 9, 2010 | food
When you drive into any beach town, doesn’t everyone bee-line straight for the nearest ice cream place? Well, we did.
We pitched our tent, had ice cream, hiked deserts, and then waited an hour for dinner.
These ladies who ran the locally owned and homemade ice cream (and pizza) place were friendly and informative to us (especially since we didn’t know anything about the OBX). They let us try about 5 flavors each.
I ended up getting two, but only eating one of them. Both were good but too much ice cream, so I had to go with the better.
The Chocolate Peanut Butter was out of this world. I loved it. And I’m not usually a chocolate fan. But, will go there again and get it (hopefully they have it). Winner!
by Kimberly | Sep 9, 2010 | food
I know you have waited patiently for it – the best food I ate during my first stay at the OBX: mahi mahi tacos at Tortugas Lie. This is definitely my brother’s type of place.
Late lunch consisted of unsweet tea at a bar, mahi mahi tacos with beans and rice, and cocoloco chicken with a lime curry sauce served also with beans and rice (yellow and black).
All was fabulous. My friend’s parents suggested this place just up the road from their condo and beach access.
We had to wait about 10 minutes for 2 seats at the bar on Labor Day Monday. Prices were decent (9$). But, the food was great. Rach said the tacos would have been better with corn tortillas, but I took them just like they were. The lime and curry sauce for the curry chicken was fabulous – and I finished that off with the yellow rice.
So, when I go back again – I’ll definitely hit this local joint and maybe just get the tacos again so I can have both of them.
by Kimberly | Sep 9, 2010 | Uncategorized
I couldn’t wait to start my first journey to the Outer Banks on Sunday for the rest of the Labor Day weekend. So, this restaurant was going to get marked off the list of the Top 100 in 100 Counties.
We asked some other locals in the places we stopped what they thought of S&0 and we got mixed reviews. They kept saying “Oh, that’s a OBX staple, good food, okay food, its been around a long time.” If it weren’t for the sake of marking it off my list, I may not have gone, but you do what you gotta do.
On a Sunday night this place was packed, so other people must really like it. We had what was told to us a 35 minute wait, which we enjoyed outside in the beautiful “sunset light”. Turned in to a 50 minute wait, good thing I had good company and we were practicing our vertical push ups on the rail and our pigeon poses. Finally we got seated.
We chose to split what we ordered.
Rach got the Sam & Omie’s burger: great flavor, cooked just the way we wanted, onions, tomato, lettuce. Came with fries. Definitely the winner of the two – best thing of the experience.
I ordered the fish of the day sandwich – which was flounder. The batter nor the fish had any flaovr. It was a long piece of fish served on a round hamburger bun (again, nothing special) – should have been served on a hoagie, at least toasted. Came with all the fixins – the tarter sauce was really yummy. We got the onion rings on that order – and Hot Dog World’s was better.
Our waitress was good but not overly friendly, I would describe her as matter of fact. It was freezing in there. But, we marked it off the list.
So, this won’t win the Best of the 100 Award.
by Kimberly | Sep 8, 2010 | Festivals, food
Labor Day. End of summer. Beginning of Fall. Beautiful this time of year in North Carolina (Fall is definitely my favorite time of the year).
Over in a little town in the mountains of western NC, Labor Day brings hundreds of visitors to its quaint streets. Hendersonville comes alive!
My friends and I attended:
1. Loved the smell of the Greek food and roasted corn from Mother Shucker’s right when we turned the corner on to the main street of the fair.
2. I loved the Moss Farms where I could sample the apples but also mix and match my pecks that I bought.
3. I realized that Raleigh is sort of in a warp outside of Hendersonville.
4. Kilwin’s used local apples for their candied apples.
5. The Mast General Store had been there well before the turn of the century (1900) and had a quality assortment of long ago candy. And I stocked up on some mixed amish popcorn for 5$ (which is a better price than I can get in any grocery store.
6. I practiced restraint. We had just eaten at Hot Dog World, and even though all of the food smelled wonderful, I think I just took 2 bites of one apple. Thank you Jesus for self-control being put in practice that night.
7. I loved the sun glistening off the main street buildings. Pretty at sunset.
8. Singing in my head “small town Saturday night.” Everything’s a country song.
Next year, may make a return trip to the Apple Festival.
by Kimberly | Sep 8, 2010 | food
My friends are great. Not only were we able to knock off one of the places in my magazine on Saturday – but two!
This local hangout in downtown Hendersonville was packed out for a Saturday night. Might have had something to do with it being Labor Day wknd, or the NC Apple Festival around the corner, but I tend to think that Hot Dog World might be this packed every Saturday night.
Housed in what looks like an old Sonic, which I know isn’t true, but it gives you an idea: round cement or rectangular wooden tables under a covering, slanted parking spots (minus the call order box), walk-in to order your food, and cheap good American food. This place did have much more than hot dogs, but when in Rome…
I had the Slaw Dog: hot dog, grilled bun (my favorite part of the hot dog), chili, mustard, onions, and slaw. The slaw wasn’t too tangy which is good for me. The other great thing about this hot dog, while being messy (which is a good thing), was that it stayed together. The toppings didn’t fall off or anything. Every bite was good.
My friends also got hot dogs – only complaint I think was that they weren’t as big as they looked in the magazine.
We also ordered onion rings and french fries to share. The onion rings had a delicious batter that stayed on the onion ring when you bit into it. My complaint about most onion rings (I had more on Sunday night) is that most of the time the onion slides out or the batter falls off. These did neither of those things – so that is what made them the second best onions rings I’ve eaten (best being at Red Robin – the Tower o Rings).
And since it was the Apple Festival, they had baskets of apples around the inside of the restaurant to have for dessert. Cost: under 4.75 for a hot dog and large onion rings. I love cheap food. Wish I would have saved room for the Apple Festival though.
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.
