Harvest Moon Grille in Lincolnton, NC

December 4, 2017 Suzanne StrengthLeave a comment

Harvest Moon Grille is a unique eatery in downtown Lincolnton that is such a breath of fresh air. Their website says “an adventure in freshly foraged foods” and it is an adventure. The menu is different each time I visit. This is because they are farmers themselves, and build the menu off of what is currently available for harvest in their own and other local farms. And they make EVERYTHING…they make their breads, their soups, their sauces, their stocks, their dressings and their desserts. They even have a shelf for locally made products to take home with you. In addition to that, they cater: at their place, on site or boxed lunches for picnics lakeside. If you’d like to learn from these tremendous chefs, they also offer Saturday classes which include lunch!

They offer breakfast and lunch, both available from open to close. You can also get dinner on Friday and Saturday nights. On the day we visited my son got breakfast and I got lunch. The dining room is smallish, but you feel cozy, not cramped. The walls are filled with art from local artists. If the weather is nice, you should opt to eat outside on the patio. They have a very comfortable patio overlooking Main Street.

We opted for a locally crafted soda made in Waynesville, NC. The Raspberry Cream was fizzy with just the right amount of sweet. It’s the best. I love how they are served with a mason jar full of ice.

This is the child’s portion (Junior) of French Toast. He said it was delicious!

I had a falafel sandwich and a cup of tomato soup. The brioche bun that the sandwich came on was made fresh in house and was out of this world delicious. The falafel was a tiny bit loose for my liking, so ended up being too messy for me. The bitter greens brought a peppery element to the dish and the cucumber sauce (tzatziki) was tangy and cool. I have to say, the smallest detail was my favorite. The house-made pickles were perfect. Just pickled enough to be tasty, but still had a fresh taste. These chefs really know their way around the kitchen.

The tomato soup (served in a little mason jar!!) was also fresh and homemade. It didn’t taste like Campbell’s, didn’t taste like it came from a bag (I’m looking at you, Fatz) it tasted like it was made from my grandmother’s canned tomatoes. The drizzle of olive oil on top gave it a richness so it didn’t need cream.

Charlotte

Restaurant Review: Cajun Queen

October 15, 2017 Suzanne StrengthLeave a comment

So Cajun Queen. Girls Nosh was so excited to visit. Ah well.

As most foodies know, a large part of the dining experience is the service. If the food is magnificent, you can get away with slightly lesser service, but Cajun Queen wasn’t tasty enough (but it was good!) to counter the experience of bad service.

The free valet is a nice touch, because parking is a beast around there. The hostess was busy but seated us kindly. Then the waiter showed up. He seemed put out with us, but as the night progressed, it became clear that he might have been irritated with a loud party behind us, because he became slightly less aggravated when they left. The second bummer of the night was where we were sitting seemed to be a hugely traveled path for people coming and going all night long. I was bumped every few seconds all night long. Tiresome. Though this did help:

The food. The food was good. Some of us had yummier food than others, but we all agreed it was just fine.

This Seafood Gumbo should have been blowing my doors off with flavor, but instead it was just okay. I was a little disappointed with the mildness of it. Needed something.

I had the Crawfish Etouffee and it was really too similar to the gumbo. I should have made a better choice. But, it had the same problems as the Gumbo, being too bland. I guess I just expected more.

cajun queen chicken diane

This is Chicken Diane. It’s a sautéed breast of chicken with mushrooms, green onions, Cajun spices, garlic, butter and parsley. All served over rice. Though it was pretty rich, it was a solid dish.

Dessert was again, fine. There really weren’t that many choices, so I chose pecan pie. It was fine, presentation was pretty lame. I know, what can you do with a slice of pie. But 3 or 4 puffs of whip cream from a can has to be one of the least fancy ways to dress it.

We may try it again, perhaps we were there on an off night? I do like to give a few chances before writing a place off, but this night was not a good showing for this landmark Charlotte restaurant.

Huntersville

Kung Foo Noodle in Birkdale Village

October 14, 2017October 14, 2017 Suzanne Strength1 Comment

My kids wear me out on Asian food. I love it, but not EVERY.SINGLE.TIME we get to go out to eat. But, knowing this, I use this to get them to go on errands with me that they’d rather not do. Give and take.

This place I didn’t mind going. It’s new to us, it’s in Birkdale Village..and turns out it is awfully good. Everything we had was delicious and you can bring your dogs with you and sit on the patio. It was a perfect night for it, too.

We started with Dumplings. The waitress advised us to get the pan-fried ones because the steamed dumplings got cold and gummy. She was right. Those little pork filled nuggets were warm, just crispy and perfect when dipped in the sauce. That was a favorite.

