CROSSWINDS CAFE - A Catering Review - Raleigh, NC

Big Daddy recently celebrated a milestone birthday. I could not let that happen without throwing him an over-the-top birthday party for his over-the-hill age. I’m a party master and I knew what I wanted and how I wanted it.

Big Daddy has a thing for airplanes and he is quite the aviation expert. One of our favorite places is the General Aviation Terminal at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. It’s a great spot to watch airplanes and people and they have a neat little restaurant called the Crosswinds Café where you can grab a quick meal. The menu isn’t extensive but the atmosphere is picture perfect.

The space is available to rent for anything, from a small gathering to a wedding of 500. The prices for space rental were extremely reasonable and I booked the date for a party of fifty people without hesitation.

And here is where things got really interesting for me. I am very particular about my food and even more obsessed about food that I’m serving to guests. When renting the General Aviation Terminal you have to use their caterer. Crosswinds Café is the exclusive caterer and they do have a beer and wine permit. And this made me nervous as hell. I wasn’t wanting French fries and burgers or a breakfast biscuit. I wanted a down home Southern meal for my down home Southern guy. A menu with all his favorites. And having only had fries and a burger at Crosswinds Café I honestly didn’t have the confidence that they were up to the task. I scoured the internet for reviews and comments that would alleviate my concerns and came up empty. Then I really got nervous. How could no one, anywhere, not have something to say about them, good or bad? What had I gotten myself into?

I scheduled an appointment with Alice, their catering manager. Our meeting was short and sweet because I knew exactly what I wanted. I’d studied their catering menu with a fine tooth comb and could have easily quoted it to her with no problems. After going through my list Alice promised a price quote and contract and assured me I had nothing to worry about. But I worried anyway and my worry level skyrocketed off the charts when two weeks later I hadn’t heard anything back from Alice or the event space. I was only a few very short weeks away from my event and I didn’t know if I was going to have food or what that food was going to ultimately cost.

Reaching out to anyone who would answer a phone call or email, I’m sure they thought I was a mad woman! But Alice and I reconnected and she was genuinely apologetic. Apparently I’d gotten lost in the shuffle of paperwork and then somehow missed the email message she had sent to me. Within minutes of reconnecting I had that proposal in hand and Alice and I were cooking with some major grease. It was clear by everyone’s reaction that this happenstance was a fluke and was in no way a reflection of their customer service. I debated whether or not to mention it at all but then decided that to fully expound on how good they are I had to mention how they handled this minor bump in the flow. Because it was handled so exquisitely that every concern I had was instantly alleviated. Alice was such a sheer delight, a consummate professional and she felt like a trusted family friend!

A few short days before the party my guest list blew up and my final count to Alice and her staff included an extra twenty people. Alice was delightful in helping me best handle the extras that I suddenly found myself needing. So good at what she does I barely blinked when I had to write that second check!

The day of the event I was a nervous wreck. I was still on edge about the food being good. Arriving early to decorate the space and insure the set up was exactly what I wanted, I was introduced to the chef, another woman named Alice! And Alice Number Two is a master in the food services game! I’d selected a menu of Fried Chicken (of course!), Fried Catfish Fillets, macaroni and cheese, turnip greens, a side salad, dinner rolls and sweet tea. To say that this woman can cook, is putting it mildly. THIS WOMAN CAN COOK!

The chicken and the fish were fried to perfection. The batter was tasty with just the right amount of crunch and flake. The chicken was melt in your mouth moist and the fish was absolute perfection. The macaroni and cheese tasted like down home country. The cheddar cheese oozed around the perfect al dente macaroni. It was creamy goodness with just the right hint of cheddar cheese flavor. And the greens, cooked with ham hocks (optional) could not have been better. Family and friends are still talking about how darn good the food was!

I’ve hired a number of catering companies over the years from as far north as Connecticut, as far south as Florida and even a few in London and Bermuda. By far, Crosswinds Café has risen to the top of my best and most favorite list. Everyone associated with them exceeded my expectations. The two Alices were both sheer delights to work with and I would hands down use them again and again and I still don’t even know if they cater outside that venue; a question I keep forgetting to call and ask!

I would whole-heartedly recommend Crosswinds Café and will most assuredly use them again myself for my next catered event. Big Daddy’s party could not have been better. From concept to execution, Crosswinds Café and the GAT were instrumental in helping my vision come to light. I absolutely adore them for going above and beyond to make that happen. They all have my sincerest gratitude.

