The Pit is not the pits

You can smell The Pit from a block away as the smoke fills the air. You'll know you've arrived when you see the crowd outside the front door. This place is always packed, and with good reason! North Carolina may be known for barbecue (for your northerners and foreigner, that's what we call a style of pork, it's not something you go to for eating hamburgers, hot dogs and potato salad), but it's not everyplace that can say their pitmaster beat the Food Network star, Bobby Flay, in a rib Throwdown! Ed Mitchell is famous for his legendary whole-hog, pit-cooked barbecue. 

So now that my mouth is watering, yet again, let's get to the food! Don't worry, if you aren't a pork eater there are plenty of other options. Ed's famous BBQ chicken, Texas-style brisket, baby back ribs, smoked turkey and they even have a fabulous vegetarian option that even the meat eaters would love-- barbecued tofu! The variety of side dishes hold their own against the main courses. Everything from mashed potatoes and mac 'n cheese, to sauteed vegetables and fried okra. So how is it? Let me paint you a little picture...

You sit down to a table with fresh out of the oven biscuits, that are exceptionally buttery and flakey with a luscious sweet butter and crispy hush puppies. Try not to eat them all, because you'll want to save room for the main course! 

Chopped BBQ with grits and greens

It's really hard to choose because everything is delicious, and luckily they have platters where you can try two or three of their delicious barbecue treats. We ordered two plates on this particular visit (you know I love sharing and trying different things). The chopped barbecue in the Eastern Carolina style (spicy, vinegar-based sauce) is smokey and delicious. There are two different BBQ sauces (one vinegar-based and one molasses-based) on the table for you to add to your favorite dish...personally, I like to mix them...and they make this dish even better. The collard greens are cooked in the smoked pork and are some of the best greens I've ever had. Their cheddar, bacon grits are creamy and absolutely amazing. 

We also ordered a half-rack of baby-back ribs. They were sweet and tangy, super smokey, and fall-off-the-bone amazing. It's no wonder Ed Mitchell beat Bobby Flay in a rib-off! Just writing about them is making my mouth water. 

The sweet potato fries are one of my favorites (let's face it, who can turn down a fried sweet potato?) and are perfectly crisp. I suggest dipping them in the molasses-based BBQ sauce. Another delicious side-dish choice are the smokey, sweet BBQ baked beans, but let's face it, you can't go wrong with any of your choices on the menu. 

This place is fabulous. If you like Barbecue, you'll love The Pit!

My Philosophy on Cooking

If you use ingredients that you like, it's really hard to go wrong (unless, of course, you burn it, under cook it, or really think tuna and ice cream would go together on spaghetti). For example, the other night I was craving some sort of fresh, lemony, shrimp dish and decided to go with shrimp scampi (of which I don't have a particular recipe for but have made before). In looking through my kitchen, I decided the perfect pairing for my shrimp scampi craving would be a creamy lemon risotto. Not having recipes handy for either of these dishes, I decided to make it up as I went along. I like experimenting in the kitchen and since I do feel I have a basic knowledge of how things are made and what goes well together, I figured I have nothing to lose (and I also have a bunch of delivery options if this happens to be completely inedible). 

I apologize in advance as I do not have official recipes and am really bad at trying to figure out how much of everything I used, but I'll try since I received so many requests for my "recipe." So here we go...

Ingredients needed for lemon risotto (serving 2):
I used about 1 cup of sushi rice instead of arborio 
White Wine- about 1/2 cup
Chicken stock- about 2 cups
Garlic- 2 cloves or to your liking
1 large lemon or two
Parmesan cheese- about half a cup (or more depending on your liking)
Butter- approx. two tablespoons
Olive oil- approx. two tablespoons
salt and pepper to taste

In a deep skillet, I heated the olive oil and added the two cloves of finely minced garlic, which I sauteed for about a minute (or until you can start smelling the sweet fragrance of the garlic...but before it starts to turn brown!) and added the rice. 

