NC Restaurants Archives ~ NC Triangle Dining Food Blog

March 22, 2022 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Travel: The Sorrow Drowner in Wilmington for Tiki Bar Vibes and Tasty Pu-Pu Platters

The Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC - nctriangledining.com — The Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – nctriangledining.com

Looking for something fun and unique to do while visiting the Wilmington, NC area? Well, have I got a great option for you: The Sorrow Drowner! Based upon a tip from my friend Andrew at Park Rovers, I was following the progress of the Sorrow Drowner as the space was built out. About a year in the making, a theater (previously TheaterNOW) has been transformed into a dining experience for explorers! Stepping into the Sorrow Drowner for the first time is like stepping into an exotic, new world. Are you intrigued by frozen tiki drinks, pu-pu platters, and rum cakes? The Sorrow Drowner has all that and a lot more. Here’s what to expect when you visit…

Merch room at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC - nctriangledining.com — Merch room at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – nctriangledining.com

Sorrow Drowner Tiki Bar, Wilmington NC

For my visit on opening day, I had no expectations! There weren’t a ton of details on the Sorrow Drowner website but I was excited given the credentials of the people working on the concept. My two friends who had been at TheaterNOW were a little more cautious given earlier mixed experiences but ready to give the new business a shot. From the outside, Sorrow Drowner doesn’t look like much: boxy building with non-descript double-doors up front but looks can be deceiving. Stepping inside, you can start to pick up the tropical ambiance and what’s to come. After checking in, we’re brought into a small, merch and waiting room (t-shirts, hats). But it doesn’t take long before we’re whisked into the main dining area!

Hostess area at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC - nctriangledining.com — Hostess area at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – nctriangledining.com

Back bar view at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC - nctriangledining.com — Back bar view at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – nctriangledining.com

Back of dining room at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC - nctriangledining.com — Back of dining room at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – nctriangledining.com

Like most community theaters, it’s a small stage and space with a balcony wrapping around the second floor for additional seating. Blue and red lighting gives the space a purple hue and there are smallish tables scattered about the space, probably best for three people or less. The large bar in back anchors the space but on both the left and right side, the walls run two floors high and on display are a variety of travel paraphernalia. Books, paintings, masks, along with other knick-knacks line the space. There’s even a shark swimming above you! We’re seated at a small table right at the stage and it’s time to review the menu and digest all the tiki goodness around us!

Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – Drink and Food

While the Sorrow Drowner is a dining experience, the food menu is remarkably simple: pu-pu platters (meat or vegetarian) along with Dole whip and rum cakes. For those of you unfamiliar with pu-pu platters, they are a bit of a throw-back dish offering up popular Chinese-American eats as a Polynesian appetizer platter. Served with a thermo-burner in the center, Sorrow Drowner offers up some beef teriyaki, roast pork buns, dumplings, and coconut shrimp for their pu-pu platter ($30 for 2, $15 for each additional person). We had snacked before arriving at Sorrow Drowner so an appetizer plate worked perfectly. For drinks, things get a little more complicated! More choices with lots of fruity ingredients. Choose from tiki standards like a Mai Tai, Painkiller, or Navy Grog ($15 to $16). We did a Sorrow Drowner for two, a lot of the specialty drinks are served in ceramic collectible cups which you can take home for a fee. Overall, I found the food at Sorrow Drowner to be pretty solid but wished the frozen drinks were a bit stronger. And if you still have an appetite, highly recommend the Dole Whip which is a thick and creamy pineapple soft-serve. We added the rum floater for a boozy hit on top. The food and drink highlights for me were the roast pork buns, Dole Whip, and the Uncharted Territory cocktail (rolled map glass) over the course of the evening.

Cool cocktail drinks at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC - nctriangledining.com — Cool cocktail drinks at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – nctriangledining.com

Pu-pu platter at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC - nctriangledining.com — Pu-pu platter at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – nctriangledining.com

Rum cake at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC - nctriangledining.com — Rum cake at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – nctriangledining.com

Dole whip at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC - nctriangledining.com — Dole whip at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – nctriangledining.com

Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – Entertainment

Jazz trio at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC - nctriangledining.com — Jazz trio at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – nctriangledining.com

Entertainment at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC - nctriangledining.com — Entertainment at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – nctriangledining.com

Now of course, the Sorrow Drowner is all about a dining experience! They run shows Friday and Saturday for about 60+ minutes complete with emcee, jazz trio, dancers, and more. It’s a playful and nicely done distraction and I think they will improve the narrative as the Sorrow Drowner evolves. The waitstaff is all in character as early 20th century personalities spreading the entertainment value across the dining room floor. The live entertainment is a fun addition to the overall explorer ambiance of the place.

Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – Final Thoughts

Overall, I really enjoyed my visit to the Sorrow Drowner on their opening day! Expectations were totally met, the food and entertainment were both quirky and fun, the decor was phenomenal. I’d have to go back a second time to absorb all the work they put into decorating the space. Given how unique the experience is on the weekends, I do think the Sorrow Drowner will need to figure out how to handle things mid-week when the crowds are thinner.

Currently, Sorrow Drowner is open from Thursday to Monday, 5pm to midnight with full shows running on Friday and Saturday. My thought is that possibly during the quieter days, the Sorrow Drowner could just run out a jazz trio or show some vintage films on the stage for entertainment. I also think they should expand the menu to a la carte items and other “Polynesian” items for better munchie options. Maybe some crab rangoon, spring rolls, shrimp toast, and spare ribs would be nice! But great job, Sorrow Drowner! I know it’s early and you’re off to a great start. Looking to more and better over the coming months and hope to see you soon, aloha!

The Sorrow Drowner

19 S. 10th Street

Wilmington, NC 28401

910.769.8013

Location on Google maps

August 3, 2021 by Ron Wen 6 Comments

Travel: Hello, Sailor in Cornelius, a Quirky Cruise to Gourmet Cuisine and Flavor

Hello Sailor in Cornelius, NC near Lake Norman - nctriangledining.com — Hello, Sailor in Cornelius, NC near Lake Norman – nctriangledining.com

If you’re looking for a chic and stylish restaurant in North Carolina, have I got the PLACE for you! Just north of Charlotte you’ll find a special, little restaurant called Hello, Sailor. Brought to you by James Beard-nominated Chef Joe Kindred, Hello, Sailor is his second offering after his namesake restaurant in Davidson. If you’re willing to explore a bit and try something different, I can say that the trip to Cornelius, NC will be worth your while. Because Hello, Sailor is doing a lot of things, differently. And I mean that in a totally great and unique way.

Entry area at Hello Sailor in Cornelius, NC near Lake Norman - nctriangledining.com — Entry area at Hello, Sailor in Cornelius, NC near Lake Norman – nctriangledining.com

Heading over to Hello, Sailor, you’ll pass through some quiet neighborhoods with residential and vacation housing. Signage leading you to Lake Norman and Hello, Sailor mark the way but part of you is wondering if you’re headed in the right direction. Finally, you reach a large paved lot with a small A-frame building in white at the end. The parking lot is filled up so I’m guessing I’m in the right place but it’s hard to tell! I head on over to the door and it looks quiet inside and I’m going to find out why, shortly. I pull open the door and the young hostesses up front greet me. I don’t have reservations so I’m solo-dining at the bar. As you walk through the dining room, you get an oddly, familiar feel but can’t quite place what’s going on. I’d describe the decor at Hello, Sailor as mod 70s, a bit retro but updated for 2021. Leather slingback chairs, white glass, globe lighting, and a chartreuse green fireplace stand out in the space. It feels like the OG Brady Bunch would feel right at home in Hello, Sailor!

Bar area at Hello Sailor in Cornelius, NC near Lake Norman - nctriangledining.com — Bar area at Hello, Sailor in Cornelius, NC near Lake Norman – nctriangledining.com

Lounge area at Hello Sailor in Cornelius, NC near Lake Davidson - nctriangledining.com — Lounge area at Hello, Sailor in Cornelius, NC near Lake Davidson – nctriangledining.com

There are retro wicker-back seats at the bar where I plunk myself in, comfortably. The bartender drops some Hello, Sailor menus off and covers the daily specials, it looks like there are some regulars sitting over here based on the chit-chat! On the Hello, Sailor menu, I spy the amazing “skillet burger” that’s also available at their sister restaurant, Kindred. I go with a hamachi (Pacific Yellowtail fish) crudo and Italian hot beef sandwich special with giardiniera. I grab a beer to keep me entertained before the meal arrives, Hello, Sailor has some beers on tap, wine and cocktails. Not a huge beverage menu but big enough!

