PastaRamen Las Vegas for the Win

July 3, 2025 By

I’ve been a longtime fan of Chef Robbie Felice (@chefrobbiefelice) and his acclaimed New Jersey restaurants, so when he and his team launched @pastaramen, I was immediately intrigued. A fusion of Japanese and Italian cuisine dubbed “wafu”? It sounded like the best of both culinary worlds.

When a PastaRamen pop-up was announced at @resortsworldlv—one of the properties I represent in my professional life — I knew I had to check it out. That opportunity finally came two weeks ago while I was in town for a conference.

The pop-up is housed inside Zazu, a vibrant Vegas nightclub transformed into a stylish dining space. The atmosphere is electric—graffiti art lines the walls, and a hip-hop playlist sets a playful, energetic tone.

The staff, including some friendly faces from New Jersey, were warm, knowledgeable, and eager to guide us through the inventive menu.

Our party started with creative, delectable cocktails that we followed with wine and beer. There’s also an array of Saki to sample.

Dining with clients, we sampled a variety of starters—cucumber salad, Cacio e Pepe gyoza, grilled calamari—and each chose our own entrée. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but the gyoza were absolutely phenomenal—delicate, flavorful, and unlike anything I’ve had before.

Cucumber Salad
Fried Calamari
Cacio e Pepe Gyoza

For entrées, we opted for the black cod with Italian miso, ramen carbonara, duck gnocchi, and more. Each dish was a masterclass in flavor and technique, but the carbonara stole the show at our table.

Carbonara Service
Pork Chop Scallopini

I’m thrilled the pop-up has been extended through July. And for those who miss it in Sin City, there’s always the original New Jersey location to visit once summer winds down.

This concept is destined for national recognition. Chef Felice and his team have already earned plenty of accolades in the Garden State, but PastaRamen feels like the beginning of something even bigger. Keep an eye on this culinary rockstar—he’s just getting started.

Cheers, Veronique

#PastaRamen #ChefRobbieFelice #ResortsWorldLV #WafuItalian #VegasEats #PopUpDining #FusionCuisine #FoodieExperience

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2 January 2025 Best Dishes 2024

Best Dishes 2024

January 2, 2025 By

In 2024, my extensive travels for work provided me with the opportunity to sample cuisine from various distinguished restaurants both in the United States and internationally.

The Best Dishes 2024 list combines fine dining and casual dishes that stood out as the most exceptional of the year (see past lists).

Below is a curated list of the 13 Best Dishes 2024, presented in alphabetical order, by restaurant name:

Central Provisions, Portland, ME – This place continues to wow. On a recent visit with friends, I insisted on ordering the Suckling Pig served with apple brown butter and Marcona almonds. The pork was melt-in-your-mouth, luscious and a must-order if it ever graces the menu when you visit. Additionally, their bread service is not to be missed.

Suckling Pig at Central Provisions

Cochon Restaurant, New Orleans, LA – There are newer and shinier restaurants in NOLA but Cochon remains a top table. The Rabbit and Dumplings, ordered during a fall visit, were exemplary with a savory sauce, tender rabbit, and soft dumplings. Their charcuterie selection is also commendable.

Rabbit and Dumplings at Cochon

Counter-, Charlotte, NC – Having followed Chef Sam Hart’s culinary ventures since moving to Charlotte, we were particularly impressed by the Doppio Ravioli, featured on the tasting menu, on a mid-year visit. The dish showcased thin pasta filled with house-made ricotta and sea island red peas.

Doppio Ravioli at Counter-

Elia, East Rutherford, NJ – As enthusiasts of Greek cuisine, when friends suggested we dine at Elia on a recent trip to New Jersey, we gladly agreed. While most Greek restaurants offer dips and pita, the Greek Spreads & Pita at Elia exceeded expectations with Tzatziki, Roasted Eggplant, and Fava Purée paired with exceptionally soft pita.

Dips at Elia

Elk Ave Tavern, Rock Hill, SC – Transitioning from a popular food truck to a brick-and-mortar location, Elk Ave Tavern maintained its high standards and the delicious burger previously offered on the Cibi Cibi food truck. The Disco Fries, featuring French fries topped with braised beef, Mozzarella, and stout gravy, are indulgent and highly recommended (read my full review of this hot spot).

Disco Fries at Elk Ave Tavern

Ever Andalo, Charlotte, NC – This charming neighborhood restaurant impressed us with its ambiance reminiscent of cozy Brooklyn Italian restaurants, service, and food. The standout dish was the Sunny Cavatelli, featuring al dente pasta with house-made pork sausage, kale, and broccolini in a sun-dried tomato cream sauce finished with a shaving of Parmigiano Reggiano.

Ever Andalo Pasta

In Bloom, Paso Robles, CA – An exceptional meal at this Paso Robles restaurant included the shareable Snake River Farm Kurobuta Pork Shank, served with kimchi, carrot miso crema, zucchini pickles, and beet flatbread, offering a delightful blend of flavors.

