may/june 2017

find smart swaps to make cooking better for you discover wellrounded richmond

spend summer days at selwyn avenue pub may • june 2017

contents Celebrating a one-of-a-kind dessert found only in Surry County, NC Eight stops on the trail in the following towns: Dobson, Elkin, Mount Airy and Pilot Mountain

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10 smart swaps to make baking and cooking better for you

For a FREE trail map (800) 948-0949 or go to: SonkerTrail.org

Call

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well-rounded richmond

summer days at selwyn avenue pub

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in each issue 06 ripe for the picking

wine picks to keep you cool as summer settles in

08 juicy morsels Est.

challenge your senses at dilworth’s new tasting room

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seats & eats

2009

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volume 9 • issue 3

zio recreates the cozy atmosphere of a north-east italian restaurant

profiles of passion

the medicinal berry

33 places to go, people to see

a calendar of local events

34 scene around town

check out who’s been out and about

36 local flavor

tasty treats to beat the summer heat

38 the juice

must-have products, hot topics, and more

39 words to live by w w w.epi cu rea n ch a r l otte.com

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LE MERIDIEN CHARLOTTE T +1 704 372 9610 lemeridien.com/ charlotte

Epicurean Charlotte is published locally by Charlotte food and wine lovers for fellow food and wine lovers.

We hope you enjoy our publication and find it helpful when choosing wine, a place to dine or events around town. Copying or reproduction, in part or in whole, is strictly prohibited.

START YOUR JOURNEY

publisher/editor Linda Seligman

N 35° 13’ W 80° 50’ DESTINATION UNLOCKED

Awaken your senses with stimulating experiences, inspired cuisine and moments of discovery at every turn. Let Le Meridien Charlotte help you experience Charlotte through new eyes.

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associate editor Ashley Blake Chappell

Engage your senses at lemeridiencharlotte.com

contributing editor Kate Bruce kate@epicureancharlotte.com

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media editor Evoke_Epicurean_1/4pg_11617.indd 1

1/16/17 10:27 PM

Courtney Matinata

design & production Ashley Blake Chappell ashley@epicureancharlotte.com advertising sales Linda Seligman linda@epicureancharlotte.com 704.904.8249 contributing writers Yvonne Ackerman, Carmina de Alba, Zenda Douglas, Brianna Melanson, Emily Williams contributing photographers Jason Ackerman-Scallionpancake, Lydia Bittner-Baird, Dilworth Tasting Room, Richmond Region Tourism, VisitRichmondVA, Zio Casual Italian Restaurant

cover image Jason Ackerman Scallionpancake

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ripe for the picking

ripe for the picking

Samantha Eng of Le Méridien Charlotte highly recommends the 1000 Stories Bourbon Barrel Zinfandel for your dining pleasure.

Thomas Camps of Carolina Prime Steakhouse recommends the 2015 Biltmore Estate Riesling for your summer pleasure.

Boasting a deep, rich purple color, this wine features an intense raspberry fruit on the nose with black pepper spice and a touch of cloves. The palate is full with ripe tannins, big black and red fruits, and an array of spices. The wine finishes with a touch of warmth that lingers on and on.

Beautifully balanced with sweet apricot aromas, light honey flavors, and a crisp finish. Light in color, it boasts aromas and flavors of pear, kiwi, and cotton candy with a vibrant, fruity medium body and a nuanced, medium-long finish with fruit tannins and no oak.

Glass $12.00, Bottle $46.00

Glass $6.50, Bottle $24.00

Dylan George of Pasta & Provisions highly recommends the Commanderie de Peyrassol Côtes de Provence Rosé 2015 for your spring/summer sipping.

Bottle $22.99

This wine’s rosy appearance is soft as a dream, and an expressive, gourmet nose lends charm to this blend dominated by wild berries: gooseberry and raspberry reveal themselves in a crisp, silky palate enhanced with an elegant touch of minerality.

Monte Smith of Café Monte French Restaurant and Bistro is loving the Clos La Coutale Cahors 2014.

Bottle $42.00

A blend of Malbec and Merlot, both of which are aged in oak barrels to obtain a full balance between tannins and fruit. This Cahors Malbec is a hearty, rustic red and has everything a savvy red wine drinker wants.

Bradley McClain of Good Food on Montford recommends the 2016 Dashe Cellars McFadden Farms Dry Riesling for your meal.

Bottle $56.00

This wine is an unusually luscious and lovely dry Riesling—a versatile table wine that can be matched with a wide variety of foods—made from organically-grown grapes. Fermented dry in the style of the white wines of Alsace, France, it’s organically grown in the mountains of Potter Valley, Mendocino county.

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Doc Foster of Selwyn Pub recommends the 2016 Antonutti Collevento 921 Pinot Grigio for your drinking pleasure.

Glass $7.00, Bottle $26.00

This elegant Pinot Grigio has pleasant fragrances of sun dried hay with hints of toasted almonds.

Crisp and dry with a clean, lingering finish.

Marked by light flowery notes to start, it’s followed by strong fruity sensations.

drinks with kate

Goodbye winter, and hello spring! Fresh flowers, by kate bruce blooming buds, chirping birds, and blissful temperatures ... arguably, this season embraces the essence of all things wonderful. But this spring is particularly special for me, as I ring in my first Mother’s Day since becoming a new mom. And what better way to celebrate than by finding the perfect drink to toast with? Well, this month’s pick will whisk you away to a far off place.

Just 70 miles outside of Charlotte, an adventure awaits you. As you take your final turn onto a dirt road, you’ll spot a little slice of heaven—a Tuscan-style villa perched upon a rolling green hill—as you’ve arrived at Raffaldini Vineyards. Wander into the tasting room and indulge in a glass of the Montepulciano Riserva. This red will satisfy just about any palate. Each sip offers simplistic hints of fruit and subtle earth flavors with a full-bodied finish. Stroll out onto the patio and be transported to a faraway place. Deep views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, green grass, rustic picnic tables, and lines of flawlessly planted vineyards create a setting so beautiful that it’s hard to believe you’re only 90 minutes outside of the city. Need I say more?

No matter what you’re celebrating this spring, allow yourself to be carried away to a little slice of Tuscany in your own backyard. Until next time, cheers and enjoy!

Helen Marie White of Sir Edmond Halley's Restaurant & Freehouse is enjoying the 2015 Ramón Bilbao Alberino Rias Baixas.

Glass $8.00, Bottle $32.00

Straw-yellow in color with bright green accents the color of Granny Smith apples, this wine presents fresh aromas with a salty touch that mingles with nuances of apricot and peach on the nose. On the palate, elegant freshness harmoniously balances the sweet sensations left by the fruit flavors. Smooth and supple with a full body and a lively finish.

