Wilmington NC Restaurant Recs

An Open Letter to Wilmington Restaurants

2011-08-28T21:02:00.000-04:00

Dear Locally Owned Wilmington Restaurant,

We are your customers. We like to eat in your establishment. We like the feeling of contributing to the local economy, supporting our friends in their endeavors, and eating food that doesn't come frozen off a truck that we can get in Anywhere, USA.

We also understand that because you are a locally owned place, you may, from time to time, close your doors to the public to have some kind of celebration for your staff, or have a wedding reception or a bat mitzvah, or some other private event to which we are not invited.

But since you ARE a public restaurant, and since we DO feel like a part of your community, please do not degrade us by making us walk into your place of business, expecting a warm welcome and a good meal, to be greeted instead by laughing, happy people, who tell us "Oh, sorry. This is a private party."

Do you not understand how that makes us feel? We are no longer customers. We have stumbled through the front door of someone's private home, where we are not welcome. It makes us feel embarrassed.

We would much rather get to the door to see a large sign that says "We're sorry! We're closed for a private party. Please join us tomorrow night for dinner, when we will resume regular service." Don't make us walk into your gathering to be laughed at by the in-crowd, who are there enjoying the dinner in which we wish someone had included us.

We know it's not your intention, but it's the effect. Tonight, we walked into one of our regular haunts, and were greeted by "Oh! Sorry! This is a private party!" That is the second place we've experienced this. We haven't returned to the first place it occurred, and we likely won't return to the second. You have probably just lost our business forever. Not because your service was bad, or your food wasn't good, but because you hurt our feelings and made us feel insignificant and unwelcome.

All of which could have been avoided with simple signage taped to the front door.

Manna

2011-06-18T17:37:00.000-04:00

Manna
123 Princess St.
Wilmington, NC
910.763.5252

Manna has some competent people at the helm, not the least of which is the chef. Jacob Hilbert has been around Wilmington for a while, and he's definitely grown as a cook in his time here. He's pared his cooking style down and the food he prepares at Manna really lets the flavors shine through. He's definitely on the fresh/seasonal/local-as-much-as-possible bandwagon, and that's not a criticism. I was impressed.

The atmosphere is sleek, upscale and modern. Wait staff was professional, knowledgeable, helpful and pleasant. So you'll definitely get a good experience there. But what's most important is the food, and Jacob definitely delivered. I actually had dinner there with Liz Biro on one of her visits there, and here is her (much better) review.

The wine and cocktail list was impressive, without being over-the-top. You guys know I'm not a fan of a huge wine list. It was nice and in the middle. I ordered a seasonal salad - I'd describe it, but they change frequently, so they're going to vary with the season. What I will say is that it was well-executed. Not over or under-dressed, and all the ingredients complimented each other perfectly.

For the main course, I went on the heavy side with the veal chop. The meat was perfectly cooked and seasoned, gorgeously presented, and the sides were not an afterthought. And the serving was generous enough for leftovers. That the owner was sweet enough to wrap in foil for me (as requested).

Defintely give Manna a try. It's an elegant, rich dining experience for a special evening downtown.

Catch - Recent visit

2011-03-22T10:41:00.000-04:00

Catch Modern Seafood

6623 Market Street
Wilmington NC
910.799.3847

Lunch: Monday - Friday: 11:00am - 2:00pm
Dinner: Monday - Saturday: 5:30pm - 10:00pm

I've already given my take on Catch Market Street location here, but it's been long enough that I felt an update was warranted.

We had the pleasure of eating there with our good friends Ben and Amy on Saturday night while they were in town for a visit. As usual, chef Keith Rhodes didn't disappoint. And the staff was spot on. Service was smooth as glass, professional and pleasant. Our server was actually Kyle Lee McKnight's girlfriend. He's the chef at Circa 1922. We really need to get down there. I've seen Kyle's farm plot out where our friends Dave and Christin have their farm and I keep meaning to go to Circa and forgetting.

But this is about Catch. We ordered a plate of firecracker shrimp for the table. It used to make an appearance as a salad on the lunch menu for Catch downtown, and was one of my favorites. It serves well as an appetizer. The shrimp were plump and fresh and the firecracker sauce (not too hot) was perfect on the shrimp and a good contrast to the cool shredded lettuce.

Ben tried the sweet potato salad - one of Phillip's favorites - and loved it. Phillip had the beet salad, which the server offered me, but I declined. I know it's a shortcoming of my palate, but even Keith can't make beets not taste like dirt. To me, anyway. Phillip said it was wonderful. I'll take his word for it. I had a nice plate of fresh greens tossed with a tangy vinaigrette. Perfect.

Dinner entrees for the table included the shrimp and grits, a mahi special, crab cakes (me) and a ginormous Prince Edward Island lobster (Phillip). All were excellent and certainly up to snuff with Keith's normal standard. My crab cakes had way more crab than anything else - as it should be. The shrimp and grits were non-traditional with a sweetish asian sauce. Special note for the grits, which were RIGHT - stone ground adluh grits. Nice and thick and textured and seasoned. Unlike the grits Amy had at Sweet and Savory for breakfast the next morning, which she dubbed "grits soup". I had the fortune of being married to the lobster guy, so I got to taste that, um... extensively. It was delicious. Sweet and tender and perfectly cooked without too much adornment.

Keith was nominated for a well-deserved James Beard award this year. He's getting regional and national accolades that he has definitely earned. If you haven't made it out to Catch yet, make a reservation and get out there. It's a Wilmington restaurant you don't need to miss.

Tandoori Bites

2011-01-09T15:44:00.000-05:00

Tandoori Bites
1620 S College Rd
Wilmington, North Carolina 28403
(910) 794-4545

Man, I love this place. It's an old Wendy's that was later converted into a biker bar, then taken into its latest incarnation and you cannot tell it was ever either previous version. The decor is really something to see. Go check out their web site and it will give you a good idea. It's a really cool place to look at while you eat. And they have this big screen teevee behind the bar that plays Indian music videos that could be obnoxious, but just... isn't. It just lends to the atmosphere and is really fun.

We've been there a few times with friends, one of which is actually Indian, and she declared the food authentic, that some people think it's good and some don't, and that it's probably an acquired taste. We've obviously acquired it, because we think it rocks.

The assorted bread basket is outstanding, and I was glad we had four people there the night we ordered that, or they probably would have had to roll me out of the double-door service entrance in the back. As it was, I had to remind myself to share a couple of times.

I've had their chicken tikka masala, which was rich and spicy, but not over-the-top. Pootie has had the lamb jalfrazi and loved loved loved it. I would describe it, but I wasn't allowed a bite of it, so there you go. I've also had the butter chicken, which was so tender and good. Pootie has also been for their lunch buffet, and tried a little of everything. His considered opinion when asked for comment was "It's great. And it's cheap.".

The only minus at all was my decision to sample the after-dinner bowl of what looks like potpurri at the door as we left the first time. Our Indian friend said that was most definitely an acquired taste, and that one missed me. It tasted like old lady and licorice. Blegh. I chalk that up to my own lack of sophistication, however, and if you want to try it, by all means give it a whirl. If you don't spit it out in the parking lot, you're a better man than I am, Gunga Din.

But everything else is fantastic, prices are reasonable, they have a good beer and wine selection, and the atmosphere is just wonderful. By all means, get over there and give them a taste.

Double Happiness

2011-01-09T15:27:00.000-05:00

Double Happiness
4403 Wrightsville Avenue

Wilmington, NC 28403-6339
(910) 313-1088

I've been remiss in not posting about Double Happiness before now. It's one of our favorite places, and we eat there fairly regularly. Tucked away off Wrightsville near College, it's kind of easy to miss - not a place you necessarily see when you drive by. But as Chinese food goes, they're about the only place in town I think has really got it going on, so it's worth looking for.

Here is the explanation from Liz Biro on the owners. May is absolutely wonderful. She's nice, she's funny, and she takes the time to visit and joke with everyone who comes in. She loves to talk about the food, the restaurant, and her history in China and then coming over to the States and her time in Wilmington. She'll also happily help you pronounce the words on your fortune cookie. It's always a pleasure to see her.

But even if May wasn't such a joy, the food would bring us in anyway. This isn't your standard soy-seasoned buffet fare. Everything is fresh, flavorful and delicious. They often start by bringing out a small plate of steamed salty edamame and some of the most delicious sweet pickled cucumbers I've had since Pootie's grandmother passed away. They're crunchy and vinegary-sweet and I could honestly sit and eat a big bowl of them and be perfectly content.

They do some seasonal dishes, like a great watermelon salad they have in the summer. As I recall, it had a ginger dressing that didn't taste like everyone else's Asian ginger dressing. Soups and appetizers are familiar, but always excellent. Their won ton soup is nice and salty with a generous amount of won ton noodles. Their scallion pancakes are hot and crispy, the spring rolls are fresh and crunchy, and all the sauces are well-balanced.

Entrees are complete with the old favorites, like moo goo gai pan and mongolian beef. But they also have some different dishes, like their dry wok chicken, which the menu says is a "must-try", and I agree. Crispy duck is done perfectly, and I love their double pan fried noodle dish. They serve it in a deep bowl so that some of the noodles are crispy, but some are a little more tender toward the bottom, so it's not like eating a plate full of sticks. Pootie really digs their Sichuan Eggplant, partly because it's that good, and partly because I rarely cook eggplant and he loves it. I have to say, as a non-eggplant person, their version is pretty darned good. I can eat quite a bit of it before I go "...oh... yeah, that's still eggplant, isn't it?"

If you google their menu online, ignore the first scans. I'm pretty sure the menu shots with pictures were from the old iteration of Double Happiness, before May and her brother revamped the menu. Use the bottom ones with no pictures.

Definitely give it a go if you're looking for good Chinese food. The restaurant is off Wrightsville on the left if you're headed from downtown toward College and is right before the intersection of Kerr and Wrightsville.

Wilmington Restaurant Week Fall 2010

2010-10-21T11:38:00.000-04:00

Here are my takes on the restaurants participating in the Fall 2010 Restaurant Week here in Wilmington. I have not been to all of them. I'll link to a post if I have one. This is one of the only times you'll see anything negative about a restaurant I've visited, if I do have something not nice to say. I mostly want to present the positive our city has to offer, but if anyone is interested, here is my experience with the participants. I know not everyone is going to agree with me. If you have a constructive comment to offer about your experience at any of these restaurants, please feel free to share!

Downtown:
Aubriana's
Solidly good food, great ambience, great bar. It's American upscale food - nothing cutting edge, but still very good. Definitely give them a go.

Caprice Bistro
French. And well done French. Thierry knows what he's doing in a kitchen.