Pork Shank at In Bloom

Justine, New Orleans, LA – I had the absolute pleasure of dining at both restaurants by Chef Justin Devillier on a recent visit to New Orleans and both La Petite Grocery and Justine served incredible meals. Could it be my Top Dishes compilation and not include one tartare? Apparently not. Justine’s version of Steak Tartare featured fresh horseradish, Dijon dressing, egg yolk and pain de mie and the best example of the dish we enjoyed in 2024.

Steak Tartare at Justine

Kindred, Davidson, NC – Kindred consistently delivers outstanding meals. The fried soft-shell crab, served with a creamy yogurt sauce, was a highlight of our March 2024 visit. Do not miss their excellent bread service.

Soft Shell Crab at Kindred

Llama Restaurant, St Augustine, FL – We’ve made repeat visits to this delightful Peruvian restaurant in St Augustine and again, it was a wonderful experience. The place is just super with its cozy space, excellent service and delectable food. The standout of our most recent visit was the Hongos Bachiche, chilled chargrilled and marinated king trumpet mushroom with a creamy Parmesan leche de tigre, toasted Andean corn and micro cilantro. The ceviche dishes are also highly recommended.

Hongos Bachiche at Llama

Otis., Exeter, NH – A long-awaited visit to Otis in 2024 allowed my mother and I the opportunity to experience Chef Lee Frank’s culinary talents firsthand, from the chef’s counter. The Pork Loin, served with scallion polenta, corn, arugula, and Romanesco, was particularly memorable.

Pork Loin at Otis

Roots Southern Table, Farmers Branch, TX – Hosting a team dinner at this Dallas restaurant was a delightful experience, highlighted by Top Chef alum Tiffany Derry’s King Crab Pasta from the specials menu. Each dish was superb, receiving high praise from the entire team.

Crab Pasta Roots Southern Table

The Blue Taj, Charlotte, NC – At this renowned Ballantyne Village Indian restaurant, we were particularly taken with the Crispy Fried Paneer appetizer. This dish featured paneer coated in panko-chickpea batter, fried, and served with pickled onions, jalapeño, cilantro, and chutney.

Fried Paneer at The Blue Taj

Did you have any specific fabulous restaurant dishes in 2024? Wishing you delightful dining experiences in 2025!

Happy New Year!

Veronique

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6 October 2024 Belmont Welcomes Marrelli’s Italian Restaurant

Belmont Welcomes Marrelli’s Italian Restaurant

October 6, 2024 By

Belmont was the first town we lived in when we relocated from Northern New Jersey to North Carolina, so we have a soft spot for it. The quaint, warm Charlotte suburban town has a vibrant food and bar scene (have you experienced The Jailhouse) that’s now made even better with the arrival of Marrelli’s Italian Restaurant. When the popular eatery, Heirloom, announced its closing, it was sad news, but the brightside has been Marrelli’s taking over the space at the train station and making it its own.

The Story
Marrelli’s Italian Restaurant is a family owned and operated restaurant. Owner, Linda Marrelli Murphy, has family roots from Calabria, Italy. From the Old Country, her family emigrated to the United States to settle in Glasco, New York.

When Linda was young, her family moved to New Jersey where she grew up with fond memories of visiting grandparents, aunts and uncles and experiencing the enticing aromas and taste of all of the homemade meals.

This foundation is what drives the Marrelli’s team to prepare food with love, in a warm and friendly environment as if eating at the Marrelli family home.

The Space
One of our dining pet peeves since moving to the Charlotte area has been the bright lights at restaurants. Most restaurants have lighting better suited for a Walmart than a dining establishment. Not the case at Marrelli’s where the lighting is dim creating the perfect ambiance – well done! The decor’s been updated to have an Italian vibe, with tables properly spaced.

The Drinks
While we didn’t enjoy cocktails during our first visit, the offering is interesting and many of the libations sounded great, we’ll try them next time.

We settled for an Italian beer, Costanza Berra Flea Bonde Ale ($7.50) and a glass of Montepulciano Nicodemi, “La Murate”, Abruzzo, Italy ($14.00).

The Food
Having lived in New Jersey for 15 years, we’d been spoiled by the Italian food scene. While we’ve found solid options in the Queen City, Marrelli’s brings back memories of proper northeast Italian fare.

First, don’t pass on the delicious Focaccia offered as a meal starter. It’s outstanding.

Calamari
Arancini

For our starters, we selected the Calamari Fritti ($15.00), fried calamari served with lemon, marinara and aioli. This was the best fried calamari we’ve had in Charlotte. Perfectly fried, crispy and only made better by the two sauces served with it – bravo! Our second starter was the Arancini ($14.00), risotto-filled balls, deep fried and served alongside basil pesto and topped with a sprinkling of mozzarella and grana with a side of zesty marinara. Again, the best rendition we’ve had since moving south.

For our entrées, my husband selected the Chicken Parmigiana ($29.00), his favorite. The properly cooked chicken cutlets were topped with Mozzarella, Parmesan and basil, and served with spaghetti and tomato sauce. An excellent example of the popular dish. I ordered the Linguini Mare ($39.00), seafood and pasta, one of my favorite Italian dishes, and was pleasantly impressed by the freshness of the shrimp, mussels, clams, scallops and fish cooked in a garlic, white wine and lemon broth, another winner.