CHEERS! Trail

its orchards, the Long known for locallyarea is now turning Hendersonville s hard grapes into deliciou craft grown apples and A Guide To Add to that five ciders and wines. creations, up their local beer breweries serving palate on Ah, the bounty of natureBeer at local something for every and you’ll find trail. farmers markets! Grab your basket tasting this new and fill it with bright red, green & Wine and orange peppers, fresh herbs, ed Tour! berries and fruit - all available at the Take a Guid peak of freshness. e: 828.216.1343 Cider

The Brewery Experienc explore Henderson nce.com – thebreweryexperie with a Certified Sample homemade baked goods, brewery scene tours .828.4244 County’s craft 1.800 and individual artisan cheeses and jams & jellies. illenc.o rg guide – group visithen dersonv Cicerone as your Gather a feast for dinner or find a y: 828.606.8606 tasty treat to take home to remind The Trolley Compan of local .com – add a tour you of your visit to Henderson thetrolleycompany your group and cideries to County. Follow the Trail and visit wineries, breweries a variety of guides, local ed local farmers market, it’s guaranteed event; experienc transportation options

to make your mouth water!

Trail

A Guide To Farm Fresh: Vegetables Fruits Herbs 1.800.828.4244

visithendersonv illenc.org

Hendersonville calls out to all to seek out and explore new experiences year-round.

Belly up to a cold Enhance your brew at Sierra Nevada experience Brewery, indulge in with easy to use guides to regional wine tastings, the beer, wine or savor all the fresh that Henderson and farm fresh County has to offer! — available in it’s all up to you! our region!

Matthew Matinata of The Jailhouse in Belmont recommends the Peirano Estate Vineyards 2015 Red Wine Blend ‘Illusion.’

Glass $9.00, Bottle $34.00

1.800.828.4244

The wine exhibits a rich deep burgundy hue with a perfect clarity. The aromas are a compendium of opulent chocolate and cocoa, with black currants and plums. The palate explodes with rich mouthfilling blackberries, black currants, plums, and dark fruit. The long, seductive finish is filled with hints of black licorice and supple mouth filling tannins.

epicurean charlotte food & wine

Farm Market

visithendersonvillenc.org

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juicy morsels

challenge your senses at dilworth’s new tasting room

by carmina de alba

images courtesy dilworth tasting room

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fter an exhausting day of looking at commercial real estate for his new bar concept, Jaffer Kovic drove by Tremont Avenue, where a unique building caught his eye.

It was a 1947s styled building that reminded him of the architecture back home in New York City, from where he recently moved. The first floor flaunted a for-rent sign, and in that moment he said, “This is it!” As Kovic viewed the 2800-sq.-ft. space, he visualized it to be the home of the new Dilworth Tasting Room.

Kovic and his father, a master carpenter, styled the interior and preserved most of its original features. They kept the exposed red brick wall and industrial ceilings, to which they added gas light fixtures, mahogany and copper columns, and a beautifully-detailed bar of the same materials. The renovation took a couple of months, and in January 2017, the vino and beer bar opened its doors to the great expectation of the neighborhood.

Upon entrance, your sight is drawn to the two massive gogi-berry chesterfield sofas facing each other in the middle of the room. They are not only stunning in craftsmanship, but are also inviting and even comfortable to sit on. Custom made gold colored couches also line the windows opposite the bar.

These are all the handy work of Cococo, a local couch company.

On one side of the room, the exposed brick is decorated with three massive paintings from California painter Craig Alan, whose novel anthologies and narrative collections are wellknown in the contemporary fine arts world. On the opposite side, a lineup of 200 wine bottles stocks the shelves. These are intended for retail by the bottle or case.

The two guitars that hang on a wall give the space a personal touch. Mementos of the owner’s stint as a heavy metal musician back in the 2000s. In contrast, a Hello Kitty portrait colored by one of his children hangs by the kitchen, and it’s more indicative of his current life as a family man.

Most visitors are unsuspecting of the surprise waiting for them on the other side of the lateral doors. As you step outside, you’re immediately charmed by an patio brimming with plants with a pond filled with colorful koi fish as its centerpiece. The scene is complimented with a coppertop bar inviting you to sip refreshing Rosé’s on upcoming summer evenings.

The building, décor, and ambiance are not the only thing for which the Dilworth Tasting Room can be noted, however.

Kovic, who is a sommelier with a long tenure as a wine director,

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has put together a comprehensive list of wines and beers.

His idea is that everyone from novices to connoisseurs can come to a place that tosses out stuffy pretenses and be provided with a worthy selection for every taste and palate. His personal wine favorites are the Austrian white Grüner Veltliner, and the Côtes du Rhône’s J.L. Chave “Mon Coeur” red. Although Kovic is a fan of local beers, he leaves that to the breweries in the area and recommends a dark Scottish ale—the Traquair Jacobite, among 30 others options.

The affordable wine list is paired with chef-driven bar fare that is just as palatable and reasonably priced. I was delighted with the roasted grape bruschetta, the cheese truffle panini, and a succulent cheese and charcuterie spread. The latter was served on a wooden board, accompanied by olives, fruit jelly, and fresh bread. The final touch was given as the only dessert on the menu was served. The “chocolate bites and truffles” is a selection in housemade dark and white chocolate thins seasoned with rice crispies, nuts, and spices—the perfect pairing to a Canadian Ice-wine. But no review could be complete without commenting on the service; the staff is knowledgeable and friendly, making the visit an overall superb experience.

Dilworth Tasting Room opens every evening at 4 p.m., with special nights like “half-off ” Rosé Thursdays—a night the owner claims is not only for ladies, since, as he cleverly puts it, “Real men drink pink.” Jazz nights and even early Sunday coffee and pastries are planned in the near future, making this a well-rounded hang out spot for adults of all age ranges.

The coming of the Dilworth Tasting Room to the Charlotte scene is evidence that the epicurean bar and food scene is growing to demand venues with the caliber of those in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Houston. This place pays homage to its name; it’s a room for tasting wines, beers, and fine accompaniments. Barflies and foodies should definitely pay a visit to this neighborhood spot bound to become a Charlotte classic.E Carmina de Alba is a communications specialist with a passion for writing. Foodie, fit-nut, art lover, and world traveler, follow her on Twitter @CarminaDeAlba.

dilworth tasting room 300 east tremont street • charlotte 704.595.3337 • dilworthtr.com volume 9 • issue 3

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seats & eats

zio recreates the cozy atmosphere of a northeast italian restaurant by emily williams images courtesy zio restaurant

W

hen you’re in the mood for real, honest, and authentic Italian, one only need look around the city of Charlotte to see how blessed we are with a variety of restaurants from which to choose, including: upscale, casual, or pizza-centric; Northern Italy vs. Sicilian; Americanized vs.

Old World Original. It can all be a bit dizzying ... or you can skip the confusion and go the Upstate New York route with fresh, zesty flavors at a reasonable rate looked over by an Italian chef who knows his meat sauces from his marinaras.

Zio Casual Italian, just off Providence Road, meets all of this criteria, and owner/chef Jim Consol is making sure it stays real.

A native of Binghamton, New York, Consol has been in the business since 1989, when he took over his uncle Adolph’s locally-famous restaurant, Duff ’s Tavern, in Endicott, New York (which he still manages to this day). He set up shop at Zio in 2005 with his wife, Teri, as an homage to his uncle (“Zio” is Italian for “uncle”), wanting to serve the same kind of cuisine here in the South that’s faithful to the Northern

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original. Consul says he chose the spot in Myers Park because it reminded him of home. “[It had] plenty of quirkiness,” he points out, “but also felt warm and, most importantly, it’s attached to a neighborhood. I really wanted to become the go-to spot for a casual and friendly dinner, and I’d say I achieved that to a large degree, while also making some great friends along the way.”