Mixto
Excellent Latin American. You must go. I love this place. Oh, the rum drink I had there last weekend was SO good.

Yo Sake
Sorry, but I haven't been to this one. I hear it's pretty good.

The Little Dipper
Ohhh, when I gave my last take on it for restaurant week, I got a very ugly comment that had nothing to do with the food and everything to do with my person. Sorry, but what I said still stands. I do not dig The Little Dipper. I think it's overpriced for food you basically have to cook yourself and the sauces are nothing special. If you like paying the price of a fully prepared chef meal for raw meat and some mediocre dipping sauces, go right ahead. I do not "get" fondue. And if you want to call me names, knock yourself out.

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse
Not to be ungenerous, but it's a chain. I've eaten there plenty for business in many different locations. They make a pretty good steak, but it's the same here as it is in Atlanta as it is in every other place I've ever visited. There are locally owned places that do a steak just as well.

Basics
Love this place. Need to get back for lunch soon and have a BLT.

Press 102
I've heard great things about them from fellow food lovers, but haven't made it there yet.

The Eat Spot
I like Eat Spot a lot. I've been several times and have always had consistently good food. That said, I have heard from a number of people I trust that sometimes it can be hit or miss and there have been a few not-so-great meals there. But I would expect that for Restaurant Week, they'll perform just fine.

Crow Hill
I love Crow Hill. I have not been since last week, when the chefs quit. However, the concept of the place is excellent, and frankly, I think it's pretty crummy for the entire kitchen staff to walk at once. I will continue to support them and hope that the food is as good as it was originally.

Midtown

Nicola's
I went once when they first opened and really wasn't very impressed. I'm sorry.

Priddyboys
Haven't heard anything about them and haven't been. You'll have to let me know!

Hieronymus
This place is down Market from us and I've eaten there a couple of times, but have never liked it very much. It's a standard seafood joint.

Henry's
Lunches are good enough. Never been there for dinner.

Saltworks II
Saltworks recently had a major makeover so their menu and food have apparently changed. Honestly, the couple of times I've eaten there, it's just been another greasy spoon - a lot of canned side dishes and nothing noteworthy. But I do want to give them another visit since they've done some revamping.

Jamaica's Comfort Zone
I love this place and need to get back there. Please do give them a try. Original, inventive, and solidly good food.

Flaming Amy's Burrito Barn
This is just a mainstay in Wilmington, and if you haven't been, you should. I never eat there - we always grab burritos on the run when we're headed to the beach or out for a sail. They've got some creative combos and the food is good. Their chips are pretty greasy, though, so I skip those.

Buffalo Wild Wings
Guys, I'm sorry. I'm just not a wings fan.

Flat Eddies
I haven't been there since they were Eddie Romanelli's and redid their menu. But from my food friends, I have not heard great things.

Wilmington North

The Melting Pot
Isn't this a chain? I'm pretty sure it is. Anyway, you know how I feel about fondue by now.

Catch
I have had some dissenting opinions about Catch, but I stand by my original take on it. I think Keith Rhodes is one of the best chefs in town, and I love his place.

Kornerstone
I haven't ever been, but I have heard good things about their pizza.

Port City Chop House
Another chain. I feel the same way about them as I do Ruth's Chris. They're good, but it's hard to mess up a steak. You can do better at a local non-chain restaurant, really.

Wrightsville Beach

South Beach Grill
I've always loved them. The owner is great, the chef is excellent, and it's a great place to go. If you haven't visited them yet, do yourself a favor and give them a try.

Verandah Cafe at Holiday Inn
Sorry, didn't even know about this place. Someone let me know if I should try them out.

East at the Blockade Runner
I keep meaning to get out there and keep forgetting. Maybe I'll scoot there this week and try them.

Wilmington South

Siena Tratorria
You can get a good glass of wine and a good dinner here. I like them, and we've eaten there quite a bit since a lot of our friends have desserted us and Midtown for greener and more Southerly pastures.

Cape Fear Seafood Company
I have heard great things about this place, and to my shame, still have not made it. Maybe this will be the week.

Eddie Romanelli's
I don't know anything about this new location. The one that was here in Wilmington was not very good. But hey, maybe they're doing better out there.

Pine Valley Market
I have several friends who live in that area of town and love, love, love Pine Valley Market. I should get out there and try them. Given what I've heard, you should, too.

Flaming Amy's Bowl
I've had lunch here a few times and it's good. I like the options and it's fun to create your own dish from what they have available. I love that they have buckwheat noodles.

Buffalo Wild Wings
See above.

Fish Bites
I am very sorry, but truly I had a terrible meal there, which is why there isn't a blog entry for it. Oh, it was just... not good.

Carolina Beach

Blackhorn Bar and Kitchen
I haven't been to this place. Someone let me know!

Crow Hill

2010-09-11T09:25:00.002-04:00

Crow Hill Restaurant and Bar
9 S. Front Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 228-5332
Open Wed,Sun 5:30pm-10pm
Thu-Sat 5:30pm-11pm

Liz's announcement of the opening in the Star-News.

For those of you from Wilmington, yes, Crow Hill is in Caffe' Phoenix's old spot. They've done a lovely job on the interior. The colors are warm and inviting and I love the blacksmithed tools and prints on the wall. We had a seat in the upstairs section, which allowed us to watch the coming and going and the bar crowd below. Fun!

The menu is short, which I like a lot. I would rather be given just a few choices than be overwhelmed with nine different fishes, six chicken dishes, and twelve cuts of beef. It's also often been my experience that when a place has only a few items on the menu, they can really throw their all into each of them, and the quality is excellent. That is definitely the case at Crow Hill.

There are a handful of signature cocktails, named after downtown streets and spots. I had the Red Cross Smash - a great medley of smashed berries, mint, bourbon and lime in a sugar-rimmed glass. The bartender clearly knew what he was doing. (Yes, it was a he. I watched him make my drink. There was a woman tending bar, too.) The wine list is limited, but good quality and from our view above, it looked like they had a good beer selection. (I forgot to look on the menu.)

Drinks came with a small clamp-lid jar of pickled vegetables. They were excellent, and obviously homemade. It was also a little off the beaten path and a surprisingly good accompaniment. It's not easy to do a vinegar-based something with drinks.

In the interest of getting a fair sampling from the menu (ahem) we each ordered an appetizer, Pootie had a salad, and we ordered different entrees and Pootie ordered a side of greens. For apps, I had the pickled eggs, stained a pretty purple but mildly flavored with a deviled dipping sauce (it was a dipping sauce of mustard, mayo and spices - just like a deviled egg). Man, they were good. Pootie had a bowl of marinated olives that were good quality and flavorful. He also ordered the plain green salad. They got the dressing spot-on. It was a lemon vinaigrette that wasn't sweet, but wasn't so puckery-tart that it tasted like floor cleaner. Perfectly balanced. (I have a problem with that in my own kitchen, so I respect a chef who can nail it.)

Pootie ordered the mountain trout, which came with a small-dice sweet potato hash with a little (I think) tasso ham and sweet onion. It was delicious. So was the trout. It was simply prepared, so you could taste the freshness of the fish. His side of greens was tender and flavorful without the noxious bitter edge I'm accustomed to with cooked greens. And they weren't just cooked to death and gloppy, either.

I had the chicken, which is kind of my litmus test for this kind of food. It's not as easy as you might think to pull off a perfectly cooked chicken, and very often it winds up being dry and tough and tasteless. This chicken was excellent. The skin was crispy and lemony-salty, and the meat was moist. It came with a side of a simple lemony panzanella and a seared lemon for squeezing on the chicken. That really made the flavor pop, too.

Pootie was thrilled to death that they had espresso available, and I went ahead and ordered the Compost Cookie in the interest of sharing with you a full range of their offerings. (ahem again). The two cookies came with an espresso cup of milk. Whole milk. Which we never have at home so it was like drinking cream. Perfect amount, and perfect with the cookies, which had a nice SALTY bite to them. You have no idea how happy I was about that. I really hate desserts that are just sweet. They need that salt to balance them out and this cookie has it. We shared one and brought the other one home. It's in the kitchen now, telling me lies about how it is the breakfast of champions.

The service was great. The wait staff were friendly, but not obsequious, and they didn't pull up a chair and visit with us. Our waitress knew the menu well and was able to make great suggestions. The guys who came to bus our table in between courses were nice and unobtrusive. There seemed to be good enthusiasm from all the staff for the restaurant, which is always nice to see.

One of the things I enjoyed the most about the experience was the attention to detail. The cutlery was cool and good quality (I want some forks like those!), the little clamp-lid jars of pickled veggies were neat and more interesting than just getting them on a plate, and Pootie's olives came in this gorgeous little olive-wood (yes) wooden bowl. I love stuff like that.

We were kind of shocked at how reasonable the bill was, given how much we ordered. That was a pleasant surprise. The price point is pretty middle-of-the road - $14 - $16 for high quality entrees.

We will definitely be back and will encourage everyone to go. Crow Hill is a great addition to the downtown restaurant scene.

Oh, hey, you know what else? They give you the leftovers (if there are any) in a cardboard container made from recycled materials. No Styrofoam! Rock!

Zoe's Kitchen

2010-08-31T09:23:00.000-04:00

Zoe's Kitchen
Mayfaire Town Center
1011 International Drive
Wilmington, NC 28405
Phone) (910) 509-2776

I really don't like to do this, but I was so impressed with this place that I just felt like I had to. I do not usually eat at chains, and I certainly don't put them up here for recommendations. But my, this place is cool! From the design to the cups made from corn (I have no idea) to the reasonably healthy and fresh Mediterranean-style food, Zoe's is a great place, and a welcome addition to the available chains in town. The service is unbelievably friendly and helpful, especially for a fast food type joint. We didn't experience any surliness here. Just young kids who acted like they actually enjoyed their job.

Phillip and I both had the tuna salad sandwich and their hibiscus green tea. The bread was whole wheat and the tuna salad tasted like tuna, not mayo and glaum. The rest of the menu looked intriguing, and it didn't appear that you'd have any difficulty finding a healthy meal with plenty of fresh fruits and veggies and whole grain bread.

If you need something fast for lunch and you want to keep it on the healthy side, definitely give Zoe's a try.

Update: I was so impressed with Zoe's food and service that I decided to use them to cater for backstage hospitality for a show. I went in while running errands and spoke with one of the owners - a very young man. He and a buddy have come up from Mobile, Alabama to open this location and he's motivated and excited. He loves Wilmington, loves the people, and loves his job. I got the catering all set up and again, the service I got was incredible. He brought the food out himself to Greenfield Lake and when it arrived, it was hot and delicious. He had taken it off the grill and prepared it minutes before putting it in the car and driving it all the way across town. Great call on letting them handle the food. Everyone loved it and I loved dealing with them. Their trays are reasonably priced and offer a good variety.