We also tried the Spicy Wontons. I thought wontons were like those above, but here they were steamed and very pliant. Even though it wasn’t what we thought, these soft pillows filled with pork and shrimp were incredible and we all agreed (even our seafood hater!) that we’d get them again.

For my dinner, I had the Tom Yum Noodle Bowl. It was so spicy and delicious! Sour broth chock full of homemade noodles, shrimps, bok choy and flavored with lemongrass. If I ever get sick, someone better bring me this soupy goodness. It’s miracle healing level good.

Ty got his standard…ahem… Thai/Ty dish: Pad Thai! He said it was sweet and delicious, with peanuts, chicken and chewy noodles. It came with 2 limes to counter balance the sweetness of the sauce with a little added acid. Perfect!

Mary Ashley got her standard: Sushi. She had two rolls. The first was called Bubba Shrimp roll. It was tempura friend shrimp in the middle, with ebi shrimp on top, covered with shrimp sauce. It was her favorite. She wouldn’t let me try it. Her second roll was a Volcano roll, which was a friend roll with crab and crab salad. She did let me try that, and it was really really good. Especially with the cream cheese inside. Loved!

For dessert we got Bubble Tea! The tea part was delicious, but I’m on the fence about those bubbles. They are gelatinous masses (Tapioca pearls, I’ve heard) that are barely flavored and just make your drink chewy. I don’t get it. Anyway, we got Thai tea flavored and Mary Ashley got Taro. Hers was the best…it tasted like a sugar cookie.

The service here was also impeccable. The place is smallish on the inside, but it was not overflowing with folks when we got there. Lots of windows and high ceilings do a lot for not feeling crowded. We’ve found a new favorite spot.

Charlotte

5 Reasons you need to go to Church: Charlotte’s 5 Church

October 7, 2017October 7, 2017 Suzanne Strength2 Comments

I’ve had my eye of 5 Church for quite a while. Quiiiitttteee a while. I’ve always pushed it down on my review list because the pictures looked like it was too hip. Too young. Too loud. Well you know what? It was all of those things. But go anyway, because the food is amazing. But while you are perusing the menu, order a drink:

#1: The Cocktails

The Ivey Cocktail was my choice of cocktail for the night. It was sweet and light, with citrus vodka, orange liqueur, grenadine and cranberry juice. Very fruity and refreshing! The server was very knowledgeable about the bar offerings, as well. I told her my likes (fruity, not too strong) and she recommended the perfect concoction.

#2 The Appetizers

Behold the Shrimp Flatbread. Handmade dough, baked and topped with juicy shrimp, boursin cheese, arugula and red onion. Perfectly simple, and every element is perfectly executed. The bread is chewy with just a little bit of a crispness on the outside and a little salty. The shrimp are tender and sweet and cut into bite-sized pieces for ease of eating. The boursin cheese is perfect on this, adding enough herbaceousness to bring it all together. That and a salad would have been perfect.

My friend had this pretty salad. The Bibb Wedge. Bibb lettuce sprinkled with grape tomatoes, peperoncini and bacon and drizzled with a balsamic reduction and a tangy gorgonzola dressing. It was a little tangy for her, but I didn’t taste it. Looks gorgeous, though, right?

Reason #3 The entrée

Yeah, so four of my 5 reasons are food. Shoot me.

The Maryland Crab Cakes are a decadent treat ; chock full of lump crab meat with just enough filler to hold it together. And they were baked, so not oily at all. A dream! The cake is resting on a squeeze of red pepper emulsion and a scallion aioli. It was served with roasted broccoli, tomato marmalade (so sweet and tangy, perfect with the delicate crab) and a pancetta crisp, which was salty and provided a nice texture.

Reason #4 The Dessert

If ever there was a “signature” dessert at a place, this is the one. It is a S’more Trifle. Gooey brownie layered with chocolate ganache and topped with a toasty creamy marshmallow cream and a graham cracker crumble. It alone is worth the visit. Simply amazing.

#5 Celebrity Spotting

In addition to many other awards, 5 Church has been voted as being a most likely to spot a celeb spot. Celebrity diners include Cam Newton, Brooklyn Decker and heck, the chef was on Top Chef!

