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Friday, May 8, 2009
Mouthful IndoChine Grill offers Vietnamese at the EpiCentre
Posted By Priscilla Tsai on Fri, May 8, 2009 at 11:03 AM
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IndoChine Grill is the first of a few Asian restaurants to open at the EpiCentre. The restaurant located next to Mez cooks up modern Vietnamese cuisine with French and Japanese influences. I stopped by last night after Alive After Five to check it out. I have yet to eat there, but here's a preview of a few things on the menu: Vietnamese Egg Rolls, French Classic Tuna Tartare, Sashimi, Sauteed Asian Rice Macaroni, Pho, Lemongrass Curried Shrimp, Saigon Shaking Filet Mignon, and Curried Chicken.
The restaurant decor is pretty with bamboo, red accents and soft lighting provided by lantern-looking lights.
The owners of IndoChine also own two restaurants in Atlanta. I can't wait to go try IndoChine soon. Stay tuned for an update...
IndoChine Grill
210 E. Trade St.
Charlotte, NC
704-688-0078
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Food News Food News: Best Teen Chef Final Round Competition
Posted By Tricia Childress on Thu, May 7, 2009 at 11:35 AM
34 local cook-off competition winners will compete on Saturday, May 9, in the Best Teen Chef Final Round Competition at The Art Institute of Charlotte. The winner will earn a full-tuition scholarship, worth approximately $40K, towards a bachelor’s degree, an associate's degree, certificate program or diploma program to study Culinary Arts at one of the more than 30 participating Art Institutes locations. The winner will be an "Intern for a Day" at Food Network Kitchens in New York City. The Art Institutes created the Best Teen Chef competition in 2000.
Food News Food News: Center City Green Market opens this weekend
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Thu, May 7, 2009 at 9:00 AM
It's farmers market season again.
From FindYourCenter.com:
The Center City Green Market provides workers, residents, and visitors with locally grown foods and farm products in a direct producer-to-consumer marketing venue that will serve diverse populations, promote regional agriculture and improve the quality of Center City life.This year marks our 11th season and we are making big changes. The Market is moving from our 7th St location to the heart of Uptown at the plazas at Trade and Tryon. Additionally, we are extending the Market hours by having 2 to 3 vendors selling Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 3pm starting May 1st. We will continue to have our full market on Saturday mornings from 8am to 1pm starting May 9th.
As always, the key ingredients include a selection of fresh local produce, fresh fish from the Carolina coast and beyond, fresh-cut flowers and plants, homemade goodies, soaps, sauces and more!
Over the years, the Market has brought out an interesting array of local artists offering handmade crafts, jewelry, stained glass and more. We invite you to come visit the Market to see what’s new, fresh and green!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Food News / Mouthful The new Cosmos Cafe in Ballantyne opens today
Posted By Priscilla Tsai on Wed, May 6, 2009 at 4:07 PM
I got a preview of the new Cosmos Cafe last night at the Media Preview Party. The new Ballantyne location boasts patio seating, a beautiful round bar, eclectic international flavors, amazing decor, and seating for 280 people.
As I trudged my way over to Ballantyne from Uptown in the pouring rain, my pant legs got completely soaked -- I looked like something the cat dragged in. Lucky for me though, I felt better as soon as we entered the restaurant because we were warmly welcomed by a bevy of staff and were immediately offered a drink and some food.
We chose to sit in a maroon and purple faux-suede booth facing the restaurant to take in the chic decor. As we sat at our table, waitstaff came by every few minutes with little samples of Cosmos' dishes. (The parade of delicious food was so exciting I was distracted from being uncomfortable in my rain-soaked pants.) We sampled fried goat cheese salad, dips, satay, kalamari, grilled octopus salad, lobster and crab cakes, lamb shanks, sushi, mini lamb burgers, and multiple pizzas.
The pizzas are wood-fired and have a slightly smokey flavored. The two we tried, the Alfredo and the Shepherd, were extremely good with nice crusts. I'd say try the Shepherd pizza -- it's a bit lighter than the Alfredo and has a great combo of sun-dried tomatoes, pesto, ricotta cheese, artichokes and goat cheese.