Mixto

2010-04-15T22:26:00.003-04:00

Mixto Restaurant‎
21 S Water St.
Wilmington, North Carolina 28401
(910) 399-4501‎

Mixto on Facebook

Update: 5/17/2010
Congratulations to chef Eric Gephart for winning Wilmington Top Chef in the Taste of Wilmington competition!

Former Water Street has been replaced by new Mixto Restaurant, a contemporary Latin restaurant. The interior has been brightened and lightened with bold slashes of color everywhere. The effect is pleasant, cheerful and a little exotic.

The cocktail menu promises real mojitos, with muddled mint, lime and sugar, and I thought the price was reasonable. The wine list was solid, and also reasonably priced. The beer list included Bohemia and Negro Modelo along with a good selection of other imports.

The salsa they served with the chips was fresh and bright and tasted as though it had been made recently, rather than dumped out of a container. If it wasn't made there, they fooled me. My husband ordered the ceviche, which the menu said was "local catch". It was a white fish of medium-firm texture, appropriate for ceviche, and he said it was nice and citrusy - not overpowered by onion, which is a dish-ruiner for both of us. I don't like ceviche, so no, I didn't try it. And you can't make me.

We both ordered the house salad with chipotle-ranch dressing. Now THAT was a proper salad! This wasn't one of those deals where someone in the kitchen grabs a handful of baby greens mix, throws it in a bowl, tops it with a sliced (and this time of year completely tasteless) roma tomato and a generous serving of nasty, raw, red onion (see "dish-ruiner" above) with a ramekin of dressing on the side. Someone actually took some thought and care with this baby. The greens were a standard mix, finely chopped red bell pepper was dotted throughout, along with small-dice mango, and it was topped with thinly shaved pickled red onion! Perfectly edible and didn't leave us with onion taste so strong that it ruined the ability to taste anything afterward. The chipotle-ranch had a hefty kick, but the bits of mango in the salad cut it to a balanced heat level. Impressive. And it was dressed the right amount. Not too much, not too little. (I think if a chef knows his or her way around a salad, it's dressed. It doesn't come out of the kitchen in a ramekin unless you insist on getting it that way.)

My multi-course husband also ordered the Sweet Potato and Corn Soup. It was a roughly pureed sweet potato soup with bites of corn. I liked it, he loved it. I thought it was just a little under-salted. For his main course, he got the chicken mole with black beans and yellow rice. The beans were a little smokey, firm and well-cooked - definitely not canned. The chicken was moist and had good flavor with mole on the side that was fresh-made. I ordered the Peruvian roasted chicken with black-eyed peas. It came with a blackberry sauce and the server picked out a perfect juicy red to go with it. It's nice to have wait staff that pay attention at the wine tastings and know their way around the selections. I was impressed with her pairing. Better than I could have done. (All right, fine, that's not saying much, but still, she was good.)

Serving sizes were exactly what we like. We were satisfied but not stuffed when we finished.

One of the dessert offerings was vanilla ice cream with dulce du leche and no way was I walking out of there without trying that. I was really surprised when the ice cream came out white. The dulce du leche I am used to is caramel-colored. This ice cream was lightly drizzled with a sauce I could barely see, and frankly, I couldn't taste it much, either. I questioned the server about it, and she explained that their dulce du leche came from Chile and was vey pale. I believed her, but she was nice enough to bring me a small side serving of it so I could see it and taste it better. It was delicious, but I do prefer mine more caramelized. That was a little too mild for me, and I do think that dessert could stand a bit more drizzled on there.

Prices were reasonable on everything. We're happy to have another great choice for downtown dining.

The Eat Spot

2010-03-24T21:45:00.005-04:00

The Eat Spot
34 North Front StreetWilmington, NC 28401
(910) 763 5366
Lunch and Dinner
On Facebook

And hey! Here's Liz Biro's review!

The Eat Spot is fairly new to downtown. It's on the corner of Front and Princess unfortunately slap dab in the middle of the street construction going on right now. (Look at that. Now I'll have to come back and edit this when they're finished.) It IS open, though, so don't let the fencing and rubble deter you from going on in!

It's a long, open welcoming space, casual with bar and lots of warm wood. I thoughtlessly opted to eat upstairs, not registering the fact that our poor waitress would have to run up and down the stairs multiple times to take care of us. (I did apologize when I finally realized that.) We were there on a slow night, so we could easily have sat downstairs, I just wanted to see what it looked like up there. It's a nice, cozy space, and I would favor that spot again, frankly.

The menu, like the food, is simple. And I like that about the place. It knows what it is - it's a step above bar food, but doesn't try to stretch into the realm of fine dining. There was a good selection of inexpensive wine and beer, plus a basic bar. There was a "bar food" section for nibbles. The salads are classic - greek, caesar, garden, etc. to which you can add chicken or seafood. But the salad dressings available are a notch more interesting than ranch and balsamic vinaigrette. A toasted black pepper ranch was listed, as well as a mustard-horseradish dressing that Phillip ordered on his green salad. The greens were fresh and clean, with a nice blend of lettuce types. I had my doubts about the dressing when he ordered it ("pungent", I figured), but it turned out not to be as sharp as I thought. It still packed a lot of flavor, but was a smooth mix of brown seeded mustard with just a touch of horseradish.

The sandwich options all looked good. Again, fairly solid standards, but a good assortment of them. BBQ chicken, crab cake, a reuben (which I will be trying at some point), a pub buger, fish tacos in corn tortillas, and a chicken pita wrap were included in an extensive list.

Since we went for dinner, we weren't really looking much at the sandwiches. There were a handful of basic plates that all looked plain, but good. Phillip ordered the pork chops with caramelized sweet potatoes, apples, and wilted spinach. I ordered the chicken with roasted potatoes and also had the wilted spinach. To be perfectly honest, I was a little poopy about the dinner I ordered, until I got it. The Fourth Grader in me was having an inner tantrum about not getting a burger with the "fried cheese grits" (I'd be interested to see those) or the PBR-battered onion rings. We were already eating a late dinner, though, and I did NOT need that meal sitting in my stomach that close to bedtime to just creep on down to my butt and thighs while I slept. We waited for our dinners, and I sulked, just sure that I was going to get some dried-out, sad little grilled chicken breast with a spoonful of pitiful little potatoes and some slimy spinach. Thank goodnes was I wrong, or I'd have sulked all the way home.

In one of the Michael Ruhlman books I just read about the Culinary Institute of America, one of the instructors makes the point that if you can't properly cook a chicken breast, you pretty much can't cook. The Eat Spot can properly cook a chicken breast. It arrived at the table moist, hot, and sauced lightly in a good, but not too heavy pan gravy. The potatoes were roasted perfectly - nice and tender with a crispy edge. And the spinach, which usually disappoints me because it's cooked too close to slimy, was flavored with garlic and wilted just enough to have a little crunch. Phillip's pork chops were fast-grilled and served over sweet potatoes that had a little glaze, but not so much that they were icky sweet. The apple was done just as well - a little bite to them, not mushy like applesauce. My only complaint about it is that it was all just a little underseasoned, but as anyone in my family will tell you, I like my salt.

It wasn't lofty food. Just plain-Jane pub fare done well and reasonably priced. It's the kind of meal you can go out to eat and say "Hmmm.... I probably could have cooked this at home, but not any better than this, and I didn't HAVE to cook it or clean up after it, and it didn't set me back much more than a trip to the grocery would have." It's going to be another downtown spot we'll frequent on nights when we don't want fussy, we just want to eat something wholesome and close by.

Catch Market Street Location

2010-03-12T08:14:00.001-05:00

Catch Modern Seafood
6623 Market Street
Wilmington NC
910.799.3847
Lunch: Mon-Sat 11-3pm /Dinner: Mon & Tues... 5:30-10pm, Wed-CLOSED (3/10), Thurs-Sat 5:30-10pm, Closed on Sundays. 6623 Market Street #799-3847

Update: 4/29/10:
Catch gets a nod from well-respected cookbook author Jean Anderson.

We have been waiting for this a long time, people. Catch is by far my favorite lunch place downtown, and Keith Rhodes has been working on opening the Market Street location for dinner for quite a while. So when he announced its opening, I couldn't make reservations fast enough.

My husband and I went with his parents. There was a reasonable crowd, given the crappy weather - it had been pouring rain off and on all day, and that tends to keep people at home. The new place looks great. I know that Keith and his friends and family did most of the work themselves, and they can definitely pat themselves on the back. It's lovely. Not overdone at all. Sparse and elegant, and they scored those GORGEOUS light fixtures from Tayste downtown that closed a couple of years ago. They look like clear glass grape clusters and I love them. They up the level of decor significantly.

Before I get to the food, I'm just going to mention that the service was great, but they're still getting their chops. There was a little bit of confusion with service - it seemed like there was a little bit of "Where's the ____????" going on with the staff, but they were pleasant and cheerful, and all very excited about the opening, so who cares about a couple of minor hiccups? Everyone who works there seems to be invested in the success of the restaurant, which is so nice to see. And the food was worth it, at any rate.

The wine list was balanced, without offering too much or too little, and the prices were pretty standard. Phillip and I ordered apps and a salad and a main course, which we normally don't do, but I wanted to try a large variety of Keith's food and we were also starving. Plus, we shared, of course.

I ordered one of the appetizer specials - a crostini with crab, and it was perfect. One of my common complaints about crostini is that the bread is too toasted and just tears up your mouth without providing much flavor. Not Keith's. The bread was a thinly sliced baguette, lightly toasted so that it was crisp, but not hard, and chewy in the middle. It was topped with a crab salad that was mostly fresh, delicous crab, and not a lot of goop. Phillip ordered the pork lettuce wraps - generous portions of barbecued pork, wrapped in soft butter lettuce.

They all ordered the sweet potato salad for their salad course, which I would suspect is Keith's most popular salad. If you haven't had it at his downtown location, try it here. It's wonderful. Chunks of roasted sweet potatoes on fresh greens with dried cranberries that aren't too tart. I had a salad with shitake mushrooms and an asian dressing that was tasty, but kind of wished I'd had the sweet potato one instead.