It certainly caters to a family crowd. On a Friday night, the place is buzzing with chatter as small and large groups of patrons enjoy their meals with their families. Yet, with its dark red painted wood and brick interior, lace curtains, and strings of lights hung from the ceiling, it’s also the ideal place for a quiet, romantic night out, with plenty of small, outof-the-way tables that provide a more intimate atmosphere.

Zio even provides online take-out ordering on their website, offering an on-the-go option for those days when you need your pasta-fix in a hurry.

Freshness is Zio’s primary focus. The restaurant sports an eye-catching herb and vegetable garden near the back of the

epicurean charlotte food & wine

zio casual italian restaurant 116 middleton drive • charlotte 704.344.0100 • www.ziocharlotte.com building, which Consol always invites his patrons to peruse.

“When the weather is favorable in the summer, we are using 100 percent of the herbs from our organic garden,” he says. “[It] started about nine years ago, when I purchased a raised bed to grow some herbs for the restaurant. The next year, I added another bed and added some heirloom tomatoes.

I knew at that point I wanted to go all in.”

He takes pride in creating dishes using as much on-site ingredients as he can, noting, “We’re influenced by what inspires us and the best ingredients available. We don’t have to import from Italy to find world-class products, as they are available right here in the states. Tomatoes, olive oil, and wine from California rival some of the best anywhere,” he continues.

“Local artisans also bring some fabulous products to market, and we’re fortunate to have a network of suppliers here in Charlotte that can source nearly anything.”

The result is satisfyingly decadent, visually exciting, and yet simple in each dish’s execution. A golden beet root salad, topped with creamy, crumbly goat cheese, grape tomatoes, mandarin orange slices, and spiced oven-roasted walnuts, is not only beautiful to look at (those colors!), but a perfectly balanced combination of sweet, bitter, and tangy flavors—and don’t forget, those greens are from the garden just outside. Look for specials like a North Carolina trout in a heart-warming brown butter sauce that features kale chard (again, straight from the garden) and wild rice that features dried cranberries (for a hint of tartness) and slivered almonds (for that pleasing crunch).

For pasta, you can’t really take a wrong turn with the soft warmth of homemade angel hair and meatballs with a thick, volume 9 • issue 3

traditional sauce that will remind you of every homecooked spaghetti meal your memory can conjure up. Each meal comes served with warm, crusty, flaky Italian toasted bread and a creamy herbed tomato dipping sauce. No matter what you decide, make sure you save room for dessert, because at Zio, it’s practically an imperative.

The restaurant’s chocolate cake recipe was given to Teri Consol by her grandmother. It’s succulently moist and thick, with a whipped creamy topping that could almost be a dessert by itself. If you’re in the mood for something a bit less dense, go with the refreshingly light limoncello cake—citrus flavors are always the perfect end to a heavy Mediterranean meal, and Zio has it down to a science.

While it may be true that Italian eateries are a dime a dozen in any city, it makes a difference when the restaurant is a family affair. There’s particular attention given to the menu and environment that’s difficult to recreate elsewhere.

Consol knows this, and while he admits that one “can’t satisfy everyone,” his approach to customer experience is not only “universal” in its method, but unique in his down-to-earth attitude towards the menu. “People want to feel welcome, cared for, and nurtured,” he says. “I think we offer those critical elements that make our guest feel at home. But we also do from-scratch cooking here, which is not typical for most casual restaurants. For the style of food we do, it’s reminiscent of neighborhood restaurants I grew up with in New York: high quality, predictably good food with an owner on site that cares about your experience and loves serving his neighbors.”E w w w.epi cu rea n ch a r l otte.com

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profiles of passion

the medicinal berry

by brianna melanson images by lydia bittner-baird

H

ippocrates may have discovered the benefits of elderberries, The syrup can be recognized by its vintage apothecary-style but Stephanie Rickenbaker discovered the secret recipe to packaging. The logo and label were designed by Rickenbaker’s a delicious and healthy elderberry syrup she calls Sweet’s Syrup. sister, a graphic designer who has appropriately worked for the Named after her daughter’s adorable nickname, the syrup became honey beauty brand, Burt’s Bees. Who wouldn’t be excited to Sweet’s favorite cold and allergy fighting medicine after the Rick- take medicine from such charming packaging, complete with a enbaker family shifted to a more natural lifestyle. Rickenbaker’s purple bow? husband’s leukemia diagnosis, which is thankfully manageable, Rickenbaker’s family takes a spoonful straight up, but she also initiated the search for ways they could limit toxins from their recommends the dose over oatmeal or yogurt, or if you’re feeldaily routine, and she ultimately found that “food is medicine.” ing sassy, in a mixed drink. Her kids run up to the refrigerator Elderberries are a super-fruit with healing capabilities from or fake sick to try to get more. The syrup is part of their daily bioflavonoids and proteins that attack viruses and boost your routine as well as Juice Plus, Vitamin D, probiotics, and fish oil. immune system. The elderberries, along with the other key Rickenbaker says, “I always feel like I’m going to jinx myself by ingredient, local honey from Herb’s, will make you unstoppable. saying this, but they haven’t missed a day of school from being The pollen spores that the bees collect from blooms around the sick, which is awesome for pre-schoolers.” Indeed it is!

Queen City become part of the honey, so when you consume it, Both kids and adults can’t get enough of the syrup. She’s even the irritants that give you bad seasonal allergies will not bother had people knocking on her door for more! Rickenbaker was you in this particular area. When the season changes, so does the even featured on the Charlotte Today show after her concoction honey. Often, people are skeptical about taking cough syrup, but helped one of the anchors combat a cold and get back to work. the combination of ingredients in Sweet’s Once you feel like you’re coming not only banishes your symptoms, but down with something, Rickenbaker also tastes amazing. It tastes more like a recommends taking a dose every three fruity treat than medicine. Rickenbaker hours until the virus surrenders. Also, promises, “It feels like a warm hug, and you can take it every three hours for a I look forward to taking it every day.” few days, and then once every day to With hopes to share her wonderful build up immunity before the start of remedy, Rickenbaker posted to a moms’ a new allergy season. The syrup will Facebook group about a year ago to shield you from any unwanted sympsee if anyone would be interested in toms and have you feeling your best. purchasing a bottle. That single initial Currently, you can purchase an 8 or hippocrates post intrigued 130 customers, and 16 oz. bottle on Etsy, or in Charlotte after that, the syrup increased popularity by word of mouth. retailers such as Provisions Waxhaw, Laurel Market, Hive & Co, An unexpected business was born for the stay-at-home mom CLT Find, The Fitness Bar at the Dowd and Childress Klein with an MBA, and she has loved every minute.

YMCAs, Carolina Sweat, Dr. Shelia Kilbane’s office at Infinite When her family started to smell like elderberries from making Health, McLeod Organics at the Bradford Store, and Charlotte the batches in her home kitchen, it was a sign to move onto a Center for Acupuncture. Some day, we’d love to see Sweet’s in commercial kitchen. She now has a Johnson & Wales trained chef Whole Foods. Rickenbaker’s Shark Tank dream is to be able to whisking up the syrup to help keep up with the orders. So far, sell Sweet’s all over the country with that area’s local honey, as Rickenbaker has sold over 4,000 bottles! That means she’s bringing it’s important to her to keep the product genuine and support in 10 to 20 gallons of Herb’s honey every week for a new batch. local businesses.