Hamachi crudo at Hello Sailor in Cornelius, NC near Lake Norman - nctriangledining.com — Hamachi crudo at Hello, Sailor in Cornelius, NC near Lake Norman – nctriangledining.com

My hamachi crudo shows up and I’m sort of confused. Most crudos that I’ve eaten have fish in a citrusy broth but this rendition is way different! Slices of radish, micro-greens, crushed macadamia nuts, I can’t even see the fish! But a fork-full shows off the fish at the bottom in a creamy sauce and speckled with toasted black rice. Each mouthful is a taste and texture sensation! Crunchy, soft, tangy, creamy and more. While the presentation and preparation of this Hello, Sailor crudo is unconventional to me, it works really well and is a stunner of a dish. My Hot Italian Beef sandwich shows up next and it’s a solid sandwich, dressed with pickled peppers, celery and more. The bun is soaked in gravy and you can order it even wetter if you’d like. While it’s a solid sandwich, it’s not quite memorable but the side of tallow beef fat fries are excellent. There’s some umami on the outside and a satisfying texture when you bite in.

Hot Italian beef sandwich at Hello Sailor in Cornelius, NC near Lake Norman - nctriangledining.com — Hot Italian beef sandwich at Hello, Sailor in Cornelius, NC near Lake Norman – nctriangledining.com

While I’m enjoying my meal at Hello, Sailor, I scan the rest of the room. The main dining room is pretty empty with most of the crowd of business professionals and families out on the multi-deck patio. It’s a HUGE space when you include this outdoor seating and people are fully taking advantage of the great weather and view of Lake Norman. Service at Hello, Sailor is excellent, a mix of hipster young and experienced hands. They definitely know how to handle a crowd of diners here!

Lakeview at Hello Sailor in Cornelius, NC near Lake Norman - nctriangledining.com — Lakeview at Hello, Sailor in Cornelius, NC near Lake Norman – nctriangledining.com

All in all I’m pretty impressed with Hello, Sailor. The decor is stellar, the food is excellent and the scenery is awesome. While it’s certainly not an every week option, prices are within reason and I could see myself coming here every couple of months if I lived in Charlotte. The restaurant is eclectic in its menu and dabbles a bit across menus but in a good way. And while I don’t think the food is yet at the level of the namesake restaurant Kindred, it’s still pretty durn good. Enjoy Hello, Sailor for what it is: a unique restaurant with an awesome lakeside view; great for dates, special occasions and business meals, enjoy!

Hello, Sailor

20210 Henderson Road

Cornelius, NC 28031

704.997.5365

Location on Google maps

April 19, 2013 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

First Take: Cuisine Malaya for Flavorful and Spicy Asian Fare

Front of Cuisine Malaya, Charlotte- NC Triangle Dining

I’m visiting Charlotte for work and need to find a tasty and casual dinner. Yelp and some reviews bring me over to 5Church but after a beer, I just realize this place is NOT for me. Way too many suits and ties, I’ve often found restaurants in the Financial district of any city to be ok and over-priced. So I check my iPhone and there you go, Cuisine Malaya! It’s way across downtown Charlotte but I’m willing to walk if it’s worth it. From the outside the place looks a bit bare and there are four doors on the outside, three of which are locked. I finally find the real door and step inside Cuisine Malaya. The space is big and casual, with a long back bar for cocktails and sushi-making. I grab a table for one and it’s time to eat!

Roti canai at Cuisine Malaya, Charlotte- NC Triangle Dining

A quick scan of the menu and I know I’m going to focus on the Malaysian eats. Service is quick, I immediately get a glass of water and free glass of wine courtesy of a Yelp check-in and put in my order for some roti canai and golden tasty shrimp. About 10 minutes later, my roti app comes out and it’s a winner. One large, folded roti with a tender interior, slightly crisp exterior and not greasy at all. The small cup of red curry and potatoes is well spiced and makes a perfect foil for the carbs.

My main of shrimp is not quite golden, it’s more like 12 or so large shrimp stir-fried in a chili sauce with onions, string beans and basil. The shrimp are cooked just to tender as well as the vegetables. It’s a slightly spicy dish which needs the cup of white rice to take down the heat a bit, perfect! It’s a simple dish but done well. After all this food, I can’t resist and go for a Malaysian dessert.

