Tag Archives | restaurants

review – burger company (american)

By on March 1, 2012 in american, beef, candid reviews, chicken, ingredients, wesley heights

i’ve already done a few reviews of burger joints in charlotte, and i still stand firm in my assertion that the liberty has the best burger in town; however, this sentiment has never stopped me from trying out another contender. i mean, let’s be honest, burgers are a ubiquitous staple of the american diet, regardless of dietary restrictions. i’ve tried so many different kinds of burgers: tofu burger, turkey burger, thai peanut and sriracha burger; mushroom burger, kobe beef burger, buffalo chicken burger, etc. some are excellent, others not so much . . . but i always have a good time eating them!

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

review – providence cafe (american)

By on February 14, 2012 in american, candid reviews, myers park

i haven’t been to providence cafe in many years. as a teenager, i fondly recall going there with my family after seeing my dad perform with the charlotte symphony orchestra. we’d share a few appetizers and split some desserts after watching him play cello, and it would be a lucky night out for all five of us.

it’s a pretty standard restaurant, and it’s reliable and elegant. honestly, i’m making it sound like a lexus sedan . . . a good car with a good reputation, but not nearly as exciting as its german competition? haha.

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

review – bricktops (american)

By on January 31, 2012 in american, candid reviews, southpark

since we began going to bricktops a few years ago, we’ve had some highs and a few lows . . . but we keep going back because the fish tacos are great and the service is immaculate. this is a classic case of a restaurant with good (but not fabulous) food winning us over with their attention to detail and the fact that some evil slavedriver must be out back with a whip and snarl for the server that fails to refill a water glass promptly.

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

review – dolce ristorante (italian)

By on September 6, 2011 in candid reviews, dilworth, italian

sometimes, a gal just needs her pasta.

with all the low-carb, no-carb, atkins, south beach, sadfaced diets we’re inundated with, it’s easy to look at a plate of pasta like it’s the enemy.

thankfully, i’m apt to overlook this fault when it comes to dolce. i’ve tried pasta from many different places locally, and i long ago decided to award the crown of “best pasta in charlotte” to dolce. their pasta amatriciana is one of the best meals in the city, bar none . . . and be sure to add eggplant to the dish, because there are few things tastier than eggplant and pancetta mixed in a spicy tomato sauce.

Read full story • Comments { 4 }

QUICKMEAL! salad olivieh (persian chicken salad)

By on July 22, 2011 in chicken, ingredients, persian, QUICKMEAL!, recipes

i love it when i’m gifted the same recipe in multiple ways . . . it means i can combine everything i liked about each into one recipe to rule them all (pardon my nerdiness—i’ve recently reinvigorated my love for tolkien).

let me begin by saying that i’m not actually a fan of mayonnaise; in fact, until tabi (one of my besties) began forcing me to eat it on many atypical things (like pizza), i avoided it much like a trip to the dentist. i don’t know what it is about mayo that forever singed my memory, but it’s been a task to bring myself to reintroduce it into my cooking, and recipes like this one really make me grateful for tabi and her love of mayonnaise.

Read full story • Comments { 2 }

review – barrington’s (french/american) *guest blogger

By on June 29, 2011 in american, candid reviews, french, southpark

are you in the mood for a taste of the good life? skip “the usual” dinner order and hunt for something unique instead – grab a friend or have a decadent date with yourself at barrington’s. this bistro offers an exciting menu with inspired cuisine fusing the classics with contemporary elements ideal for modern palates.

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

gumbo (american/creole stew)

By on June 8, 2011 in american, chicken, fish, ingredients, pork, recipes

traditionally, a gumbo includes some form of seafood and a large dose of spice. i love adding shrimp to this version, and turning up the heat would also be more than welcome, but some of my closest friends/family are averse to both heat and ocean dwellers, so this recipe has been tailored to suit loved ones. ah, is there a better reason? :-P

Read full story • Comments { 2 }

review – the roaming fork (american) *guest blogger

By on June 2, 2011 in american, candid reviews

do you have a taste for great food? you should come see what’s cooking at the roaming fork.

as a self-proclaimed foodie, i was initially tempted to turn my nose up at the mobile food truck movement . . . until i tried this bistro on wheels. consider having your next meal out of a sleek trailer retrofitted with a fully capable kitchen.

Read full story • Comments { 2 }

QUICKMEAL! tomato bruschetta (italian)

By on May 9, 2011 in ingredients, italian, QUICKMEAL!, recipes, veg/vegan

i recently had a good friend and blog fan mention that she loves reading the candid cook for the pictures of food and the nerdy brand of humor. when i asked her if she had tried any of the recipes, she quickly exclaimed, “oh no! they’re way too complicated, and they look like they take forever! i just like to look at your pictures and make a mental list of what you should cook for us next time!”

Read full story • Comments { 2 }

review – lang van, plaza midwood (vietnamese)

By on April 25, 2011 in beef, candid reviews, chicken, fish, plaza midwood, pork, tofu, veg/vegan, vietnamese

chalk it up to being demi-asian. i adore food from this part of the world. japanese, chinese, thai, vietnamese, korean, malaysian, manchurian, etc. there are marked, yet subtle, differences in each country’s cuisine, and i’ve had a helluva time exploring each and every one of them.

Read full story • Comments { 2 }