I sauteed the rice and garlic mixture for a few minutes, adding the zest of a lemon. Then, I added the white wine and stirred until almost completely evaporated. I slowly started adding the chicken stock about 1/4 cup at a time letting the stock cook into the rice and evaporate before adding another ladle of stock. 


Once all the stock had been incorporated, and the rice was al dente, I added the juice of one lemon and let that cook into the rice. Then, I stirred in the butter, and added the parmesan cheese. 


Season to taste and serve!

For the shrimp scampi, you'll need similar ingredients (which is why this dish goes so well together):
A few tablespoons of olive oil
Two or so cloves of garlic
About 1/4 cup of white wine
A few tablespoons of chicken stock
1 lemon
salt and pepper
Optional: Parsley and my personal favorite, Cajun seasoning
About a pound of shrimp

I cooked the shrimp almost all the way through (you can also use already cooked frozen shrimp or whatever is easier for you). In the meantime, I sauteed the finely chopped garlic in the olive oil. When the garlic started to get fragrant, I added the white wine and chicken stock. Letting it simmer so it would thicken a little. I then added the lemon, parsley, and seasonings. Once the sauce was at a good thickness and taste, I added the shrimp to continue cooking in the liquid.


I poured the shrimp scampi over-top the risotto, added a side of greens with homemade balsamic vinaigrette and had a fabulous meal!


Now I hope that wasn't too confusing or un-followable (I don't even know if I could recreate this meal exactly the same), but the point is you can take ingredients you love and makeup some fabulous meals with a little creativity. Let me know how it goes! I'd love to hear more creative "recipes" and suggestions!

The Pharmacy cures your ailments

The Pharmacy may not have the cure for everything, but it will definitely cure your hunger, need for a drink, or craving for an elegant meal. The old style of the building, which used to be an old pharmacy, is warm and inviting. The food tastes so fresh and has food that ranges in style from French Bistro to Artisan Cafe all with a touch of Southern charm.

Asian shrimp spring rolls and crabcake appetizer

The Pharmacy's claim to fame are their crabcakes, which are wrapped in phyllo dough and fried to a crispy, golden brown. Talk about adding an amazing new twist to an old classic. It's served with a side salad and has multiple homemade sauces to dip it to your liking in a grainy mustard style sauce or a balsamic reduction sauce. Each is the perfect pairing. Luckily, you can order the crabcakes as your entree or an appetizer to start off your meal.

They have a variety of other appetizers and sides including fried vegetable sticks and Asian shrimp spring rolls. 

Special Ravioli

There are daily pasta specials and the quiche of the day, which are always fabulous. On this particular trip, we ordered their pasta of the day, which was a spinach, ricotta and walnut ravioli in a homemade creamy pesto sauce. One bite of this dish and we fell in love! The walnut in the ravioli added an extra dimension of flavor that is unlike anything else. The homemade creamy pesto sauce was perfectly executed...not too creamy, not too overwhelming with the pesto. Being that three of us girls were splitting everything, they were even nice enough to split the pasta dish for us into individual servings.

We also ordered the honey glazed salmon. Talk about amazing! This salmon was perfectly cooked, glazed with honey, lemon, a touch of soy and stone-ground mustard, atop delicious wild rice and served with a side salad mixed in a raspberry walnut vinaigrette. When I'm cooking salmon, honey is not on my mind when thinking about a marinade, but this was fantastic (and will definitely be something I experiment with in the future). 

The meal was delicious. We hardly had room for dessert but considering how delicious everything had been (and being that it was our last meal together for a while), we took that extra step and followed the "there's always room for dessert" philosophy by ordering their homemade vanilla bean creme brulee. It was packed with vanilla bean and had a perfect carmelized sugar topping (you know how sometimes it can be too thick or too thin? this was neither one of those). 

 If you're in Southport, NC, the pharmacy is a place you should try to get to for lunch. You'll love the sweet southern charm and elegant, homemade flavors of the food, paired with good service and a quaint atmosphere.

