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August 20, 2017 by Ron Wen 3 Comments

Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week, 2017

If you’re a foodie and live in Raleigh, well I’ve got some good news for you. It’s that time of the year for the Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week from August 21 – 27! Admittedly there are a bunch of restaurant weeks to keep up with but this one’s pretty simple since it’s focused on the Oak City. And it’s a bit more affordable with lunches in the $5 to $10 range along with dinners at $21 and $31. I’ve already started to scan the menus (some are still coming in) and setting up a plan of attack! But here’s what caught my eye on the menus. I’m including links to my reviews when available!

18 Seaboard Restaurant – This long-time Raleigh favorite serving up Southern cuisine always does a nice job for restaurant week! The charred watermelon gazpacho and classic shrimp and grits would be on my mind.

The Big Easy – A fun and boisterous Cajun-New Orleans style eatery on Fayetteville Street. Very interesting space with a diverse menu featuring alligator bites and crawfish etouffe, yum!

Carolina Ale House – It’s simple, it’s casual and if you like sports, you can’t go wrong with Carolina Ale House. The food has definitely gotten better, in my opinion and the Glenwood Avenue location can’t be beat with its patio!

Five Star – Another Raleigh favorite, Five Star has really improved its food game over the years. And with a $21 dinner menu for 4 different starters and 5 mains, you’ll find something here to keep you happy (heatseeker shrimp, crispy sesame beef).

Plates Neighborhood Kitchen – Plates always does a great job for restaurant week and given their excellent service and quiet patio, always highly recommend a visit here! The sticky toffee pudding is the signature dessert to get.

Provenance – A fancier, avant-garde restaurant for Raleigh, they recently changed chefs but I’ve continued to hear good things about Provenance. The chicken confit buns and farmer’s agnolotti sound pretty tasty to me.

Royale – Given the $31 three-course meal option, you’re going to get a great value at Royale! I’d have my eye on the garlic soup, duck leg confit and profiteroles given the classic French menu here.

Trophy Tap & Table – And I’ve had the chance to eat at Trophy Tap & Table once and was impressed with their simple but well-done eats. They’ve got a nice menu of 3 appetizers, 3 entrees and 3 desserts covering Southern eats and a lot more. A nice deal at $21.

2017 Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week, August 21 – 27

18 Seaboard Restaurant // $31 Dinner Menu

Course 1
Charred Watermelon Gazpacho
with jalapeno meringue, pickled watermelon rind, and basil

Butterhead Salad
with burnt peach, goat cheese, pancetta arrotolata, and sprite melon vinaigrette

Oyster Beignet
with crystal cane syrup, cotija, and citrus marigold

Course 2
Shrimp and Grits
with Pamlico Sound shrimp, cheddar grits, bacon, mushroom.pepper, and scallion

Woodfire Grilled Pork Tenderloin
with farmers market succotash, grilled okra, burnt tomato vinegar

Farmer Market Lasagna
with cashew ricotta and smoked tomato gravy

Course 3
Tomato and Peach Icebox Cake

Buttermilk Creme Brulee
with fresh peaches

Chocolate Mug Cake
with House made marshmallow fluff

The Big Easy // $21 Dinner Menu

Course 1
Louisiana Pretzel
Soft baked pretzel smothered with a crab and artichoke dip and topped with parmesan cheese.

Alligator Bites
Straight from the Bayou, marinated alligator tails quick fried in a creole breading, served with Dijon mustard.

Crab Stuffed Poppers
Poppers stuffed with crab, cheese, and jalapenos, breaded and fried.

Pimento Fritters
Homemade pimento cheese, breaded and fried. Served with ranch dressing.

Course 2
House Salad
Spring mix, served with tomatoes, mushrooms, cucumbers, onions, croutons and cheddar cheese.

Caesar salad
Crisp hearts of romaine, tomatoes, red onions, croutons, and parmesan cheese, tossed in Caesar dressing.