For mains, Phillip had the tuna, which was seared rare, thinly sliced over buckwheat noodles and wilted spinach. The noodles and spinach were dressed in a mildly sweet/tangy sauce, but nothing to overpower the flavor of the tuna. My mother-in-law had the walnut tempura shrimp, served over ribbons of cooked zucchini - oh MAN, that shrimp was good! Crispy, sweet, full of flavor, and perfectly done inside and fresh. My father-in-law ordered the catfish, which was cooked in a pretty hot spice rub and supposed to be served over grits, but Keith ran out of grits and asked if he could serve it with the truffled mac and cheese instead. Since my father-in-law dislikes grits anyway, that was fine by him. He did think the catfish was a little too hot for his tastes, and after a bite, I agreed - for me. If you like spicy, you'll love it. It was just a little too much for us. I ordered the duck, which was served with Keith's barbecue sauce and the truffled mac and cheese. FINALLY a decent barbecue sauce in Eastern NC! You'll have to excuse us all - this family is from Memphis and the nearby area, and the sauce there is not just seasoned vinegar. We're trying to learn to like it, but it's such a nice surprise to be served real Memphis sauce, whether Keith realizes that's what he's making or not. The mac and cheese was mild and creamy and a perfect foil to the tangy sauce on the duck.

One of the things I've always loved about Catch is the portion size. You can order like a pig (like P. and I did) but not have to eat like one. The amount of food is reasonable, and you leave feeling satisfied, but not stuffed.

We're all so happy for Keith that he's launched his dinner location, and will definitely be back. For now, his downtown location is closed, but his plan is to put it back online with a new menu sometime this summer, so stay tuned!

San Juan Cafe

2010-03-12T07:25:00.000-05:00

San Juan Cafe
3314 Wrightsville Ave
Wilmington, NC 28403
Business: (910) 798-9940

San Juan Cafe has taken over the spot Nagila occupied for several years. They haven't changed much about the decor, but obviously the menu is completely different.

My first trip was for lunch. I had the black bean toastadas and a side of beans and rice. The black beans were mashed and spicy and placed on top of some really good corn tortillas, then topped with chopped green beans and sour cream. It made for interesting texture and the flavors went together well. The beans for the beans and rice were brothy, using red beans and chunks of potato. Good, but a little under-seasoned.

The next visit was with my husband for dinner. We both ordered a cup of the soup of the day, which was an artichoke and chickpea. Again, unfortunately a little under-seasoned, but a couple of shots of salt helped bring the flavors out nicely. Lots of chunks of artichoke and chickpeas floating in broth - it was good. Not great, but good.

My husband ordered a spinach and portabello mushroom and artichoke salad. He enjoyed it a lot. I got a little house salad that was just fine.

For the main, Phillip ordered the chicken and I ordered the pork. I know, I should have asked for a menu. They don't seem to have one online and I can't remember what the dishes were called. Mine was a pork chop, well-seasoned and fast-grilled - perfect. It came with a side of steamed then mashed and crisped plantains that was new to me and tasty. It was a pretty hefty serving, so P. helped me with it. His chicken came with a small piece of roasted sweet potato. (He said his only comment would be that he'd have liked a little less chicken and slightly more sweet potato, but that's quibbling - the chicken was well-seasoned with a rub and perfectly cooked.)

Just good, simple food with a few interesting twists thrown in. Overall, I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5, probably. We'll definitely go back. Service was great and the overall atmosphere was cheerful and pleasant.

Wilmington Top Chef competition - A Taste of Wilmington

2010-03-07T13:11:00.001-05:00

I've attended this event for two years - the first year to support our friend Marc. He and his wife Sara, as you know, have Marc's on Market. Marc won the first year, and was up against some excellent competition with Keith Rhodes (who is regionally renowned) and James Bain, who used to own one of the best restaurants in town. (Before he had babies and decided he actually wanted to see them once in a while.) And we attended last year to help them serve dessert at their booth (a dessert whose base recipe came from yours truly!), while Marc judged. He wasn't eligible for competition last year.

And as this year's voting kicks off, he apparently isn't eligible this year, either, despite being told that he was only out for one year. They changed the rules this year and made it three years ineligibility for prior winners. I don't fundamentally have an issue with this, but I have some criticism of the way this event is being set up.

First of all, in a town this size, I think it's incumbent upon the organization to state very clearly on the voting page that prior winners are not eligible to compete for three years. This is buried somewhere in the contest rules, that ordinary consumers are not going to read. Memories are short, and the absence of the past two years' (and soon to be three) winners from the nomination list is bad publicity for those restaurants. The voters are just as likely to assume that the restaurant has gone downhill as make any other assumption, and I think by not stating that somewhere obvious, they are doing the past winners a tremendous disservice.

Second, the voting procedure itself unfortunately renders the nomination process utterly meaningless. There is no check on voting, so it's extremely easy to stuff the ballot box. You can vote as many times as you like. So instead of being reflective of a true customer following, we wind up with nominees who are simply good at getting their existing base to vote early and vote often. I'm happy for these places that they have an uber-loyal following, but restaurants with an older clientele, who aren't especially internet-savvy or even internet-interested will vote once, and only once, and think their vote counts. When in reality, for their vote to count, they probably need to submit it a hundred times. There should be a simple registration process in place to prevent (as much as possible) this multiple-vote per person problem, and make the finalist list meaningful.

The Top Chef nomination and narrowing process aside, I do think this event is worth attending. Each year, more restaurants are participating. They provide food samples, you get to meet the chefs, try local wines, and it's been a great way for me to discover new restaurants I didn't know about. The exposure factor is terrific. And the competition is fun to watch.

I hope this event continues to grow, but I do hope it grows with integrity. However, for it to do so, there needs to be a layer of sophistication added to the process that is currently lacking.

Marc's on Market Seasonal Restaurant Changes

2009-10-27T15:58:00.000-04:00

Yay! Marc's on Market has their fall menu changes ready! I happen to know that Marc scored a LOT of gorgeous chestnuts from the Farmer's Market downtown, and they're making their appearance. Looking forward to trying out the new stuff, and being able to eat Brussels sprouts, since Phillip won't eat them.

Check their new menu.

Aubriana's

2009-10-27T08:36:00.003-04:00

Aubriana's
115 S Front Street
Wilmington, NC
910 763 7773

The atmosphere at Aubriana's is great. Exposed brick walls, dark and cozy, white tablecloths, small and intimate space, candles, tables in the windows...a great dining experience. (The ladies room is equally elegant.) But the atmosphere is nothing if the food isn't good. Fortunately, Aubriana's pulls off both well.

At first glance, the menu and the wine selection seem a little limited. It makes sense, though, the more you think about it. If what you offer is high quality, you don't need an enormous variety. And it certainly makes better business sense to not have thirty different kinds of wine available by the glass when your restaurant has about 15 tables. It's a better experience for the diner as well. You know the wine you're getting is going to be fresh, and not from a bottle that's been sitting there open for weeks. As for the food, the chef can concentrate his efforts on perfecting each dish rather than developing a cafeteria-sized menu of offerings.

I'd say the chef at Aubriana's has just about perfected what he cooks, too. I ordered the house salad with the roasted tomato and bacon dressing. The greens were feather-light, and dressed perfectly. The dressing had a nice, smokey flavor that was well-balanced with tart vinegar. My only complaint at all was that the tomato was obviously just garnish - it was on the side and mealy and tasteless. Tomato this time of year is just iffy - even the ones I've gotten down at the Farmer's Market aren't that great. It's just past time for them. I'd have preferred them not present at all on the plate. Phillip had the Caesar salad, which was also excellent. The croutons were slightly stale, but still tasted good, and the dressing was excellent, the greens crisp, and of course it came with anchovies, which it should.

Phillip ordered the Sunburst Mahi, which was a cashew crusted mahi with a citrus mashed potato and a mango/vanilla sauce beautifully decorating the plate. The potatoes were a surprising flavor that was actually delicious and complimented the fish perfectly. The sauce was more than just a decoration. It was bursting with flavor and really made the fish sing, so to speak.

I ordered the veal chop saltimbocca. It was a very generous portion of tender, well-seasoned veal, wrapped in proscuitto and topped with good-quality mozarella. The pan sauce was salty perfection, and the asparagus was tender-crisp and delicious, not just there for a token something green. (Which is often what my vegetables wind up being.) Our waiter selected a nice red that had some juicy berry flavors that went with the dinner "just right".

Ordinarily, I don't order dessert, but dinner was so good, I wasn't ready to stop eating. And the desserts are all made in-house. How could I refuse? Double chocolate peanut butter pie for me, thanks. Oh, my! The crust was chocolate wafer, filled with a rich not-too-sweet peanut butter creamy filling, topped with a chocolate ganache. I ate way too much of it and am going to have to double up my workouts for a week to pay for that, but it was worth it.

Service was attentive without being obsequious. He was knowledgeable about the food and wine, pleasant but unintrusive.

As is typical of Wilmington, the clientele ran the gamut, from slightly dressed up older folks like us, to a group of young people in T-shirts and jeans. What I'm saying is, don't fret about having to get your tiara out to eat here. Like everyplace else in town, it's upscale, but user-friendly.

Update 11/25/09: Here is Liz Biro's review from the Star-News. (She rocks)

Wilmington Restaurant Week - 2009

2009-10-13T16:55:00.000-04:00

Encore Magazine is running a promotion with several local restaurants to boost business this fall in the form of Wilmington Restaurant Week. It's taking place October 21 - 28 (that's 2009, if this blog gets pulled up five years from now due to some weird search glitch). There are 28 restaurants participating. Each restaurant will offer a prix fixe menu at discounted prices. You can check out who is participating and what their days of participation and menu offerings are here.

Here is the list. If I have an opinion on the place, I'll either link it to a review, or if I haven't reviewed it, I'll give a brief rundown of my experience, for what it's worth. I'm breaking my rule a little on this - I don't normally say bad things about places, I just don't blog about them if I don't like them. But if I don't like the food at any of these, I'm going to let you know. (This time ONLY!)

The Melting Pot - New, and I haven't eaten there, but I have issues with fondue (see below).

Aubriana's - My friend Liz, whose opinion I value highly, says it's good. I will probably give them a go for this event.

Siena Trattoria - This is one of our favorite places. We love their pizza, and their pasta, while not the best I've ever had, is pretty good.

Fat Tony's Italian Pub - It's OK. It's Pub Food. I like the Copper Penny much better, but Fat Tony's downtown has a nice, laid-back vibe and a good beer selection.

Henry's - I've had lunch there a few times and drinks a couple of times. Their wine list is OK, their food is fine, but doesn't REALLY impress me.

Ruth's Chris Steak House - I really dislike this chain, and always have. I haven't eaten at the one locally, but have had many a business meal at the others all around the country. It's fine. It's steak. But it is exhorbitantly expensive (seriously? I have to PAY for a baked potato that isn't even baked properly? It's wrapped in foil, rubbery and steamed? seriously?). You can get just as good a steak at some of the nicer restaurants in town, and they'll throw in sides that are much more imaginative than steamed broccoli and a day-old rubber potato as part of the meal!