Photo cred: JustJared

Charleston SC · Charlotte · Hickory · Lowell · Restaurants · Rock Hill SC

Best of Restaurants: Sides

October 6, 2017July 28, 2022 Suzanne StrengthLeave a comment

Sometimes I think I get more excited about the side dishes of a meal than the actual protein. Here’s a list of some of my favorites:

Roasted Brussels Sprouts from Fourk in Hickory, NC

Roasted Sunchoke, Mixed Mushroom Saute, Fried Corn and Stone Ground Grits from Roosters in Charlotte, NC

Polenta from Aria Tuscan Grill

Macaroni and Cheese and Black-eyed Peas from Mert’s Heart and Soul in Charlotte

Bacon Macaroni and Cheese from the Oak Steakhouse in Charleston, SC

Fried Squash from Grits ‘N Greens in Lowell, NC

Summer squash & tomato risotto at The Pump House in Rock Hill, SC

Risotto with fava beans, peppadew peppers and Alfredo sauce from Highland Avenue in Hickory

Summer Squash with Eggplant, Green Goddess dressing and everything spice from The Goodyear House in Charlotte

Brussels Sprouts from Link and Pin in Huntersville

Charred Carrots from Supperland in Charlotte

Mushroom Risotto at Supperland in Charlotte

King Crab and Lobster Macaroni and Cheese from Steak 48 in Charlotte

Squash Casserole at Mariposa in Charlotte

Lobster Macaroni and Cheese from Capital Grille in Charlotte

Pommes Puree’ at La Belle Helene in Charlotte

Asheville · Belmont · Boone · Charlotte · Davidson · Denver · Gaffney SC · Hickory · Huntersville · Lincolnton · Mooresville · Myrtle Beach · Panama City Beach FL · Savannah · Statesville · Troutman

Best of Restaurant Desserts

October 2, 2017September 9, 2022 Suzanne StrengthLeave a comment

Chocolate Souffle’ at Aix en Provence in Charlotte

Creme Brulee at Baron’s Steakhouse in Myrtle Beach

Roasted Apple Galette at Kindred in Davidson

Chocolate Layer Cake at Twisted Oak Bar and Grill in Statesville, NC

Rolled Ice Cream at Below Zero in Savannah, GA

Apple Pie Wontons at The Cowfish in Charlotte, NC

S’Mores Trifle at 5 Church in Charlotte, NC

Brownie Sundae at Carolina Cones in Davidson, NC

Crepe Suzette from Crepe Cellar

Milk Chocolate Liquid Truffle from French Broad Chocolate Lounge in Asheville, NC

Pecan Pie a la mode at Alton’s Kitchen and Cocktails in Cornelius, NC

Coconut Cake from Chillfire in Denver, NC

Nutella and Strawberry Crepe from The Crispy Crepe in Charlotte

Apple Cobbler a la mode at Carolina Cafe in Gaffney, SC

Milk Bread Cinnamon Rolls at Kindred in Davidson

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Strawberry Basil Shortbread from Crafted Southern Speakeasy in Lincolnton, NC

Doughnuts from Reigning Doughnuts in Charlotte, NC

Bourbon Brioche Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce & Vanilla Ice Cream from Bistro La Bon in Charlotte

Bread Pudding from The Gamekeeper in Boone, NC

Fritti (dessert calzone) from Salty Caper in Mooresville

Coconut Cake from Highland Avenue in Hickory

Brownie Sundae from Whit’s Custard in Davidson

Triple Chocolate Cake at Pelligrino’s Trattoria in Troutman

Bread Pudding from Bricktop’s in Charlotte

Thicc Pie (Buttermilk Peach Custard) from The Goodyear House in Charlotte

Carrot Cake from Fin & Fino in Charlotte

Salted Caramel Truffle from Flock. Bistro in Mooresville

Nutella Budino from Link and Pin in Huntersville

Pumpkin Mousse from the McNinch House in Charlotte, NC

Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake from 204 North Kitchen + Cocktails in Charlotte

Chocolate Layer Cake from Dogwood: A Southern Table in Charlotte

Cherry Pie from Supperland in Charlotte, NC

Sopapillas from Margaritas in Denver, NC

THE DOUGHNUT Diplomat cream, Heath bar crumble from Stoke in Charlotte

Ultimate Warm Vanilla Caramel Cake from Steak 48 in Charlotte, NC

Hot Lava Cake and Mini Apple Pies from Zhay’s in Lincolnton

Cannoli from Rocky’s Pizza in Huntersville, NC

Red Velvet Cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory in Charlotte, NC

Mysterious Mushroom from Mariposa in Charlotte, NC

Cheesecake from Capital Grille in Charlotte

Beignets & Pecan Pie from The Crunkleton in Charlotte

Lemon Cornmeal Cake from Rhubarb in Asheville

White Chocolate and Vanilla Creme Brulee from Firefly in Panama City Beach, FL

La Ricane at La Belle Helene in Charlotte

Chocolate Cheesecake at Drift in Belmont, NC

Churro Funnel Cake from Mattiello’s in Denver, NC

Banana Pudding from Local Roots and Provisions in Lincolnton, NC

Columbia SC · Crestview FL · Hickory · Huntersville · Myrtle Beach · Wrightsville

Best of Restaurants: Hamburgers & Hot Dogs

October 1, 2017December 25, 2021 Suzanne StrengthLeave a comment

Hamburgers and Hot Dogs are simple, but only a few are really outstanding. Here is a list of my favorites from around the South.