FIRST WATCH - Raleigh, NC

There’s a new breakfast joint in town. Big Daddy is a breakfast aficionado and he has a favorite haunt that we frequent on a regular basis. First Watch opened its doors just over a month ago and we waited a week or two for them to get the kinks out. They’re still working on those kinks.

I tried it first, with Number One Son. We visited on a Sunday morning during the height of their brunch hour. The place was a madhouse! Despite the crowd we were seated quickly, in a booth by the window. For starters I liked the atmosphere. It had a very cool, organic vibe to it. I also like the little details; the raw sugar and it’s too cute single-portion dispenser, the water served in milk bottles, and the neat little coffee carafe. But I’m a sucker for the fine touches.

On this day the waitress was pleasant. I don’t know if I can co-sign on their statement that they are known for delivering an excellent dining experience and fast and friendly service because she was clearly overwhelmed and all the wait staff looked like they wished they were anywhere but here. But that’s just how crowded it was. To everyone’s credit they were giving it a rousing try and clearly earned an A for effort. Our waitress was polite but she didn't make any lasting impressions with her customer service skills.

All the food is made to order and they proclaim not to use heat lamps or deep fryers and to only use the finest ingredients possible for the freshest taste around.

I ordered their Avocado, Bacon and Tomato Hash. Its two eggs - any style - atop a hash of fresh, seasoned potatoes, avocado, bacon and tomatoes with melted Cheddar and Monterey Jack. It was served with English muffins and a side of fresh fruit cocktail. And it was good. Not great but I would eat it again. The hash was tasty and filling. The fruit was fresh and it was sweet, which was a big plus because the English muffin was ice cold. It had not been toasted and left much to be desired. I didn't think it worth sending back especially since the kitchen looked like a train wreck waiting to happen. It just felt like someone had missed a step somewhere along the line. One of those kinks I mentioned earlier.

Number-One-Son ordered the Beefeater. It’s a sandwich with roast beef, tomato, Cheddar and Monterey Jack on grilled Parmesan-crusted sourdough served with horseradish sauce on the side and a dressed spring mix salad. Now, here’s where the good took a decidedly quick turn to the right. This was a winner for me. The cheese crusted bread is a definite favorite with great flavor and just the perfect crunch and texture. The entire sandwich was heated through nicely and the horseradish sauce gave it a little extra uumph even though it was surprisingly very mild. The salad was dressed with a very light vinaigrette and was a nice addition to the meal.

We both had their coffee, the Sunrise Select Premium Blend and it was very good coffee, comparable to my favored coffee brand. 

Now, they were clearly still having some issues handling the crowd and this was most evident at checkout. It was a twenty minute wait to pay the bill. The gentleman at the cash register had problems with it, the credit card machine and a dozen other things. The line out the door was even longer than the line in, so much so that one young man in line behind us actually skipped out on his bill, clearly frustrated that trying to pay was making him late for something important. He walked out and no one but those of us directly in front of him and the man behind him noticed. By the time anyone of any authority came back to the front he was long gone.

The second time I visited Big Daddy joined me. We went midweek, just before noon and there was no line to get in. We were seated immediately as they had many seats to spare. This time I ordered the Beefeater sandwich and Big Daddy had the Trifecta. It was two eggs any style with a Belgian waffle and a sausage link. Neither he nor I was impressed. The waffle was not the best we've ever had, lacking the advertised light and airy. It just really fell short and they completely forgot the warm, mixed berry compote. What he got was a cool, berry-flavored liquid with no hint of fruit. I could have made scrambled eggs at home and that single sausage link should just have been left off the plate, not enough to satisfy. And sadly, this visit, I was disappointed with the sandwich. The bread was still good but the roast beef was actually cold and that really took away from my meal.

I won’t write First Watch off just yet. They had an interesting menu and there were a few items I’m still interested in tasting. Big Daddy, on the other hand, didn't get the excellent dining experience that was promised so he’s heading back to his favorite place where the waffles are always spot on and a side of sausage is actually a decent sized portion.

JOY CAFE - ATLANTA, GA

Leaving Atlanta was bittersweet. We had a really great time while we were there but we were also looking forward to going home. But leaving Atlanta couldn't happen until we had brunch at Joy Cafe which came highly recommended. We were joined by one of our really good friends who also happens to be an extraordinary movie stills photographer.

