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Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Food News Now Open: Chuy's in SouthPark
Posted By Keia Mastrianni on Wed, Jun 26, 2013 at 9:23 AM
Chuy's (pronounced "Choo-eez"), a Tex-Mex style restaurant, opened yesterday in SouthPark inside the space formerly occupied by Zink American Kitchen. The Austin-based chain, popular throughout Texas and the Southeast, features Tex-Mex style food and wacky, eclectic decor.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Liquid Diet NoDajito: A winning witbier
Posted By Bo McMillan on Sun, Jun 23, 2013 at 12:11 PM
Come opening hours, even on weekdays, NoDa Brewing's tap room (located at 2229 N. Davidson St.) quickly fills up with locals and beverage connoisseurs alike who are enamored by the company's unique and ever-evolving craft brew lineup. However, a seasonal brew of the company has recently elevated itself beyond the pale ale, selling out almost immediately and inciting a thirsty demand unforeseen by even the company's owners.
That brew is the NoDajito - a witbier flavored by lime and spearmint echoing the refreshing summer staple of a mojito. Light, slightly sweet and crisp in palette, the selection is an almost perfect companion to warmer weather - if it could only stay on shelves and be readily available, then perhaps it could be a paragon.
"We created it last year, and we were just going to do it at one or two festivals, but it was so popular that we decided to do it on the big system," said brewery owner Suzie Ford. "It definitely will be our summertime beer, and we use it to kick off the festivals that start in April and May."
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Liquid Diet Featured Cocktail: Wild Berry Mojito
Posted By Lauren Blake on Thu, Jun 20, 2013 at 10:39 AM
Found: 5Church (corner of 5th and Church streets)
Ingredients: Bacardi Limón, Chambord, fresh muddled raspberries and blackberries, mint, lemon and house-made simple syrup
Since its opening just over a year ago, 5Church has wooed locals and out-of-town celebs alike with a well-curated menu prepared by Chef Jamie Lynch. But it's more than just the wasabi-crusted salmon and renowned lamb burger that brings diners back for more. The buzzing bar entices with small plates and the promise of elbow-rubbing with the who's who of Charlotte and beyond. Thus, the cocktail is key.
5Church manager and head mixologist Mark Childers says he "likes to take a newer look at older cocktails." Describing himself as a classic traditionalist, Childers creates old-school cocktails with a modern twist. For instance, "The Wild Berry Mojito is a spin on the traditional mojito," he says. "It just takes it to the next level. For the summer months coming up, there's nothing better than a fruity mojito ... combining the freshness of the mint with the fresh fruit makes for an amazing dance on the palate."
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Dessert OMG GFSCB!
Posted By Keia Mastrianni on Tue, Jun 18, 2013 at 2:24 PM
Contrary to what the title suggests, I did not just face-plant into my keyboard, but I may as well have. Amelie's just made my life last week when they created a gluten-free salted caramel brownie (GFSCB) for their precious pastry case. OMG!
The salted caramel brownie is the best-selling treat for the 24-hour NoDa sweets destination and rightly so. It's this perfect little brownie with a generous layer of salty sweet caramel all wrapped up for your chubby little mouth.
The gluten-free brownie tastes just like the original version, only it's made with a rice flour and potato starch blend for the brownie base. The only noticeable distinction is the subtle white stripes across the top of the gluten-free version. Really, there's no excuse not to eat one.
While you're at it, take a photo with you stuffing your sweets-loving face, perhaps with a top hat or bejeweled crown, in the Amelie's photo booth located in the back salon where "tweeting your treat" is highly encouraged.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Events Get crabs with your friends
Posted By Keia Mastrianni on Wed, Jun 12, 2013 at 1:46 PM
Saturday is for party people and you know what that means? Crabs! A whole mess of them.
Join Craig Barbour, the guy behind the Roots food truck, for an authentic Maryland style crab boil at the Olde Mecklenburg Brewery this Saturday for a claw-cracking good time.