Seafood Pasta
Chicken Parmesan

On our next visit, we’ll try the Mussels ($16.00) served wither with Sambuca, basil cream or fra diavolo sauce and crostini and the Beef Carpaccio ($15.00) with capers, Parmesan, arugula, lemon, and crostini. Entrées, we’ll check out are the Spinach Cannelloni ($26.00) and the Lasagna ($28.00) made with beef-pork-veal meat sauce and béchamel.

LOCATION
33 Glenway Street
Belmont, NC 28012

CONTACT
https://marrellis.com
(704)-829-8232

HOURS
Fri, Sat: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Tue, Wed, Thur: 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: , , ,

Lose Some Win Some – Elk Ave Tavern

July 20, 2024 By

When it was announced that popular Charlotte area food truck, Cibi Cibi, would be closing down, fans, including us, were saddened by the loss. The good news, and the win, is that the fine folks behind the Rock Hill-based food truck, were opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant – Elk Ave Tavern.

Disco Fries

Elk Ave Tavern opened three weeks ago to a fanfare from loyal Cibi Cibi customers and local diners.

The Space

Elk Ave Tavern is situated in the heart of downtown Rock Hill in the Space that formerly housed Sweet Tea Cafe. From the old bicycle turned into an adorable bar top to the handsome blue facade, the feel from the outside is a clear « welcome ».

The welcoming feel continues as one enters the cozy space with a warm greeting from the hostess. When we visited on opening weekend, the wait was 45 minutes for late lunch, the place was hopping on its second day of business. Bar seating is on a first come, first serve basis and we quickly found two seats to enjoy drinks and food from. The dining room is decorated in a way that creates a homey feel. Many of the decor items come from family heirlooms.

The Bar

First, bartender Russ, he was fantastic even with a very busy bar and many drink orders from the nearby tables. He immediately made us feel welcomed. While the cocktail, beer and wine lists are concise, they offer creative options, and local choices. The place was abuzz so in an effort to help the staff, we simply ordered beer, a couple of local brews. The made-to-order cocktails looked amazing and Russ was getting great feedback from patrons. I was pleased to see one of my favorite Oregon wine producers featured, Sokol Blosser, with its Evolution Pinot Noir served by the glass or bottle.

The Food

The introductory menu features fun new items and some cult favorites from the Cibi Cibi days. While this team’s been known for its incredible burgers and cheesesteaks, at Elk Ave Tavern, there are many vegetarian and healthy options. Having spent 15 years in New Jersey where they’re a diner staple, we had to order the Disco Fries. The shareable dish showcased nicely cooked fries topped with soon-to-be-famous stout braised beef and Mozzarella cheese. An incredibly flavorful, decadent dish we’ll be certain to order again. We had to order the Double Cheeseburger, just to ensure the kitchen staff hadn’t changed the winning formula that made Cibi Cibi famous. While it now features shredded lettuce, the burger is unchanged, thankfully, and still the best the Charlotte metro has to offer. It’s beefy, juicy on a great bun – perfection. We’d read about the new Lamb Burger, so we opted for one and were very pleased with our choice. It’s ultra flavorful, with great lamb flavor without it being overpowering and served with Feta and roasted red peppers. As our sides, we chose Crispy Brussels, absolutely delicious, and fries, great without the cheese and braised beef. We didn’t order dessert, but will next time. Some of the items we’ll be ordering on future visits are the Falafel, Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Street Corn. I understand the cheesesteak is back, so that’ll be up next also.

Lamb Burger
Double Cheeseburger

It was an absolute pleasure to see the place so busy with customers genuinely happy, like we are, to see such wonderful people having early success with their new restaurant. The residents of Rock Hill are fortunate to have such a gem to call their neighborhood spot.

Congrats to owners Anthony Legatie and Hunter Newton and team.

Cheers, Veronique

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Best Dishes 2023

December 28, 2023 By

My travel schedule in 2023 had me away more than home, allowing me to enjoy food at many outstanding restaurants, in America and internationally.

As is true of past lists, the 2023 Best Dishes list encompasses a blend of fine dining and casual dishes, which were truly the ‘best’ dishes of 2023 (see past lists).

I’ve narrowed down all the incredible dishes I enjoyed to the following 15 Best Dishes 2023. The list is in restaurant name, alphabetical order.

3rd Cousin, San Francisco, CA – Darling space, talented culinary team, outstanding service is how I’d describe this Michelin-recognized restaurant. When we dined at this popular San Francisco restaurant, they were shaving black truffles on standard menu dishes, so I indulged with a hefty serving on my incredible Maine Lobster Risotto served with snap peas, demi sec cherry tomato, yuzu and Reggiano.

Audrey, Nashville, TN – Named after Sean Brock’s grandmother, Audrey serves up humble, delectable Appalachian-influenced food in an intimate, welcoming space. We were wowed by all the dishes we shared, but don’t pass on the Appalachian Sourdough Bread served with cultured butter stuffed with candy roaster squash jam. It was the most perfect way to start our meal at Audrey.