The final act of the meal is Cuisine Malaya’s peanut pancake! Take that same roti and put some brown sugar and peanuts inside, pan-fry it and serve quickly! It sorta looks like a rectangle quesadilla and brings a nice blend of sweet, salty, crunchy and soft, a very nice finishing touch. Although I admit some honey drizzled on top would make it even more awesome if not authentic. Service all night was very good, the young man who took care of my table was on point all night and I asked him for some recommendations which were helpful. Overall I really do like this place, Cuisine Malaya! Once you can find the right door, you’re stepping into a great, authentic Asian meal. Whenever I go to a restaurant that’s mixed cuisines, I tend to go for the less popular side (Malaysian in this case) cause it’s usually the tastier option. And yes, no surprise but Malaysian is what you should be eating at this place, bon appetit!

Cuisine Malaya

1411 Elizabeth Avenue

Charlotte, NC 28204

704.372.0766

Menu at Cuisine Malaya

Location on Google maps

May 14, 2016 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Travel: Oh baby! Soul Gastrolounge in Charlotte…

Signage for Soul Gastrolounge in Charlotte- NC Triangle Dining

Don’t you hate it when you’re traveling and you’re not sure where to eat? You can rely on local friends, the concierge or just take a chance with online reviews but it often still ends up being hit or miss! But thankfully on a recent visit to Charlotte I definitely nailed a hit: Soul Gastrolounge. With over 600 reviews and 4 stars on Yelp I was pretty hopeful. And given it was about small plates, I figured I could find something to whet my appetite so off I go…

Urban interior at Soul Gastrolounge in Charlotte- NC Triangle Dining

Located on Central Avenue in downtown Charlotte, Soul Gastrolounge is not an easy find. I spy a small sign above for Soul but a peek into the 1st floor shows off a quiet art gallery. I poke my head around the corner and notice some folks headed up a steel set of stairs to the 2nd floor in back. That’s gotta be it, right? At the top of the stair are a handful of outdoor diners, I pull the door open and wham: this must be Soul Gastrolounge! The place is hopping with a bar in front, couches to the left and booths to the right. It’s an odd little set-up with worn woods and a mix of styles and art. Even on a Sunday night it looks like I’ll have to wait a bit but finally a seat opens up at the bar after 15 – 20 minutes.

Fried oysters at Soul Gastrolounge in Charlotte- NC Triangle Dining

The bartender is good and spots the new diner immediately. I grab a cider to get my dinner going and peer through the menu. It’s a mix of funky Southern plates along with some Asian influences like sushi and ramen, alright! I love the oddities and twists they have here so I order up three plates which I’m about to learn, is far too much for one diner. The scene at the bar is hopping with people waiting for tables and others noshing casually, Soul Gastrolounge is definitely a popular spot with a cast of regulars. My fried oysters come out first and they look fantastic! Perfectly browned with a nice crust and dense, plump oysters. Dipped into the thousand island type sauce, it’s a great and filling starter.

Pork belly tacos at Soul Gastrolounge in Charlotte- NC Triangle Dining

Next up is Soul Gastrolounge’s popular pork belly tacos with watermelon salsa! But we’re actually talking about braised pork belly cubes with a square of watermelon atop, cool… The pork belly is glazed in a sweet sauce which goes well against the rich pork and the watermelon provides some relief from all the meaty calories here. Tasty stuff but a bit tricky to eat without making a mess, oh well!

Dirty south "nachos" at Soul Gastrolounge in Charlotte- NC Triangle Dining — Dirty south “nachos” at Soul Gastrolounge in Charlotte- NC Triangle Dining

And yes, since it’s my first visit at Soul Gastrolounge, I’ve over-ordered and here comes my plate of Dirty South nachos, O-M-G! Four large pieces of chicken fried chicken skin (no joke) lathered in a creamy pimiento cheese sauce and served up with some pickled okra. Are you serious?! I take a bite it’s really well-fried with plenty of fatty mouth-feel from the skin. The cheese sauce is rich and creamy so you just get a mouthful of rich, luscious fat which after the pork belly, is probably too much at the end of my meal. But as a starter and shared, this dish is a lot of fun! I order up a glass of white wine just to cut through all the calories, whoa…

I’m ready to pass out at this point of the meal but Soul Gastrolounge is still hopping. But color me impressed! Great ambiance, great service, reasonably priced creative food, it hits all the points that I look for in a new restaurant. And while the scene may not be exactly for me, most people should enjoy what’s going down at Soul Gastrolounge. Just look for that hoppin’ spot up on the 2nd floor, my friends!