Mr. P's Southern Bistro

Mr. P's is a bistro on the main drag into "downtown" Southport (I use that phrase lightly since it's such a small town). It's a little brick building and inside there's a down-home country, but elegant feel to the place. I'd personally call it a "Southern Bistro" style. 

Fried Goat Cheese Salad

The servers are exceptionally nice...the typical Southern hospitality. They have a full bar with some fun twists on cocktails. Their appetizers are fantastic. My favorite salad on their menu is the fried goat cheese salad (as you know, I love anything with goat cheese). The goat cheese is rolled in breadcrumbs and lightly fried, served warm atop mix greens, roasted red peppers and toasted, spiced pecans with a light balsamic dressing. It's a great start to a fabulous meal. 

On the menu, there's a huge selection of fresh seafood as well as burgers and their famous Prime Rib. There is always an abundance of additional daily specials so wait for your server to let you in on those delicious secrets before deciding. Come to think of it, I've been there multiple times and can probably count on one hand the number of times I've ordered off of their usual menu. All of their entrees come with grits or potatoes and a choice of their daily vegetables. My favorite side of theirs are their Parmesan Fried Green Tomatoes. They are deliciously tangy, perfectly golden brown, crispy, and absolutely fantastic! 

On this particular night, my friends and I shared a few dishes. We ordered one of the specials that wasn't on the menu: Blackened salmon topped with blue cheese and herbs, a side of pan-roasted red potatoes and (of course) their Parmesan fried green tomatoes. The salmon was deliciously seasoned with spicy Cajun spices and perfectly cooked. The bleu cheese on top was a great coolant for the taste-buds and was also a great pairing for the pan-roasted red potatoes. It's one of my favorites at this restaurant as they usually have some sort of blue-cheese topped fish on special any night of the week.

 Blackened Salmon w/ Bleu Cheese, Herbs, Roasted Potatoes & Parmesan Fried Green Tomatoes

We also tried their shrimp and Andoille sausage gumbo served with fried grit cakes. The grit cakes were awesome! Crispy, fried outside, and creamy inside. The Andoille sausage was perfectly pan seared before being added to the deliciously seasoned gumbo. It was an elegant twist to a down-home, Southern gumbo.

Shrimp & Andoille Sausage Gumbo with Fried Grit Cakes

Mr. P's is a local favorite that has earned it's status as a place you'll want to keep going back to. 

Dead End Saloon

The view from our table

Dead End Saloon is a pub in Southport/Oak Island, NC. Cozy up to the bar or sit out on the porch overlooking the river marsh and pier. You'll definitely see your fill of wildlife from beautiful butterflies to a variety of water birds. While I was there, there were even a couple of dolphins that playfully swam by!

Their menu consists of everything from burgers and sandwiches to quesadillas and buffalo wings, to seafood of all kinds. They have daily food and drink specials with typical pub fare as well as fun twists on old favorites. Their coconut shrimp is served with a fabulous homemade Hawaiian-style dipping sauce that includes coconut and pineapple (it's very ambrosia-esq and could probably be served in a bowl as a dessert, it's so good). Their fish and chips are delightful with perfectly crispy fries and homemade tartar sauce.

Just like the menu says, it's "Fun Dining"

If you're looking for a fun, laid-back atmosphere with food for anyone's taste, head down to the end of Fish Factory road, pull up a seat on the porch overlooking the water, and enjoy some fabulous pub fare.

Southport, NC

One of the piers in Southport

Southport, NC is a quaint little coastal town in southern North Carolina. It's very quiet and is currently the only way you can get to Oak Island (by bridge) or Bald Head Island (by ferry). Southport, Oak Island and Bald Head Island create a great trifecta of beachiness as each area is so unique and beautiful, but cater to different lifestyles.

Waterfront benches at sunset

But back to Southport...in this small town (which gets very busy during the summer season), take a stroll down the main street and check out the unique shops. Stop in the Christmas House to stock up on holiday decorations and treats. Bullfrog's corner has the cutest children's toys. Or stop and get some ice cream as you stroll down to the waterfront, have a seat on the swinging benches and look out over where the Cape Fear River meets the ocean.

