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Friday, January 31, 2014
Events 5 places to spend Super Bowl Sunday
Posted By Maria Dominguez on Fri, Jan 31, 2014 at 9:28 AM
We all know that Feb. 2 is going to be crazy. It's the one night a year when public hysteria is socially acceptable - Super Bowl Sunday. Football fans nationwide will be tuning in to watch, cheer, shout and curse as the Seattle Seahawks take on the Denver Broncos for this season's championship. Even if you don't care about the game itself, Super Bowl Sunday is a day of electric atmosphere and contagious excitement. So where are you planning to spend this day of days? Charlotte has sports bars aplenty - so many that it may be challenging to choose. Here are some suggestions that might help you decide on a venue worthy of this oh-so-American occasion.
- Pint Central Facebook
Pint Central
This brand-spanking-new spot in Plaza Midwood is squeaky clean and ready to be corrupted - after all, what makes a bar interesting is its dirt. Pint Central offers 28 beers on tap and cuisine promised to satisfy any foodie. So go, and leave your mark on virgin turf. (Editor's note: per the Pint Central Facebook page, their opening has been delayed, but we look forward to it anyway!) 1226 Central Ave.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
free food Because everyone loves free bagels
Posted By Maria Dominguez on Thu, Jan 30, 2014 at 4:35 PM
On Feb. 6, Thomas' will be giving away your favorite bagel products at Southpark Mall in an early celebration of National Bagel Day (Feb. 9). Warm up your appetite for this fun national holiday by joining Thomas' in the Center Court of the mall from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free products include their best-selling bagels, Bagel Thins and toppings along with coupons and other gifts.
Did you know that bagels have been around since the early 1600's? Sadly, cream cheese wasn't invented until 1872, so thousands of bagels were consumed without ever having met their soulmate. And if you've ever wondered why bagels have a hole in the middle, it turns out that this little quirk was designed to benefit the vendors who would thread them onto dowels to sell on street corners.
Also check out Thomas' Facebook page for more fun facts about bagels and the chance to enter daily sweepstakes for coupons or a $5,000 gift card.
Recipe Recipe: Rose Water Tea Cookies
Posted By Scott Greenberg on Thu, Jan 30, 2014 at 10:29 AM
I like food rituals. A lot of people are jumping all over this "comfort food" thing these days, and I can't argue with it. Food's good, and food that makes you feel like you're at home is even better. But a lot of people forget (or fail to realize altogether) that it ain't just the melted cheddar or matzah balls that makes you feel good; it's the ritual.
Maybe you only eat your chicken noodle soup in that one beat-up Space Jam bowl you've probably had way too long, or you always have to sit on the couch and throw on some Jeopardy with your mac and cheese. Point is, that stuff matters. You know as well as I do that it just isn't the same if you're eating that stuff like you'd eat anything else. You got to get in the mindset if you want to really feel at home, since ... well, since that's the damn point.
That's why I made tea cookies this week, because that's my ritual, and it should be yours, too. Tea, cookie, book, couch. Steep yourself in that deliciousness and drift away for a couple minutes.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Food News Celebrate the Year of the Horse at Soul Gastrolounge
Posted By Keia Mastrianni on Wed, Jan 29, 2014 at 1:07 PM
The Year of the Horse makes its gallant entrance this Friday, signifying the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year or, the year 4712 on the Chinese calendar. In Chinese culture, the horse is a symbol of nobility, class, speed and perseverance. To ensure ultimate prosperity and good fortune, make your way to Soul Gastrolounge (1500 Central Ave.) for a special menu celebrating the noble horse. Not to worry, no horse meat on the menu - only the signature fusion of flavor from Soul's executive chef Jason Pound and nightly specials that you've come to expect.
J-Pound is dropping Asian-inspired dishes, like crispy pig ears with Chinese sausage, scallion rice and pickled pac choi along with braised rabbit stuffed wontons in a rabbit broth. For a Kung Fu kick to the skull, order the Dynasty cocktail made with Chivas and gunpowder green tea syrup. DJ Paul Margiotis is spinning records to prosper your ears for the evening.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Events / Wings Upcoming: Whisky River's Who's Hotter? wing challenge
Posted By Maria Dominguez on Tue, Jan 28, 2014 at 2:47 PM
On Jan. 31, the popular EpiCentre venue Whisky River is offering Charlotteans a challenge made up of fiery proportions: to consume six of its famous Atomic Wings. Yes, they are worthy of the name - these wings will melt your face off. They're made with Whisky River's specialty sauce, infused with Smokin' Ed's Carolina Reaper Pepper, from Fort Mill, S.C. - the world's hottest pepper, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
If you pride yourself on your ability to handle explosively spicy tastes, this might be the challenge for you. You have to be brave (or at least a little cocky) to take on a food challenge that threatens nuclear fallout in your mouth. But the reward is worth the risk; contestants enter to win the grand prize of $500 and a Whisky River T-shirt and hat. Not to mention, you get to say that you faced the Atomic menace and came out victorious.