When we arrived at the Buckhead storefront restaurant the line was out the door, people standing in the rain as they waited for a table. Joy Cafe is barely 20 ft x 20 ft large so seating was premium. We anticipated a lengthy wait but were seated in less than fifteen minutes time. Inside, the space is tight but not uncomfortable. Never once did we feel like others were intruding on our space and despite our own gregarious conversation we never were made to feel like we were disturbing any other party. The decor was simplistic and the energy in the room was warm and inviting. The menu was printed on copy paper and there was nothing elaborate about the setting.

The restaurant is a neighborhood favorite and the made-from-scratch food is why. They start you off with a plate of mouth watering cinnamon buns. We all ordered coffee and it was really good coffee. The cups were small requiring multiple refills but the staff worked well to keep them coming until we were all coffeed out.

Big Daddy and I both ordered Joy's Big Berry Belgian Waffle. It was just the right amount of fluffy with a light, crispy exterior. Topped with blueberries, blackberries, and bananas, they served it with pure Vermont maple syrup. I added the thick cut bacon and Big Daddy had the sage and ginger sausage. The portions were very generous, the plates were pretty, and the meal lived up to the hype.

Our photographer friend ordered Joy's Famous Shrimp and Grits. It was a comfort bowl of Logan Turnpike cheesy grits topped with perfectly grilled shrimp. And it was absolutely divine! Neither I nor Big Daddy have ever been a shrimp and grits fan but I could eat this again and again.

Joy Cafe was just that, a sheer joy! It's this perfect hidden gem that makes you feel good long after you've gone. The food was memorable and the atmosphere pure pleasure. If we lived in Atlanta I imagine we'd gladly dine here often. 

PEACHTREE DINER - ROSWELL, GA

They describe their restaurant as warm, casual, and high energy and we would have to agree. It was a late night excursion after a day of conference events that found us here and within minutes of arriving we were invigorated and in a great mood.

Peachtree Diner was a bright surprise. We had few expectations and the few we had weren't promising . Both of us figured we might get a decent salad, maybe a good burger or even some breakfast fare despite the late hour. Might. The stellar service and the really good food just threw us completely off guard!

Not that Big Daddy would agree but I thought our server was quite the cutie! And his professionalism was topnotch.  From start to finish the service was impeccable. Great service and really good food can't help but equate to sheer perfection.

The menu was extensive and I have to admit that always scares me. When there are so many choices I can't imagine a restaurant being able to maintain the quality that each would require. Now I can't speak for everything on the menu but what we were served was impressive.

I ordered the Gyro Grill. It was thin slices of grilled lamb and beef with lettuce, diced tomatoes and onions wrapped in a grilled pita. It was served with a side of tzatziki sauce for dipping and wedge-cut French fries. It was by far one of the best gyros I have ever eaten. The meat was abundant and flavorful and the fries were absolutely decadent!

Big Daddy ordered their Old Fashioned Cheeseburger. It was a good half-pound of meat with a thick, gooey slice of American cheese on top. It was topped with lettuce, tomato and a slice of onion and was served with a small side of coleslaw and two thick fried onion ring slices. The meat was nicely seasoned, the onion rings crispy and again, some really good French fries.

I won't even start on the iced tea. I'll just say that it was so good we both asked for two large to-go cups to take with us! Two thumbs up for Peachtree Diner. My only regret was that I didn't try one of the decadent cakes or pies in the dessert case because they had one of the most impressive dessert cases that I have ever seen.

PASCHAL'S - ATLANTA, GA

After a tour of Atlanta, Georgia's downtown area, including a stop at the Martin Luther King Center, we found our way to Paschal's Restaurant. We were told that if we were looking for good fried chicken then no trip to Atlanta would be complete without stopping at this historic eatery. Originally started by brothers James and Robert Paschal in 1947 they are renowned for their southern cuisine and their consistently exceptional fried chicken. 

No longer in their original building their new space is chic with high ceilings and a warm southern decor. We went mid-afternoon, after the lunch rush and before the dinner hour. The staff was pleasant and helpful and the food was good. 

This time I ordered the Fried Chicken and Big Daddy ordered a burger. The meal only came with one side and I ordered the Macaroni and Cheese. I was not disappointed and for me the macaroni and cheese was the best part of the entire meal. It was your grandmother's mac and cheese! It was the perfect consistency, creamy as silk and made with sharp cheddar cheese. It was down home comfortable goodness! I loved it. The chicken was good as well but it was way too salty for my liking. For that reason and that reason only I can't give it our BEST award. Otherwise the outer covering was crispy and the insides moist and tender. I got three nice pieces - a leg, wing, and breast so it was plenty of meat. But it was highly seasoned to the point of just being a touch too much.

