Tag Archives | the candid cook

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!

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curried cauliflower soup (indian/american)

By on February 16, 2012 in american, indian, ingredients, recipes, veg/vegan

yesterday was the blessed/cursed day known as valentine’s day (depending on your perspective). my husband and i fixed dinner together, and we had a great time coming up with a menu and tweaking it to our specific tastes. of course, no husband and wife can put together something so intricate without a few, ahem, “disputes”, but they were all in good fun, and the memories made from last night are the real reasons why anyone goes through the trouble of buying into a holiday sponsored by hersheys. ;-)

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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.

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QUICKMEAL! bagels with lox (jewish)

By on February 7, 2012 in fish, ingredients, jewish, QUICKMEAL!, recipes

i had a moment when i first began putting this post together. after spending some time googling info on jewish cuisine, i now feel pretty solid in categorizing it as a traditional ashkenazic jewish dish. true, the term “lox” is more scandinavian in origin, but bagels with lox and schmear were really popularized in america by those of jewish origin. sorry to go nerd on you, but i needed to be sure. :-P

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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.

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QUICKMEAL! the best deviled eggs EVER (american) *guest blogger

By on January 30, 2012 in american, ingredients, QUICKMEAL!, recipes

are you in the mood for quick comfort food? palate, prepare yourself. these deviled eggs are unstoppable. for many of us, deviled eggs exist in a forgotten corner of our minds, but i challenge you to bring back a taste of the traditional with this fast, easy recipe. it doesn’t have to take all afternoon to make delicious deviled eggs anymore.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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