Soul Gastrolounge

1500 Central Avenue

Charlotte, NC 28205

704.348.1848

Location on Google maps

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April 2, 2013 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

From Lie to Le, Amelie’s Bakery and Le’s Vietnamese in Charlotte

Delicious pastries at Amelie’s French Bakery, Charlotte- NC Triangle Dining

Now I can’t imagine two eateries being any more different but during my last visit to Charlotte, I stopped into two great places for foodies, Amelie’s French Bakery and Le’s for Vietnamese sandwiches! Don’t ask me why, I was just a little bit hungry. And let’s just say they are both very special spots but in entirely different ways. Cause there just isn’t much in common between the two other than that you’ll be leaving both with a very happy stomach.

ool light fixture at Amelie’s French Bakery, Charlotte- NC Triangle Dining Decor at Amelie’s French Bakery, Charlotte- NC Triangle Dining

Out on N. Davidson is the wonderful, fabulous, delicious and altogether amazing Amelie’s! The boring brick exterior hides greatness behind the front doors. Step inside and you’ll immediately catch sight of a cool light fixture festooned with measuring cups and pots. A glance further in and you see two large cases holding all these wonderful, colorful sweets. Brownies, macaroons, eclairs, napoleons and more, you really have to cycle through all the possible pastry options before settling on one favorite. Or maybe two. Grab a cup of coffee (self-serve) to go with your sweets and go find a table in back so you can settle in and enjoy it all! Amelie’s has a wonderful side room decked out in bright, colorful faux Baroque-type pieces. Chandelier, fake fireplace, heavy gold-gilt picture frames along with some worn couches. Thinks hipster, shabby chic a la orange or in a knock-off French theme. The place attracts a hip crowd as you can guess and lounging or studying at Amelie’s seems like a wonderful way to blow an hour or two.

Lemon-raspberry tart at Amelie’s French Bakery, Charlotte- NC Triangle Dining

But what about the treats? All I can say is the salt caramel brownie may be one of the top five food items that’s been in my mouth. A decadent blast of soft chocolate, thick creamy caramel with a hit of salt, wow! I’ve also done their lemon-raspberry and pecan tart which are luscious, creamy and backed with a thick, buttery crust. Tie in some excellent coffee and you’ve got yourself a great mid-afternoon or late-night treat at Amelie’s! You really can’t get much luxurious than this for under $6.

Counter at Le’s Sandwiches, Charlotte- NC Triangle Dining

Now after I had my sweets at Amelie’s, yeah I figured I needed some savory so I head on over to Le’s off of N. Tryon Road. Located in a seedy, run-down strip mall, you definitely have to make an effort to find the place! Funny thing but there’s an Asian plaza JUST like this one in Raleigh so I felt right at home. Le’s is like a beacon of light in this dreary space. Brightly lit, clean, they only do one thing here but they do it really well, Vietnamese sandwiches. I order up a meatball and roast pork banh mi which will take a bit of time to put together, fresh. There’s a small upright cooler with drinks, a couple of chairs and that’s about it here! 10 minutes later my sandwiches are done and at $3.50 a piece, quite the deal.

Roast pork banh mi at Le’s Sandwiches, Charlotte- NC Triangle Dining

FYI but you can get Le’s sandwiches in both short rolls or long, thin rolls which to me are more traditional. I’ll confess to not eating the sandwiches right away (due to my snack at Amelies) but they were both quite good later on. Light, fresh roll, stuffed with lots of pickled veggies and cilantro. There was enough meat but they weren’t stuffed full which was fine by me. It’s actually a nicely balanced sandwich with savory, tangy and some chew which made for a great snack. Le’s makes quite a nice VN banh mi, wish I had an option like this in the Triangle. From a foodie perspective, my short trip to Charlotte was a bang-up success! Over the course of less than 24 hours I did Malaysian, French, Vietnamese and even snuck in some Swedish meatballs. Plenty of good eating for this little fatty so thank you Amelie’s and thank you Le’s for making my ride home to the Triangle just a little bit easier, bon appetit!

Amelie’s French Bakery

2424 N Davidson St

Charlotte, NC 28205

704.376.1781

Location on Google maps

Le’s Sandwiches

4520 N. Tryon St

Charlotte, NC 28213

704.921.7498

Location on Google maps

Travel: The Sorrow Drowner in Wilmington for Tiki Bar Vibes and Tasty Pu-Pu Platters

Sorrow Drowner Tiki Bar, Wilmington NC

Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – Drink and Food

Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – Entertainment

Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – Final Thoughts