Once they have a reduction of the elderberries, ginger, cloves, Allergy and cold sufferers of all ages in Charlotte are grateand cinnamon, the honey needs to be added when it’s cooled so ful for Sweet’s Syrup made with elderberries and local honey. that the live enzymes survive. It’s what makes Sweet’s stand out Rickenbaker has been a significant leader in our community for from the other elderberry syrups on market shelves—the honey spreading awareness of alternative medicine. It will be wonderful loses its integrity when the other companies use a “hot pour” to see how the business expands and how more Charlotteans will to sterilize the bottle. Since Sweet’s does not use that process, look to Sweet’s and food in general for healing and good health.

Rickenbaker’s product is ultimately more effective and must be Leading others to more natural solutions through Sweet’s Syrup refrigerated, so you’ll find it in the refrigerated aisles in stores. has been and will continue to be a gift for her.E

“Let your food be your medicine …

Your medicine be your food.”

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10 smart swaps to make baking and cooking better for you reprinted with permission from brandpoint

C

“Remember, when you’re cooking or baking, you’re in control,” says registered dietitian and nutritionist Lyssie Lakatos. “With a few smart ingredient substitutions and food swaps, you and your guests can enjoy favorite dishes and get more vitamins and nutrients.”

Lyssie Lakatos and Tammy Lakatos Shames, both registered dietitians, are known as the “The Nutrition Twins.” Together, they share their favorite strategies for cooking healthier, including clever ingredient swaps you won’t even detect in the finished dish.

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epicurean charlotte food & wine

ch_ch/shutterstock.com

reamy sauces, cookies, casseroles, and cakes ... it’s natural to crave favorite comfort foods. However, it’s easy to overindulge on rich dishes and decadent desserts, especially if you’re hosting a gathering of friends and family. How can you enjoy amazing foods while bumping up the health quotient?

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stuffed sweet potatoes

eggs

When baking, eggs are a common ingredient. But not all eggs are created equal.

Opt for Eggland’s Best eggs, which are locally-sourced from hens fed an all-vegetarian diet consisting of healthy grains, canola oil, and supplements like alfalfa and vitamin E. As a result, they have 10 times more vitamin E, five times more vitamin D, three times more vitamin B12, two times more omega-3s, 38 percent more lutein, and 25 percent less saturated fat compared to ordinary eggs.

sour cream

Want to start your day out with an indulgent, satisfying breakfast that features some of these smart cooking ideas? This recipe serves as a great breakfast and has vitamin-packed Eggland's Best Eggs, sweet potatoes, and turkey bacon. For more recipes, visit www.egglandsbest.com.

Swap full-fat sour cream for plain Greek yogurt in recipes, dips, sauces, and garnishes. Plain Greek yogurt tastes surprisingly similar to sour cream but offers higher levels of protein.

butter in cooking

Cooking smart means choosing healthier fats and using them in moderation. Instead of butter, try olive oil. While 1 tablespoon of butter has about 7 grams of saturated fat, olive oil only has 2 grams of saturated fat.

ingredients:

butter in baking

• 2 Eggland's Best eggs (large)

Oil can cause baked goods to get soggy, so a better butter alternative is applesauce or pumpkin purée for half of the called-for amount. The addition of applesauce or pumpkin purée reduces the fat content while keeping baked goods moist and delicious.

• 2 sweet potatoes • 2 strips turkey bacon • 1/4 c shredded cheddar cheese

bacon

• 1½ tsp salt

Bacon adds flavor to any dish, but a ton of fat. To get the flavor-boost of bacon without the excess fat, try using Canadian bacon, lean prosciutto, or turkey bacon.

Whether beside scrambled eggs for breakfast or crumbled into a casserole, these tasty alternatives will surely satisfy.

• ½ tsp pepper • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil directions:

salt

sugar

All those amazing glazes and desserts require sugar, but you need not rely solely on refined white sugar. For baked goods, lessen sugar and add vanilla or cinnamon to intensify sweetness. For glazes, try alternatives like maple syrup or fruit purees.

breading

Classic comfort foods often require breading. For a healthy alternative to traditional white bread crumbs, try whole-grain breadcrumbs, rolled oats, or crushed bran cereal (or a mixture of them all!).

flour

Rather than using entirely all-purpose refined white flour for recipes, try swapping half of the amount with whole-wheat flour. You’ll still get the desired consistency out of baked goods, but you’ll be eating more whole grains.

lettuce

Iceberg lettuce is a popular option for salads and recipes, but to get more important vitamins (and more flavor), use arugula, collard greens, spinach, kale, or watercress instead. Insider tip: try buying a bag of mixed greens to enjoy a variety of nutrientdense alternatives.E

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Preheat the oven to 400°F. Wash and scrub your sweet potatoes.

Place on a baking sheet, pierce each potato a few times with a fork, and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Place in the oven and roast for 45 minutes.

GRISIK NATALIA/shutterstock.com; istetiana/shutterstock.com; Africa Studio/shutterstock.com; Evgeny Karandaev/shutterstock.com

Use less salt and add herbs to recipes to get succulent flavor. Whether fresh or dried, herbs satisfy the palate and add beauty of any dish. Have fun mixing and matching herbs to customize a recipe perfectly to your taste.

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When the sweet potatoes are finished, slice them in half lengthwise and let them cool. Scoop a bit of 'meat' out from the sweet potatoes to make room for the filling.

In a small nonstick skillet over medium heat, place two strips of turkey bacon. Cook until bacon begins to brown and crisp up.

Place a napkin on top of a small plate, and when the bacon is finished, place onto the napkin to let the grease soak out. Rinse the skillet and place back on the burner over medium heat.

Place the eggs in the skillet, and cook on medium-low for about 3 minutes. Be sure not to overcook the eggs, as they will continue cooking after removed from the heat and will be placed into the oven later on. Break the eggs into four equal parts. Place each into the hollow parts of the sweet potatoes, and sprinkle each with salt and pepper.

Break the bacon apart with your hands into small pieces, and sprinkle over the eggs, then sprinkle cheese over the top. Set your oven to broil on high. Place the potatoes in the oven and broil for three minutes or until the cheese is melted. Serve and enjoy!

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well-rounded richmond by zenda douglas images courtesy richmond region tourism and visitrichmondva

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ichmond, Virginia, is located 98 miles south of Washington, D.C., by the James River, and between the Virginia coastline and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Interstate highways I-95 and I-64 intersect here for easy access. It’s easy to get into and easy to get back out, but you’ll definitely want to spend as much time as possible in between.

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The only ambivalence visitors to Richmond may experience is in deciding if this intriguing city is a college town or an arts community, a foodie hot spot or a sports center, a historic site or a hub of government. It won’t take long to figure out that it’s all of these things and so much more.

A ride on the Historic RVA Trolley Tour will help visitors gain their bearings. Meet the trolley at the Richmond Region Visitors Center to begin a two-hour guided tour showcasing the riverfront, architecture, historical sites, and many of the popular landmarks throughout one of America’s oldest cities.