Big Daddy's burger was a lean, half-pound patty on a warm bun and was served with a sizeable portion of French fries. The meat was tasty but almost too lean and reminded us of the grass-fed beef we frequently purchase at our local health food markets. He was not disappointed and said he would definitely order it again. 

The sweet tea was sweet and home-brewed and we both drank gallons of it. Overall, I liked Paschal's. Big Daddy thought it was a touch pricey but we understood we were paying as much for the atmosphere as we were for the food. Considering we paid the same price for our meal here that we did at a Smyrna restaurant also reviewed on this site, this was by far the better of the two. 

Paschal's had a very nice vibe. It was upscale, Southern cuisine and we will definitely frequent this place again when we're in the area.

THIS IS IT! - SMYRNA, GA

So we took our good food search farther south, finding ourselves in the peachy state of Georgia! We found our way to THIS IS IT! Barbecue and Seafood via a television commercial that caught Big Daddy's eye.

Advertising that they had many locations had us searching for the closest one. It was a short ride to their Smyrna site and it was only after arriving that we learned this was their ONLY franchise location. 

The restaurant is located in a very nice shopping center in Smyrna. The building itself is extremely small and has probably seen better days. But we've never dismissed a restaurant because of its appearance so we forged forward. 

We were greeted at the door by the franchise owner. He welcomed us in as if we were old friends. He's a spirited, gregarious personality and was exceptionally likable. Over the course of an hour we learned just how passionate he is about his restaurant and the food that he serves.

I ordered the Fried Catfish with a side of Macaroni and Cheese and a side of Collard Greens. Big Daddy ordered the Fried Chicken, Macaroni and Cheese and Cabbage. I really don't want to say we were disappointed, but we weren't overly enthused. 

The consistency of the Macaroni and Cheese was near perfect. It was creamy and not at all dry. What was off putting was the red paprika that had been sprinkled too heavily on top. The paprika flavoring completely destroyed the taste of the mild cheese and neither one of us actually finished our portions. Big Daddy's cabbage was much better than the collard greens which were both just okay. Neither was anything to write home about. The fish was also okay, but there was nothing overwhelming about it that would make me want to rush back and have it again. 

Now the Fried Chicken had a nice bite to it. The crust was crisp but slightly over salted. What turned me off was the flecks of black, burnt batter that clung to it, indicating that the oil had not been changed in some time. But it was edible, just not overly memorable. The meal was pricey, both trays costing us over $30.

I think our expectations were too high because I really wanted to like this place if for no other reason than I really liked the franchise owner. Now, I did get a taste of the oxtails and the chitterlings. Both were extremely tasty and made me wish I'd ordered a serving of one or the other instead despite both being excessively priced for the portion sizes.

We won't discount THIS IS IT! just yet. The next time we'll try one of the corporate locations and hope for a better experience.

EARTHFARE - RALEIGH, NC

One of our favorite places to catch a quick HEALTHY meal is the hot bar at Earthfare. The health food store is a trusted organic and natural food market that is a bevy of good eats. They serve breakfast and lunch/dinner and none of their products contain high fructose corn syrup, trans fats, artificial colors and sweeteners nor are their synthetic growth hormones in their fresh meat and dairy.

At the hot bar they have daily specials including a really great kids meal special on Thursday nights. Buy one adult meal and get six (6) kids meals for free. Yes, I said six (6)! There are $5 sandwich specials on Mondays and a $5 rotisserie chicken deal on Fridays. 

They have a few highlights that I buy weekly at the deli counter including the Mango Chicken, the Cranberry-Pecan-Chicken Salad and the Roasted Gouda Pasta. And my favorite favorite is their juice bar. Big Daddy and I are both big fans of the Kale Lemonade. The fact that we can sometimes substitute spinach for the kale and oranges for the lemons and add fruits and vegetables as the mood suits us is an added plus. And our weakness is the dessert counter! They have the best Flourless Chocolate Cake and I could eat the vegan cookies all day long!