Cheeseburger from Hamburger Joe’s in Myrtle Beach

Bacon Cheeseburger from Smashburger in Columbia, SC

Hot Dogs from Chris’ Hot Dogs in Montgomery, AL

Cheese Coneys from Coney Island in Crestview, FL

Sliders from Fourk in Hickory

Black Cat Burger at Poe’s Tavern in Wrightsville, NC

All American Burger from Barcelona Burger and Beer Garden in Mooresville

Cheeseburger from Shake Shack in Huntersville, NC

Asheville · Boone · Charleston SC · Charlotte · Cornelius · Davidson · Denver · Destin · Isle of Palms · Lincolnton · Mooresville · Morganton · Mount Pleasant · Rock Hill SC · Savannah · Wilmington

Best of Restaurants: Appetizers

September 18, 2017August 26, 2022 Suzanne StrengthLeave a comment

Appetizers are my very favorite part of the meal. Not a big commitment, you can be adventurous and not break the bank. Here is a list of my favorites:

Spinach and Artichoke Crostini from Crafted Southern Speakeasy in Lincolnton, NC

Caramelized Gnocchi from Aria Tuscan Grill

Fried Green Tomatoes at Huey’s Southern Eats in Isle of Palms

Mert’s Soul Rolls at Mert’s Heart and Soul in Charlotte

Homemade Lime Tortilla Chips served with Pineapple Mango Salsa from Caterer extraordinaire Food Junkie

Spinach and Artichoke Dip from Food Junkie

Filipino-style Pork Eggrolls with Spicy Apricot Dipping Sauce from Food Junkie

Funghi Repieni at Caruso’s in Mooresville

Pierogies from Twisted Oak Bar and Grill in Statesville, NC

Manchego Skillet at Tybee Island Social Club in Tybee Island, GA

Warm Pimento Cheese & Jumbo Lump Crab Cake from Tupelo Honey in Charlotte, NC

Oysters Rockefeller at the Oak Steakhouse in Charleston, SC

Shrimp Flatbread from 5 Church in Charlotte, NC

Stuffed Portabello Mushroom at Chillfire Grill in Denver, NC

Beggar’s Purse with Cream Cheese and Salmon, Rock Shrimp & Fried Calamari with Vegetables from Wasabi in Asheville

Smoked Tuna Dip from Louisiana Lagniappe

Prime Rib Stuffed Mushrooms from Alton’s Kitchen and Cocktails in Cornelius, NC

Escargot with Lemon and Sweet Pea Risotto from Flatiron Kitchen and Taphouse in Davidson

Crispy Pork Rinds with Pimiento Cheese and Valentina Hot Sauce from Root +Vine in Morganton

Shrimp Cocktail at the Pump House in Rock Hill, SC

Escargot at Gamekeeper in Boone, NC

Deviled Eggs and Millionaire’s Bacon from Bricktop’s in Charlotte

Crab Dip from Circa 1922 in Wilmington, NC

Butter Bean Spread, Devilish Toast and Marinated Shrimp from Goodyear House in Charlotte

egg salad

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Compressed Spiced Melon with Bluebird Farms Cured meats and shaved cheese from 158 on Main in Mooresville

Baked Brie Bites and Sausage Gravy Croquettes from Supperland in Charlotte

Deviled Eggs with Pickles, Aleppo, herb bacon salad from Stoke in Charlotte

SESAME-CHILI CAULIFLOWER FLORETS from Copper Modern Indian Cuisine in Charlotte

Chicken Empanadas from Havana 33 in Mooresville, NC

Fried Deviled Eggs from Zhay’s in Lincolnton

Mariposa Mezze Board from Mariposa in Charlotte

Spinach and Artichoke Dip from Mi Amiche in Mooresville

Firecracker Shrimp and Sriracha Fries from 73 & Main in Mt. Pleasant

Yuca Frita from Miami Fusion in Denver, NC

Charcuterie from Dot Dot Dot in Charlotte

Nashville · Places · Restaurants · TN

Travel: Nashville, TN

September 4, 2017 Suzanne StrengthLeave a comment

My kids and I took a trip to Nashville, TN last year to see Avenged Sevenfold in concert. It was our first trip with just the three of us after my divorce and it was mag.ni.fi.cent. We had the best adventure ever! We leisurely toured the city and busied ourselves with shopping, fun and food in the city that friends recommended we hit. Here’s a snapshot of our long weekend. Or as I like to call it, the best road trip ever.