See a grand view of the city from Libby Hill Park, where, in 1737, William Byrd II was inspired to give Richmond its name because of the striking similarity to the views of Richmond on the Thames in England. The fabric of Richmond is interwoven with history that dates back to Pre-Revolution times. This vantage point offers a breathtaking and impressive view of the city, the James River, and neighboring regions.

Another great view of the city skyline is available from the Virginia War Memorial, now a major education center whose goal is to honor military veterans by passing their stories of sacrifice on the future generations. The Memorial’s Virginians at War series of documentary videos, narrated by Virginia veterans, can be seen in the Memorial’s theater. Unique artifacts are on display in exhibits situated throughout the Center’s galleries.

The Shrine of Memory contains the engraved names of 11,639 Virginians who made the ultimate sacrifice during the 20th century. The statue, Memory, sits at the southern end of the Shrine along with the Torch of Liberty, an eternal flame.

A large outdoor amphitheater overlooking the James River is the perfect venue for concerts and ceremonies.

Fortunate visitors will get settled in downtown at The Jefferson Hotel, truly one of America’s grand hotels. Its breathtaking architecture and elegant décor will impress the most discerning guests, but most memorable of all is the completely genuine,

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friendly, and helpful service. For more than a century, The Jefferson Hotel has provided visitors to the Richmond region with an extraordinary travel experience. Guests will be immersed in luxury, from the fine art exhibited throughout the hotel to state-of-the-art amenities.

In March 2013, The Jefferson Hotel began a three-phase reconstruction project. The hotel’s 262 guest rooms were quietly transformed into 181 spacious new rooms and suites, featuring entry foyers, dressing areas, and luxurious new marbled baths.

Centrally located in the heart of downtown, The Jefferson Hotel is just blocks from the state capital, historic Shockoe Slip, the Richmond Convention Center, and Richmond’s financial district. Visitors to Richmond not staying at the hotel are equally welcome to enjoy the Palm Court, Rotunda, History Room, and restaurants of the hotel. Indulge in the Sunday Champagne Brunch at Lemaire, and upscale casual fare at TJ’s. Whenever possible, local produce, naturally-raised meats, and sustainablyharvested seafood are featured in the globally-influenced Southern cuisine.

Holding more than 5,000 years of art from around the world, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) is worthy of top billing on visitor itineraries. The airy interior is home to 33,000 works of art comprising the Museum’s permanent collection.

Coming up in May 2017 is the Yves Saint Laurent: The Perfection of Style exhibit. Look forward to seeing Hear My Voice: Native American Art from the Past and Present exhibit coming in August 2017. Marvel at history on Monument Avenue.

Cultivated on land that was once Powhatan Indian hunting ground, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden offers 40 acres of spectacular gardens and a one-of-a-kind classical domed Conservatory housing more than a dozen themed gardens.

Gardens include a Children’s Garden, Healing Garden, Sunken Garden, Victorian Garden, and a Rose Garden with more than 80 varieties. Get up close and personal at Butterflies LIVE!

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as hundreds of tropical butterflies feed, flutter, and take flight all around you. Visitors can explore the origins, preferred habitats, and lifecycles of butterflies.

Continue in the gardening spirit by visiting Maymont. Stroll through acres of magnificent gardens including a Japanese, Italian, and Victorian garden, among many beautiful others. Maymont, an elaborate Gilded Age estate on a site high above the James River, was built in 1893

by James and Sallie Dooley. Upon their deaths, the property, which included its architectural complex, the 100-acre landscape, and a collection of exquisite furnishings, was gifted to the people of Richmond. Travelers can explore natural-setting wildlife habitats and the Children’s Farm and Nature Center.

Maymont Mansion, the gardens and historic artifacts have been lovingly restored to look much as they did when the Dooleys called it home.

Get your awe on at the Science Museum of Virginia, where hundreds of experiential exhibits await your participation. Become mesmerized in the Dome Theater, with a Digistar 5 full dome 3D system—the largest screen in Virginia. The Science Museum of Virginia presents dynamic programming to hundreds of thousands of guests each year. The Museum features permanent exhibitions about space, health, electricity, and the earth, as well as hosts visiting exhibitions from around the world. Spend time in the “Boost!” exhibition, where the exhibit challenges and inspires visitors.

The American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar is unique in that it’s the nation’s first museum to interpret the war through three interwoven perspectives: Union, Confederate, and African-American.

Expected in late 2018, a new building at Tredegar will combine the Center’s collections with those of the Museum of the Confederacy.

Opened in 1922, in The Old Stone House, the Edgar Allan Poe Museum is only blocks away from Poe’s first Richmond home and his first place of employment, the Southern Literary Messenger.

Richmond’s Poe Museum boasts the world’s finest collection of Edgar Allan Poe’s manuscripts, letters, first editions, memorabilia, and personal belongings. The Poe Museum provides a retreat into early nineteenth century Richmond where Poe lived and worked. The museum features the life and career of Edgar Allan Poe by documenting his accomplishments with pictures, relics, and verse, and focusing on his many years in Richmond.

In most places, visitors tread a bit out of town to take advantage of water sports. Here, rafters and kayakers glide and maneuver right through downtown. Richmond also has the only class III and IV urban rapids in the entire country, and the mighty James River is available for swimming.

Moving around the city, visitors will get acquainted with the neighborhoods that make up Richmond. Tour the numerous neighborhoods including Carytown, which contains Richmond’s eclectic nine-block “Mile of Style;” the Fan District; Jackson Ward; Church Hill, and Shockoe Slip. The blocks along Cary Street (in Carytown) are lined with unique boutiques, restaurants, and specialty shops. The Church Hill neighborhood stands out with new restaurants such as The Roosevelt and Dutch and Co., and is also carving out a niche as the bakery district.

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repast in richmond Indeed, eating through Richmond is delightful, adventurous, and completely satisfying.

Enjoy lunch or dinner at The Daily Kitchen & Bar, which strives to serve foods that are not only delicious, but also health conscious, environmentally friendly, and socially responsible. The restaurant uses organic, all natural, local, and sustainable ingredients as much as possible. It also offers an extensive selection of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free items.

The Daily Kitchen & Bar hosts a large menu of items that include butter croissants, tofu omelets, rare tuna salad, blackened mahi, BBQ tofu sandwiches, fava bean bruschetta, lump crab stacks, Angus beef burgers, tuna banh mi sandwiches, and chicken paninis.

Bistro 27 is a lively European bistro with floor-toceiling, wrap around windows and airy 20-foot ceilings.

It offers a stylish dining experience. The eclectic menu shows a contemporary take on European classics with a carefully-chosen wine list that ranges from inexpensive, little-known gems to world-class award winners. Try the Lamb Osso Bucco, five-hour braised lamb shank served in a rich demi sauce with polenta and vegetable, or the Pan Seared Sea Scallops with tomato, garlic, and pine nuts served with citrus butter sauce, risotto, and vegetable.