For such a small town, there are some fabulous restaurants. Everything from fantastic Southern cuisine, local seafood and fantastic fine dining. Not only is Southport peaceful and relaxing, you can enjoy some fabulous meals out on the town (which is a great segway to my next few Southport restaurant posts). 

View of Southport Marina from the water

Sweet! The Cupcake Shoppe

T

The Cupcake Shoppe. The name would make it seem pretty straightforward, even uninteresting or typical...but let me assure you, it is anything but. The Cupcake Shoppe is a quaint little shop on Glenwood Ave. The front is just what you would expect with the little outdoor cafe tables, pink scalloped awning and beautifully decorated cake samples in the window. Walk inside and you almost feel like you've stepped into an old soda fountain shop with their old fashioned cash register, glass case full of beautiful cupcakes, and simple interior design. 

Mint Condition Cupcake

They have thirteen usual flavors but they are hardly your usual, everyday cupcake. The cake flavors are rich and flavorful, and the frosting? Well when it's swirled atop the little cakes at about two inches high and comes in some of the most unique flavor combinations you'll find anywhere, it doesn't get much better than that! Just don't put it down after you've taken a bite because it will fall over from the weight!

They have everything from Plain Jane (really, that's what it's called and includes vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream) to your better than typical Red Velvet to Cinnamon, Carrot Cake, Peanut Butter Cup (chocolate cake with peanut butter buttercream). Some of my personal favorites include the coconut cupcake made of fresh coconut cake and vanilla buttercream frosting, rolled in coconut flakes. Or for those that love the perfect combination of mint and chocolate, there's the "Mint Condition" cupcake that consists of chocolate cake, topped with mint buttercream. 

Almond Joy Cupcakes

And every week they have a completely unique flavor combination like Mojito or this week's "Hummingbird Cake" cupcake which consists of pineapple, banana and pecan cake with cream cheese frosting. Last week's flavor was one of my favorite candy bars deconstructed: Almond Joy, with chocolate cake, coconut butter cream, rolled in cocoa dusted coconut flakes and sliced, toasted almonds...Delicious!

If you need a sweet treat after dinner downtown, or a nice dessert for a party, stop by The Cupcake Shoppe. You'll want to keep coming back to try them all!

Toast is anything but Plain Jane

Toast is inspired by authentic Italian sandwich shops. It's a little paninoteca in Durham, but with so much more! 

Panini with Goat Cheese, Honey, Pepper Crostini

Walk into the little shop and talk a look at the chalk board hanging overhead, above the cash register. Mix and match panini, tramezzi, bruschetta, and crostini (and if you don't know what each of those are, don't worry, they explain them on the menu) with homemade soups and delightfully simple salads. All of their menu items are simply designed and have that rustic, Italian feel. With one bite, you are instantly transported to a little sandwich shop in Italy, enjoying your palette-pleasing meal. Their local ingredients, artisan breads, and house-cured meats make it extra special and what they can't find locally, they import straight from Italy. 

What's the best thing to order? Everything is delicious. Try a panini with a green salad or homemade soup or a side of crostini. Or choose a few crostini to have with your soup. The flexibility of the menu really allows you to taste a little of everything. If you're a prosciutto-lover, try their Prosciutto, Mozzarella and Tomato Panino  with a deliciously light and simple green salad tossed with herbs, parmigiano reggiano and in a red-win vinaigrette (shown below). Try the warm olives with  orange, rosemary, garlic and crushed red pepper. The crostini with warm goat cheese, honey, and crushed black pepper is a delicious combination of tang, sweet and spice.  

Toast really is the perfect little paninoteca. 

Brio Tuscan Grille

Although I'm not usually one for chain restaurants due to their hit or miss quality assurance, if you're wanting an Italian restaurant with a large variety on the menu, Brio is a decent place to soothe your craving. 

