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Thursday, May 14, 2009
Food News Would you like non-smoking or ... non-smoking?
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Thu, May 14, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Soon, when you go out to eat, the hostess won't be asking you if you want "Smoking or Non-smoking."
N.C. Gov. Bev Purdue says she will sign into law a bill the state House of Representatives passed Wednesday that bans smoking in bars and restaurants in the state.The House approved by a 62-56 vote a version of the smoking ban that had been passed by the N.C. Senate. The measure will make it illegal for restaurant and bar owners to allow smoking in their establishments.
Read the full story from the Charlotte Business Journal here.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Three-Course Spiel Meet Chef Donna Cook
Posted By Ciara Lilly on Wed, May 13, 2009 at 3:31 PM
Do you remember waking up to your grandmother’s cooking, and how the mouth-watering aroma filled the house? Chef Donna Cook, of Donna Cook's Personal Chef Services, seeks to rekindle that memory with her specialty cuisine that fuses the familiarity of comfort food with a healthy twist.
Creative Loafing: What would you consider your best recipe? Why?
Donna Cook: I think my best recipe is crab cakes with a roasted red pepper aioli. They’re full of crab, which is unique or different from a lot of other crab cakes that you have. They also can be made very healthy for you. You can bake them in the oven, rather than frying. So it cuts out a lot of the fat. And the roasted red pepper aioli is just phenomenal with the crab cakes.
A lot of chefs are specializing in the healthier cuisine — what distinguishes your healthy cuisine from the rest?
I like healthy food, but I like healthy food that’s familiar or comfort food. So, I like to take everyday foods and make them healthier. About 10 years ago I was diagnosed with diabetes, and if I was going to be successful in managing my diabetes, I had to take foods I was familiar with and make them work for me. I wasn’t very happy with eating the boiled chicken and steamed broccoli.
What’s your least favorite healthy food to work with?
Maybe tofu — I don’t work with tofu very often. I have never acquired a taste for it on my own. So it’s something I try to stay away from. When I do cook it for clients, it’s always trial and error.
Visit her site at www.donnacooks.com.
Food News Food News: 19th Annual U.S. Open Homebrew Competition
Posted By Tricia Childress on Wed, May 13, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Amateur Carolina beer brewers will compete at the 19th Annual US Open Homebrew Competition on May 16 hosted by the Carolina Brewmasters, a non-profit club. The competition will be judged at Carolina Beer & Beverage in Mooresville. Among the awards are the Gambrinus Cup and the opportunity for a winning recipe to be brewed on a commercial scale by Carolina Beer & Beverage and offered as a premium beer at the 2009 Carolina Renaissance Festival this fall. www.carolinabrewmasters.com.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Liquid Diet Bacon flavored vodka on the way
Posted By Taylor Eason on Tue, May 12, 2009 at 2:54 PM
It sounds like bottled baked potato with bacon topping. It kinda skeezes me out, yet intrigues. But, given the growing fascination with all things pork and cured, we should have expected it: A potato-based vodka with a "savory bacon flavor" has been invented in Seattle.
Created by Black Rock Spirits after two years of testing, Bakon Vodka celebrates the renaissance of our favorite salty slab. With no tongue-in-cheek, they are "bringing home the bacon."
The Web site says: "Our vodka is column-distilled using a single heating process that doesn't 'bruise' the alcohol like the multiple heating cycles needed to make a typical pot-still vodka. No tinge or burn on the tongue, no obnoxious smoky or chemical flavors, just a clean refreshing potato vodka with delicious savory bacon flavor."
Top 5 cheap eats on Central Avenue
Posted By Priscilla Tsai on Tue, May 12, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Some of my favorite restaurants are located on Central Avenue. They are favorites because the food is ethnic, the ingredients are authentic, and the price is right. Here are a few stellar items that you can get for $8 or less:
1. Tacos a la Unica @ La Unica Taqueria
2. Pho @ Pho Hoa or Ben Thanh
3. Fried pickles @ The Penguin
4. Steamed pork buns @ Dim Sum
5. Pupusas @ Pupusa Heat
Liquid Diet That 'idea-changing liquid alchemy'
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Tue, May 12, 2009 at 8:33 AM
Absinthe. Supposedly in its lethal version, a taste of "the green fairy" will make you hallucinate, which is why it was illegal for so long in Western countries. Two years ago, the prohibition of absinthe in the United States was lifted. "The new rules allow real wormwood-flavored absinthes to be sold as long as they contain only small amounts of thujone, the wormwoody compound long thought to be responsible for any psychoactive qualities the old absinthes may have had."