Eddie Romanelli's - WILMINGTON - I know I am going to tick off a lot of Eddie Romanelli fans, but they do a booming business without my endorsement. I honestly do not think their food is very good. I've eaten there a few times at the behest of others, and have never had anything I liked. It's pretty standard tomato based Italian fare without much flavor. (Sorry! Someone's going to whack me for that.)

Eddie Romanelli's - LELAND - Haven't been to this one, but figure it's going to be about the same as the one here in Wilmington.

Hell's Kitchen - Hell's Bells! Why haven't I blogged about Hell's Kitchen! I need to remedy that. They are good pub food. Basic, standard stuff, but good. It's definitely a dive, but funky and fun, and I like eating there occasionally.

East (inside Blockade Runner) - Well, here's one I don't even know about. I'll have to check it.

Caffe Phoenix - I need to give Caffe Phoenix another try. We have a story similar to everyone else who has lived here as long or longer than we have: When we first moved here, Caffe Phoenix was one of our favorite restaurants. (I don't know how many people I know have said that - lots.) Then it got sold, and kind of went to pot. Then it started physically falling apart (the building was not maintained). Then there was some drama and scandal about the people who bought it. Something about not paying a bunch of people and leaving. I don't know - rumors. Then it closed for a while and was renovated. Then it reopened and I had lunch there and it was OK but not great, and I didn't go back. We need to try them for dinner and just see what's going on.

South Beach Grill - Best place on the beach, in my opinion. Even if it's on the sound side.

Riverboat Landing - I had lunch there once and had some of the best quiche I've ever had. I'm really not sure why I haven't been back. We should go for dinner and check it out.

Wrightsville Grille - I don't have a good bead on this place. I haven't heard anything about it, good, bad or indifferent. I should give them a try.

Deluxe - It used to be my favorite restaurant. But lately they've seen a shuffle. Keith Rhodes, who was the chef, left very recently, and we haven't been in a while. The food the past few times we went (before he left) was inconsistent and in some cases, disappointing, which is why I haven't blogged about it. I'm curious to see what happens now that Keith has moved on and they figure out what direction they're going to take.

Buoy 32 Bistro - We ate there and were not impressed. My husband's meal was so-so, and mine was really almost bad. The chef was screaming at the staff the night we were there, the food came out at an unbelievably slow pace, and there were only four other people there. I suppose it could have been a bad night, and I'll cut them some slack, because others have said they love the food, but I'm still not going back.

Hieronymus Seafood - Another Wilmington favorite that we aren't partial to. It's right down the road from us, but it's just not the kind of food we really enjoy. It's seafood, but kind of boring preparation mostly.

Islands Fresh Mex Grille - Don't know this one. Will have to check it out.

Nikki's Fresh Gourmet and Sushi - Nikki's is one of our standbys. We love the sushi, and they have a good wine and beer list.

Oceanic - OK. Close your ears, people. I'm going to be not very nice here. Oceanic food is TERRIBLE! I mean it! It's awful! Now, this is not about to hurt their business. They're the only place at Wrightsville with a beach view, and they apparently know it. I always cringe when I hear the old guy at the airport who greets tourists telling everyone to go eat there. I don't know if he's getting a kickback or what, but if you're a tourist, do NOT waste your money going there! Everything is battered and fried and I swear came out of a frozen Sysco box. If you want to eat at Wrightsville, eat at South Beach Grille. (See above).

Nikki's Hibachi Steak House - Oh, it's fun, but I like their sushi better.

Bluewater - Bluewater is all right. It's got a lovely view, and above average food. Nothing there knocked my socks off, but you can have an enjoyable meal there for prices that won't make you think you've lost your mind when you leave.

Sticky Fingers - My husband is from Memphis. I am from about an hour away from Memphis. Trust me when I say that is NOT Memphis barbecue. It is too sweet for starters. But that said, I like it better than NC 'cue. (Hey, give me a break. I'm not FROM here. We don't cook meat, toss vinegar on it and call it barbecue where I'm from.)

Caprice Bistro - I love Caprice. They have everything going for them. Excellent food, great ambiance, professional wait staff - you can't go wrong here.

Priddy Boys - Don't know them. Will have to check them out.

Yo Sake - Haven't been there. Have heard mixed reviews from friends.

Cape Fear Seafood Company - I've heard very good word-of-mouth on this place and it's on my list to try. Maybe I'll hit them during the restaurant week.

Little Dipper - OK. Here's the thing. For some reason, fondue is popular again. Now, truly, I love the melted cheese part. That's fine. And it's pretty good at Little Dipper. But the meats? I'm sorry. When someone brings me my dinner, I have to cook it, and the sauces they give me are just mediocre, why am I paying as much as if a chef prepared said meat and provided me a delicious, original, imaginative meal WITH sides? You don't know either? Huh. Maybe I don't "get" fondue. But the couple of times I've eaten there, I've left with an empty wallet, (it's expen$$ive), a mostly empty belly, and an empty feeling like I just paid a lot for a meal that wasn't very satisfying.

So there's my personal take on the restaurants participating in Restaurant Week. I hope they really do well, though, and get a lot of folks out to discover new places they haven't tried. Wilmington really does have a lot of good locally owned eateries.

Wilmington Visitors Restaurant Tour

2009-10-10T17:22:00.000-04:00

My parents are coming for a visit next week, so I've been planning the days around food, of course. My tentative itenerary so far:

Thursday Lunch: Osteria Chiccetti. They arrive around noon, and Mom has already said they're going to be hungry. They can't check in to their Bed and Breakfast (The Verandas) until 3:00, so we'll go straight from the airport out to the Forum and eat lunch. After that, we'll rat around Mayfaire and let them shop a little. I'm sure we'll wind up at Fresh Market so my dad, Mr. Snack, can load up on squirrel food and Jelly Bellies. (I come by that predilection honestly.)

Thursday Dinner: Since we'll have been shopping and mostly relaxing, I'll cook dinner that night so they can visit with the furry grandchildren and us.

Friday: I'll pick them up and probably wander around downtown some in the morning. Then we'll lunch at Catch. From Catch, I want to take them to La Gemma Italian Bakery on 17th Street. I've tried some of their bite-size pastries at tasting events, but haven't actually been to the bakery. Everyone should enjoy that. From there, I'll take them to Aerlie Gardens so they can see that. They've never been, and it's beautiful, even this time of year when there's not much blooming. For dinner, we'll take them to Marc's on Market, where they can have an excellent meal, and meet our friends Marc and Sara.

Saturday: I'm looking for a good place to do lunch in the Carolina Beach area. We're going to take them down to Fort Fisher and the Aquarium, and I wanted to go somewhere down there. I've got requests in to some friends for recommendations, because I just don't get down there that often. For dinner, we're going to head out to Brasserie du Soleil. They'll both enjoy the salads and Dad will love the Pommes Frites as much as I do.

I'll give everyone a rundown of the weekend once we're done, and re-review the places we've chosen. Mom and Dad are both pretty picky eaters, so feeding them can be a real challenge. We'll see how it goes!

NoFo

2009-09-26T15:54:00.004-04:00

NoFo
The Forum Shopping Center
1125 Military Cutoff Road
Wilmington, NC 28405
Café phone 910.256.5565
Retail 910.256.0467

I'm not really sure why I haven't written about NoFo before. I've certainly eaten there plenty, so it's not exactly a new discovery. I think it's just been long enough that I'd forgotten that it's really a pretty good eatery. They have expanded into Raleigh and Charlotte now as well.

NoFo is one of those places that Southern Ladies like to eat. You know who I'm talking about. The ones that greet each other in squealy puppy voices? "Ohhhhhh, its sew good tew SEEEE yew!! How HAVE yew beeyun??" Yeah, those girls. It's OK. I can say that, because I'm born and bred here in the South, and these are my peeps. I'm not insulting them, it's just what you're going to hear when you go in there. (I asked my husband if I did that and he looked at me like I had leeches crawling out of my ears. Apparently not.)

There are plenty of men there too, though. After all, my husband was there with me. There's a shop next to it that sells soaps and cookbooks and cute stuff for kids (including those way cool old hokey joke toys like the gum package with the little thing that snaps your finger and a boutonniere that squirts you in the face), so if you have to wait for a table, there are things to look at.

But the food is what you want to hear about, of course. The menu is flush with a creative quiche of the day, soup, salads, and sandwiches, as well as homemade desserts that are showcased when you walk in the door. The turkey rueben is very good, as is their thai chicken wrap. The tomato basil soup is creamy and fresh tasting. And one of our favorite things is their salad bar. They make the salad for you, but you select what goes in it from the counter. A generous bowl is filled with whatever you like - crisp, fresh lettuce, roasted red peppers, crunchy hearts of palm, real minced bacon, several different cheeses, including a very good creamy goat cheese, shredded carrots, fresh cucumber - pretty much anything you might want on a salad. The nice thing about it is that all the components taste really fresh. Nothing tastes like it came out of an industrial-size can. The dressing selection is fine, and you can opt for a tasty piece of foccacia alongside.

It's a great lunch spot. The brunch menu looked good also, but we'll have to try that another time. Cocktails are also available, so you can enjoy a Bloody Mary or a nice glass of wine with your quiche, or a beer with your softshell crab BLT. It's a very family-friendly place, with plenty of things kids will eat too.

Jamaica's Comfort Zone

2009-07-19T08:42:00.002-04:00

Jamaica's Comfort Zone
417 S. College Road . Unit #24
Wilmington, NC 28403
910.399.2867

This little gem is tucked back in University Commons shopping plaza off College. It's definitely worth seeking out. The service is really excellent - one of the owners took good care of us and made sure we were happy with everything.

Melissa ordered their goat curry, which was good, but pretty salty. The rice cut the salt well, though. I tasted it and agreed it was salty, but good. I'd never had goat before, and it was interesting. Gamey, but not at all tough, and the curry sauce really enhanced the flavor well.

I ordered the chicken Roti, which was chicken and potatoes wrapped in a delicious thin pancake that I think was cornmeal based. It was big as my leg (which is sizeable), so I had plenty to take home and feed to my husband. Melissa also had quite a bit of her goat left. The servings are generous, the prices are low, the service is outstanding and the food is good. Definitely a lunch place I'll visit again.

El Fogon

2009-07-18T11:29:00.001-04:00

El Fogon
1015-A S. Kerr Ave., at Cedar Avenue
Wilmington, NC

This is the second restaurant that has moved in where my beloved El Guajiro used to be. I loved that Cuban place. I like this place. It's Mexican, but authentic Mexican, and very tasty. I actually went there with my friend Liz, and here is her review, which is much better worded than mine.