Seared Shrimp and Orzo

The service is professional and quick. Anyone would find something they like on the menu. They have everything from pastas and salads to seafood and steaks in all varieties. The seared shrimp with orzo was very good. Well seasoned, although a little on the salty side. The lemon vinaigrette atop the sauteed vegetables and orzo was delicious.

Save room for dessert or make sure you shield your eyes from the fabulous-looking dessert tray the waiter brings around. It usually involves little tastes of typical desserts; key lime pie, chocolate cakes, creme brule, tiramasu, cannolis, etc.

If you're shopping at Crabtree Valley Mall and are craving a taste of Tuscany, Brio will hit all the right notes.

Nothing beats Farmer's Market Fresh

Seriously, what's better than a breakfast made of the freshest ingredients, straight off the local farms? Not much! Which is why the State Farmer's Market Restaurant is the place to be for weekend brunch! Talk about down-home, good ol' Southern cooking! They have everything from fresh sausage and bacon to waffles and hotcakes to brains and eggs... yes, I said brains. The waitstaff is very knowledgeable and friendly, in their adorable denim overalls.

Granny Cone's Sampler

I went with my fabulous photographer friend, Cynthia (of CynKain Photography). With a huge spread of farm-fresh goodness to choose from, we had a difficult time deciding. Luckily for a foodie like me, they have "Granny Cone's Sampler," which is literally a sampling of all the things we were deciding between: Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, NC Country Ham, Sausage Gravy, Spiced Apples, Silver Dollar Hot Cakes, Grits and Biscuits. 

The biscuits were flaky and buttery. The NC Country Ham, Sausage and Bacon tasted so incredibly fresh, it was some of the best I've ever had. The grits were really creamy and the spiced apples were a perfect end to this fabulous meal. While there was too much food on the sampler for me to finish everything, I think there was a perfect little taste of everything you'd want to try for your first time here. 

Cynthia got a delicious platter of french toast and bacon, which was equally wonderful. 

Being right across from the Farmer's Market, the restaurant is great inspiration to pick up your groceries for the week across the way. The food here was so fresh and delicious and the service was really quick. If you're looking for a down-home, farm-fresh meal, this is the place to go!

Viva Vivace!

Vivace definitely lives up to its name in Raleigh, NC. It's a lively, contemporary Italian trattoria tucked in the back corner of the North Hills shopping area. Expect a wait, or make a reservation relatively far in advance as this place is very popular. With a variety of antipasti and the traditional cured meats and cheeses, there's plenty to choose from to start off your night, whether you want to cozy up to the bar or sit down in the dining room. Their rustic brick oven pizzas are a great appetizer to share amongst a few people or as its own dish. Their traditional pasta dishes range from spaghetti with meatballs to the most sensational seasonal risotto. Their entrees (or Secondi) range from Roman Style Chicken and Veal Saltimbocca to Polenta Crushed Salmon and Grilled Tuna. 

Jen loves Chicken Agnolotti

As for my recommendations? You really can't go wrong. The four-cheese pizza with carmelized onions and portobella mushrooms is absolutely fantastic. The calamari fritti with spicy tomato aioli will impress any calamari fan. To top off the appetizers, the white-bean spread that comes with the rustic Italian bread is deliciously seasoned with a light hint of rosemary. As for the main course? The seasonal risotto is always fabulously rich and delicious. The smoked chicken and spinach stuffed agnolotti with sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms and a garlic cream sauce is to die for! It's Jen's favorite go-to dish. It practically melts in your mouth! If you're looking for another twist on a classic, the Capellini Fra Diavolo with shrimp, cherry peppers, roasted tomatoes and ricotta is wonderful. This spicy dish is perfectly topped with a dollop of ricotta which adds a creamy smoothness to the dish and soothes the spice. 

Capellini Fra Diavolo

Each dish has a contemporary twist on an old classic. If you're looking for Italian in Raleigh, Vivace is the place to go!

