polishjj

HOST'S NOTE: This is an member-organized event, not an official eGullet Society event. Please see here for the terms under which this event is listed in eG Forums. Hi all! I'd like to invite everyone to attend the March of Dimes Signature Chefs & Wine event on October 14th at the Boca Resort & Club from 6:30-10:00. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the March of Dimes, please look into it because it truly is a wonderful cause. I've attended the Signature Chefs & Wine event for the past 3 years, and I must say that it is truly in the upper echelon of all the food and wine events that I've attended throughout the years. The chef lineup is unparalled, and the venue, wine, and auction packages are spectacular as well. A list of the dishes that will be served can be found on the below. Tickets to the event are $100 in advance or $175 on the day of the event (a phenomenal value). I'm working on putting together a few tables of 10, which includes the VIP reception, for $125 per person. Plesae contact me at dukejj4@yahoo.com if you would like to sit at a table. Otherwise, regular tickets can be purchased in advance at www.marchofdimes.com/florida. I hope to see you all there for what promises to be an unforgettable evening. Sincerely, JJ Bujalski RESTAURANTS CHEF SERVING Abe & Louie's Brian Nelson Blue Cheese Mashed, Roasted Tenderloin, Portobello Demi-Glaze in a Filo Dough Cup; Abe & Louie's Crab Cake on top of a Toasted Crustini topped with Red Pepper Mustard Sauce, both accompanied with Abe & Louie's Salad. Absinthe Derek Leinonen Seared Scallop with Smoked Cummin Tri-Tomato Jam with Aged Balsamic Syrup Bova Ristorante Mario Silvestri Tortellini di Prosciutto with Black Truffle Butter Sauce Café Boulud Palm Beach Zach Bell White Veal Ragout with Garganelli Caffe Luna Rosa Ernesto DeBlasi Jumbo Four-Cheese Ravioli w/Forest Mushroom & Truffle Sauce Casa D' Angelo Rickie Piper Strozzapreti Pasta with a Chianti & San Marzano Lamb Ragu and Sicilian Aged Ricotta Cheese, plus Homemade Espresso and Mascarpone Tiramisu. Chop's Lobster Bar Holger Strutt Ahi Tuna Hong Kong Cielo by Angela Hartnett Ned Jawhar Foie Gras Ravioli with English Pea and Sunchoke Foam City Fish Market Anthony Hoff Pepper Crusted Swordfish Au Poive w/Mushroom Asparagus Salad DADA Restaurant Bruce Feingold Desserts including Lavender Crème Caramel, Dark Chocolate Fondue, Godiva Chocolate Mousse, and more Il Bacio Peter Masiello Ironwood Grille John Sexton Southern Style Shrimp with Tillamook Cheddar Grits and a Crispy Belgian Waffle Maple Bar B Que Nage Max's Grille Patrick Broadhead Spicy Roasted Mahi Mahi, Vegetable Fried Rice, and Mango Scotch Bonnet Brown Butter. Morton's The Steakhouse Gerhard Henricksen Whole Sliced Prime Tenderloin served with Whipped Horseradish and Silver Dollar Rolls. Mixed Field Greens Salad with Sundried Cranberries, Bleu Cheese Crumbles and Kalamata Olives in a Port Wine Balsamic Vinaigrette. Old Homestead Steakhouse Richard Cavaco Grilled Baby Veal Chop with Truffle Mac & Cheese, Brocolini Publix Apron's Cooking School Graham Taylor Porcini Dusted Mahi with Tropical Salsa Ruth's Chris Steak House Temple Orange at the Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach Ryan Artim Spiced Pumpkin Soup, Blue Crab Cranberry Grilled Cheese The Addison Joe Hahn Kobe Tartar in a Savory Mini Cone with Aged Blue Goat and Chipolte Pomegranite Jam The Atlantic Grille at the Seagate Hotel Adam Gottlieb Pomegranite Glazed Grilled Boneless Beef Shortribs, pumpkin puree, cauliflower and leeks. The Boca Raton Resort & Club Andrew Roenbeck Surf and Turf Mac and Cheese, Braised Kobe Beef Short Rib, Taleggio Truffle Cream and Butter Poached Lobster, Crisp Crumbs The Boca Raton Resort & Club Jean Spielmann Kit Kat Vanilla Malt Shake and Warm Black Out Cake with Fresh Berry Compote The Capital Grille Carmine DiCandia Kona Crusted Dry Aged Sirloin with Shallot Butter Sauce The Restaurant at the Four Seasons Darryl Moiles Truluck's David Nelson Avocado and Blue Crab Cakes with Roasted Corn and Black Bean Salsa, Spciy Cilantro Vinaigrette. ZED 451 Bobby Laggan Wagyu Beef Slider Finished with Brie and Cajun/Maple Bacon

This sounds like what I am looking for. Can you be more specific on how to get there and maybe find out the name? Everyone has made some great suggestions. I really am looking for conveinence and to avoid the dreaded d.c. traffic ya'll talk about. Great discussion though! -jj

Hi everyone. I'm going to be passing through D.C. on my way up to Toronto. I'm looking for something unique that is not to far off the highway. I'll be taking 95 to 395 to 495 to 270. Please give me some suggestions. I've a huge fan of artisan food products (especially breads and chocolates). If there is nothing along these lines, then where should I stop in for lunch or espresso. I'd love to find something close to the highway, but I'm willing to take a slight detour. Thanks! -JJ