August, New Orleans, LA – I’ve made repeat visits to this elegant NOLA institution with the sole purpose of revisiting the most perfect dish of all time, the Gnocchi “Black and Blue”, pillowy gnocchi with black truffles, jumbo lump crab served in a Parmesan sauce.

Cafe Martorano, Fort Lauderdale, FL – Love this elevated neighborhood place and when our waiter mentioned one of the signature dishes, Veal Cutlet Martorano, I knew I had to order it, and glad I did. It’s a pounded thinly, perfectly cooked breaded veal tenderloin cutlet served with gnocchi in a cheesy sauce. Not for the faint of heart, but worth every calorie.

Casa Benigna, Madrid, Spain – While there are many places to have outstanding Paella in Madrid, this cozy family run restaurant is a must-try. We sampled the Snail and Rabbit Paella and it was perfectly cooked over open flame in a pan customized for the restaurant.

Clam Bar, Portland, ME – This roadside clam shack came highly recommended, so we stopped by on the way to the airport and WOW, did it deliver. While we sampled multiple items, including a better-than-most lobster roll, the star were the perfectly fried Clam Bellies.

Codex at Conrad Punta de Mita, Punta de Mita, MX – This chic, seaside restaurant served up our favorite meal of the vacation. Particularly noteworthy was the simply named TUNA starter, yellowfin tuna, house made corn tlayuda chips, wild herb mousse, sea asparagus and an artisan chorizo sauce.

Cúrate, Asheville, NC – While I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve tried at this popular, James Beard winner, the favorite dish we ordered in 2023 was the Rossejat, thin noodles prepared like a paella in squid ink and shellfish stock. The dish transported me back to Spain’s seaside.

Josie Wyatt’s Grille, Moab, UT – This hot spot was located in the Hoodoo Hotel we stayed at, and we ate here twice as it was so delicious. Our favorite of the items we enjoyed was the American Wagyu Carne Asada made using Snake River skirt steak and served with charred onion, Dove Creek Pinto beans, grilled jalapenos and a side of perfect flour tortilla.

O-Ku, Charlotte, NC – This is one of our very favorite restaurants in the Queen City for its sexy vibe, great service and incredible food. We love sampling shared dishes, and our favorite is the Lobster Temaki, handrolls stuffed with butter-poached lobster, asparagus, chive, cilantro aioli and black salt.

Poole’s, Raleigh, NC – This place gets all the accolades for very good reasons, it’s fantastic. From the service, adorable space and delectable food, Poole’s is a win. I sampled many dishes during my visit and the Chicken Liver Pâté with two mustards and pickles was a standout.

Ratafia Bar à Vin, Montreal, QC, Canada – At the fun Montreal hot spot, the menu is divided in ‘salty’ and ‘sweet’ and each dish we tried was delicious and could have made this list, but, our favorite was the Agnolotti made of sweet potato, Mascarpone and brown butter with spicy bread crumble in a Parmesan and butter broth and gilded by fried sage chips. Dear God.

Rose Mary, Chicago, IL – Sexy space, great service and stellar food is how I’d succinctly describe this West Loop hot spot by Chef/Owner Joe Flamm. We tried several pasta dishes and our favorite was the Radiatore Cacio E Pepe, nicely al dente pasta with tons of freshly cracked pepper and Pecorino. Don’t skip the Stracciatella starter with smoked pear butter, marinated pears and lepinja.

Saddle, Madrid, Spain – Although we had limited time while in Madrid, we knew we wanted do eat at one fine-dining restaurant and Saddle fit the bill perfectly. While each dish was more incredible than the next, included the memorable bread service, our favorite dish was the Pâté en Croute served with pickled vegetables. Don’t skip the cheese course for dessert.

Vivian, Asheville, NC – This James Beard-nominated restaurant in Asheville served up one of the best meals I had in 2023. The favorite with our party was the Beef Tartare prepared in a traditional way with Dijon, ketchup, shallot and capers and served with potato chips. Also, don’t pass on the Nordic Deviled Eggs.

What were some of your favorite dishes in 2023?

Cheers, Veronique

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17 November 2023 A Delicieux Brunch at Coquette in Charlotte

A Delicieux Brunch at Coquette in Charlotte

November 17, 2023 By

I had the pleasure of brunching with friends at Coquette last weekend. The newly-opened French bistro is one of the buzziest spot in Charlotte City Center with darling design elements, a creative menu, sexy cocktails and warm, professional service.

The Space

Located on bustling South Tryon Street, Coquette features French country vibes in design with some luxe touches. There are gorgeous fixtures, fun artwork and a mix of modern and antique flatware and service ware. The ensemble is welcoming and comfortable.

The Mixology

The drinks list is a blend of old and new with classics like the Classic 75, a French 75 made with Botanical Gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and Champagne ($14) and contemporary libations like the Potiron made with pumpkin purée, brown sugar simple syrup, pumpkin seeds, aromatic bitters and Dewars 12 ($16). Our table ordered the Classic 75, absolutely perfect, and the festive Kir Royal ($14). All the cocktails were worthy of a revisit very soon.

