by Kimberly | Jan 27, 2011 | food, restaurants
I don’t know really how you say it, but I pronounce it: good eats.
On the side of Five Points in the downtown district of the Bull City, sits a gem. Jazz, spinach gruyere dip, vegan and vegetarian choices on a full menu, wines and coffees, luscious desserts, and wifi – really – need I say more.
We walked in with only about 35 minutes for dinner. I stated that to our waiter and he was on it. Thankful for the service!
I think I may have had the best spinach dip I’ve ever had: spinach and gruyere cheese – that’s all (well, the two main ingredients) – baked in my own little ramekin so I could devour it all to myself (I did share a bite, and saved some for leftovers). No artichokes – I think I like it that way.
The sauce that I tried from my friend’s choice: chorizo quesadillas: guacamole mayo – splendid. That would go good on just about anything – but maybe perfect on a BLT. Yum.
The dude singing – perfect, not too loud, we could still carry on a conversation. Must. Go. Back. for more.
by Kimberly | Jan 27, 2011 | Uncategorized
Real. On this blog, you get differing depths of me depending on the post. This is going to be deeper post.
My days off are seldom like I think they are going to be. Most of the time they are better than I even thought they could be. This is one of those. I brought many books with me when I headed West on 40 last night and only one of those books has been opened.
Last night I had delicious food at Beyu Caffe in Durham. Delicious spinach dip with warm pita, hmmmmmmm. And found a place I would love to go back to with my laptop and just sit for hours with a cup of coffee and listen to the life music (maybe eat a dessert, or some more spinach dip).
Then heard a great run through of Calvin’s thoughts on the Lord’s Prayer. Very needed in my life at that moment and I’m very glad to have heard it. Saw some sweet friends there and then more talking. Rode home with younguns that knew some sweet Southern Seminary folks, and I thought of their goodness and transparency and faithfulness.
Then went back to my friend’s house: ate leftovers, talked, both on laptops, read some D.A. Carson and called it a night. Didn’t sleep very well and I didn’t know how that was going to bode for today. It has boded very well.
Started this morning with 4 hours at my favorite hangout spot in Durham: Foster’s Market. That is no surprise to anyone! Had a delightful conversation with a friend. Oh, so good. Then drove to have lunch and talk about photography: see people, that was good. Hear what God is doing.
Then headed to Starbucks and had a 2 hour conversation with a wise woman and mom and wife and pastor’s wife whom I had only met once and she was so gracious to let me in on her precious time.
Now I’m sitting at MadHatter’s…thinking, blogging, reading. So, here we go:
1. My ideal evening: sitting with a dear friend or new friend or anyone I just have a desire to be real with over a lovely dinner (cheap, not cheap), and a glass. For hours. No end in conversation. Breathing. Being real. Talking about life, not perfection.
2. What I don’t like: Fake. I’m not a fake person. I have said some things in 2 recent conversations that I never thought would come out of my mouth to people. Hearing those things come out of my mouth make me realize: I love those friends and I can be real with them, and God is still doing work in my heart to make it conformed to Christ.
3. I’d rather have deep meaningful conversations with people, or intentional conversations, then shooting the breeze with folks in a large group.
4. Colossians 3:16 is what happens when life is pressing. In one conversation today, I was able to take Scripture and say how it has been real in my life and how God has used it to shape me. When life is pressing: I want Scripture to come out because that shows my faith and hope are in Christ.
5. Christ is my hope. I tend to get my hopes up about one thing or another. And I get disappointed. But, when my hope is in Christ: which is where it always should be, He never disappoints. As I spoke this truth to a friend last night I knew I was preaching to myself to. As Lloyd-Jones and Bridges and Mahaney all say: preach the gospel to yourself everyday. I need to do more preaching and more listening and more applying and let the Spirit do more sanctifying.
6. I have to believe in the Gospel. If not, my life would be so meaningless. I would have no hope for ever changing, for ever being who I needed to be. I can’t do this life on my own. Christ is my grace and my sufficiency. I need to remember this in all areas of my life: work, “fun writing”, friendships, relationships, photography, traveling, reading, health, you name it. I need Christ. He is the good gospel.
7. I’m not there. Some of those real thoughts that came out today show that I am hopelessly man centered when it comes to areas of approval in my life. Blame it on being a woman: no. Blame it on SIN. Yes. Those two women couldn’t believe that would come out of my mouth? Do I really put on such an air of have-it-together-ness that I could never be that insecure? Do people really think I have it altogether. Folks: disclaimer: I don’t have it all together. God is still at work for His glory (See Philippians 1 and 2).
8. If my life on FB seems like I have it altogether, please don’t believe it. What I put on statuses that are Scripture and quotes are: I am preaching to myself. These are the things that I have read that God has used right then to sanctify me and make me more into the image of His Son. That is His desire. My happiness is wrapped up in Him (or that is where it should be). Its not totally there yet, never will be. Looking forward to the return of Christ!
9. I get disappointed and I get sad over sin (mine and others) and I love being by myself. I also love conversations with people that will allow me to be real and not be judged. Not confronted or held accountable for my sin: I crave that – but not judged. I want the truth to be spoken into my life. Yes, that is hard to hear, but I need it. You need it. We all need it.
10. God is good. The verse I left a conversation with today: The Lord God is a Sun and Shield, He will not withhold anything good from those who walk uprightly. (Psalm 84:11). I also love Romans 2:4 (Do you presume, or do you know that the kindness of God was to lead you to repentance) and also Romans 8:32: How will God, who gave us Jesus, not also graciously give us all things in Him.
