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Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Food News Snake's head found in side dish
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Tue, May 5, 2009 at 9:48 AM
EEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWW.
From Consumerist.com:
Snakes on a sandwich! Reader Lauren's coworker was apparently dining at a T.G.I.F. in the Capital Region of New York and somehow a rotting snakehead, gross, found its way into his side order of broccoli.He writes: ...
I wasn't too alarmed when I came across a gray mass under the broccoli. Many restaurants include mushrooms in their veggie selection. It was when I noticed the green spots, and then the mouth that I became alarmed.
Check out the post, complete with a photo, here.
It's hard to make out what's in the photo, but whether or not this is legit, but PLEASE BELIEVE I'll be examining my food pretty closely when eating out from now on.
Events Beer, bourbon and swine
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Tue, May 5, 2009 at 9:33 AM
While the Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival (going down on May 9) usually elicits excitement every year, the current swine flu outbreak might hamper your desire to chow down on some BBQ. Don’t let that deter you from going, though. Officials have pointed out over and over (and on major TV news outlets, over and over again some more) that you can’t catch the virus from eating pork. If you’re still wary, just go and overindulge in the 60 different kinds of beer and 40 different types of bourbon. It’ll make you feel better. (Last day to buy advance tickets is May 6). $20-$35. VIP admission is noon, general admission at 2 p.m. Symphony Park at SouthPark Mall. 4400 Sharon Road. 800-830-3976. www.beerandbourbon.com.
Three-Course Spiel An interview with a cake decorator
Posted By Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman on Tue, May 5, 2009 at 9:00 AM
Toni Belanger has found her bliss, and it's covered in icing. Her bakery, the Ooey Gooey Bake Shop, celebrated its first anniversary April 1 after a challenging year. Not only did a couple of punks burglarize the shop last fall (don't worry, they stole the cash register but forgot the cash), the economy has forced her to lay off 70 percent of her staff and her health has had her in and out of doctor's offices and on an operating table. But, one year in, she's delighted with her staff — comprised of her sister, Tracey, a former Emeril Lagasse baker, Jessica Garon, and two teens who fill in on weekends — and excited about her future prospects for dough.
Creative Loafing: How is it that you own a bakery and you're so thin?
Toni Belanger: The day after Thanksgiving, I had to have my gallbladder removed. Before that I had a tough time eating and my stomach hurt all the time. Now I can eat anything I want. I love the BLT salad from Firebirds; I must eat that 2-3 times per week. I also love our Magic Cookie Bars — they're super sweet. I still can't seem to gain weight, though.
Have you always been a foodie?
No. When I first started Ooey Gooey, out of my home, I didn’t know how to decorate a cake. I could make a box cake with icing and sprinkles look like the most hideous cake you’ve ever seen in your life. I dropped out of Johnson and Wales and hired one of my classmates. That was my training period. We wore out two brand-new ovens baking for neighbors and local schools. My husband, Ted, made the cheesecakes; no one else could. Now I can decorate elaborate wedding cakes, and I love it.
What have you learned during your first year as a small business owner?
To listen to my customers. They come in with their own recipe ideas. Surprisingly, many of them are from New York. They say Charlotte doesn't have enough bakeries. So, on Mother's Day weekend we're closing the shop and I'm taking Tracey and Jessica to New York City for the Bridal Expo. We're going to scope out the bakeries while we're up there and try to find out what our customers are talking about.
Ooey Gooey Bake Shop is located at 10210 Couloak Drive. You can reach them at 704-394-9926.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Liquid Diet The end of vodka?
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Mon, May 4, 2009 at 5:01 PM
This story makes me a little sad. I like vodka.
A Web site entitled the End of Vodka (theendofvodka.com), hosted by the makers of an açaí-flavored liqueur called VeeV, spitefully depicts vodka drinkers as “vodka bots” — like the suited hedge-fund type, animated on the site, chanting “models and bottles,” or the miniskirted blonde who bubbles “girls’ night out!”The “tofu of the bar” — as Paul Clarke, a cocktail blogger, calls vodka — appears to be losing its once-mighty cachet (if not, however, its dominant market share). An instant relic, perhaps, of the dissipated boom times (Trump vodka, anyone? ... Anyone?). Or maybe a victim of America’s savvier taste buds. To hear some people talk, either way, it’s time to consign vodka to the same mock-worthy bin as white zinfandel, and be done with it.
Well, what do you think? Are the glory days of vodka over with?
Read the rest of this NY Times story here.
Events Cinco de Mayo fiestas
Posted By Priscilla Tsai on Mon, May 4, 2009 at 3:24 PM
Celebrate Mexico's victory over France in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 with some Mexican food and drink specials. Here is a roundup of local bars and restaurants that will be throwing fiestas in honor of this Mexican holiday.
La Paz
1910 South Blvd.
Giveaways, Rock 'n' Roof Top Party, live bands
Drink specials: $2 beer specials, $3 magaritas, $3 monster bombs, $4 Jack and coke
Howl at the Moon
210 E. Trade Street
Cinco de Mayo fiesta, party starts at 8 pm
Drink specials: $5 24oz blue margaritas, $3 beer specials
Boardwalk Billy's
9005-2 JM Keynes Drive
Party all day, Corona Giveaways
Drink specials: $2.75 Corona bottles, $15 margarita pitchers, $5.50 berry infused tequila shots
Rock n Lobster
1514 East Blvd.
Cinco de Mayo fiesta, giveaways, "Two Tail" Tuesdays (2 lobster tails and 2 sides for $19.99)
Lebowski's Grill & Pub
1524 East Blvd.
Nacho and taco bar, live music.
Drink specials: $4 margaritas, $4 hurricanes, $2 Coronas
Wild Wing Cafe (all locations)
EpiCentre, University, Ayrsley
Drink specials: $2.50 Coronas, $3 house margaritas, $5 Patron margaritas & shooters
Angry Ale's
1518 Montford Dr.
Party on the patio
Drink specials: $4 margaritas, $2 Coronas, $2 Miller lite bottles, $1 Jello shots
Mouthful Eating Vietnamese at Ben Thanh
Posted By Priscilla Tsai on Mon, May 4, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Due to many recommendations by our friends on Facebook, I traveled alllllll the way down Central Avenue to visit Ben Thanh for some Vietnamese fare this weekend.
Ben Thanh proves to be another jewel of a restaurant among the many located on Central. It joins the ranks of Dim Sum, La Unica, Las Delicias, and Papusa Heat.
The service was quick and the food came out fast. Everything we tried tasted fresh and flavorful. Thanks, Facebook friends for recommending this place!
Here is what we ordered:
Ben Thanh
4900 Central Ave.
Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 566-1088
Friday, May 1, 2009
Food News Dog food or pâté?
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Fri, May 1, 2009 at 12:32 PM
In a LA Times article, a study released by the American Assn. of Wine Economists says that you probably wouldn't be able to differentiate between dog food or pate. "Researchers provided 18 volunteers five food samples to try in a blind taste test. Only three were able to identify the canine fodder."
Read the story here. Yum yum!
Food News Triple coupon week at Harris Teeter
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Fri, May 1, 2009 at 10:20 AM
As you do your Sunday afternoon grocery shopping, keep in mind that Harris Teeter has triple coupons this week through Tuesday. Click here for more information, and let the savings begin.
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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.