Just Say No

This isn't about what they taught us in health class...When's the last time someone asked you to do something and you said no? I'm not talking about being rude. I'm talking about saying no to something you physically, mentally or emotionally could not do for your own well being, or the well being of your team.  

- Can you write that 150 page report and get it on my desk in 3 hours? 
- No. (That's physically not possible)  

- Can we push back this meeting? 
- No. (That would cut the timeline too close)  

- Can you work late tonight? 
- No. (You already have plans and the work can wait until tomorrow)


I've recently discovered that it's okay to say no. And that not only is it okay, but sometimes it's necessary.  

- No, this is not urgent so I will not be spending the night here working on it.
- No, you cannot treat me like that. 
- No, I will not let this affect me. 
- No, I will not be accessible while I'm on vacation. 
- No, you cannot call me at 11pm, I will be in the office by 9am and we can talk then. 
- No, we cannot do xyz by 123 deadline, but we can do abc by 123 deadline or xyz by 567 deadline. 


Saying no is not just a personal revelation, either. It's also a professional one. 

- You want to push up the presentation by a day? I'm sorry, but my team will not be ready and we want to make sure what you see is at 100%. 
- No, I will not be calling you on vacation. You relax, and if we need anything, we'll get someone to fill in. 


Saying no is about determining what the priorities are, and sifting through the crap to make sure those priorities are taken care of. Stephen Covey, in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People says it very well:

"...you have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage-- pleasantly, smilingly, nonapologetically-- to say "no" to other things. And the way you do that is by having a bigger "yes" burning inside...you are always saying "no" to something. If it isn't to the apparent, urgent things in your life, it is probably to the more fundamental, highly important things..."

Think about it...sometimes you need some time to unwind and work on your personal life and have to say no to certain things at work. Sometimes you give up things in your personal life to get ahead at work (the key word here is sometimes). It all depends on what your priorities are, what your goals are in life and what your physical, mental and emotional needs are. And it's not all about giving things up or saying no. It's about rearranging your priorities, recognizing your own needs, making compromises and figuring out alternatives to the choices at hand.


The power of "no" is quite liberating. Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do...or not do, for that matter. So next time someone asks you to do something you really can't or don't want to do, say no ("pleasantly, smilingly, apologetically").

Going International

This is officially an internationally read blog! 

I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of you (on all four continents) for reading my blog. 
 
I appreciate your support!

~Jessica

Secrets

A friend of mine today asked if I could keep a secret. Now, don't get your hopes up because I can keep a secret and this post is not about blabbing some juicy secret for the masses to hear. If you want that, I suggest you visit postsecret.com. Anyway, so when this friend asked if I could keep a secret, it got me thinking...has anyone actually said "no" to this question? 


"Can you keep a secret?"
- "No. As a matter of fact, I can't so you better not tell me..."


I don't think so! Who doesn't want to hear some juicy secret that supposedly no one else (or very few people) knows about? 


Then I started thinking about those people who start a sentence with, "Don't tell anyone but...[insert someone else's secret here]..." I mean honestly, how many times have you been on the receiving end of that statement? Or maybe you said that to someone? Multiple people, even? And then suddenly everybody knows! It's a nasty habit that some people have. Those are the people that should answer "no" to the aforementioned question, but they don't. It's scary when you think about it. No one's secrets are safe when they are shared with anyone but themselves...and quite frankly, some people are bad at keeping their own secrets. 


A friend of mine in high school and I started a mini social experience back in the day. It was stupid, but it proved a point. We started a perfectly harmless, but apparently totally juicy rumor (at least to the immature high schoolers) to see how long it would take to spread around the school. So my friend and I in first period told three different people: "Did you hear? Sarah K***** got stuck in a locker!" Well even though this little piece of untrue information was totally petty (and barely believable), those three people we told looked back at us with eyes wide in amazement as they said, "Really?! No way! How did that happen?!" So, we made up an ellaborate story about how someone bet her "five thou" (a.k.a. five thousand yen...it was my high school in Japan...which was roughly $46 dollars at the time) that she couldn't fit in a locker, but she was determined to do it and when she did, she got stuck and three people had to try to pull her out, and then we had to get a cafeteria worker to bring out the butter... Well when we got to the part about the butter, that's when people were hooked! We barely got out of second period before other people came circling back to us saying, "Hey! Did you hear Sarah K***** got stuck in a locker?!" and by lunch time, Sarah was running around trying to figure out who started this false rumor. We did fess up to Sarah about starting the rumor and set the record straight (which of course took longer to circulate than the initial rumor because it wasn't as juicy so we had to tell more people ourselves).