Lucy’s Restaurant is situated in the revitalizing Jackson

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Ward neighborhood. A small restaurant seating only 40 diners, Lucy’s offers daily specials, a full complement bar, wine by the glass or bottle, and draft or bottled beer. The duck breast—pan-seared duck breast with an apricot glaze over a sauté of farro, scallion, baby greens, and Sausage Craft chorizo—may well tempt you. Here, diners can find Non “Spaghetti & Meatballs,” which is made up of artichoke, spinach, and avocado meatballs served over sautéed spaghetti squash, with caramelized onion pomodoro sauce and grated parmesan.

Since its opening, Heritage has garnered numerous accolades including: Richmond Magazine’s Chef & Restaurant of the Year Elbys 2015; StarChef.com Rising Star Winner 2014 Washington DC area; Southern Living’s 100 Best Restaurants in the South 2014; and Richmond Magazine’s Best New Restaurant 2013. While awards say a lot, serious diners will want to experience it all for themselves. Get things started with a lovely housemade charcuterie with smoked guanciale, shoyu coppa, pork rillette, pancetta, mustards, jam, chutney, and toast.

Choose between small, medium, and large plates with dishes such as kale gnocchetti with shrimp, andouille sausage, broccolini, red sauce, and Parmesan, or local rockfish with fresh garbanzo beans, fingerling potatoes, preserved lemon, and peanut romesco sauce.E

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summer days at selwyn avenue pub by yvonne ackerman images courtesy jason ackerman-scallionpancake

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cold beer, Bee Sting wings, and lounging in the sunshine on a sunny Carolina afternoon? That’s just what the doctor ordered—Doc Foster, that is. Regulars of Selwyn Avenue Pub will know Jim Foster as “Doc,” the co-owner of Myers Park’s number-one neighborhood destination for gathering with friends to eat, drink, and cheer on their favorite team.

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It’s no happy accident that Selwyn Avenue Pub is the premier destination for those searching for a grown-up gathering spot in Charlotte. Doc and his father, Jim Foster Sr., also known as “Coach,” credit their long-lasting success with listening to their customers since they opened the pub in 1990. As Doc puts it, “We have stayed in business for 27 years because we listen to our customers. What you see here is the result of 27 years of improv with audience participation.”

The results of customer input can be seen everywhere.

Take the menu, for instance. Customers asked for an Ahi tuna wrap, and now, it’s one of their best selling items. The enclosed TVs on the patio are a result of a suggestion by a customer for the alcove housing the TVs back in the early 90s, when no other restaurants had outdoor televisions.

The customers are the heart and soul of Selwyn Pub and play a central part in its identity. “We want people to feel welcome here, and to feel comfortable,” Doc says, and he believes it’s impossible to become stale in the restaurant business unless “you become tone deaf ” to your customers’ preferences.

Doc has watched many fads in the Charlotte dining scene come and go, but he and Coach maintain a steady focus on a business model that cultivates longevity and customer loyalty. Doc and Coach are particularly gratified when people who met their spouse at the pub come back to share a pizza with their children.

There is a comfortable familiarity about Selwyn Pub that resonates with its customers, but the pub never stops evolving. Case in point? A brand new retractable awning (AKA the “Selwyn Pub-a-dome”) was recently installed to provide shade after the beloved willow oak tree came down in November 2015. After consulting several arborists, it was clear that the giant tree, like many other trees of its age in Myers Park, had to be removed. The new awning is so versatile that it allows for sun, shade, or weather protection at the touch of a button. It was also specifically designed to give pub customers an outdoor feel whether it’s open or closed, and it even provides a unique skylight feature. This addition ensures that the

pub remains a comfortable gathering spot for the Myers Park community, and Doc knows his customers will be relieved to not have to cover their beers and race inside when a summer rainstorm pops up.

Additionally, Doc enlisted the aid of Tom Byrnes, Vice President of Merchandising for Springs Creative, to help craft a custom solution to replace the outdoor cushions.

Incredibly, Springs Creative was preparing to launch a unique technology capable of digitally “printing” directly onto outdoor fabric, and they were willing to work with Selwyn Pub to showcase their new line. The crowning touch includes throw pillows with the Selwyn Pub logo.

The awning, the outdoor heaters, and comfy new seat cushions will ensure that Selwyn Pub remains a yearround destination (yes, all year—even on Christmas and “snow days”).

Once you’re comfortable and climate-controlled no matter the weather, it’s time to focus on food, and diners know Selwyn as a reliable spot for quality pub food.

The focus is on “shareable items,” Doc says, “because they support our main purpose, which is being a gathering spot to meet friends.”

The menu philosophy is straightforward: “Buy the best ingredients and keep it simple.” What does this mean in practice? Angus chuck for hamburgers, fresh—not frozen—hand-breaded chicken tenders, sashimi grade Ahi tuna, and Boar’s Head deli products.

Their most popular item is their pizza. With unlimited free toppings and a thin and crispy crust, you really can’t go wrong with a Selwyn Pub pizza.

Customers have recently noticed an expanded slider menu at the pub. The sliders are also designed to fit into the pub’s menu philosophy. Selwyn Pub takes a unique approach to “sliders.” In fact, Doc likes to think of sliders as a form of “Irish tapas.” Selwyn sliders may contain any bread, spread, meat, fish, or filling. Some of the most popular sliders include the Boar’s Head Reuben, Connemara Cod, and Tomato Caprese on grilled rosemary focaccia.

Slider specials are designed with specific types of customers in mind. The “Pick 6” slider special ($16.95) is designed for a larger group of people who want to share.

There's a comfortable familiarity about Selwyn Pub that resonates with its customers.

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Often, groups like to settle in and order multiple “waves” of sharable food. A selection of sliders might be followed by a pizza, fried pickles, or wings. The “Pick 2” slider special ($8.95) is perfect for someone who wants to create a designer meal out of multiple slider offerings paired with a side. The “Slider & Side” special ($5.95) is ideal for someone who wants a lighter meal. It functions in much the same way as a half sandwich and soup, small salad, or other side. Doc believes as long as it’s delicious and doesn’t run down the front of your clothes while you lounge on a comfy sofa, it’s a slider.

While Selwyn Pub is widely acclaimed for its pizza and wings, their creative approach to sliders has energized the Pub regulars, who have dependably come forward with many delicious suggestions. Selwyn Pub continues to offer unpretentious quality food at affordable prices.

What to wash it all down with, beyond the beer, of course?

“Many people,” Doc says, “are surprised at our wine menu, which includes a wide selection of high quality wines at pub prices.”

Some of the most popular wines include La Crema Chardonnay ($10 glass/$38 bottle), Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc ($9 glass/ $34 bottle), and J. Lohr Cabernet ($9 glass/ $34 bottle).

Doc is the first to admit that the pub is a “dinosaur” when it comes to social media. However, one of Doc’s daughters recently convinced Doc to hook up the pub with a Snapchat Geofilter, but that’s as far their social media presence goes. He notes that for all the social media savvy people have today, they often crave an opportunity to talk to one another face to face.

Selwyn Pub harkens back to an earlier time of the village green, where people would gather together to discuss local issues, sports, and politics face to face, and not over Facebook or text. “People come here primarily because they want to socialize with their friends and meet new people,” he says, “and we provide the perfect place in Myers Park for them to do just that.”