This place is a winner for us for many reasons. Although some of their items can be a bit pricey, they regularly run deals and sales that can make the purchase worth it. The food being healthy is definitely at the top of our why shop/eat here list and the fact that the food is delicious and a quick fix rounds out why we eat here on a fairly regular basis.

 

 

STEPHANIE'S II - GREENSBORO, NC

Every so often we find that one diamond-in-the-rough that turns out to be one of our favorite places. This weekend we found Stephanie’s II in Greensboro, NC. Stephanie’s II is home cooking done well. Just really good food without any frills or fanfare.  

The location is nothing to write home about. The building has seen better days and the inside isn’t going to win any decorating awards.  The tables and chairs are well worn and if you’re looking for luxury you will not find it here. It’s seen better times but with the first bite you really don’t care much.

We started with the Fried Chicken Wing appetizer. According to the menu they use Granny’s secret recipe to prepare three whole jumbo wings, fried to golden brown and served in a basket with celery sticks and ranch dressing. It was $5.99 or an order, $8.99 for a double order. Big Daddy and I both agreed that we could have eaten the fried chicken wings for days and I’m still kicking myself for not ordering a to-go order. Right now, hands down, Stephanie’s II has won the trophy for the best damn fried chicken since my own grandmother’s and Big Daddy’s mama fried chicken for us. It was that good! The ranch dressing is also homemade and some of the best I've ever tasted. This was truly a winning combination.

We were both in a fish dinner kind of mood so Big Daddy ordered a two-piece Fried Whiting Fillet with their world famous Macaroni and Cheese, Cream Potatoes and hush puppies. I ordered the two-piece Catfish with Collard Greens, Pinto Beans and cornbread. We washed it all down with Sweet Tea. Stephanie’s II makes real sweet tea, slow brewed with plenty of sugar. That in itself was a plus for me.

So where do I start? The whiting was much better than the catfish. Fried to a beautiful brown, it was seasoned to perfection. The portions were oversized and one-piece would have been sufficient. The macaroni and cheese was melt-in-your mouth perfection, creamy and homemade good. The potatoes weren’t spectacular but then I’m not a mashed potato fan like Big Daddy. The catfish was just okay for me. It was heavily peppered and I’m not sure why. Although I would order it again if necessary I would definitely order the whitefish first. Now, the cook(s) are truly Southern. The collard greens and pinto beans both were cooked with a hint of sugar. I’m not a fan of sweet pinto beans. I don’t mind it in the collard greens. I think the sweet takes away from the pintos so I didn’t finish them but the greens were nicely cooked and I enjoyed them. I would order the greens again. I also loved the cornbread. And that’s loved with a capital L! 

They have an impressive list of famous faces who've graced their dining room, including our illustrious President, Barack Obama. Not too shabby for a mom and pop hole in the wall! Stephanie’s II has a diverse menu of home cooked goodness that will not disappoint.

The whole meal was immensely satisfying. The portions were excellent and as my father would say, the chef put his foot in that meal! We’re already planning our next trip and my mouth is watering thinking about the Fried Pork Chop Dinner, and the BBQ Ribs, and of course, the Fried Chicken. And this time I will not leave without trying the Sweet Potato Cobbler!

 

THE FLYING BISCUIT - RALEIGH, NC

We discovered The Flying Biscuit while shopping for a dresser that I still haven’t found. It was mid-afternoon and the joint was empty. Big Daddy was looking for quiet so the timing was perfect. We had our choice of tables as there was no one else eating. Our waiter did let us know that this was not the norm and advised that the breakfast hour can be a whole other beast.

“We own breakfast in Raleigh,” he said somewhat emphatically. According to him breakfast on the weekends can include a lengthy two hour wait with many people trying to get in. And I can believe that.

Now breakfast is served all day long and they are renowned for their biscuits. They have great biscuits. And amazing cinnamon-nutmeg infused apple butter. Biscuits and apple butter are a lethal combination for my waistline and hard to resist. I’d go back just for the biscuits!

Now, I just knew Big Daddy was going to try the chicken but he surprised me and ordered the Turkey Pot Roast instead. So I ordered the chicken. Hands down, Big Daddy had the better of the two meals.

