Monday, February 28, 2011

Review: Brunch at Bistro La Bon

It has taken me a long time, but I think I can finally admit disappointment with the “brunch buffet”.  It sounds great; but almost never measures up.  My Sunday brunch at Bistro La Bon was no exception.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Review: Pewter Rose

After dining at Pewter Rose, I am on the fence as whether to return. Where do I start?

Monday, February 21, 2011

Recipe: Camarones Enchilados – or as I say Enchilated Scrimps

Cuban cooking is extremely traditional – you either make it the way its SUPPOSED to be, or you have made it wrong! There is no fusion, innovation, no unexpected twists or surprising tastes – at least there shouldn’t be. Cuban food is NOT spicy – but IS full of flavor and delicious. Ironically, it is also one of the most misunderstood and misinterpreted cooking cultures out there – this dish may serve as a perfect example as to why.


This classic Cuban dish, translates into "Shrimp in Enchilada Sauce". Funny thing is, enchilada sauce does not even exist in our cooking culture, and the sauce used in this recipe for decades has never been, and will never be anything even remotely enchilada – like. I’ve seen some Cuban restaurants translate the name of this dish into “Shrimp Creole” – certainly not Creole sauce either!! The sauce is a very tasty tomato based sauce that to me really embodies the taste you should expect from a number of Cuban staple dishes.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Recipe: Longing for some Latin food?




My husband loves Latin food and I am the first to admit I am guilty of rarely preparing him this style of food. I have thought in the past (when living just outside of Miami), “Why make the food when I can buy it so easily?” That changed after moving to Charlotte. In my quest for Latin food that pleases my picky palette and my husband’s desire to eat tasty Latin food that he so misses, I decided to prepare a meal a friend of mine once so lovingly made for us. Much to my surprise, I learned this recipe was very easy to prepare. However, you must have a blender or food processor to save you a lot of work!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Review: A first glimpse of Savor Cafe

“Do you think they are kid-friendly?” I said, looking at the menu for Savor Café online and printing out my Groupon before we headed out.  “I don’t know, but we can find out,” replied my friend.  This is always a concern of mine at lunch, when I can’t take a MNO (Mom’s Night Out, for those of you not in the know) to go check out a less-family friendly restaurant or get a babysitter and head out with the husband.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Recipe: Chicken Triathlon

I have been told that it is impossible for a chicken to be used for three days, but I beg to differ.  I think you can, as a family of three (ok, two and a half), use a chicken for three days (and possibly four) pretty easily, with some actual veggies, of course.  I must add here that when my son is older and begins eating me out of house and home, or when children arrive in the future, chicken may only last for two dinners, but night three can always be substituted for night two.  Also, to do this, I refuse to let my family eat chicken for lunch.  Allow me to share with you my most recent chicken extravaganza.



Thursday, February 10, 2011

Review: The Penguin

Souvenir cup!

While watching a piece on The Penguin Drive-In on Charlotte’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, I practically ran out of the house to catch some of this home cookin’. It was all I could do to wait for my gals to find a time to join me for this greasy fest. I had a lot of confidence that The Penguin was going to be an unforgettable dining experience. But when I read rumors that this eatery had changed (for the worse), since its management switched hands in October of last year, I had to go see for myself.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Review: Greek Isles Restaurant

When I saw that Greek Isles was voted the 2010 Best European Restaurant by the readers of Creative Loafing Magazine, I knew I had to give it a try. Descendants from Greece, couple Pana and Toula Photopoulos have created a Mediterranean experience in Charlotte worth mentioning.

At first glance, I was surprised by the vast size of the establishment. It was quite a large restaurant (when compared with most Greek eateries which are usually more the size of a large Starbucks).

Inside, I found an inviting bar with plenty of seating and tables close by. Next to the bar a wall separates the restaurant and opens up into the main dining room facing an open style kitchen. The ambiance is warm, without being overly decorated. There are just enough Greek statues and Island photographs to make you remember that it is the Greeks that are responsible for the wonderful food you are about to eat.
We came in on a Saturday at about 5:30pm and were one of the first tables. When we left at 7:30 there was hardly a vacant seat in the house. In fact, there was a line at the front door.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Review: King's Kitchen

I haven’t lived in Charlotte for that long, but I have developed an affinity for a well-known North Carolina native, Jim Noble

I was not able to visit Noble’s Restaurant before it closed in August 2010, and I have not been to Roosters Wood Fired Kitchen.  However, recently, after a restaurant week reservation mix-up, my husband suggested we dine at one of the more unique restaurants in his empire, The King’s Kitchen.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Recipe: Mama Anna's Enchilada Casserole

As a mother of an 18 month old, one of my biggest parenting struggles is feeding my little monster while still satisfying my need for a nice dinner. Long gone are the days where I could prepare a leisurely 3 course meal on a weekday. Now on Sundays I cook for ME – but during the week the only thing I crave for dinner is something that is EASY, QUICK, and at the very least EDIBLE (I sometimes fail on this account) by everyone in the house.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Opinion: OpenTable Valentine's Day Rundown


Do you plan to celebrate Valentine's Day? Not me. I’m the Ebenezer Scrooge of Valentine's Day. So this year? I’m going to be babysitting for my friends while they go out. My list of reasons for disliking the holiday is long and complex, but THIS article is about YOU, dear readers!

I was going to do some research about places that were having a Valentine’s Day special, but, thanks to the internet, OpenTable has already done that for me! Check it out! Thus, based purely on the information on OpenTable and the restaurant’s own websites, I will present my sports-commentator-esque rundown of the options.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Recipe: Let's Have a Party-Mushroom Croustades

French Croustades are crunchy shells generally made out of pastry dough or toasted bread. They are then topped with a savory mix of herbs and vegetables, most commonly mushrooms.

I was at a party a few years ago when I tried this delicious appetizer. I couldn’t get enough of them and when I went for seconds they were gone! I immediately tracked down the host and begged for the recipe. It was first on my snack list at the next party I hosted and it was a hit! My suggestion: make extra and hide them in a special place.