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20090708/ARTICLES/907084006

She rocks.

The one thing about this place that concerns me for its survival is that it's kind of iffy, service-wise. I tried to meet other friends there several weeks ago for lunch, and they were having their family meal in there and said they weren't opening until 1:00. This is with a group of 5 of us standing outside wanting to eat. Since it was noon, we went elsewhere. When I met Liz there, they were open, but the television was blaring so loudly that we had to ask them to turn it down so we could hear each other.

As far as the food goes, though, it's good. Friends of ours who cruised Baja and Mexico claim it's very authentic. I had the empanada, nice and crispy and stuffed with beef. Mmmmm... I also had a bite of Liz's tamale, which was plain, but sweet and satisfying filled with corn. Their beans and rice were also good - not as good as El Guajiro's, but still hit the spot.

I would definitely recommend hitting them up for a nice cheap lunch. It's worth the blaring teevee. (Ask them to turn it down.)

New Tack with Restaurant reviews

2009-07-18T11:27:00.001-04:00

I have been thinking about this, and have decided that since I'm really not going out too many places that just knock my socks off, maybe I'll just post every place I'm going these days and give you the upshot and the downshot. At least then there will be some activity on this page. So stay tuned for some new posts!

Recent update

2009-03-27T18:31:00.002-04:00

Hey folks. Thanks again for stopping by. The restaurant scene in Wilmington has been fairly tumultuous in the past several months, thanks to the tanking economy, among other things. We haven't been eating out much at all except for lunches, mainly because we're trying out a round of new healthy food recipes and menus at home, but wanted to let you know that most of the reviews still stand.

The unfortunate exception is El Guajiro, my favorite (and only) Cuban place. It closed some time ago, and I miss it terribly.

For recent openings, I highly recommend Liz Biro's column at the Star News online. She and I usually agree pretty closely on restaurant reviews, and she's still getting out.

I promise, when I try a new place, or go back to an old place, I'll let you know. Meanwhile, you can catch up with what we're doing at home at the above link.

Cheers!

Caprice Bistro

2008-10-27T19:06:00.002-04:00

Caprice Bistro
10 Market St
Wilmington, NC 28401

We've eaten at Caprice Bistro before, and it was quite good. But the last time we ate there, I was a little fuzzy on what we'd had and such, so I didn't post about it. We ate there again this past Saturday night, and I paid a little closer attention.

The owners of Caprice had opened Zooi Bistro out at the Forum, which we'd eaten at several times and loved. Unfortunately, they did close it, and focused their attention back on Caprice, downtown, which has been successful for years. For good reason. It's a pleasant, intimate space, with a crack wait staff, a good wine list, and an excellent menu.

We met a friend of ours there for dinner. Because of the season, the specials were "Oktoberfest" oriented. There was a rabbit braise, which I had, a charcutrie plate that was actually kind of a German Sausage plate, that our friend, Derek had. Phillip opted for a "lighter" dinner of a cheese plate, French Onion Soup, and the Tapas Plate, which wound up probably being more food than Derek and I had with our entrees.

The sausage on Derek's plate was delicious, from the taste that I had. It tasted homemade, and probably was. My rabbit was very rich, and I didn't manage to finish it, but leftovers are always welcome. Phillip's soup was up there with my top French Onion Soups - it wasn't too rich - light and brothy, but with a sweet caramlized onion flavor, and plenty of crouton without being too much, and good quality cheese on top. The cheeses on his cheese plate order were a good representative sample of mild, soft, sharp and hard.

Our waiter was point-on. Never obtrusive, but always at your elbow when you even thought you might need him. He was knowledgeable about the food and wine, helpful when placing our orders, and attentive without intruding.

The evening was lovely, and we owe Derek big time for it. Thanks, Derek!

Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar

2008-09-07T07:43:00.007-04:00

www.oceangrill.us1211
S Lake Park Blvd
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
(910) 458-2000

I'm torn about whether to put the Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar here at all, since I am focusing on the best places to eat. I should probably start by saying the food is no great shakes - at least the meal I had last night. It wasn't the worst I've had, but it was far from the best.

But food aside for just one post, it's a cool little place. We went with friends to watch another friend play a gig there last night. It was a great night to be out on the beach, watching the surfers try to take advantage of the last of Tropical Storm Hanna. The place was crawling with little people (literally) - our friends brought their two young boys. It is one of the most family-friendly places in the area I've seen where parents would actually want to go. The friends we went with ran into tons of other parents they knew. The kids were all running around on the beach, in plain view of their laid-back parents, who were sipping drinks, chatting with each other, calling their kids' races from above on the pier, and listening to the band. Service was better than I thought it would be - we didn't have to wait long at all for our food orders.

You can eat out on the pier, or even take your food down to the beach and sit out there and eat. Service items are unceremonious and not exactly earth-friendly - they bring it out in paper containers with plastic forks and packages of salt and pepper. But for the ability to drag it down to the beach, it makes sense.

All in all, it's a pleasant experience. The kids were having a ball, the parents were able to relax and enjoy themselves, the people who didn't have kids were also having a great time, and food aside, it's a place worth visiting. I have no idea how the food is in the restaurant inside, but with a lovely night like that out by the beach, I didn't especially care.

If you sit through the video, in order of appearance: Me (andie), Melissa (friend and wife of Ned, drummer for the band), part of Phillip's head, David and Jenn and their boys Shea and Mac (we came with them), Melissa (again) and her beautiful daughter Liza, (their boy Levi was somewhere down on the beach), and then the Mason Smith Band performing, with our buddy Ned playing drums.

Britt's Donut Shop

2008-08-11T13:32:00.003-04:00

#11 Boardwalk
Carolina Beach, NC

I guess it can't really be considered a restaurant, as it specializes in only one thing, but OMG it does it to perfection. This amazing little place is known as Britt's Donut Shop.

Britt's serves a raised, glazed donut so magical, my children will mind their manners and go to bed without arguing for days for a promise of a visit to Britt's. When eaten warm, these donuts simply melt in your mouth so fast, you find yourself reaching for another one without even considering what it will do to your diet. Ok, I'll have to admit, even when a day old (it is very rare to have them last that long at our house), I still find myself licking my fingers and debating a road trip for another batch. And it's oh-so-convenient to blame it on the kids!

Britt's is well-known with the Carolina and Kure Beach crowds, as it is right on the boardwalk at Carolina Beach. It's open only in the "season", 8:30am - 11pm through Labor Day, then weekends-only until Oct. 1.

I'll make you a deal - if you go to Britt's and don't like your donut - bring the rest of your dozen (or two) to me and I'll gladly take them off your hands!

Brasserie du Soleil

2008-08-06T12:31:00.004-04:00

Brasserie du Soleil
http://www.brasseriedusoleil.com/
908 Eastwood Rd.
Lumina Station
Wilmington, NC
910.256.22261

I wonder how long I can blog about the pommes frites at Brasserie and still hold anyone's attention? Man, those things rock. Best fries in town, hands-down. Crisp on the outside, fluffy tender on the inside, just salty enough - now I probably sound like Florence Henderson doing a Wesson Oil commercial. Anyway, they're perfect, and I love me some. They serve them with aioli and ketchup, both good.

About the restaurant - it's bustling, kind of loud, boisterous, and fun. If you're looking for a silent dinner, don't go here. I think it's great. They have seating outside (which right now I can't bear to think about since the heat index is around a hundred). It overlooks the fountain and courtyard at Lumina Station and in better weather, is very pleasant.

The wine list is tops, without being ridiculous. I love a place that offers a sane number of wines by the glass. You are more assured of getting a fresh serving, just for starters, and it's not overwhelming. The house wines are good quality.

The Brasserie Salad allows you to build your favorite from a large list of fresh ingredients. And they are all fresh - at least the ones I've used on the salads I've built. They've got some stuff on that list, too -- everything from bacon (yay!) to beets (boo!). (I know. It's a limitation of mine. But I'm willing to live with it.)

The onion soup is the way it should be - brothy, not too heavy, full of smoky, caramelized onion flavor. For lunch, that and a salad are perfect (well, perfect if I get to split an order of pommes frites with someone).But if you want something a little heavier, their Kobe Pastrami sandwich (with pommes frites) or their Croque Monsieur (with pommes frites) or one of their burgers (with pommes frites) are all delicious.

Dinners - I love the duck and the steak au poivre. On one occasion when we went with a large group, my dinner companions gave thumbs up to the fettucine, the filet, and the chicken. And the pommes frites. By dessert, my memory gets fuzzy - I remember it vaguely, but not well enough to assess it accurately. (Did I mention the wine list?)

It's not cheap, but it's not obscenely expensive either. Nice for a fun night out with friends where conversation, wine and fries flow freely.

South Beach Grill

2008-08-05T17:24:00.002-04:00

South Beach Grill
http://southbeachgrillwb.com/
100 S. Lumina Ave.
Wrightsville Beach, NC
28480(910) 256-4646

South Beach Grill is on the sound side of Wrightsville Beach, overlooking mostly Lumina Ave., but you can also see Banks Channel. The lack of a pristine beach view doesn't detract from the experience, though. I have to say here that yes, I have eaten at most of the restaurants in Wrightsville Beach and I have been consistently disappointed. I'm not naming names, but there's a reason I haven't mentioned other places on Wrightsville Beach or near there. Not the case with South Beach Grill. I'm always pleased with dinner or lunch there.

Lunch: Phillip likes to have lunch there before kayaking in the channel. They serve a good rueben (my personal favorite) and their homemade chips are good. Phillip likes their burgers, including the Cuban buger, which he had the other day. The BLT is also good, with thick tasty bacon and good tomato. I can't say that eating outside this time of year is terribly pleasant, given the August heat, but if you're damp and sandy, it's just fine.

Dinner: The boursin chicken rocks. It's one of my favorites. The shrimp and grits are also good, with plump, fresh shrimp and grits prepared RIGHT (meaning not runny - yuck). I do always wonder why shrimp and grits seems to mostly appear on the Starters list, though. It's a heavy dish to me and it always seems it should be a main course. But I digress. Phillip has sampled most of their fish dishes and pronounces all of the ones he's eaten as fresh and clean. It's not a fish shack, where you can order it broiled or fried. They prepare it elegantly and creatively, but don't smother the fish flavor out of the food.

The atmosphere is pretty casual, especially for lunch, given that there are a lot of folks taking a break from kayaking or beach-going. But you can also be comfortable dressing a little for dinner and enjoying a nice evening out.