Those are my refuges. Those are where I lay my hat at night. That is where I turn when I am disappointed or elated. When there is joy. When there is let downs. God is good. I love Him. He loves me. I stand in that.
Thank you: Leah, Heather, Clarissa, Brittany, Sherri, Wendy, Christi, Mollie. And an advance thank you to: Sarah, Christina, and Rachael. You are being used in my life and I am grateful for you!
by Kimberly | Jan 27, 2011 | food, restaurants, vegetarian
Unpretentious. Good food. Hopefully go back for the good wine. Good price. Good friend. What more could you ask for?
A friend and I celebrated hump day by taking advantage of Triangle Restaurant Week and went to a new place for us both, Vivace in North Hills. I will definitely pay a return (or two or three) visit!
They brought out delicious simple crusty bread slices with a white bean hummus type dip. Good, simple.
We both ordered the salad: spinach, dried apricots, slivered almonds, and a prosecco vinaigrette. Loved the attention of the dressing of the salad with the light vinaigrette and the sweetness (but not overwhelming) dried apricots. Maybe the hand was heavy on the pecorino cheese, just a bit salty.
I ordered the pizza, minus the chicken since I’m going meatless. The presentation was flawless, brought out on a wooden cutting board. Thin crispy-edged pizza with olive oil, goat cheese, roasted garlic, pear, and red onion. Simple. Mastered. I took one bought, slouched back on my cushioned-seat, and sighed. Good food. Such a pleasure.
My friend got the mussels in white wine sauce and linguini. I tasted a mussel and tried some of the sauce. Splendid. And both meals provided us leftovers.
Dessert: cappuccino panna cotta with raspberry puree (dotted with 3 chocolate covered espresso beans) and biscotti. Everything was good, nothing oh my goodness stellar (like the pizza). I enjoyed it. Brown colored desserts are not easy to photograph. But, neither of us (my friend nor I) are HUGE coffee fans and we both enjoyed it!
So. My plan: return for a visit. Go late at night with a friend who wants to split a pizza, a glass of something, and sit there and talk, oh for hours.
And we had attentive wait staff and an enjoyable time! Thank you Vivace. Enjoy the photos.
by Kimberly | Jan 27, 2011 | chocolate, food, restaurants, Uncategorized
In the middle of the Brightleaf Square corridor sits a little cafe that serves desserts and real food.
I spend 4 hours there on Sunday, taking pictures, talking w a dear friend, and sipping on an espresso macchiato.
The cake we chose was moist, texture-perfect, and delicious. I could have easily eaten the entire cylindrical – goodness, but I shared, like a good girl. We chose the coconut tres leche cake and the toasted coconut on the outside was supreme. The filling of the tres leche cake was rich and pale yellow taste-bud delight with every bite.
They serve many other beautiful creations and then have a full menu as well. You can sit there for hours and have no one bother you. And they have refills on their coffee – serve your own. So, I’ll definitely be heading back there, especially when it gets warmer and I can sit outside.
Finds like Amelia’s are what makes Durham a great place to eat!
Only negative: their photos both on their website and menu need help. Hey folks at Amelia’s: I’m available. Contact me!
by Kimberly | Jan 11, 2011 | chocolate, food, photo shoot
Ice. That is what today is about. There is ice, not snow, in RDU. This has been one of the coldest winters I’ve experienced in RDU since moving here in 2000. Note: we haven’t had 24 inches of snow (like in January 2000) or TONS of ice like we had in 2005 (or was it 2004)? But, with temperatures not even reaching 50, really, not even 40, for most of the days for the past 6 weeks, its cold.
So, I thought I would talk about something happy and fun: favorite places in the Triangle. There is a reason I love this place and am glad to call it home!
These are in no particular order:
Fosters Durham/Chapel Hill: I love her home-cooked food but upscale. It is a place to sit all day with a book or a laptop and enjoy a scone with some snickerdoodle coffee or a glass of wine. Her omelettes are fantastic and any of her baked goods are usually just what the doctor ordered. I haven’t figured out which location I like better.
Best Dessert I’ve tried so far in RDU: Butterscotch Blondie at Bogart’s. I had to share, it was my birthday, but I could have eaten the whole thing – with the ice cream. So good. Oh, and the inside out pb cup from Cafe Carolina . So good. Wish I could make.
Best Wine Experience: Sip in Cary. Such a quaint, decorative place that you want to stay and get to know the owners and everyone who stops in. They know their stuff: and everything is eco-friendly!
Best Thai Food: Chai’s in Durham on Erwin Road. I haven’t been back since I returned to the state, because I’ve been trying out new places. But, hands down, this is the best place by far if I want some delicious salty steamed edemame or a huge bowl of spicy chicken pad thai.
Go sit all day: Panera Crabtree. The reasons are this: refillable unsweet tea, wifi free usage, overhear engaging conversations, 5 minutes door to door, and cheap, somewhat healthy food.
Outdoor Activities: Volleyball courts at Pullen Park, Shelley Lake for walking, Umstead park, summer movies at the museum of art, July 4 at Cary Amphitheatre, photo shoots at NCSU Arboretum or Duke Gardens, or anywhere on the campus of SEBTS or UNC.
Best Cheap Mexican: Salsa Fresh is at least every 2 weeks – I’m going there tomorrow.
Best Jewelry: Moon & Lola
Best Pizza: Anna’s Pizzeria in Apex or Lilly’s at Five Points
Best Sushi: Champas at Briar Creek
What other places do I need to try? I can branch out to anywhere in the Triangle. I love new things. What are some of your favorite things about living in the Triangle?
I don’t know really how you say it, but I pronounce it: good eats.