The Turkey Pot Roast was turkey slow-roasted and hand-pulled served in brown gravy with mashed potatoes and green beans. From start to finish every bite of this meal was melt-in-your mouth decadent. The turkey was tender, moist and the gravy perfectly seasoned. We were told the turkey is slow roasted some ten hours, then the au just gravy is made from the drippings and the whole shebang simmered together for another three-plus hours. I don’t care how it was made. I just know it was spectacular. The mashed potatoes were red-roasted potatoes mashed with the skin. They were flavorful and creamy as silk and the green beans were vegetable crack. They were lightly grilled, had a nice snap and were nicely seasoned. Big Daddy thought they were a little salt heavy but I think he was just being a little sensitive. On a scale of 1 – 10, this meal was a 100! I could eat this every day.

I ordered the Oven Fried Chicken and I was hopeful, having heard good things about their other dishes. The chicken was an herb-crusted chicken breast served with grilled macaroni and cheese and spicy collard greens. From a presentation perspective the meal made me think of some futuristic TV dinner. It all looked flat and uniformly perfect. The chicken breast was flattened and the crust reminded me of the boxed Shake-N-Bake my mother used to make back in the day. The herb flavoring was intense, the chicken breast surprisingly moist but I couldn’t get past the crunchy out of a box texture. The collards were spot on and for me, the best part of the meal. Big Daddy thought they were a little too spicy for him. He couldn’t get past the peppered heat to taste the greens but they had a nice bite and chew. The macaroni and cheese was a total fail for me. It was flat and square. There was a layer of cheese on top that was gummy and the pressed macaroni and cheese layer below was starchy and stiff. Macaroni and cheese should be decadently cheesy and gooey and this was a disappointment.

Reviewing the MENU I imagine that when they’re good they’re great but when they’re not, they’re a total bust. I also imagine it would be a lot of fun figuring out what’s good on the menu and what’s not. The vibe is super fun with a bright, feel good decor. The service was good and everyone was super pleasant. There’s a bar and as we were leaving there were a few people seated who seemed to be having a great time. We’ll do breakfast the next time and during their peak hour. I’m curious to see how they handle things. And I'm already fiending for some biscuits!

ED MITCHELL'S QUE - DURHAM, NC

 

Always on the search for good food, we were delighted to discover Ed Mitchell’s Que located in downtown Durham, NC. There to celebrate a favorite uncle’s 80^th birthday, I have to say we could not have found a better place. The old guy wanted barbecue and Ed Mitchell is a master.

The location is a real estate dream come true. It borders the Durham Bulls ballpark and sits across from American Tobacco Campus. There’s generous parking in the parking deck and its right in the middle of a lot of downtown action. They've capitalized on the people-watching opportunity with several bright red outdoor tables. Inside, the decor is slightly dressed up but comfortable and casual, feeling really down to earth. The background music was funky R&B and jazz and the whole vibe was just feel, feel good. The space isn’t overly large and we went at the perfect hour between lunch and dinner. There was no crowd, we had our choice of tables, opting to sit by the window and had our server’s full attention.

I wanted to try all the appetizers because there was a really eclectic selection on the menu and they all had my mouth watering. Big Daddy, on the other hand was just ready for the entrees. I highly recommend the N.C. Charcuterie, an assortment of meats and cheeses from North Carolina.  There was a coffee-flavored sweetened goat’s milk caramel with pork rinds that was absolutely outrageous, plus an assortment of Brie, crackers, and other cheeses. Also tops on my list were Ryan’s Smoked Wings and the Tomato Pie. I could eat the tomato pie all day long! It was a delicate stewed tomato, mixed cheddar cheese in the flakiest crust.

We ordered rounds of full plates. Uncle ordered the Carolina Baby Back Ribs with French fries and the smoked vegetable medley. Big Daddy had Mother Mitchell’s Fried Chicken, fries and black-eyed peas, and I had the Beef Brisket with macaroni and cheese and collard greens.

For starters the portions were generous! We had no complaints about the amount of food we were served. The brisket was the highlight of my meal, fork-tender, succulent, melt-in-your-mouth perfection. All of the sides were okay, nothing spectacular. The collards had just enough bite and chew but was short on flavor. Nothing a good ham hock or smoked turkey neck and a pinch of salt wouldn’t help. The bread crumb topped macaroni and cheese was bland but edible. I make a killer macaroni and cheese and this didn’t come close to hitting the mark.

Big Daddy thoroughly enjoyed the fried chicken. The crust was crispy and flavorful, the meat moist and tender and they gave him two breasts and a wing. Again, healthy portions! Now, I thought the crust was a tad heavy. It had no flake but my guy had no complaints at all. He ended up bringing half of it home and it warmed up nicely later that night. Uncle’s ribs were on point as well. Moist, tender, and falling off the bone.