Indochine

2008-08-05T16:54:00.003-04:00

Indochine
http://www.indochinewilmington.com/
3007 Market St
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 251-9229

Indochine isn't exactly a big secret, and probably doesn't even need a mention here, since I'd guess that everyone local has been there at one time or another. Or are regulars, as we might be classified. It's convenient for us, being just around the corner and down the street, the food is good, the ambience better (it's really a cool space - check out the website - the outdoor seating, the indoor decor, and the martini lounge are all great for gawking), and the bar offerings tops (the Cocopolatin! oo!). I haven't ventured into their martini lounge yet, but I'm sure we'll make it in there at some point.

I do think Jessamine and Big Thai have slightly better food, but Indochine still has some real winners, among them the Beef with Basil, which is one of my favorites. Phillip loves their sushi, especially the dragon tail. The oriental slaw, with a fish sauce dressing and crumbled peanuts is always a welcome starter. The curries are all good, with the right amount of heat - not dull but not so hot that you can't taste anything. Our friend Jack likes the pad thai (again, I'm not a fan of the dish in general, but the couple of bites I've shared are good - it's not obnoxiously sweet). Dinner servings are big enough to make at least one lunch of the next day.

It's a popular local place, almost always hopping with folks, whether you're there for lunch or dinner, and we frequently bump into friends there. (We saw Liza Minelli there once! No, we're not friends with her, but it was still cool. We did try not to stare.) It's also convenient for us for takeout. A quick phone call, and in 30 minutes we can swing around and go pick up our order.

El Agave

2008-07-24T17:23:00.003-04:00

El Agave Mexican Restaurant
3803 Oleander Dr
Wilmington, NC
28403(910) 791-9277

Cheap, fast Mexican food! Mmm! El Agave is one of our favorite haunts for it. You can get a cold Negra Modelo and create your own salsa out of the varieties they bring to your table. Just take a little spoonful of the different heat levels and mix them in your own bowl and chow down. Their margaritas are a little too sweet for me, but as I've mentioned before, I like mine with fresh lime juice and not that mix stuff. Phillip swears they put something in them - he's gotten loopy on a smallish amount them more than once - not that it's stopping him from drinking them. Just from driving home afterward.

The tortillas are homemade -- irregular in shape and warm and slightly crispy. They probably have lard in them, which is what makes them so amazingly good. Our friend Beth loves them. She always orders a side of them when we go there. She says they're as good as the ones they had when they were cruising in Baja and Mexico. Jack almost always orders the chicken mole, which he loves. It comes with a side of those great tortillas and is fork-tender. He just piles it up on the tortillas and goes to town. I like the chimichangas and the taquitos. I also love their spanish rice - it's the perfect texture - fluffy and not gloppy at all. And their refried beans are a perfect creamy accompaniment. Phillip usually gets something different every time he goes, and hasn't been disappointed yet.

El Agave is cheap and amazingly fast. You don't have too much time to stuff yourself with chips and salsa before your dinner is being set down in front of you. It's perfect for lunch or for dinner when you're in a little bit of a hurry. The service is always good, though, and we never feel rushed - dinner is just super prompt.

The Copper Penny

2008-07-24T17:11:00.004-04:00

The Copper Penny
109 Chestnut St
Wilmington, NC 28402
(910) 762-1373

Ahhh, Magic Hat Number 9 on draft, how I love it on a hot day. And the Copper Penny has it. Along with a lot of other good beers on draft or by the bottle. The wine list... meh... but it's a pub. Here again, I'll confess to never having been to the UK, so I've no idea how authentic a pub it is, but it works for me. It's a noisy, jostling joint most of the time, with wooden booths and tall tables with stools and televisions blaring and a bar with a steady clientele. So it's got atmosphere. The food is good, basic pub grub. Burgers, fries, fish and chips, and a prime au jus sandwich (one night a week, as I recollect). All of it is just simple and good. Burgers are juicy, fries are crisp, and their little asian cole slaw side is one of Phillip's favorites. He keeps asking me to make it at home. And I should do that when I can go downtown and have an inexpensive dinner I didn't have to cook at the Copper Penny why, exactly?

We like lunch and casual dinner there. It's especially convenient for grabbing a bite before heading to Thalian for a show or Cinematique. Or when a burger you didn't make and a cold beer is what you need.

Nikki's Fresh Gourmet

2008-07-22T17:19:00.003-04:00

Nikki's Fresh Gourmet
16 S Front St
and
3500 Oleander Dr
and
The Forum on Military Cutoff

Nikki's has three locations, but we frequent the one in Independence Mall on Oleander the most. All three are great, but I prefer the smaller seating area for the sushi in the one at the Forum rather than the teriaki side.

I'd probably better start by saying that I am not the best person to critique sushi. The raw fish ones just don't do much for me - that's Phillip's domain. However, I never fail to find something at Nikki's that makes me happy. Their spider rolls are my favorite - rolls of crispy soft-shell crab - mmmm! And their tempura shrimp rolls are also tasty. A starter of the edamame is always good, and Phillip enjoys it now too, since he found out you're not supposed to just cram the entire bean pod in your mouth and chew away. (If you can't embarrass your family in a blog, what on earth is it for?) Their burgers and sandwiches will also hit the spot, and those homemade chips with ranch are worth skipping the sushi in this brown food girl's opinion. They're good. Not as good as Marc's, but good. I also like their Bento boxes for lunch with the crispy tempura chicken or shrimp, a little miso soup, and some rice. My only recent criticism of Nikki's was their iced green tea. Phillip and I both thought it tasted kind of like steeped grass - not the green tea we make at home. But that's nitpicking.

We love to hit Nikki's for lunch and sometimes a light dinner. The downtown and the Oleander location are usually crowded during mealtimes, so you may have a wait, but service and table turnover is usually fast, so you never have to wait long. And it's worth it. Just order the regular iced tea.

Big Thai

2008-07-22T17:00:00.006-04:00

Big Thai
1001 N 4th St
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 763-3035

Big Thai has gotten some well-deserved buzz in the last year. It's my favorite thai place in town (there are a surprising number here). For locals, it's down on the north end of Fourth Street near the new PPD building (they're calling it The Brooklyn Arts District). Chef "Big" Choti just keeps turning out great dishes there. It's a casual dining room with little dots of Thai decor here and there, but mostly simple and sparse. The wine and beer list, while not extensive, compliments the food well.

Basil rolls are beautiful and crunchy and taste like a big bite of the color Green - just fresh as all get-out. Their chicken coconut soup is one of my favorites - warming and brothy, with just enough kick to make it interesting. Their crispy duck is both - crispy and tastes like duck. (I've had a few "duck" dishes around here that taste more like pork than duck. No, I'm not sure how you go about doing that.). The pad thai has been pronounced by our pad thai ordering expert friend to be "his favorite in town".

Here's Liz Biro's review of Big Thai - I usually agree completely with her take on restaurants in town: http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20070726/NEWS/707260328/-1/

It's off the beaten path, and your reward for seeking it out is great service, a good price, and an excellent lunch or dinner.

Antonio's

2008-07-22T11:49:00.003-04:00

Antonio's Pizza and Pasta
http://www.antoniospizzaandpasta.com/
5301 S College Rd
Wilmington, NC 28411

Dinner with friends and their two small children at Antonio's at Monkey Junction. It's a great little hole-in-the-wall Italian place. My husband ordered a white pizza that was really good - the ricotta they used on it was perfect - nice and smooth and creamy in just the right amount. The crust was crispy and chewy and thin, but with substance and not the least bit greasy. I ordered the bolognese (you may be seeing a trend here ) Not the best I've had, but a solid "good". I enjoyed it and had enough left over for lunch (for a couple of days, actually). One of our friends had the lasagne and he also awarded a solid "good".

The waiter was great with the two kids - bonus! Everyone felt comfortable and relaxed, the kids ate fine, and the food was definitely worth another meal there. A great inexpensive casual meet-up place for a pizza and beer.

K38 Baja Grill

2008-07-21T18:05:00.004-04:00

K38 Baja Grill
http://www.k38baja.com/
5410 Oleander Dr.
Wilmington, NC 28403
910.395.6040

K38 Baja Grill is a Wilmington standard--always crowded, always good, and always easy to just point the car toward.

We have a joke with good friends of ours who cruised Baja on their sailboat that K38 Baja Grill is NOT authentic Baja food. According to Jack, authentic Baja would be "dju wan feesh or leezard?"--not the delicious array of tex/mex grill food they serve at K38.

K38 has a large bar area and a steady group of young people (I'm not one of those, anymore - I eat with the other old folks in the restaurant side). Their chips and salsa are better than average - the fresh salsa has a nice cilantro punch. The beer selection will make most folks happy. I'm always pleased that I can get a Negra Modelo there. Wine is so-so, but that's not really why you're going there, is it? No, you're going there for the margaritas, which are on the sweet side, but still really good, especially their top shelf one. (I do wish someplace in town would make a margarita as God intended it, with fresh lime juice instead of that perfectly horrible drink mix, but I digress.) Cold margarita in hand and a basket of warm chips with a bright salsa, you can now peruse the menu.

Everything on it is good, so take your pick. I have a hard time getting past the special chimichanga, but I've not been disappointed in anything I've had. Phillip loves their Cabo roll, a smoky wrap of chipotle, shrimp, avocado and roasted red pepper cut like sushi and served with a spicy barbecue sauce. Their fajitas are also popular, and I love all of their burrito offerings.

K38 is always crowded, so it's best to go on the early side, to avoid a wait for a table. It's pretty kid-friendly - I've never been in there when there haven't been a handful of little people in there. Service is usually fast, without making you feel as though you've been rushed out.

This is not cheap Mexican--you will pay toward the high end for grill food. If price is driven by demand, then that makes sense.

Marc's on Market

2008-07-21T14:39:00.003-04:00

Marc's on Market
http://www.marcsonmarket.com/
7213 Market Street
Wilmington, NC 28411
910.686.6465 - phone

OK, in the interest of full disclosure, I know the owners/chefs of Marc's--well. Sara is my internet girlfriend and we met through Chowhound.com. Her husband Marc and my husband Phillip graciously tolerate our lunchtime liasons and the five of us (with their son Clay) play well together and talk about food and restaurants, among other things.

That being said, I love their restaurant. If I didn't, I'd come up with a lot of lame excuses not to eat there, and I'd be all "... um, I can't review your restaurant because we're friends and I can't be objective and all..." Psh. Not the case. Marc is an incredible cook, as is Sara, and their place is a real gem off the beaten path. It's up toward Ogden, and nestled next to the "One Stop Cop Shop" (which is actually owned by one of my gym buddies, who is a really nice guy).

Marc's decor is simple and elegant.(I covet their stainless steel bar.) It's a spacious, comfortable white tablecloth venue with a great private room for larger parties, a good-sized bar area, and a separate market room with lots of take-home goodies. Well, check out their web site and you can just look at the pictures.