So, the reason we visited this awesome city: A7X. Avenged Sevenfold. The band that bridged the communication gap between myself and my daughter after that divorce. Yeah, I love them. So, they get top billing in this blog post.

We had great seats. The best I could find. We caught one of Johnny’s guitar pics at the end of the night. Yes!!

Airbnb

We booked our apartment through Airbnb, and it was so much better than a cramped hotel room. The owner told me that the apartment was formerly owned by Kris Kristopherson. Pretty sweet!

The Grand Ole Opry

“The Show that Made Country Music Famous” began in 1925 and is the longest running radio broadcast in US history. It is a weekly music stage concert that attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world. I’d call it the hub of Nashville.

Parthenon

Built in 1897 as part of the Tennessee Centennial Exposition, the Parthenon is a full-scale replica of the original Parthenon in Athens, Greece. Today it serves as a museum with tons of sculptures and portraits, but truly it is a wonder in itself. Don’t miss the huge statue of Athena that culminates this gorgeous tour.

Loveless Cafe

This one is a little ride outside of Nashville proper, but go on and make the drive. It’s worth it. We waited about 30-45 minutes, and really, it was just breakfast. But you still gotta go. I mean, it’s good breakfast. Don’t get me wrong. And they ply you with biscuits and jelly. Still..eggs, bacon, grits…it’s breakfast. They do have a cool store, but by the time we were done eating I was peopled out.

Pancake Pantry

If you visit Nashville, you must visit the Pancake Pantry, dubbed Nashville’s best pancakes. Founded in 1961, lines are usually long and you’ll wait, but it will be worth it. It’s an institution here. They get their special blend of flours from local sources and make their batters and syrups with a secret recipe fresh daily.

Mafiaoza’s Pizza

After the amazing concert, we decided to go get some pizza at this late night joint. Luckily for us, they were open and kind enough to serve us. I’m sure we looked like death warmed over. All I know is my mascara was all down my face and I was drenched in sweat, I could barely hear the waitress from the loud concert and we were all shaking with hunger. Smart move, not eating before the concert.

Anyway, we ordered the pie and laid our heads on the table like heathens until it got there. It was delicious, with a soft crust and tangy sauce. We’ll have to go at a more decent hour next time.

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream

Nashville’s coolest and most delicious ice cream…as far as I’m concerned. It was blazing hot in Nashville when we were there, so we ducked into Jeni’s while shopping for a snack. What we found were fancy flavors and ice cream made with the finest ingredients. Perfection. The purple here is wildberry lavender. I *think* the one below it is Savannah Buttermilk. Read between the lines, that one was less memorable!

GA · Savannah

Savannah, Georgia Trip

August 27, 2017 Suzanne StrengthLeave a comment

I’ve been dying to visit Savannah forever. I’d always heard it was a charming city, and Paula Deen being there didn’t hurt either. What I found surpassed my high expectations.

Wormsloe Historic Site: The famous tree lined with gorgeous oaks leads to the ruins of a former plantation owned by Noble Jones in the 1700’s, who arrived with the first settlers from England. It is the oldest standing structure in Georgia.

Laurel Grove Cemetery South: I loved driving through this old graveyard and looking at beautiful, historic grave sites. Weirdly enough, this was probably my favorite part of this trip.

Bonaventure Cemetery: Hauntingly beautiful cemetery located on the Wilmington River. Featured in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

Gingerbread House: This gorgeous home was built in 1899 and is used primarily as a venue for weddings and bridal parties. It’s a great example of the Gingerbread style from Germany’s Black Forest region. Largest of the cities municipal cemeteries at 160 acres…and you can drive through. My VERY favorite stop in Savannah.

Tybee Island Social Club: We visited on Easter so they only had a specific brunch menu, but it was delicious and flavored well. The best part about this experience was the patio seating and the live music. Really cool place!

Vic’s on the River: This was our favorite restaurant in Savannah. The food was amazing, the view was even better, and on the wall is a map of Sherman’s march from Tennessee to Georgia hand drawn by Union soldiers. Tons of history, a must visit!

Below Zero. Tucked in the Savannah Seafood Shack on Broughton, you can watch them make your ice cream as you wait in line! Rolled ice cream originated in Thailand and can only be found in a handful of cities: New York, Atlanta and now Savannah!