Course 3
Jamabalaya
Chicken, tasso ham, Andouille sausage, trinity vegetables and rice, topped with spicy creole sauce.

Crawfish Etouffee
Plump Louisiana crawfish sautéed in a butter roux with trinity vegetables and spices served over rice.

Chicken Opelousas
Egg battered chicken breast slow cooked in a artichoke, mushroom, and white wine sauce. Served with rice and fried spinach.

Shrimp Platter
Fresh shrimp perfectly fried to a golden brown. Served with hand cut fries and coleslaw.

Cheese Ravioli
Spinach ravioli filled with a three cheese blend served with a blue cheese cream sauce. Topped with seasonal vegetables.

Carolina Ale House // $21 Dinner Menu

Course 1
Cheese Curds
Wisconsin White Cheddar fried bites with red pepper jalapeño jam.

Frickles
Fried dill pickle chips with housemade horseradish ranch.

Course 2
Southwest Chicken
Grilled chicken breast, topped with guacamole, spicy pico de gallo, crisp onion strings and a tomato gravy with Southwestern rice.

Chorizo Meatloaf
Housemade with ground beef, bacon, chorizo sausage, poblano peppers and savory seasonings. House mashed Yukon Gold potaotes, chipotle-bacon gravy and crisp onion strings.

Grilled Chicken Apple Walnut Blue Cheese Salad
Grilled chicken breast, julienne apple, walnuts, mixed greens, blue cheese crumbles, cucumbers, craisins, and Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Course 3
Turtle Caramel Cheesecake
Creamy NY-style cheesecake with a graham cracker crust. Topped with walnuts, caramel, and chocolate sauce.

Peach Cobbler
Covered with a walnut brown sugar crumb topping and baked warm with Breyers® Vanilla ice cream and a dusting of cinnamon.

Five Star // $21 Dinner Menu

Course 1
Curry chicken empanada

Heat seeker shrimp

Japanese eggplant

Crab rangoons

Course 2
Five star generals chicken

Crispy sesame beef

Honey walnut shrimp

Salmon with Thai chile-honey glaze

Chinese spiced ribeye

Course 3
Warm chocolate cake with ice cream

Coconut rice pudding with fresh fruit

Mango sorbet

Plates Kitchen // $31 Dinner Menu

Course 1
Twice Cooked Pork Cheeks
Braised and fried pork cheeks, Hoppin’ John with field peas, heirloom tomato, local greens

Oysters Bienville
Baked oysters stuffed with mushroom, pepper, Grana Padano, roux, bread crumbs

“Second Season” Fig Salad
Raleigh City Farm greens, local figs, house made mascarpone cheese, hazelnuts, Pedro Ximénez vinaigrette

Course 2
Worldly Short Ribs
Soy garlic glaze, edamame puree, quick kimchi, carrots, bok choy

Catch of the Day
Pico de gallo, farm greens salad with key lime vinaigrette-marinated cannellini beans

Squash Spaghetti Marinara
Julienne local squash, shiitake mushroom, NC grown field peas, red pepper, edamame

Course 3
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Moist and sweet date cake covered with vanilla toffee sauce, whipped cream

Chocolate Peanut Butter S’more
Chocolate flourless cake, peanut butter, marshmallow, caramel sauce, candied peanuts (gluten free)

White Chocolate Bread Pudding
NC peach ice cream, creme anglaise, toasted pecans

Provenance // $31 Dinner Menu

Course 1
Heirloom Tomato Salad
cucumbers, sunflower shoots, herbed ricotta, savory eclair

Chicken Liver Toast
lusty monk mustard, pickled summer vegetables, brown butter crumble

Chicken Confit Steam Buns
kimchi, savory lemon curd, pickled summer vegetables

Course 2
Pork Loin
Carolina gold rice, herb puree bound field peas, summer vegetables

Steak Frites
salt and vinegar fries, potato puree, mushrooms, bearnaise

Carolina Coast Catch
Carolina gold rice and squash risotto, shaved vegetables, beurre blanc