So, walk on down, take an Uber or hitch a ride with a friend, and get down to Selwyn Pub ASAP to enjoy a few of those quintessential sunny Southern afternoons this summer. And don’t waste any time, because, as Doc notes, “your friends are already here.”E

Selwyn Pub provides the perfect place in Myers Park for people to socialize with their friends and meet new people.

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places to go, people to see

through the grapevine Block & Grinder, the farm-to-table restaurant with locations in Cotswold and Lake Norman, has closed. Several factors played into it, executive chef Ben Philpott explains, including the cost of rent and the difference between what customers were willing to pay and the price of locally sourced food.

Charlotte’s award-winning dining destination EVOKE is thrilled to announce Rodrigo Velazco as Chef de Cuisine. A native of Caracas, Venezuela, with an unparalleled culinary background, Chef Velazco comes to Evoke from upscale Charlotte restaurant Vivace. www.evokerestaurant.com

Heist Brewery is expanding in North End just four miles from their original location with a new production facility, bakery, butcher shop, and beer garden on Woodward Avenue with hopes of opening early this summer. heistbrewery.com

The Cotswold Food Truck Rally has started and will run Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m. The family-friendly rally, located at Trinity Presbyterian Church on Providence Road, is presented by Carolina Commercial Kitchen and features live music, a playground, and, of course, a whole bunch of food trucks. www.facebook.com/CotswoldTrucks2017

b.good, the soon-to-open farm-focused restaurant in Uptown, has opened new locations in Stonecrest and Ballantyne. b.good is a fast casual chain that focuses on fresh-made menu items with ingredients sourced from local farmers. Menus include kale and grain bowls, seasonal salads, burgers, smoothies, and more. www.bgood.com

The Secret Chocolatier, the family-run chocolate business has closed its Ballantyne location and is consolidating back to one location—its flagship store in Cotswold—as part of the chocolate shop’s strategic plan to expand its wholesale reach and trade show opportunities. www.thesecretchocolatier.com

Teriyaki Madness is set to open in early May at Metropolitan in midtown.

Expect plates with natural chicken, beef, or tofu served with a choice of rice, noodles, and stir-fried veggies. Housemade sauce is used as a marinade.

Appetizers and sides include edamame, chicken potstickers, and stir-fried veggies. teriyakimadness.com

Carrabba’s Italian Grill located at 1520 South boulevard has closed after almost 17 years in business at its prominent South End spot. There are four other Carrabba’s locations across the region in Concord, Hickory, Huntersville, and Matthews. www.carrabbas.com

Libretto’s Pizzeria owner and partner Mario Flynn of Pint Central plan to open a second Coaltrane’s Char Grill location in the former John’s Country Kitchen space in Plaza Midwood. Opening early this summer, they’ll be serving rotisserie chicken, flat-iron steaks, and chorizo with a focus on locally-sourced and organic foods. coaltraneschargrill.com

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Michael Shortino, owner of the popular ramen-and-more Futo Buta on Bland Street, plans to open Lincoln’s Haberdashery & Provisions in a vacant space in the Factory South building at 1300 South Boulevard. Lincoln’s will be a food-focused market, with fast-casual, grab-and-go breakfast and lunch items, probably an organic salad bar, a barista for coffee, and maybe even a sushi case. Shortino expects the hours to be early morning until night, with the focus on breakfast and lunch.

The Factory Café is now open seven days a week at the AvidXchange Music Factory. Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, late night breakfast and weekend brunch along with live music. www.factorycafeclt.com

Passion8, the award-winning AAA Four Diamond restaurant located in Elizabeth, is rebranding and changing its name to Luca Modern Italian Kitchen. The new menu will focus on small plates, a latenight cocktail and bar food menu, more reasonable prices, hand-made pastas, and traditional Italian classics. www.lucaitaliankitchen.com

Two new concepts are in development and headed to the prime piece of real estate at the corner of East Boulevard and Scott Avenue in Dilworth. The People’s Market @ Dilworth, an urban market, and The Queen & Glass craft cocktail lounge aim to create a neighborhood hub early this fall.

Atherton Market is moving to a temporary new home just across the parking lot from the space where it’s currently located to make way for forthcoming development. Plans for the project call for a new five-story apartment building, parking, and 60,000-square-feet of additional retail space. athertonmillandmarket.com

Palmer Street has opened in South End’s Gold District. The 21-and-up game bar and tap room features 31 classic games from owner Chris Hathaway’s personal collection in addition to 20 beers on draft and a food window to fuel your gaming marathon. www.facebook.com/palmerstgamebar

A new steakhouse named SouthPark Grill is set to open later this summer near the Village Tavern in SouthPark.

The 5,800-square-foot steakhouse and bar will host the usuals like New York Strips, Jumbo Lump Crab Meat, and Rotisserie Chicken along with new favorites like Fried Lobster and Scalloped Potatoes.

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6 Budbreak Wine and Craft 0 Beer Festival

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20 Yadkin Valley Wine Festival

Taste the wines of the Yadkin Valley at the 16th year of this annual festival featuring craft vendor displays, music, and, of course, wine!

www.yvwf.com

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Southeast Crab Feast

09 -11

Taste of Charlotte

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Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival

Enjoy a day of beer sippin’, bourbon tastin’, music listenin’, cigar smokin’ and barbeque eatin’ at Symphony Park. Admission buys you a sampling glass so you can enjoy unlimited tastings of beer and bourbon.

www.beerandbourbon.com/north-carolina/show-info

Speed Street

Join over 400,000 fans as Uptown Charlotte transforms into a giant live entertainment venue with access to NASCAR’s brightest stars as well as numerous food and vendor displays.

600festival.com/speed-street volume 9 • issue 3

Salute! The NC Wine Celebration

One of the premier celebrations of wine in North Carolina, Salute! uncorks in the streets of downtown Winston-Salem with over 30 North Carolina wineries offering tastings and purchases of their harvests as well as food, music, and education. salutencwine.com

This annual wine festival offers wine tastings and sales from over 15 North Carolina wineries and breweries, food vendors, local artists, and musical entertainment.

budbreakfestival.com

5 second Studio/shutterstock.com

Check out our website! Get up-to-date information on events and news around town, view past issues and more. While you’re there, become our friend on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter. www.epicureancharlotte.com

may

Get your fix of Lowcountry coastal heritage with out door cooking, fresh seafood, and ALL YOU CAN EAT Blue Crabs at this 6th annual feast, plus a side of fish and chips, music, and a family-friendly fun for the entire family.

southeastcrabfeast.com Enjoy culinary delights from a host of Charlotte’s finest restaurants, quench your thirst with fine wines and specialty beers and enjoy live entertainment in the heart of Uptown Charlotte.

www.tasteofcharlotte.com

Brew Stash Bash

Sample a variety of American craft beers at the 6th annual Brew Stash Bash at the U.S. National White water Center. The festival invites guests to both taste and learn about our favorite craft brews while enjoying live music performances.