The Food

The brunch menu, by Executive Chef Cristian Medrano, is clever with French favorites like the Croque Madame and Salade Niçoise au Thon and some twists on the classics like the Crème Brulée French Toast. Our party opted to start brunch with a cheese and charcuterie board, we were in a French bistro after all, with some above par options like Rosette de Lyon and house terrine. The platter of four meats/cheeses was $25.

For our entrées we opted for the fan favorite Croque Madame ($18) with a hefty portion of Paris ham, gooey Mornay sauce topped with a well-made fried egg. Other winners were the Oeufs Cocotte, baked eggs with rich Mornay sauce, piperade, Bayonne ham and espelette, a mild spice from the Basque region of France, ($15) and the impressive Crêpe Souffl­é served with lemon honey, candy sesame and whipped cream ($19).

While we didn’t fall to the temptation of the desserts, some we’ll want to try in the future are the Apple Tarte Tatin ($14) and the Cherry Clafoutis $10).

Overall, Coquette offers a great brunch and certainly one of the very best in the Queen City. We highly recommend it.

Coquette:

https://www.coquetteclt.com

400 South Tryon St., Charlotte, NC, 28285

Phone: 704-705-2224

Cheers,

Veronique

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28 December 2022 2022 Best Dishes

2022 Best Dishes

December 28, 2022 By

My travel schedule in 2022 allowed me to dine at so many outstanding restaurants, Internationally and domestically, and made for great content for my annual Best Dishes recap.

Again, this year’s list encompasses a blend of fine dining and casual dishes, which were truly the ‘best’ dishes of 2022.

The Views from La Maison in Santorini Mentioned Below

I’ve narrowed down all the incredible dishes I enjoyed to the following 15 Best Dishes 2022. The list is in restaurant name, alphabetical order.

Ashford Castle, County Mayo, Ireland – While not an official dish, the high tea my mother and I experienced during our stay at this amazing property when we were in Ireland in March was beyond words. From the remarkable service, the gorgeous room and the delectable bites, we were simply wowed.

Just Some of the Treats
My Mom Enjoying High Tea

Blue Morel, Morristown, NJ – We attended a celebration dinner in Blue Morel’s private dining room where Chef Bryan Gregg crafted a tasting menu that was just out of this world. Of particular deliciousness was the Dry Aged Beef served with butterball potatoes, beef cracklings and Bearnaise sauce. PS: Chef Gregg has dry aged beef on the current menu.

Blue Morel Dry Aged Beef

Cookoovaya, Athens, Greece – We dined at this top-rated Athens restaurant on our first night in Greece and it set the tone for the rest of our meals. The warm and friendly service was only matched by the outstanding food. A winner when we visited was the seafood saffron risotto.

Cookoovaya Seafood Risotto

Dax, Dublin, Ireland – At this restaurant with an array of awards, a beautiful, luxurious décor and stellar service, the food is stunning. While it doesn’t seem fair to list the amuse-bouche of a perfect oyster with an indulgent helping of caviar as my best dish, it truly heightened our expectations for the rest of our meal. Don’t miss the filet of Hereford beef.

Oyster Amuse at Dax

El Molino Central, Sonoma, CA – This popular taqueria in the heart of Sonoma is a must-stop place on any wine country trip. The adorable little building welcomes diners for counter ordering and the intimate courtyard with its picnic tables is the perfect place for al fresco dining. The best dish I had on a recent visit were these rich and comforting beef tacos, but one can’t go wrong with anything this dynamic team serves up.

Beef Tacos at El Molino Central

Foiegwa, Montreal, Canada – Cozy, fantastic, fun is how I’d describe this Montreal favorite. There’s a sexy little wine list and the cocktails are some of the best I’ve had in this city. While each dish we had was memorable (don’t skip the tartare and the chicken liver mousse), the star of the evening was the house made spaghetti with black truffle butter sauce and a 64 degree egg….don’t pass on the black truffles shaved tableside.

Truffle Pasta at Foiegwa

Forsythia, Philadelphia, PA – This was likely my favorite meal of 2022. Had several starters and a couple entrées and, while I thought his Will BYO was a gem, Chef Christopher Kearse, takes the dining experience to the next level at Forsythia. It’s difficult to pick a favorite, but the Wagyu Beef Tartare with black truffle was a standout.

Tartare at Forsythia

Glai Baan, Phoenix, AZ – This authentic Thai street food restaurant has made my best dishes lists in the past and it’s worth including again. The food offers bold flavors, the space is vibrant and busy, the service is helpful and friendly, and the cocktails are must-order. From the sharing menu, the Kanom Jeeb, steamed local pork dumplings with scallion and ginger soy, was our favorite.

Dumplings at Glai Baan

Herb & Wood, San Diego, CA – A visit to San Diego isn’t complete without a meal at Herb & Wood. The welcoming staff, sexy space and fantastic food is a winning combination. My favorite dish on a recent visit was the pasta and truffle, but any of the pastas are outstanding.