As stupid as this may have been, it proved something. People are always looking to be the first to know something and secrets are never sacred when it comes to juicy gossip. 

So if you have a secret, be careful who you tell. And if you are the receiver of said secret, keep it to yourself (unless, of course, that secret is going to affect or hurt someone physically, mentally or emotionally...but that's a whole other blog post).

The 3 B's: Beer, Bourbon and BBQ

Chris with his tasting glass at the BBB festival

Beer. Bourbon. Barbecue. It doesn't get much better than that. Especially when those three are combined in an "all-you-care-to-taste" event combined with great music, pig races and so much more!

Bryant checking out Jack's table

As you walk into the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival at the Koka Booth Amphitheater in Cary and pick up your souvenir tasting glass, the sounds of Bluegrass music and the smell of smoked pork is already filling the air. With over 60 beers, 40 bourbons, 15 BBQ vendors, and other drinks mixed in, it would be hard to find something you didn't like. In addition to the headliners, there were things like Peach Sweet Tea Vodka and Coffee Patron among other unique liquors. 

One of my favorite mixed drinks was from the St. Germain table. St. Germain is an elderflower blossom liquor of the French influence. The Dia Del Amor cocktail was fantastic and made me wish I were sitting on the beach drinking this cocktail and eating some fresh crab. The sweet elderflower combined with the sour lime and a dash of hot sauce, is a celebration for the taste-buds (if you don't mind a little spice in your life). This drink consists of St. Germain, Tequila, Fresh Lime Juice and a few dashes of hot sauce (personally, I'd add a few dashes to hot sauce to anything so this was a winner in my book), and garnished with a chili-salt rimmed glass and a lime. It was a fabulously refreshing summer drink. Another great summery favorite at this table was the St. Germain Cocktail which consisted of St.Germain, sparkling wine, and club soda. It was sweet and light...I think I found my new favorite summer liquor! 


The amount and variety of Bourbon was fantastic. The servers were very knowledgeable (not that I would expect otherwise) so it was definitely a great learning experience as well. There were the typical players there like Makers Mark, Wild Turkey and Jack Daniels, but there were some unique other brands, flavors, and varieties where everyone (even non-bourbon drinkers) should find something they like. 


The beer selection was also above par (side note: I never understood that phrase...I don't know much about golf, but I'm pretty sure being below par is what you're shooting for, right?). There were well-known brands as well as great local breweries present.

The smoker at The Little Red Pig pickin' the meat for our plates!

A whole pig from The Little Red Pig

Then there's the Barbecue...North Carolina definitely knows how to do a good barbecue. I was glad that my northern friends enjoyed the vinegar-based Eastern Carolina style barbecue. We tried a few different vendors and each was better than the next. Our personal favorite? The Little Red Pig.  

Chris before we devoured our plate...

 The Little Red Pig is based out of Marshville, NC (and if you were wondering, they do catering!). They smoked the whole entire pig and were literally picking the meat right off the animal to put on our plates. The freshness and flavors were unbelievable. They also had multiple vinegar-based BBQ sauces to put on top (although the meat was perfect by itself) with a variety of heats. The coleslaw was a fantastic pairing to the perfect smokiness of the pork. On the side, the classic BBQ pork baked beans were absolutely fabulous with the prefect balance of sweet and smokey. It was all you would expect from an award-winning Carolina BBQ place. 