I’m not sure why but like many other barbecue restaurants, the meat was great but the sides left much to be desired. They weren’t bad but not a one left any kind of impression. But what did leave an impression was the dessert!

Big Daddy is a dessert aficionado. He loves anything sweet. Me? Not so much. Since it was Uncle’s birthday we let him take the lead on dessert and he selected the Pig-Pickin’ Cake which is whole-heartedly a Southern thing! The cake was slightly dense and exceptionally moist. It had the mildest orange and pineapple flavor and the icing was a sweet cream cheese confection. I could have eaten two slices! Loved, loved, loved dessert. I also wish I’d ordered the chocolate pecan pie or the homemade banana pudding but since I didn’t I’ll definitely have to make a second trip.

We thoroughly enjoy our meal. And kudos to Erin, our server. She was sugar sweet and just a sheer pleasure. I greatly appreciated her keeping my sweet tea glass filled since the sweet tea was some of the best I’ve had and their cute little mason jar glasses aren’t overly large. Erin went above and beyond to insure we had a pleasant experience and even made our birthday guy feel extra special. I can’t wait to do the QUE again and Big Daddy and I both highly recommend it. ALL THUMBS UP!

 

CHOPSTIX - RALEIGH, NC

Two days in a row I have dined at CHOPSTIX, a Chinese and Sushi restaurant located in Raleigh’s Creedmoor Crossing Shopping Center. Initially, I was reluctant to try this restaurant and simply because it was outside of our mission to find the best fried chicken. As well, Big Daddy isn't partial to Asian food, it being something he can take or leave.

Day One, it was just the two of us and since he adamantly refuses to eat sushi we ate from their food menu. Our waitress was very sweet but she was the only one serving and there was a nice crowd. Big Daddy ordered the General Tso’s Chicken and I had the Orange Beef. Thank goodness for the crispy fried noodles and duck sauce because it took a minute before we got our food. The waitress apologized for the delay and let us know that meals are cooked to order so they take a minute or two longer than normal to come out of the kitchen. The wait time wasn’t all that bad and since the company was good, neither of us was too bothered by it. Next time we’ll know not to wait until we’re famished to order our meals.

We were both served substantial portions of food. So much so that there was plenty to take home for a late night snack. The General Tso’s Chicken was a flavorful assemblage that showed some real complexity and a texture that balanced those crispy, juicy nuggets of fried chicken with the sauce. Now, Big Daddy is not a fan of white rice unless it’s served with butter and sugar. Don’t ask. All of their entrees only come with white rice. We asked for fried rice instead which they happily obliged for an additional $2 charge.

The Orange Beef was tasty as well. It was spicier than I would have liked and I’m told you can ask for it to be milder but the orange flavor was fresh, the sauce was thick and abundant and the beef slices were melt-in-your mouth tender. We were impressed with both dishes but decided Big Daddy’s chicken was better than my beef.

I have to go back to the service here for a moment. As we were eating, the waitress suddenly comes back to the table and decides that my plate isn’t positioned properly for me to reach my food and so she proceeds to spin it around for me so that I can better access my chicken. It was an eye blink moment as I held my fork in mid-air, the gesture coming out of nowhere. Big Daddy is still laughing.

Day Two I ventured back with Number One Son to try the sushi. Number One Son and I both LOVE sushi. Now, for me, this is where Chopstix set themselves apart from their competitors. We have a favored sushi spot in Durham, NC that we regularly frequent. The sushi has always been on point and their prices (Buy one roll – Get one roll free) can’t be beat. Chopstix, however, took their sushi to another level and now have two new converts.

I don’t know how to aptly describe the Itamae’s or sushi chef’s skills other than to say this man has the hands of a master and welds his knife as if it’s an appendage to his body. The boy is good! 

We started with the shashimi appetizer which was a beautiful presentation of ten pieces of fresh fish. The slices of salmon, tuna, and white tuna melted in your mouth like sweet butter. The fish was above par; fresh and tender with a rich taste and buttery texture. I could have done without the crab sticks which weren’t real crab, just that imitation processed white fish. I personally thought it distracted from the meal and should have been left off the plate but Number One Son enjoyed it.