Truffle Pasta at Herb & Wood

Homewood Dallas, Dallas, TX – On a return visit to this top restaurant by Chef Matt McCallister, I opted for a crudo of the day which was simply incredible and served ultra-cool with great textures. Anything one orders from the seasonally changing menu is top notch.

Crudo at Homewood

Kounter, Rock Hill, SC – First, understanding the history of Kounter is a reason enough to visit this restaurant in the Charlotte suburbs. Another reason is the food, especially the Fried Ribs, with black ginger and burnt Bourbon BBQ sauce. The ribs are melt-in-your-mouth from being coated and deep fried and the sauce should be bottled.

Ribs at Kounter

La Maison, Imerovigli Santorini, Greece – It’s difficult to top the breathtaking views of the sea at this award-winning restaurant, but the food comes very close. In a place where fresh fish and seafood abounds, the red snapper with corn, corn sauce and tarragon oil was sublime.

Snapper at La Maison

Omakase by Prime Fish, Charlotte, NC – We’ve been to some of the best omakase restaurants in Japan, New York and more and this is the real deal. Chef Robin crafts the most creative, eyes-closed-head-tilted-back-in-ecstasy dishes at this six-seat chef’s counter in the Queen City. Omakase means the chef selects a menu encompassing tasting portions for you and while each of the 16 courses were mind-blowingly incredible, the bowl of briny Japanese sea urchin folded in warm sushi rice then gilded by caviar, was the star.

Sea Urchin Rice at Omakase by Prime Fish

Para, Charlotte, NC – The lobster shooter at this Charlotte hot spot was a perfect teaser for the wonderful meal to come. $1 of the $6 price of the shooter is donated to @Its4TheKids Foundation, so you’re helping a great cause while satisfying your tastebuds.

Lobster Shooter at Para

Spitalfields Pub and Restaurant, Dublin, Ireland – At this cozy pub with elevated classics, the beef cheek and oxtail Parker House roll with bone marrow gravy is a must-order. A plus, the staff is wonderful and one departs like he/she just left a family member’s home.

Oxtail Parker House Roll at Spitalfields

What have been some of your favorite bites of 2022?

Happy eating!

Veronique

Filed Under: Culinary Travel Tales, Other Neat Things, Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
22 December 2021 Best Dishes 2021

Best Dishes 2021

December 22, 2021 By

Fortunately for my annual Best Dishes recap, I was back on the road for work and leisure quite a bit in 2021. This allowed me to experience many outstanding meals along my journey.

This year’s list includes a combination of fine dining and casual dishes, which were truly the ‘best’ dishes of the last 12 months, regardless of price point.

I’ve narrowed down all the fab dishes I had to the following 13 Best Dishes 2021, plus a bonus dessert. The list is in restaurant name, alphabetical order.

Aquila Pizza Al Forno, Little Falls, NJ – The only thing as lovely as the soppressata and Meyer lemon pizza with its perfect, slightly-tart and salty crust charred in all the right places is the team behind the cozy pizzeria. By the way, I copied/pasted this recap from my 2019 Best Dishes list and I’ll do the same in 2022 if I’m fortunate enough to visit pizzamaker extraordinaire Jerry…perfect pizza, period.

Meyer Lemon Pizza

Café Chameleon, Bloomingdale, NJ – At his former place of business, Chef Bryan Gregg continued serving some of the best scallops I’ve had. The preparation of the scallops during this visit was outstanding with morels, quinoa and pea butter. I look forward to my next plate of scallops at Chef Gregg’s new home, Blue Morel in Morristown, NJ.  

Chef Gregg’s Scallops

Christopher’s at the Wrigley Mansion, Phoenix, AZ – This hot spot within The Wrigley Mansion is the brainchild of Chef Christopher Gross. Among the lineup of winning dishes was the duck two ways, a seared breast and a confit leg. Did I mention the foie gras terrine? A very sexy space with gorgeous views, masterly-prepared food and impeccable service.

Duck Two Ways

Ever, Chicago, IL – During a business trip to the Windy City, I was able to secure an early table for one at the amazing Ever. This was by far my most luxurious, fine dining experience of 2021. While each dish was masterly crafted and original, one dish I consider the best, is a signature dish from Chef Duffy’s former restaurant, the Alaskan king crab dish (here’s a video of it being made).

King Crab

Futo Buta Ramen House, Charlotte, NC – The craving for ramen is real and we were thrilled to find cozy place when we moved to Charlotte. Highly recommend the Buta Bowl with its chicken and dashi broth, double noodle, pecan smoked pork belly, onsen egg, duck confit, spicy ground pork, ono chili sauce, sweet white corn, roasted and julienne leeks, scallions and cayenne pepper threads. Yes, it’s a mouthful to say and eat.