I was surprised at the quality of their sushi. Both the California roll and the spicy tuna roll were well-made and tasted fresh. No soggy, mushy rice here.
The circular bar was custom made in the restaurant with woods from around the globe. To make the bar, strips of wood were bent and glued together strip by strip to form the amazing work of art. The final bar masterpiece resembles the rings of Saturn...which goes along with the entire theme of the restaurant - planets/space/cosmic harmony. The circular design and jagged pieces jutting from the ceiling above the bar represents a planet with an explosion caused by an asteroid. (Tidbit of info: In Russian, the word cosmos simply means "space.") Even the lighting is kinda neat -- the lights fade from green, to blue, to red, but not in a cheesy way. When you go visit, be sure to ask about the decor.
Cosmos Cafe in Ballantyne is officially open to the public today. Their grand opening will be tomorrow, May 7. Currently the restaurant will be open for dinner on weekdays, in addition to brunch on the weekends. But stay tuned -- lunch will be served in the future. If you are looking for a place to take Mom this weekend, Cosmos is planning a grand Mother's Day buffet this Sunday.
The restaurant is located at the Village at Robinson Farm. 8420 Rea Rd, Charlotte, NC.
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Events American Craft Beer Week @ Revolution Pizza
Posted By Priscilla Tsai on Wed, May 6, 2009 at 1:38 PM
Revolution Pizza & Ale House is celebrating American Craft Beer Week with an event on May 14 featuring beers from breweries around the country.
In addition to beers from Abita, DogFish Head, Highland, Foothills, and more, Stump Dickens will be at Revolution playing live music.
Admission is $10. All drafts will be $3. The party starts at 6:30 pm.
Revolution is located in NoDa at 3228 N. Davidson St. www.revolutionpizza.com.
Cheers to good beer!
Food News Food News: Soul Gastrolounge opens
Posted By Tricia Childress on Wed, May 6, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Owner and DJ/Chef Andy Kastanas and James Fedele opened Soul Gastrolounge, a restaurant and music venue, located at 1500 Central Avenue, in Plaza Midwood. Chef Patty Greene has created a light menu with mezas, tapas, and Asian-inspired small plates ranging in price from $3 to $12. Hours: Monday through Friday 5 p.m. until 2 a.m.; Saturday and Sunday 11 a. m until 2 a.m. The kitchen closes at midnight weekdays, at 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Events Upcoming: Brownie 101
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Wed, May 6, 2009 at 10:39 AM
On Saturday, May 11, Sur La Table will be hosting a free brownie workshop:
"Score tips, techniques and delicious homemade brownies in our free 'Brownie 101' workshop. You'll learn how to make the best brownies ever. No reservation needed — walk in and join the fun."
The workshop begins at 11 a.m.
Yum.
Food News Oprah and free chicken
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Wed, May 6, 2009 at 10:23 AM
If you haven't heard about this offer, then something's wrong with your life. Oprah is jumping on the KFC wagon and giving away some free chicken.
You've got mere hours to print out the golden ticket — I mean coupon — that rewards you with two pieces of grilled chicken and tw0 sides from KFC. It's only available until 9:59 p.m. tonight. Go to UnthinKFC.com now. Then, cash in the coupon at any participating KFC location across the country from today until May 19.
Recipe Cooking videos featuring mama
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Wed, May 6, 2009 at 9:00 AM
In honor of Mother's Day coming up (Did you remember? It's Sunday!), here's a compilation of cooking videos featuring moms and grandmas.
Here's one that reminds me of MY mom: A young woman films her mom making Mul Kimchee. 2 minutes and 40 seconds of Korean pickled veggies. (My initial reaction is to end this with a "Yum," but I don't like mul kimchee.)
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Smorgasbord How much sugar really is in that?
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Tue, May 5, 2009 at 9:57 AM
If you're concerned about how much sugar you're really taking in when you eat a pint of Haagen Dazs, you should check out SugarStacks.com. They've got pictures of desserts, vegetables, breakfast foods, smoothies and more, with the sugar cubes stacked next to them, giving you a better idea of what's really in that item you're about to consume guiltlessly. For example:
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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.