Farmers Market Agnolotti
shaved vegetables, brown butter, crumble, beurre blanc

Course 3
Sorghum Panna Cotta
pecan praline, smoked vanilla ice cream

Paris-brest
seasonal fruit, pastry cream, caramel

Chocolate Mousse
coffee ice cream, oat crumble

Royale // $31 Dinner Menu

Course 1
Garlic Soup

Grilled Radicchio
served with arugula endive pomegranate seeds and whipped goat cheese

Heirloom Tomato Salad
served with croutons black pepper aioli and scallions

Course 2
Duck Leg Confit
over Royale Potato Salad with salsa verde

The Royale Burger

Locals Shrimp Pasta
with summer vegetables and basil

Course 3
Peanut Butter Tart

Profiteroles

Trophy Tap + Table // $21 Dinner Menu

Course 1

Trophy Poached Shrimp Salad
local heirloom tomatoes/IPA poached coastal shrimp/arugula/candied peach vinaigrette

Cornmeal Hushpuppies
black pepper honey

Smoked Chicken Empanadas
charred serrano + cilantro salsa/pickled onions

Course 2
Picnic Style Brisket
BBQ baked beans/roasted corn/potato salad/toast

Blackened Quarter Chicken
pickled okra/cheddar biscuit/buttermilk crema

Baja Fish Tacos
shredded cabbage/green onion/jasmine rice/lime sour cream

Course 3
Tres Leche Cake
horchata whipped cream/toasted cinnamon

Chocolate Chess Pie
chantilly cream/lemon zest

Mango Sorbet
sweet chile + brown sugar dust

July 15, 2017 by Ron Wen

News: The Unscripted Hotel Now Open in Durham!

The new Unscripted Hotel Durham - NC Triangle Dining — The new Unscripted Hotel Durham – NC Triangle Dining

The NC Triangle has been on a roll with boutique hotels over the past couple of years. From the 21C Museum Hotel and Durham Hotel out in the Bull City to the Aloft Hotel in Raleigh, these hip, urban hotels usually feature some interesting retail offerings like cool restaurants, stores and more. The upcoming opening of the Unscripted Hotel out in Durham is the latest in a wave of these new stay and play destinations!

The new Studio lounge at the Unscripted Hotel Durham - NC Triangle Dining — The new Studio lounge at the Unscripted Hotel Durham – NC Triangle Dining

Located in the old Jack Tar Motel on Corcoran Street, the new Unscripted hosts 74 guest rooms, five food and beverage establishments and a 3rd floor rooftop pool and lounge. During a media visit we got to experience life Unscripted as their tagline would say! It’s a funky little motel that’s been left in a slightly retro, 70’s decor state. Inside Unscripted you’ve got an interesting lounge and coffee bar area known as the Studio and Allday. You can enjoy a cocktail, coffee and small plates in a very stylish space.

Hotel room at the Unscripted Hotel Durham - NC Triangle Dining — Hotel room at the Unscripted Hotel Durham – NC Triangle Dining

Moving out to the hotel itself, we toured a couple of rooms and like any throw-back experience, entry to the rooms is through individual doorways looking out onto a small pool. Inside, the rooms are decorated with bright, geometric wallpaper and modern furniture. The rooms are average-sized and look comfortable if not luxurious. And the big question is whether you want one overlooking the pool because…

Pool area at the Unscripted Hotel Durham - NC Triangle Dining — Pool area at the Unscripted Hotel Durham – NC Triangle Dining

Because the Patio and pool is really what Unscripted is all about! Open to the public and serving a short menu of plates, sandwiches and entrees, Unscripted Hotel’s pool is really designed to be a scene for the local Durham crowd. Large white square umbrellas, soft furniture and a patio bar set this place up to be a hopping weekend destination for drinks and eats. We got to sample some tasty bacon sliders, sushi cones, lamb lollipops and more during our media visit. It was all quite good but I’ll have to come back for a full visit to review this dining option.