I've got two small bottles of the stuff in my cupboard at home. A friend brought home a set of three that he picked up on a stop in Germany on his way back from Iraq. That was almost two years ago. We tried the first bottle the first night. Yuck. That's why the other two are still in my cabinet.
Read up more on absinthe in this WSJ.com article. Or see a feature from food writer Tricia Childress here.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Food News And the winner is ...
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Mon, May 11, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Saturday, the Best Teen Chef Final Round Competition went down at The Art Institute of Charlotte. Sammy Jo Claussen, a high school senior from Kansas City, became the tenth teenager to lay claim to the title "Best Teen Chef" since the Competition’s inception in 2000. She won a full-tuition scholarship to study Culinary Arts at The International Culinary School at The Art Institutes International – Kansas City, and the opportunity to serve as “Intern for a Day” in the Food Network Kitchens.
For more information on The Best Teen Chef Competition, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/pr.aspx?ID=btc097.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Events Mother's Day brunches
Posted By Priscilla Tsai on Fri, May 8, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Looking for a place to take mom for a Mother's Day meal? Here are a few local restaurants that are offering special Mother's Day buffets, menus, and deals.
Mimosa Grill
Mother's Day Brunch Buffet
10:00am - 3:00pm
$21.95 per person/$10.95 kids 10 & under
For reservations, 704.343.0700.
We will reopen at 5pm for dinner.
Zink
Mom’s Day Out at Zink!
10am-3pm
Celebrate Mother’s Day with our special Brunch Buffet
$22.95/adults; $9.95 children age 3-12.
Reservations suggested.
City Tavern *
$15 Mother's Day Brunch Buffet and a Mother's Day Dinner
$3 Mimosas and $4 Bloody Marys
Buffet includes scrambled eggs, carved meats, poached salmon, hash browns, and more.
* Get a coupon for $10 off Mother's Day Dinner in this week's Creative Loafing (page 39)!
M5
Celebrate Mother’s Day at M5
Special Brunch Buffet – 10am-3pm
$18.95/adults; $12.95 children 12 and under.
Reservations suggested.
The Morehead Inn
Mother's Day Brunch
10:45 am, 11 am, 1 pm, and 1:15 pm
$27.95 adults, $23.95 seniors, $14.95 children ages 4-12, children under 3 eat free.
The VanLandingham Estate
Mother's Day Brunch
10:45 am, 11 am, 1 pm, and 1:15 pm
$27.95 adults, $23.95 seniors, $14.95 children ages 4-12, children under 3 eat free.
The Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge
11:00am - 3:00m
Mothers are encouraged to wear a festive hat for the occasion. Any mom who wears a hat will be treated to a complimentary bottle of champagne. Advance reservations are required.
And here some more from Opentable.com...
| Carpe Diem Restaurant
Treat Mom to a 2-course meal featuring favorites like our buttermilk chicken breast, crab cakes, or eggs Benedict ($25/adult; $12.50/child under 12). |
Charlotte | American | |
| Del Frisco's - Charlotte
From 11:30am-2:30pm we will be offering a 3-course brunch menu ($29.95). We will also offer a children's menu ($9.95). Enjoy live jazz from the Mark Stallings Trio! |
Charlotte | Steakhouse | |
| Dino's Restaurant
Come Sunday for a fabulous brunch buffet w/ Mom & the whole family! One price incl. apps, entrees, & desserts. Fri. & Sat. Mom enjoys a free bruschetta appetizer. |
Charlotte | Contemporary American | $$ |
| Ember Grille - Westin Charlotte
Mother's Day Brunch 11am-4pm. Breakfast buffet incl. assortment of salads, entrees incl., chicken, halibut, lamb, & salmon plus action stations ($45). Free parking & piano player! |
Charlotte | International | |
| Fig Tree
Mom deserves the best! Come to our house & treat her to a special brunch 11am-3pm or dinner 5-8pm. Porch & patio dining available, weather permitting. |
Charlotte | Continental | |
| Gallery Restaurant
Join the Ballantyne Resort for the special Mother's Day Brunch ($48.95/adult; $25.95/child 7-12; $7.95/child 3-6) w. complementary glass of champagne to moms wearing hats. |
Charlotte | American | |
| Global Restaurant, Bar & Lounge
Join us for lovely 3-course Mother's Brunch ($32/adult; $12/child under 12). |
Ballantyne | Global, International | |
| Lava Bistro
Offering our regular menu. |
University City | American | |
| M5
Treat your Mother to the best! M5 offers a fantastic Mother's Day buffet. Nicely priced mimosas, Bloody Marys, & half off all Italian wines! Nothing but the best for Mom! |