Buta Bowl

Heirloom Kitchen, Old Bridge, NJ – I believe this is the only restaurant that’s always been on my annual lists. Chef David Viana creates incredible experiences at his chef’s counter and the meal I had there in 2021 was a special one as I was with my mom who I’d not seen in 18 months due to Covid. I can’t pass up the opportunity to say that whatever preparation is applied to his signature duck, is always, and I’ve had many variations over the years, always the best duck you’ll ever have.

Heirloom Duck

Jon G’s BBQ, Peachland, NC – Truly some of the very best barbecue I’ve had and the brisket, not a typical North Carolina BBQ winner, is the gem among all the memorable dishes. The brisket is juicy, perfectly fatty with a nice coating of pepper. Plus, the wait, complete with free beer, is an experience. Highly recommend.

BBQ Platter at Jon’s

La Barbecue, Austin, TX – I know Austin is all about brisket, and this was some of the best I’ve had, but the smoked turkey was by far the greatest turkey I’ve had. The exterior was generously coated in spiced, heavy on the pepper, and the meat was mind-blowingly juicy.

Turkey at La Barbecue

La Belle Helene, Charlotte, NC – The prettiest space we’ve found in our journey through the Queen City, our new hometown, is undoubtedly this place. French bistro food is served here, but the space itself is the opposite of what one would consider ‘bistro’ like. The rich French onion soup topped with Compté is worth ordering and so is the well-made steak tartare.

French Onion Soup

O-Ku, Charlotte, NC – A hot restaurant doesn’t always translate to hot food, but at this hip Charlotte restaurant, the food isn’t a passing thought. One of our favorite dishes was the Lobster Temaki, a trio of handrolls filled with butter-poached lobster, asparagus, chives, cilantro aioli and black volcanic salt.

Lobster Handrolls

Standard Oyster Company, Hickory, NC – This local gem serves up some of the freshest oysters in the Charlotte metro area. We enjoyed a variety of bivalves, but a fun, old school treat my mom and I opted in to is the oyster shooter, which can be served with beer, Tequila or Vodka (we selected the latter). Tip: 12PM – 2PM Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Standard Oyster Company serves $1 raw NC oysters.

Oyster Shooter

The Everyday Market, Belmont, NC – I wrote about the special café and market earlier in 2021. Pastry, dish and dessert are prepared with the care of a veteran, classically trained Chef Majid Amoorpour. Particularly great is the cheesy scrambled eggs on croissant. My out-of-town visitors rave about this breakfast item months after their visits.

Cheesy Eggs Croissant

Vecina, Phoenix, AZ – At this intimate Latin-inspired hot spot, the drinks are creative and flavor-packed to match the delectable food. One of the winning appetizers we sampled was the white bean puree with crispy short rib, herb salad and served with ultra-thin flour tortillas. The must-order entrée is the Carnitas Empanada, Duroc pork confit, onion marmalade, Manchego, salsa verde and Manzana chile.

Empanada

Best Dessert

La Boucherie Restaurant, Orlando, FL – I don’t usually include desserts on this list, but the perfectly executed Floating Island at this popular Orlando restaurant were light, melt-in-your-mouth and served with a decadent crème Anglaise and a drizzle of caramel.

Floating Island

What have been some of your favorite bites of 2021?

Happy eating!

Veronique

Filed Under: Food & Wine Events, Other Neat Things, Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
25 November 2021 Speakeasy at The Jailhouse Spirits and Lounge Belmont North Carolina

Speakeasy at The Jailhouse Spirits and Lounge Belmont North Carolina

November 25, 2021 By

When we moved to the quaint town of Belmont, North Carolina from New Jersey, one of the first things I researched were places to visit for happy hour. While we were looking for a place with craft cocktails at the level we were used to in the NYC metro area, we were doubtful a small town could deliver. Boy were we wrong! We found The Jailhouse Spirits and Lounge and it quickly became our favorite cocktail bar in all of Charlotte.

Cozy Foyer

About The Jailhouse

The Jailhouse is the brainchild of Linda Matinata and Matthew Matinata, a mother-son duo. The Matinatas have owned Old Stone Steakhouse, situated in the building that used to house the Belmont Police Department, since 2007. In 2016, they began work to reinvent the town’s former jail as a whiskey and cigar bar, and The Jailhouse Spirits and Lounge launched in April 2017.

In addition to offering a variety of rare beers and high-end wines, The Jailhouse features an extensive collection of 150+ whiskeys as well as a creative craft cocktails list.

Notice the Jail Cell Bars in the Background

The Jailhouse is a three-story building housing a full-service bar on the top level, a cigar lounge on the second floor and offices on the ground floor. There are also a few tables on a small outdoor patio.

Cute Banquette Seating Area

The Jailhouse is run as a private club, so a membership is required to enter the premises. A one-day membership is a mere $2 and a yearly membership is a nominal $12, and well-worth it. In North Carolina, bars and lounges that don’t prepare food on the premises must operate as a private club. The membership fee addresses this rule.

The Cigar Lounge

Cigar aficionados will rejoice is the selection of cigars for purchase in the walk-in humidor upstairs. A speak-easy inspired cigar lounge is located on the second level for those who wish to enjoy their sticks alongside The Jailhouse’s craft cocktails.