Sliders at the Unscripted Hotel Durham - NC Triangle Dining — Sliders at the Unscripted Hotel Durham – NC Triangle Dining

Separate from the local, Unscripted Hotel food, there will be a Neomonde, Jack Tar Diner (folks from Pizzeria Toro) and Pour Taproom (already open) on the street level. I’ve had a chance to visit Pour which was pretty cool! A modern beer bar with 60+ self-serve taps paid for with a magic band.

Pour Taproom at the new Unscripted Hotel Durham - NC Triangle Dining — Pour Taproom at the new Unscripted Hotel Durham – NC Triangle Dining

The grand opening for Unscripted Durham was pretty impressive and fun. It represents another twist and turn in the Durham entertainment scene as we move from hipster to a more urban, cosmopolitan feel. In the Triangle, while Raleigh plays it pretty close to the vest, the Bull City has pressed forward with some interesting new concepts and ideas around food, dining and entertainment. And while they won’t all be huge hits, they certainly are keeping things lively in Durham and the Unscripted Hotel is one perfect example of pushing the envelope for the area. So are you ready to live life Unscripted? Durhamites, you’re about to find out….

In celebration of the hotel’s grand opening, locals can take advantage of a special staycation package, including 10 percent off a room, free parking and late check-out (Use promo code LOCALS when booking). Now through Sept. 5, travelers can also enjoy 10 percent off room bookings, as well as two complimentary drinks at The Patio, bike rentals for two and late check-out by using the code OPENING when making a reservation.

Unscripted Hotel Durham

Grand Opening on July 19th

202 Corcoran Street

Durham, NC 27701

984.329.9500

Location on Google maps

June 2, 2017 by Ron Wen

News: La Farm Bakery Opens Its House on June 24th in Cary!

La Farm Bakery 2017 Open House in Cary on June 24th from 3 to 5pm - Photos from La Farm Bakery — La Farm Bakery 2017 Open House in Cary on June 24th from 3 to 5pm – Photos from La Farm Bakery

When it comes to delicious baking and bread, La Farm Bakery out in Cary is an easy choice. Known for their rustic, artisan French loaves, I’ve always been a huge fan of their bread and pastries over the years. But thankfully for my waist-line, they remain safely out of arm’s reach in central Cary. But if you are a fan of La Farm Bakery, you don’t want to miss their upcoming open house on Saturday, June 24th from 3 to 5pm. As part of the 5th annual Bread Bakers Guild of America open houses, you’ll get a behind the scenes tour of La Farm, sample delicious breads and take home one of their dee-licious white chocolate mini baguettes! And yes, it’s all for free my bread-loving friend.

You’ll get a chance to see this lovely bakery in action with a bread-shaping demo and loading the hearth oven. And master baker-owner Lionel Vatinet will be on-hand for the celebration! I had the chance to take a pastry baking class at La Farm Bakery with Lionel and I can tell you for certain that he is a funny and talented man. So how can you pass up an opportunity like this? If you’d like to join in on the baking fun and eat, please RSVP with an email to [email protected] And if I don’t make it there on Saturday, grab a white chocolate baguette for me!

La Farm Bakery

2017 Bakery Open House for the Break Bakers Guild of America

4248 NW Cary Parkway

Cary, NC 27513

June 24th from 3 to 5pm

Save

April 16, 2017 by Ron Wen

News: Farm to Fork 2017, a Dinner and Picnic Focused on Local Ingredients and Farms

If you’re a fan and supporter of local farms and foods, you don’t want to miss the upcoming Farm to Fork weekend (June 2 – 4)! Sponsored by the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS), Breeze Farm and the NC Agricultural Foundation, Farm to Fork is focused on raising money to fund farmer apprentices and internships. North Carolina has lost more than 40,000 farms over the past 20 years but that trend is slowly starting to turn around! By attending this event, you’ll help support sustainable farming in the state.