They've been blessed with a stable and reliable staff who are always friendly and knowledgeable. The place has been a neighborhood hang-out for food lovers in the Ogden and Porters Neck areas since they opened--some regulars come in weekly or more. Sara oversees front of house and tends bar, and Marc will often pop out to say hey to people during the evening. Our whole family eats there pretty regularly and all love it.

And the food. Yes, I should probably write something about that. It's all outstanding. From their small plate appetizers like their homemade chips with blue cheese dip (evil, but oh, man...) to their ever-changing house salad (never a dud in the rotation) to the kobe burger (best burger in town - it's the only thing my sister-in-law will order) to the delicious entrees and the wonderful specials Marc creates each week - every dish is prepared with care, creativity and talent. As a reasonably proficient home cook, I look at Marc and Sara and say "OK, that's what separates the men from the boys with cooking."

For fine dining in a place run by a chef with Marc's cred, one is usually happy to pay more than Marc will charge you. He and Sara don't compromise on ingredients, technique, or service--but what sets them apart from so many of their peers is their emphasis on value. They're not trying to charge the most they can--they charge what they need to to keep the place going. Nothing on the menu makes you choke on your wine (oh - good wine list and bar options, also) and you leave with a happy belly and a wallet that isn't empty.

Biased? Me? Well, you might say that, but here's objective proof that these folks know what the hell they're doing: Marc won the cook-off for Wilmington's Top Chef Spring 2008. Against some pretty stiff competition, I might add. Keith Rhodes owns Catch (another one of my favorites reviewed here) and is the executive chef at Deluxe downtown (yet another favorite) and James Bain used to own my favorite all-time Wilmington restaurant, Harvest Moon. He closed it so he could spend time with his babies (but what about ME, James??) and is now working at Dockside. They both came up with some eye-popping stuff, but Marc won. Well, here are some links so you can see for yourself. Phillip is passionate about Marc's, so he asked to put in his two cents: "Chef Marc--Wizard of Ogden."

http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/magazine02

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20080430/ARTICLE/666513460

Siena Trattoria Pizzeria

2008-07-21T13:12:00.004-04:00

Siena Trattoria Pizzeria
3315 Masonboro Loop Road
Wilmington, NC

Note: The original review is toward the end. We've eaten there again a couple of times and wanted to post updates of our experience there. It's still definitely a great place!

Update 7/23/09
Ate at Siena again after they acquired their new chef, Steve Hotz. Liz actually wrote it up the day after we ate there. http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20090723/COLUMNIST/907234000/1081?Title=The-Dish-Designer-returns-to-first-love-at-Siena
I have to say, the food was even better than the last couple of times. I had the bolognese again and it was perfect. He achieved the perfect balance with the sauce. It was creamy and intensely flavored, with no watery runoff. The pasta was perfectly cooked and SALTED. THANK YOU! I get so tired of bland, watery, unsalted pasta. Phillip ordered the proscuitto-wrapped melon for an appetizer - an oldie but a goodie. I even liked it, and I don't like melon. They had some excellent candied walnuts and a little blue cheese sprinkled across the top. Good flavor balance. We both had salads, and they were good. He had a pizza with artichoke hearts and some other stuff on it (I'm such a great food writer!) and it was also very good.

It was good for people watching, too. There was the couple who were apparently on their first date. He was going on and on about politics and all kinds of social issues and church and blah blah blah. I'd say by her body language, there wasn't going to be a second date. I watched a nice-looking gentleman eating alone and reading a book. We watched another couple in matching Hawaiian shirts who I hope were tourists. There was the elderly lady next to us who would spear ONE lettuce leaf out of her salad with her fork, pick it off her fork with her fingers, dip it into her dressing and eat it. People are fascinating, aren't they?

My only criticism is that I do wish they'd lose the cheap restaurant salt and pepper shakers and get some salt wells and pepper grinders. The food is too good to offer a cheesy shaker full of Morton's. But hey - that's just picky when you've had a great meal, isn't it?

Update: 8/26/08
After a busy, busy weekend, we finally got everything put away and sorted and just felt like going out and relaxing. So we paid a visit to Siena for some pizza and pasta. Phillip got their Pizza Florentine and I had their Pollo something (helpful, huh?). It was chicken stuffed with fontina and prosciutto, served with vegetables and pasta. Portions were reasonable for mine, the vegetables crisp and good (although they were supposed to be roasted - I don't think they were) and the pasta was not just drenched in sauce, but lightly tossed, perfectly done, and tasty. I like attention to side dishes so that they're not just an afterthought. Phillip's pizza was wonderful, as always. They were busy, which is always nice to see in a good place. So wanted to let you know that they still got it goin' on. Definitely a place to try out, if you haven't.

First meal:

My husband and I met friends and their small children at Siena Trattoria Pizzeria for dinner. It's located at the Courtyard at Masonboro, a door or so down from Mason's Haunt. We were very pleased with our experience there. The atmosphere is pleasant - it's between formal and informal - just comfortable and aesthetically pleasing with warm wall color and good artwork, comfortable tables and booths. Fairly quiet, but still kid-friendly. Our waiter was helpful and happily brought out food for the kids quickly so they wouldn't get too hungry. We felt welcome.

Chewy, fresh, flavorful bread with an obviously good quality olive oil for dipping kept the adults happy before dinner. I ordered the boglonese, which came with a salad. The greens were fresh and dotted with some good sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, and mozarella cheese - a good balance of ingredients. My husband ordered the Pizza Bianca, and I have to say it's probably the best pizza I've had in Wilmington. It had exactly the crust that I like - not-quite-cracker-thin and crisp, but chewy. The cheese on it was perfectly balanced, not too heavy on the garlic and oil. My husband ate himself silly. I liked my pasta bolognese, although it was just a tad watery and not as creamy as I would have liked. I think maybe the pasta should have been drained a little longer. One of our friends ordered the lasagna - he says that's his litmus test for Italian places - if they can't do a decent lasagna, forget it. He said he'd give it a 7 out of 10. Our other friend ordered a calzone and liked it.

The wine list was good, with a moderate number of selections priced fairly well, as was the beer selection. Prices were moderate, and the portion size was generous without being obscene.

Overall, we were happy with the evening. Between this place, Mason's Haunt, and Dan's Mason Bistro, there's now a small but respectable selection of places for lunch and dinner in that area of town. Great for us when we're down at the marina right down the road.

The Basics

2008-07-21T13:04:00.001-04:00

The Basics
319 N Front St
Wilmington, NC
(910) 343-1050

The Basics is located in the front of the Cotton Exchange, and has been several different restaurants since we've lived here. It's a nice space and they've done a good job of decorating for this venture. It's kind of retro-hip - elegant without being too fussy.

The wine list is good and I think a good variety without having so much available by the glass that you risk getting a stale bottle. They have some creative specialty cocktails that looked good. The menu offers chef takes on classic Southern food. A good variety of side dishes, from greens to mac and cheese to Hoppin' John were available, as was the option of selecting three for a vegetable plate.They offered "The Basics", which were simple dinners - meatloaf and mashed potatoes, smoked/roasted chicken with hoppin john and a side, "the hook" which was their catch of the day, and a few others that were all really inexpensive. Then they had Chef's choices which were a little more upscale and a little higher in price.

For dinner one evening, my husband ordered a vegetable plate with a house salad, fried okra and Hoppin' John. I ordered "The Bird" which was a smoked small chicken half rubbed in sugar and salt with Hoppin' John and Mac and Cheese. The portion size was perfect - the plates weren't heaped with food, but they weren't stingy either. My order was $8, and the main reason I noticed the price at all was that I thought it was really low. The chicken was tender and flavorful, the Hoppin' John was really very good and the mac and cheese was good. I prefer mine a little creamier, but it was still very tasty with a nice crust in a ramekin. My husband loved his vegetable plate. I tasted his fried okra and it was perfect. Crispy, not the least bit greasy, and the okra tasted really fresh.
Desserts were also good - they made his molten chocolate cake to order, so it took a little longer, but we were warned about that and didn't care anyway. I think we waited about ten minutes or so for it. It came hot from the oven and gooey and he all but licked the plate, so I'd take that as a positive review. I ordered a berry trifle, which came in a martini glass. The raspberries were some of the best I've had in a while - fresh!

We've also eaten there for lunch and they offer a variety of good salads and sandwiches. Their applewood BLT is made with big strips of bacon and served on good thick bread with fresh seasonal tomato. Their cobb salad was devoured by my mother-in-law, who loved the crisp greens and perfect mix of toppings.

The service is among the best in town. The greeting--friendly and low-key--the pleasant staff, and the waiter we've had on our visits were point-on perfect. I couldn't have asked for better.

Catch

2008-07-20T12:51:00.005-04:00

Catch
http://www.catchwilmingtonnc.com/
215 Princess St
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 762-2841

Catch, owned by Chef Keith Rhodes, is one of the best lunch places in town. It's a small space, with seating against a wall, some at the bar, and two tables of three (four, if you squeeze). The food is outstanding. Keith uses organic and local ingredients, and everything is fresh tasting and delicious. It's a local favorite and is usually crowded.

Keith has won many awards and he and the restaurant have gotten plenty of well-deserved press attention.
http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20070521/NEWS/702220317/1068/tourism06&template=tourism
http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20070521/NEWS/705210421/1068/tourism06&template=tourism
http://seustravel.suite101.com/blog.cfm/ncs_best_dish_awards
http://www.wwaytv3.com/local_chef_earns_rave_reviews_awards/08/2007

Well, you get the idea... for more, there's always Google. I know, I know. With all that great pub, I say "Like Rhodes needs MY sorry-@$$ help." But here it is, for what it's worth.

One of my personal favorites are the torpedo rolls - wraps of crispy fried shrimp or fish, shredded crisp greens with an asian dressing, sliced on the bias and served with crispy crinkle fries. My husband and his mother love the calamari salad. So does Christina. Keith always has gorgeous seasonal salads. In spring, when the strawberries are at their best, he makes one with strawberries and fresh crab. Excellent! My brother John and his wife Natalie visited last summer and we took them there for lunch. Nat made us go back for lunch again the next day. To say she loved it was an understatement. She still talks about it. We're headed out to Denver next month to see them and she's trying to figure out a way for me to stuff a torpedo roll in my pocket and bring it to her. (I'm thinkin' six hours of travel in August won't do the roll or my pocket much good. We'll have to think of something else.)

The last time we ate lunch there, the waitress told us that Keith was planning to open a new place in the old Szechuan 132 space on Front Street and serve lunch and dinner. So we're keeping our ears to the ground on that one. We'll want to be first in line.