Your $40 ticket gets you a half dozen Maryland steamed crabs, a frosty glass of OMB beer and ace sides like cheddar jalapeno biscuits, cucumber salad, corn on the cob and more. What better way to enjoy a hot summery day than with a tray full of crabs, cold beer and friends.
The event takes place Saturday, June 15, from 12 p.m.-4 p.m. To purchase tickets, call 704-975-1691 or email rootsfarmfood@gmail.com.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Food News Not Just Coffee opens in Atherton Mill Market
Posted By Keia Mastrianni on Tue, Jun 11, 2013 at 8:01 AM
A new altar awaits the nectar of the gods inside Atherton Mill Market, and tonight, the bean worshipers will join in celebrating the newest location for The Not Just Coffee Shop. For weeks now, coffee heads have been sniffing around the custom wooden bar inside the market, driven by the smell of freshly roasted beans only to get but a sip every Saturday when the coffee bar would open for limited hours.
Tonight, Not Just Coffee celebrates the opening of its second location (the first is inside the 7th Street Public Market) with a grand opening party beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Herban Legend food truck will be on site along with the King of Pops serving popsicles. Best of all, The Not Just Coffee Shop will be serving its signature brand of slow coffee with handcrafted espresso and pour over coffee all evening long. Let's get coffee wasted!
Atherton Mill Market is located at 2104 South Blvd.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Mouthful Hail to the Donut King
Posted By Bo McMillan on Thu, Jun 6, 2013 at 4:19 PM
It's a Saturday morning and I'm walking down the street with my sunglass-covered eyes to the ground. My clothes are wrinkled from wearing them the night before, and there are mysterious remnants (shadows of a recent experience, perhaps?) traced along my lips. Despite these characteristics, a satisfied smirk, basking in the glory of indulgence, begins to break across my face...
This is anything but the typical "walk of shame."
In fact, I happen to be coming from a feast at a donut shop. The Donut King, which opened in late 2012 in Huntersville, is the hotspot from which I'm traveling. There, the bakers, headed by owners Lyle Sarnevitz and his daughter Emily, are confectionary Casanova's who consistently woo customers with their decadent and quirky original creations baked fresh every night.
The attraction of their handiwork is so powerful that the shop often finds itself selling out of product earlier than closing hours, one time running out by 8:30 a.m. on a Friday morning, Lyle Sarnevitz said. And while freshness is key to The Donut King's success, the shop's creative donuts are what really make it stand out.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Events Upcoming: Taste of Charlotte
Posted By Tori Wright on Wed, Jun 5, 2013 at 2:29 PM
With more than 30 restaurants each serving up three of its dishes, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to add up the amount of different food choices that will be available at Taste of Charlotte. Whatever your liking, from sushi to barbecue chicken to vegan cheesecake, this festival is the most efficient way to try as much of what the city's restaurants have to offer in the shortest amount of time.
- Priscilla Tsai
- Some of the samplings from a past Taste
Since the first Taste more than a decade ago, the event has added the MarketPlace, an area for vendors to sell homemade crafts and jewelry, and the Crossroads, an area for kids to participate in games and activities. The festival starts Friday at 11 a.m., and by that evening, judges will have tried nearly 100 food samples and will award the restaurant that has this year's Best of the Taste.
Admission is free, coins are available for purchase to get food and drink samples. June 7-8, 11 a.m.-11 p.m., June 9 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Festival located on Tryon Street, between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to 6th Street. www.tasteofcharlotte.com.
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Recipe: Ice Cream Sundae Cupcakes 6
These Ice Cream Sundae Cupcakes are filled with chocolate ganache and topped with vanilla buttercream.
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Dorie Greenspan's Tiramisu Cake
This layered cake is definitely a "pick-me-up" with a little booze and caffeine.
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Back of the Box: No Boil Classic Lasagne 5
Not having to boil the noodles rocks!