Farm to Fork consists of multiple foodie events sponsored by the chefs and teams from some great local restaurants. Pizzeria Toro, Garland, 18 Seaboard, Dashi, Fullsteam Brewery and a lot more! You can choose from a sustainable dinner at Market Hall in Raleigh or the 10th annual Farm to Fork Picnic at Fearrington Village in Pittsboro! This showcase event will feature up to 35 chefs and was chosen as one of the best “ All-You-Can-Eat Feasts” by Bon Appetit. Details are below but don’t wait to purchase your ticket!

June 2 – Farm to Fork Sustainable Dinner at Market Hall, Raleigh ($35 for adults)

Join us for an inspiring and family friendly evening at historic Market Hall in downtown Raleigh’s City Market. Our special guest speaker is culinary historian Michael W. Twitty, whose book, The Cooking Gene: A Journey Through African-American Culinary History in the Old South, will be published in August 2017. Since he launched his Southern Discomfort research project in North Carolina in 2012, Twitty has been on a personal mission to prepare, preserve and promote African American foodways and its parent traditions in Africa through both its diaspora and its profound legacy in the food culture of the American South.

Twitty’s talk will be followed by a delicious, sustainable dinner prepared by leading Triangle chefs. To date, confirmed participants include: Billy Kotter of Dashi and Gray Brooks of Pizzeria Toro, both in Durham; Vimala Rajendran of Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe in Chapel Hill; Isaiah Allen of The Eddy Pub in Saxapahaw; and Jason Smith of 18 Seaboard, Cheetie Kumar of Garland and Jesse Bardyn & Jeff Seizer of the new Bistro Royale, all located in Raleigh. Among the featured beverages will be Fullsteam Brewery in Durham, Trophy Brewing in Raleigh, TOPO Distillery in Chapel Hill and Haw River Wine Man of Burlington. Dessert will be provided by Ali Rudel of East Durham Pie Company and ice cream from Howling Cow Creamery at N.C. State University and Maple View Farm courtesy of Treat at City Market.

Live music will be provided by local acoustic band The Guilty Pleasures , whose song list is steeped in North Carolina’s strong musical tradition. Kids will enjoy the antics of our costumed Dancing Vegetables.

June 4 – 10th Annual Farm to Fork Picnic ($100/adults)

The weekend culminates 4 – 7 p.m. Sunday with the 10th annual Farm to Fork Picnic at Fearrington Village in Pittsboro at 7pm. The picnic will feature up to 35 chefs producing tasting size dishes featuring local, seasonal ingredients grown by a local farm the chef is paired with. These partnerships historically result in highly creative collaborations that are as beautiful as they are delicious. The event also spotlights 14 local food artisans and breweries; each will provide samples of their products, along with makers of local wine, coffee and tea. Live music will be provided by the Chapel Hill bluegrass band Big Fat Gap. For a fun keepsake, be sure to capture your experience in the ZimZoom photo booth!

PURCHASE TICKETS

April 11, 2017 by Ron Wen

News: Glenwood South Wing Fling on April 29

Wings from 2016 Wing Fling, photo courtesy of the Hibernian Hospitality Group

When it comes to wings, count me in! So how about the upcoming Glenwood South Wing Fling? I unfortunately missed this event when it came through last year but hope to stop in for 2017. For a $10 tasting fee and judging card, you get to sample a couple of wings from 10 different competitors. You’ll get to try wings from favorites such as Clouds Brewing, The Station, Demo’s Pizzeria, Pizza La Stella and more much. There will also be live music throughout the day so how can you go wrong! $10 = 20 wings and music.

2016 Wing Fling, photo courtesy of the Hibernian Hospitality Group

After you taste all those wings, drop off your card for your favorite wings restaurant! Celebrity judges will also be on hand to assist with the final vote. And of course the details for the South Glenwood Wing Fling! The event will run from 12 to 6pm at the Raleigh Beer Garden, a great and fun venue, fingers crossed that the weather is good. And I don’t know about you, but I always want wingy (see Tommy Boy clip below), hope to see you there!

Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week, 2017

2017 Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week, August 21 – 27