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relaxing at amélie's french bakery & café uptown l to r: Sallie Funderburk, Sarah Crosland, Kathleen Purvis, Rachel Brown, Meagan Swaim

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chocolate tasting at atherton mills l to r: Pierce Lusk, Chef Alyssa, Emily Gantt, Andrew Wilen

unwinding at dean & deluca wine room l to r: Ronnie Bryant, Brian Parker, Deborah Marks, Kim Parker, Thom McKinney

celebrating st. patrick’s day in dublin, ireland l to r: Vicki Clark, Hannah King, Carole Bradley, Suellen Skach, Linda Seligman, Carol Budko, Sabrina Coulston, Jack Rosenblatt

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pair-a-dice party at the nascar hall of fame l to r: Ed Sander, Janet Sander, Amy Priest, Jodi Lee, Kim Smith, Kelly Mohr, Tracy Schehorn

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checking out lunch at the factory cafe l to r: Rob Simpson, Chris Goodnight, Ron Edelen, Will Bender

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scene around town

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local flavor SPIRITS + LOUNGE

tasty treats to beat the summer heat

:ƵƐƚ ϭϮ ŵŝůĞƐ ǁĞƐƚ ŽĨ hƉƚŽǁŶ ŚĂƌůŽƚƚĞ͊

strawberry kiwi margarita courtesy babalu tapas & tacos

ingredients: 1 strawberry ¼ oz vanilla simple syrup 1.5 oz vanilla-infused tequila ½ oz triple sec 1 oz kiwi simple syrup

• • • • •

Belmont’s former Jailhouse is now a Whiskey and Cigar Bar featuring:  A plush smoking lounge downstairs  A walk-in humidor stocked full of your favorites  A smoke-free bar upstairs with an extensive collection of spirits, 300+ bottle wine list and unique beers  A bar bites menu provided by Old Stone Steakhouse

>ŽĐĂƚĞĚ ĚŝƌĞĐƚůLJ ďĞŚŝŶĚ KůĚ ^ƚŽŶĞ ^ƚĞĂŬŚŽƵƐĞ ŝŶ ŚŝƐƚŽƌŝĐ ĚŽǁŶƚŽǁŶ ĞůŵŽŶƚ͗ Ϯϯ ^͘ DĂŝŶ ^ƚ͕͘ ĞůŵŽŶƚ͕ E ϮϴϬϭϮ

• 1 oz fresh sour mix • ginger beer • sugar for rimming glass • sugar-encrusted kiwi • ice

Instagram: @thejailhousebelmont | Facebook: The Jailhouse -Belmont www.thejailhousebelmont.com

Add one strawberry and ¼ oz. vanilla simple syrup to shaker tin and muddle. Fill shaker tin with ice, and add 1.5 oz. vanilla-infused tequila, ½ oz. triple sec, 1 oz. kiwi simple syrup, 1 oz. fresh sour mix, and a splash of ginger beer. Shake well. Strain into icefilled, sugar-rimmed glass and garnish with sugar-encrusted kiwi.

RUNNING OUT OF ROOM FOR YOUR VINO?

Let Kate find your perfect villa, complete with wine cellar!

prime tomahawk with roasted carrot & fennel chef andres • dean & deluca ingredients: • 2 prime certified angus beef tomahawk • sea salt & black pepper • 1 oz dried pumpkin seeds • 1 lemon • ½ serrano chili pepper

• 1½ oz verjus white vinegar • 1 oz clover honey • 1½ oz extra virgin olive oil • ½ oz whole coriander seed

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½ oz fresh thyme 1 oz peeled garlic 1 lb rainbow carrot ½ lb fennel bulb ½ lb radish

For the beef, heat an outdoor grill to highest heat, and preheat oven to 375°F. Season the steaks generously all around with salt and pepper. Use a generous amount of salt as this is a thick steak. Grill for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, letting the flames lick up the sides. Transfer the steak to a baking sheet and bake until the steak reaches an internal temperature 130°F for a perfect medium rare. Let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.

Slice the fennel into ½” thick pices and leave the radishes and carrots whole. Mix the olive oil, honey, chopped thyme, toasted coriander seeds, and chopped garlic. In a large mixing bowl, toss all of the vegetables separately with the oil mixture and lay out on sheet pan trays with parchment paper. Roast the carrots at 425°F for 15 minutes, roast the radishes at 425°F for 5 minutes, and the radishes at 450°F for 5 minutes. Cut the serrano chili in half and remove the seeds, then slice the pepper thin. Zest and juice the lemons, then toast the pumpkin seeds at 375°F for 5 minutes. Combine all of the roasted vegetables, pumpkin seeds, chili pepper, and vinegar prior to serving.

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KATE BRUCE TERRIGNO

REALTOR | BROKER kterrigno@dmahomes.com c: 631.903.3021

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words to live by

the juice

They Made a Keurig for Cookies

$129.00 • www.chipcookieoven.com

Add Flair to Your Water, Cocktails, and More

The CHiP™ Smart Cookie Oven was created to make baking easier for everyone, starting with cookies. It brings the joy of warm freshly baked cookies in under 10 minutes to you and those you love. Simply pick what flavors you’d like, and let CHiP take care of the rest. Have your own recipe? No worries, it can help you bake those perfectly too! Designed to fit your lifestyle, CHiP boasts perfectly baked cookies on demand, minimal preparation and cleanup, and an amazing selection of flavors and types.

$9.99 • www.target.com

Just in time for summer, brighten up your drinks with some frozen citrus juice. The Full Circle Lemon Drops Citrus Ice Cube Infuser Set features a two-in-one reamer that sends your fruit juice directly into an attached ice cube tray, so there’s no mess. Now that’s worth raising a glass to!

$59.00 • www.wacaco.com

Don’t get rid of your daily pleasures when you’re away from home. Minipresso is a portable, hand-powered espresso machine that brings coffeehouse-quality to the office, campsite or vacation place. With little effort, you can prepare amazing shots, with a quality close to traditional machine, anywhere, anytime. To make the perfect cup, place ground beans and hot water into the container. Unlock the piston and pump a few strokes to pressurize and extract the perfect cup of espresso with lots of crema.

The compact, integrated design even includes a coffee cup.

Chow Down for Health and Beauty

$2.79 • health and natural product retailers worldwide

Take a bite out of NeoCell’s Collagen Cookie Bar and feel unstoppable vitality! These scrumptious cookie bars come in two tantalizing flavors, Peanut Butter Crunch and Coconut Brownie Chunk, which not only act as a good source of protein and fiber, but also offer full spectrum collagen support for the hair, skin, nails, and joints.

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www.e p icu re an c h ar l o t te .co m

Discover a Cooler Way to Shred

$19.99 • www.urbanoutfitters.com

¡Olé! Tis the season for a cheese grater like no other. Say “Yes, please!” to more cheese with this taco-inspired grater. Shred your favorite variety against the wide perforations—the cheese will stay contained in the shell until you’re ready to dump it into your quesadilla or pasta. Moulded in high tech, food-safe plastic, it’s dishwasher-safe and keeps its edge.

Freshen Up Your Freezer

$18.00 • www.amazon.com

Get rid of funky fridge and freezer orders with Chilly Mama. She discreetly holds the perfect amount of baking soda, killing odors in your appliance for months. Her head disguises a clever calendar that keeps track of when she needs a refill. This reusable and dishwasher safe freshener is great for any home and office.

volume 9 • issue 3

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Make Espresso Anywhere You Go

“people who love to eat are always the best people.” julia child