Walk In Humidor
Cigar Lounge

The Libations and Food

The list of cocktails is creative and showcases some of the extensive spirits on hand, masterly-prepared by friendly bartenders, Erin and Chris. There’s a section of Signature Whiskey Cocktails featuring the Angel’s on a Board, a drink smoked by burning bourbon barrel shavings and served with a glass of Angel’s Envy bourbon mixed with a berry syrup made in house. From the “standard” Signature Cocktails list, some favorites are the Pisco Sour, a classic sour made with Barsol Pisco, lime juice, simple syrup, egg whites and angostura bitters and the gin Campari Sour, a classic with a touch of tan, made with Uncle Val’s botanical gin, Campari, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, egg whites and Regan’s orange bitters. Whiskey and Scotch flights are also available and a great way to compare between brands of spirits at various stages of ageing. A refreshing drink that’s not always on the menu but is our ultimate favorite, especially on a hot Charlotte day, is the Bee’s Knees, made with rare bitters and a touch of honey.

Campari Sour
Pisco Sour
Bee’s Knees

For those who want food to go along with their libations, the full menu from the Old Stone Steakhouse is available at The Jailhouse. We’ve enjoyed having a couple appetizers and also a full steak supper in the lounge that we could pair with the fantastic drinks.

Everyone in the Charlotte metro area, or folks passing through, should stop and enjoy a cocktail at The Jailhouse. It’s truly a special place.

WED: Half off wines by the glass

THURS: Bartender’s Choice Cocktail

Hours: Wednesday and Thursday 5pm – 10pm and Friday and Saturday 3pm – 11pm. The Cigar Lounge closes one hour prior to closing time.

23 S Main St, Belmont, NC 28012.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Other Neat Things, Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
28 May 2021 The Everyday Market a Gem in Belmont North Carolina

The Everyday Market a Gem in Belmont North Carolina

May 28, 2021 By

When we first moved to the quaint town of Belmont, in the suburbs of Charlotte, North Carolina, the first place we visited the morning after our move was The Everyday Market.

About The Everyday Market

The Everyday Market is a cozy café with a strong sense of community that features house made, simple-yet-masterly-crafted food served alongside excellent coffee and other beverages.

The café/market is situated in Main Street and features indoor and outdoor seating. The storefront adjacent to the current location is being renovated and will be used as additional market space to expand on the selection of pantry and to-go items and to display more lovely wines.

The popular European-inspired place, which opened in January of 2020, is the brainchild of pastry chef / owner Majid Amoorpour.

About Majid Amoorpour

Until age 12, Amoorpour and his family, including seven siblings, lived in Iran during a time of intense crisis. Next stop for the young man was Sweden to live with an older sister. Europe is where he developed his passion for art and food. In 1999, Amoorpour moved to the USA, first in Oklahoma City then settling in Charlotte.

While he has a reputation for downplaying his impressive culinary background, Chef Amoorpour boasts a star-studded resumé.

After working under Michelin-recommended restaurants in England and for Charlie Trotter and Gail Gand in Chicago, Amoorpour brought his culinary talent to Charlotte’s now-shuttered Noble’s Restaurant and Café Monte. The serial entrepreneur built a loyal following when he opened Bistro La Bon, a tapas restaurant, in 2010 in bustling Plaza Midwood. Next on his list of accomplishments is The Everyday Market.

About the Food

While The Everyday Market is a casual café, Amoorpour uses premium ingredients and elevated techniques to create his delicacies.

For breakfast, the Belmont café offers pastries, breakfast sandwiches and a variety of coffees and teas. Our favorite is the scrambled egg and cheese croissant sandwich. The eggs are light and fluffy with just the proper amount of cheese on a perfect, buttery croissant. I’d say breakfast sandwiches don’t get any better than this, but then there’s the brie and apricot version of the croissant sandwich. I have out of town friends who’ve enjoyed them and still talk about them. Some other standouts are the lemon pound cake, with a thick coating of icing, the nicely flaky blueberry/blackberry strudel, a delectable cronut and the rugelach.

Coffee comes in many forms with a preparation sure to please every client. I’m straight Americano and my guy is a macchiato fan. I’ve also enjoyed an above par hot chocolate on occasion. There are also a variety of frappés and smoothies to sample.

The Everyday Market also serves non-breakfast foods ranging from quiches with perfect buttery crust, empanadas, salads, soups, sandwiches and more.

The market also features a sexy little wine list that keeps expanding and showcases wines by small producers and mostly non-commercial brands, which is amazing. There are also pantry essential items like dry pastas, oils, high quality jarred sauces and more. All that’s needed for a great low-key dinner.

If you find yourself in Charlotte or its suburbs, don’t miss a visit to The Everyday Market, and do pick up some delectable macarons on the way out.

Hours: Mon to Thu:  8:00am–8:00pm, Fri and Sat:    8:00am–9:00pm and Sunday:     9:00am–5:00pm

The Everyday Market – 7 S Main St, Belmont, NC 28012. (980) 283-7170. www.everydaymarketbelmont.com

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
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