And what kind of Beer, Bourbon and BBQ festival would it be if there wasn't the Miss Barbecue and Daisy Dukes contest? Or what about the Beer Belly Competition? And let me tell you, there were some real winners (sarcasm intended) on the main stage. The Daisy Dukes were shorter than short and those beer bellies? Well imagine me, at 5' 10", wrapping around one of these bellies and still not being able to touch my feet to my head...enough said. 


To top off the whole experience, there was great Country and Bluegrass music playing in the background from some fantastic bands. Everyone was eating, drinking, dancing and even singing along. Talk about a good time!

My friend Bryant Avondoglio shot and edited a great video to give you a special taste of the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ festival:



It was so much fun (even in 96 degree heat) and definitely a must-have experience. Can't wait for the next one!

There's nothing humble about Humble Pie

Almost hidden on the edge of Raleigh's warehouse district, is an old brick warehouse with a large "H" on the side. This is the only indication that you have, in fact, found Humble Pie...that and the Tiki Bar on the patio. Walk up the ramp to the hostess stand and decide whether you want to sit inside or outside (when the weather's nice). The decor inside is very artsy and the old warehouse atmosphere is very trendy. 

Sesame-Seared Ahi Tuna with Fried Rice in Asian BBQ

Crispy-Skinned Salmon, Cheese Grits, Tomato Broth

The menu is an eclectic blend of international fusion with southern flair. There's something on the menu for everyone and everything is fabulous. It's tapas-style so two to three plates a person is standard and more than sufficient. I'd recommend ordering a few different things and sharing amongst the table. If you're like me, you'll want to try everything on the menu! The chicken lettuce wraps are light and delicious. The dipping sauce is fantastic and I'd highly recommend you save it for the sesame seared tuna, which is also delicious and perfectly prepared. The fried green tomatoes with roasted garlic aioli are a perfect beginning to any meal. I've tried almost everything on the menu and have never had a bad meal. If you're in the mood for salmon, the crispy-skinned salmon atop cheese grits in a pool of tomato broth is absolutely fantastic. If you're in the mood for steak, the Caribbean-Spice Filet Mignon with a quinoa salad and pineapple salsa is a great marriage of sweet and spice. If you're looking for a fabulous twist on some Mexican fare, you'll love the Braised Short-Rib Tostadas with the Mango salsa and Chimichurri sauce. If you aren't in the mood for meat, the Ricotta and Butternut Squash Stuffed Conchiglioni are to die for! They are served in a sweet roasted garlic and charred tomato cream sauce and garnished with garlic chips. 

Carribean-spiced Filet Mignon with Quinoa, Pineapple Salsa

There are so many great options, it's hard to choose! There are also great drink specials nightly, which they post on their Twitter page. With the great food, great service and a great atmosphere, this is a hot spot in Raleigh!

Raising the Stake on Steak

It's amazing how things usually find a way to work out for the better in the end. I could talk a lot about this subject, but really what I am referring to right now is steak. Yes...Steak.

I picked up some steaks on Sunday to have with a friend of mine on Monday. I decided I was going to use my dad's theory on marinading (combine a bunch of sauces and spices you like together to make something better), since I didn't really have anything in mind. So that night, I combined Worcestershire sauce, a splash of soy sauce, and rice vinegar, with freshly chopped garlic, thyme and sage (fresh from my parent's garden that they sent me), a little salt and pepper, rubbed it into the two NY strip steaks I had, packed it in the leftover marinade, and put it in the refrigerator overnight. 

I couldn't wait to get home on Monday to throw it on the grill with the fresh asparagus I had. Unfortunately, my friend ended up not being able to make it. And fortunately, what I thought was an unfortunate circumstance, ended up being a very fortunate circumstance because after over 48 hours marinating, that steak was amazingly seasoned, extremely tender, and perfectly delicious! 

So take this lesson how you'd like. It's another way to show you that there's always a silver lining, everything happens for a reason (no matter how small or life-changing), and it always works out in the end. Now that's something you can literally apply to food, or take this metaphor and apply it to life!