But for those of us who can't stand a burning mouth, spectator tickets are also available with the added bonus of 15 percent off any regular food purchase. It could be fun to watch the contestants wiping tears and burning sauce from their faces while you're munching on Whisky River's less confrontational menu items. (The Tiny Baby Corn Dogs are my personal favorite.)
And of course, if you'd rather consume something a little less nourishing and a little more fun, the bar will be open. Who knows, maybe you'll end up on Whisky's famous mechanical bull by the end of the night.
Register to be a contestant or spectator at whiskyriverkillerwingchallenge.eventbrite.com by 4 p.m. on Jan. 31. Competition tickets are first come, first serve, so if you're up for the challenge, don't hesitate. $25 to enter. 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Whisky River, 210 E. Trade St.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Events Charlotte Super Food Bowl benefits Loaves & Fishes
Posted By Maria Dominguez on Thu, Jan 23, 2014 at 1:47 PM
The Charlotte Former Players Foundation is teaming up with AT-NET Services to put on the Charlotte Super Food Bowl tonight at the Levine Museum of the New South as a benefit for Loaves & Fishes food pantries.
If you're a football fan, this event is a must. Attendees will experience a live pre-Super Bowl discussion panel featuring former NFL athletes and have the chance to meet the players and get autographs. Or, if you're like me and couldn't give a flying flip about sports, just enjoy the live music, drinks and heavy hors d'oeuvres provided by Plate Perfect.
The Charlotte Super Food Bowl will take place tonight, Jan. 23, at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door (credit card only). Admission to the museum and two drink tickets are included in the ticket price.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Food News And the chefs competing in Iron Fork 2014 are ...
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Tue, Jan 21, 2014 at 2:27 PM
In no random order, here are the chefs you voted to compete in Creative Loafing's second annual Iron Fork, happening Wednesday, March 19 at Silver Hammer Studios:
Troy Gagliardo
WCCB News Rising
Luca Annunziata
Passion8 Bistro
Aaron Rivera
The Chrome Toaster
Alyssa Gorelick
Chef Alyssa's Kitchen
These four chefs will compete against the defending Iron Fork champion, chef Geoff Bragg.
Tickets go on sale the first week of February. Stay tuned.
Food News Heist rolls out new menu
Posted By Keia Mastrianni on Tue, Jan 21, 2014 at 12:54 PM
Heist Brewery recently rolled out a brand-new menu of twisted eats to the public last week, featuring 38 new items from executive chef Rob Masone. Since its opening in August 2012, Heist has hung its hat on Masone's personal philosophy to "Stay true to the foundations but break every rule possible on the way to the plate... or lack thereof." This is the fountain that sprung things like wasabi cotton candy and kurobuta pork belly corn dogs.
Masone's new menu still follows this mantra, although he makes a point to say that Heist is trying to be more conscious of supporting local producers and working with well-sourced product. Masone spouted off his new creations to a room full of hungry media types. We all got acquainted with the word "ridiculous" as he used this word to describe more than a few of his dishes.
- Justin Driscoll
Some of the standouts included an inventive brussels sprouts presentation dubbed "Farm to Bubble" (pictured above). Guests are presented with a cylindrical container reminiscent of a terrarium filled with brussels sprouts two ways, beer braised and fried served with roasted apples and pears, Asian vinaigrette and micro beets. Chef called the beer braised brussels a "Hoppy Meal." Guests were instructed to shake their little plastic bubble to distribute the dressing, pop the top and eat.
Monday, January 20, 2014
Food News The new Pizza Peel opens today in Plaza Midwood
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Mon, Jan 20, 2014 at 1:59 PM
Pizza, pint lovers and Plaza Midwood residents beware: The Pizza Peel opens its second location today at 5 p.m. at the corner of Central Avenue and Thomas Street. The have North Carolina beers on draft for $3.
- The Pizza Peel Facebook
Friday, January 17, 2014
Recipe Recipe: Pomegranate Gingerbread Granola
Posted By Scott Greenberg on Fri, Jan 17, 2014 at 10:19 AM
We've been down this route before, people. Rather than throw down another rant about granola-heads and their antioxidant-huffing ilk, let's brighten things up a bit. Let's talk about the good side of granola, the positive side.
Granola can be anything you damn well want it to be. Want to make it super-healthy and pump it full of flaxseed and dried superfruits? Do it! Want to cover your granola with chocolate and maple syrup and make it sugary and crunchy as the dickens? Do that, too.
The glory of granola is in its simplicity. You're pretty much just shitting a bunch of oats and sugar into a bowl, stirring it up, and toasting it in the oven for a few minutes. Mindless, brainless, but delicious.
And yet calorie-counters and soccer moms by the freaking thousands are buying $15 dollar bags of the stuff in droves, just because it's on a wire shelf at Dean & Deluca and has the word "organic" written on it in Helvetica roughly 4,000 times. Fuck that. Take an hour, put the power of granola back in your hands, and give those Williams-Sonoma type execu-chefs something else to rip you off with. Like that $80 French pastry sampler I'm totally not ordering right now.
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Photos: Mint Museum's Allure of Flowers After Hours
A peek into a fancy foodie fundraising event that incorporated flowers into, well, everything.