Charlotte | Mediterranean | |
| McCormick & Schmick's Seafood - Charlotte (Southpark Mall)
Offering our regular menu. |
SouthPark | Seafood | |
| McCormick & Schmick's Seafood - Charlotte (Tryon Street)
Offering brunch selections along w. our fresh seafood dinner menu & full Irish bar w. fresh juices. |
Uptown | Seafood | |
| meZ-Charlotte
Join us Sunday for a Mother's Day brunch w. omelette station, carving station, & specialty desserts ($21.99/person). 10:30am-2pm |
Uptown | Global, International | |
| Morton's The Steakhouse - Charlotte
Mom deserves the best...treat her to Morton's this Mother's Day! Featuring a specially priced prix-fixe menu ($59), or Morton's signature a la carte menu. Special hours: 1pm-9pm |
Uptown | Steak | |
| Noble's Restaurant
Specials incl. shaved house ham & melon, fresh yogurt & strawberries, house bacon & smoked cheddar quiche, eggs Benedict, veal schnitzel holstein, & more. Plus flowers for Mom! |
SouthPark | American | |
| Oceanaire Seafood Room - Charlotte
Bring Mom in for Chef Cory's amazing brunch specials. Breakfast items include lobster Benedict, smoked Alaskan salmon frittata, & more fresh catches from the sea. |
SouthPark | Seafood | |
| Red Rocks Cafe - Charlotte
Offering our Mother's Day Brunch buffet 10am-4pm on Sunday. |
Charlotte | American | |
| Rocky River Grille
Offering a Mother's Day Brunch 11am-3pm in the Embassy Suites Hotel Ballroom. Nothing but the best for Mom on Mother's Day. |
Charlotte | Contemporary American | |
| Rooster's Wood-Fired Kitchen
Join us for a lovely brunch buffet, a complimentary rose for Mom. |
Charlotte | European | |
| Ruth's Chris Steak House - Charlotte - South Park
Visit us on Mother's Day for our Sunday Queen's Feast: $30 for 3 courses! Serving 12-9pm. |
SouthPark | Steak | |
| Ruth's Chris Steak House - Charlotte Uptown
Offering our regular menu. |
Charlotte | Steak | $$$ |
| Sullivan's Steakhouse - Charlotte
Show Mom how special she is by celebrating at Sullivan's. Enjoy our special brunch menu ($29/person) or our regular menu. |
Southend | Steakhouse | |
| The Palm - Charlotte
Offering our regular menu. |
SouthPark | Steakhouse | |
| The Tavern on Park
Offering our brunch menu 11am-3:30pm & a prix-fixe dinner option ($25), to accompany our regular dinner menu. Enjoy free live music every weekend. |
Charlotte | Contemporary American | |
| Toscana Ristorante Italiano
Tuscan Mother's Day Brunch: a special 4-course menu featuring favorites our Tuscan menu & much more ($24.95/adult). Special children's menu ($9.95). |
SouthPark | Italian | |
| Village Tavern - Charlotte
Offering our regular menu. |
Charlotte | American |
Smorgasbord It's Free Chocolate Friday
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Fri, May 8, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Well, we probably missed the boat on this today, but there's always next Friday!
Every Friday morning through Sept. 25 from 9 a.m.-11:59 p.m., visit this site to register and print out a coupon for one full-sized Mars candy bar. Only the first 250,000 visitors get in on this deal.
The coupons are good for Snickers, Peanut M&Ms, Milky Way, Twix, Dove, and 3 Musketeers bars.
Events Upcoming: Crave's grand opening
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Fri, May 8, 2009 at 11:11 AM
If you haven't checked out Uptown's newest dessert bar Crave, you should go tonight for their grand opening party, sponsored by Elevate Lifestyle and Absolut Premium Vodka. Here's what you can expect:
7 p.m. - Black & White Photo Gallery Exhibit "Street Dreaming" by Ms. Jasiatic
8 p.m. - "The Dessert Drop" (Complimentary Fine Desserts sponsored by GODIVA)
9 p.m. - The "I'M THE ISH!!" Fashion Show orchestrated by LOTUS Boutique, CARMEN! CARMEN! Salon, and the E Agency Models
10 p.m. - Crave resident phenom DJ VanDamn hits the turntables; assisted by live congo drummers
No cover.
500 W. 5th Street (Next to CANS)
704-995-9914
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Dish on this: Charlotte-based chefs join ACF Culinary Team USA 2016
As fall approaches, local chefs prepare for a culinary battle in Germany.
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Recipe: Roasted Vegetables with Dijon Béarnaise Sauce
Vegetables. Cheese. Béarnaise. These are things you're going to put in your mouth shortly after reading this.
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What's hoppening at Unknown?
I had to check out the brewery's inaugural Improper Glassware Night.