And here is where I need to interject again about their service. The son and I were having a discussion about the fish that was on his list to try and our waitress suddenly appears tableside to tell us that they had just gotten an order of live scallops and wondering if we’d be interested in their scallop appetizer. Number One Son got very excited and after some wheedling, I agreed. Just seconds later the waitress rushed over with said live scallop, the oversized shell filling her hand, to show us that indeed it was very fresh and still living, awaiting the master’s blade. For a second the gesture threw me off and as my son jokingly teased it felt like it would if we’d ordered bacon and they’d paraded the pig in for us to see before they took it to slaughter. Nevertheless, I was duly impressed when minutes later we were presented with two succulent displays of thinly sliced scallop. The first was served on a bed of sliced lemons which intensified the sweetness of the shellfish. The second was a salad of scallop and cucumbers in a delightful sauce that had a hint of spice. The flavors burst in your mouth and both dishes were absolutely divine.

The scallop was followed by two rolls, the Christmas Roll (tuna and avocado inside topped with crunchy tuna outside) and the Tiger Roll (tuna, salmon, yellowtail, avocado, tobiko, and seaweed salad wrapped in a special seaweed). Both were phenomenal. Flavorful, sweet and amazingly fresh! What Number One Son was quick to point out was that nothing we tasted required soy sauce, ginger or wasabi to accent the flavors. They all stood on their own and were perfection. And the presentations were over the top. Everything was pretty, some of the dishes even coming with flashing lights and flowers rolled from paper-thin carrots and wisps of lettuce. Someone aced the class on garnish 101.

We had just waved the waitress over for the bill when she appeared at the table to tell us about the fresh conch that was on special and so we said, "why not!". The conch or sazae had wonderful flavor but the texture left much to be desire. Glad we tried it but not something I'd rush to eat again. 

Stuffed and ready for a nap we were just about to depart when that waitress showed up with one last platter. “White tuna,” she said. “On the house!” And this freebie was simply scrumptious! The tuna had been lightly seared and was served with a spicy ponzu sauce. It was something we both agreed that we would eat again.

I will definitely return to Chopstix and without a doubt will order the sushi before I order anything else. Although it’s not as budget friendly as my former go-to spot, the Buy One Roll-Get 50% off the Second, really isn't all that bad and everything about our meal was definitely worth breaking the bank.

RED ROBIN (2) - RALIEGH, NC

We have a hard and fast policy about not dismissing any restaurant without visiting it at least twice. A bad experience the first time won't necessarily mean a bad experience the second time. And, it's not often that a great first experience is followed by a bad one.

 

We were excited about returning to Red Robin. This time we went on a Friday night during their peak dinner hour. The place was packed to capacity and seemed to be quite popular with families with children. Once again, we had a very pleasant server who was attentive and eager to please. This time Big Daddy ordered the Colossus Burger. Available for only a limited time, it's a fire-grilled patty piled high with finely chopped smoked brisket, provolone cheese, red and yellow onions plus their Campfire and Triple S BBQ sauces.

 

I selected the DGB Burger, that same fire-grilled patty topped with oven-roasted tomatoes, savory roasted garlic aioli and fresh arugula tossed in citrus olive oil dressing on a toasted ciabatta bun.

My burger was much better than his. It had a very organic quality to it to be a burger. The arugula felt fresh and with the dressing, almost salad-like. The bun was perfect and the aioli was a nice complement. 

 

The Colossus was a bomb and Big Daddy was disappointed. The brisket was nothing but large chunks of unchewable fat that we had to keep pulling out of our mouths. It took away from the experience. Those bottomless French fries came in quite handy this time around.

This time we ordered dessert and our excitement was quickly dashed. We started with the Gooey Chocolate Brownie Cake. Their menu describes it as an indulgent chocolate brownie cake and hot fudge topped with vanilla ice cream and served with sweet strawberries and berry sauce. Our waitress swore it was her favorite. When it arrived the berries and sauce were frozen chunks and the cake was cold and dry. There was nothing gooey or brownie-like about it and it tasted very cardboard-like. A manager was quick to rectify the situation and replaced that disaster with their Mountain High Mudd Pie, an avalanche of chocolate and vanilla ice cream layered with Oreo cookies, fudge and caramel and topped with whipped cream. The portion was substantial, almost too large for both of us to share. And it was chocolate ice cream and Oreos. You can't get that but so wrong.

 

Neither of us was as impressed the second time around, but Red Robin remains on our list of places we'd eat at again. There are still things on the menu we'd like to try and great customer service continues to make them a win for us.