So, I couldn't resist the temptation. Admittedly, most of the talk I've heard lately on Mama Dip's has been negative, but I still felt that need to experience a landmark. I stopped in 2 weeks ago and ordered the chicken and dumplings. Without getting too negative, I was less than thrilled. The food was far from what I had expected, and I got sick after finding a hair in my entree. I'm hoping that this was an accident/infrequent happening, but the food was far from what it would of had to been to warrant a trip back to find out. The yams on the other hand, were well prepared, and they were the first and only thing to disappear from my plate. It seems sad that the place has declined in quality as of late. With that being said, I'm planning a trip up to LaFarm Bakery in Cary on Thursday. I was thinking about stopping in at Chico's Mexican on NW Cary Parkway. Does anyone have any insight on this place? Also, can anybody tell me the name of the new restaurant that is supposed to be opening in Raleigh this/next month? All I remember is that it is supposed to have a brick-oven, which is good news for pizza lovers. By the way, seeing how the topic of this post is "Best Dish in the Triangle", I thought that I'd mention Shane Ingram, chef/proprietor of Four Square. I've only eaten there once, but I'd indulge on a regular basis if my college budget permitted it. He was recently mentioned in the Restaurants & Institutions Mag for being one of the chefs who are "incorporating the bold and sensuous flavors of Indian cuisine into dishes on their contemporary American menus." Shane has worked under 2 culinary gods, Emeril and Charlie Trotter, and their influence comes through in his food. His April menu is outstanding as always, and I'm hoping to stop in for at least a bowl of the cream of asparagus soup with crab fritters before I head up to Toronto for the summer. -jj

Zeb A: I agree. Nothing beats a home cooked burger, but I do have to admit that I'm a huge fan of the charbroiled burger. It's hard to find a good one, and from what I hear Char-Grill knows what they're doing. On a side note, has anyone been to Vivo Market & Cafe (on Glenwood I think)? I read an article on the pastry chef awhile back and it really got my taste buds going. If you've been there, it'd be great to get a list of some hits and misses before I make the trip.

phlawless: Someone else told me that Char Grill was the place to go for burgers and shakes. Can you describe the Hamburger steak junior? Is it regular hamburger meat? I'm a huge fan of charbroiled burgers, so it sounds good. let me know. thanks, JJ

For the best Italian in South Florida, go to Osteria del Teatro located right off of South Beach. I had a wonderful dinner there last summer and I can't wait to get back.

has anybody ever been to the angus barn? i'm trying to get over there for dinner sometime soon and i am looking for any recommendations. obviously, i am going with some steak and red wine, but are there any sides that i must try at this restaurant? i could also use a recommendation on what to order for dessert because their list looks stellar. thanks, jj

Thanks for the insight on Mama Dips. It's sad to hear that the place has declined in quality. I guess I'll have to look elsewhere for a true southern experience. I've never tried the croissants at Gourmandises de France, so I might have to make a trip sometime soon. Has anyone ever been to La Farm Bakery in Cary? If so, I wonder how the croissants at Gourmandises de France stack up to this place. In my opinion, La Farm is the best bakery in the triangle by far. The owner, Lionel Vatinet, is a very accomplished baker, and it shows in his products. Oh, and thanks to Ludja for the cocktail recommendation. I have one of my own. The margaritas at Torerro's on Main St. in Durham (multiple locations though) are my personal favorite. I have yet to find an equivalent.

Oh wow. Can't wait to see some more reviews on the food at Dale R's new place. I just remembered another one of my favorites. The pizza I had at Bottoms Up was great. There is also a great place for gelato on Broad St. but I can't remember the name.

Cooking/baking is my passion, but I also love to go out. Two things I look for when I go to a restaurant are atmosphere and food that is unique and makes my heart sing. If a restaurant provides these two things, then I am satisfied. So let's start a discussion on where to go to get that certain something in the Triangle. Posts from other cities in the Southeast can feel free to jump on board. For me, I love good espresso, desserts, soups, and bread. The bread at Four Square and Magnolia Grill can not be beat (especially the foccacia at Magnolia). I also have to give Romano's Macaroni Grill props for their bread, as much as I hate chain restaurants. Nana's and Magnolia Grill are excellent for soup and dessert. Est Est Est in Raleigh has unforgetable tiramisu. My favorite BBQ is done at the Q shack although Allen & Son is probably better (just a lot longer of a drive for me). I need help on finding southern cooking (I heard Mama Dips is near the top of most peoples' list). Blue Coffee Company makes an awesome espresso, and I am still looking for a restaurant that can equal or even better them. One last thing that crosses my mind is the soups at A Southern Season. Haven't been disappointed yet. Everyone please post your favorites, because I love to hear about new things to try.

My sister just graduated from the University of Richmond last year, and I used to drive up and visit her from Durham. I agree, Richmond has some great dining. Some of my favorites are Mama Zu and La Grotta for Italian, Rostovs and Shockhoe Expresso and for coffee, and Bakers Crust for bread and desserts. There is also an awesome chocolate shop in Carytown called For the Love of Chocolate...........mmmmmm..I miss Richmond so much

Hi everyone. I realize this is not the best topic for my first post, but I promise better posts will follow. I'm turning 21 on Thursday, and I'm looking for some suggestions on where to go for some of the best cocktails in the Triangle area. You're thoughts on the drinks at any bars or restaurants will be helpful. Also, where is the best place to go for good deals on retail wine (specifically red italians and zinfandels)? Is Carolina Wine Co. #1 or are there others? Thanks, JJ