Friday, April 26, 2019
Distilleries in North Carolina
Our state has a long and rich tradition with regard to making liquor. Within the last few years, however, the enterprise has become legal. At the Kimpton Cardinal Hotel birthday party, I tasted samples from two distilleries located near Winston-Salem- Broad Branch (broadbranchdistillery.com) and Old Nick Williams (oldnickwhiskey.com). Interesting flavors, highly enjoyable, traditional recipes. Both offer tours of the property. I'm going to visit! On other occasions, I have also had Covington Sweet Potato Vodka (covingtonvodka.com). Yes, you can taste the sweet potato flavor. A real winner. I like it best chilled, straight.
Monday, April 1, 2019
Sunday Brunch at Print Works Bistro
This place is a real class act. The menu varies from traditional Brunch items, such as Eggs Benedict in several variations, to healthy selections such as Grilled Salmon Quinoa Salad. I ordered the latter, enjoyed it thoroughly, and lost weight vs. yesterday! Others at the table tried Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict- rich hollandaise. Other selections that I will try in the future include burgers and lunch size entrees with vegetables. In spite of a large crowd, not oppressively noisy.
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Saturday, February 2, 2019
Dolce & Amaro
You could fly to Italy and indulge yourself in the most exquisite pastries you've ever encountered. Or you could stay in Greensboro and have the same experience. Dolce ("sweet") & Amaro ("bitter"- an Italian liquer) is a dessert cafe (1310 Westover Terrace, 336-763-4349, dolceamaroartisanbakery.com) with a small seating area as well as take out and custom baking (cakes for special occasions, etc.). Espresso is served, too. This is a treasure. Most highly recommended!
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Bella Luna
Reviewed favorably in fall (2018). Went back with friends last night (cold, in January). In addition to my party of 6, they had tables with 12 and 14. That's a challenge for any restaurant, especially so for one that is fairly small. But they handled the crowd well. Our server took wine orders from entire table, most different, remembered them all. Food is still solid- family Italian style. New item- Seafood Fra Diavolo, available in app or entree size. Choice of shrimp or mussels. I took shrimp. Tomato sauce is pleasantly spicy. Other more detailed food descriptions accessible on greensboro.com website. Search either Bella Luna or John Batchelor for full review. Saw no indication that I was recognized, although copy of review is posted in window. I like this place!
Monday, January 28, 2019
Shrimp and Grits
If you are a fan of this popular dish, check Cafe Pasta (336-272-1308). Their rendition is one of my favorites, and they put it on special often. This past weekend (1/25-26) the price was $10.95. That is a great value!
Thursday, December 20, 2018
Elm Street Grill
Bill O'Neil sent a note regarding my review of Elm Street Grill, published in The News and Record on December 6:
Your latest review 'batchelorized' Elm St Grill Friday.
My wife and I had to sit at the bar for dinner... heard the owner tell someone they had 125 customers for lunch.
Unfortunately, the restaurant was understaffed and couldn't properly handle the crowd. We will try again since it's in the neighborhood.
I've been back twice since the review appeared, and they seem to have settled down now.
Mid-week is great for discount dining, if you are a wine fan. They provide half price discounts on Wednesday, bottles and by the glass. Had a bottle of Trefethen Double T red blend last night (December 19) for $18!!!!
Your latest review 'batchelorized' Elm St Grill Friday.
My wife and I had to sit at the bar for dinner... heard the owner tell someone they had 125 customers for lunch.
Unfortunately, the restaurant was understaffed and couldn't properly handle the crowd. We will try again since it's in the neighborhood.
I've been back twice since the review appeared, and they seem to have settled down now.
Mid-week is great for discount dining, if you are a wine fan. They provide half price discounts on Wednesday, bottles and by the glass. Had a bottle of Trefethen Double T red blend last night (December 19) for $18!!!!
Friday, December 7, 2018
Zeto
Zeto is celebrating 15 years. This wine shop has the best tasting opportunities I have found. A line of machines along the back wall dispenses small, medium, and full size pours, self service, while preserving the wines. A great way to spend some time before dinner or to become acquainted with wines you have not experienced. Love this place!
Thursday, August 30, 2018
The Next Ten (approximately)
This post pairs with my August 30 column in The News and Record (go to greensboro.com and search on John Batchelor). That list was a function of two factors- personal favorites and location- in other words, places fairly near my home that my wife and I like. We go to those places more often than anywhere else.
This list expands on the favorites theme and crosses the location boundary. We like these restaurants very much, but they are not as conveniently located for us, and in some cases, they are more expensive than we are likely to frequent often. But we still like them and we go when we can.
Marisol (themarisol.com) has been regarded as one of the Triad’s best since inception over 20 years ago. I continue to rank it among the top four (along with The Undercurrent, Mark’s, and 1618 Seafood Grille), with the caveat that on any given night, either could outrank the other. My favorite way to eat here is to sit at the bar and order several appetizers. No matter where you sit, this is one of the Triad's most elegant dining experiences. If I lived near Sedgefield and had more money, I would dine here often.
1618 Seafood Grille (1618seafoodgrille.com/) is another top-ranked establishment, not just for seafoods, although the ocean forms the core of the menu, but for complex creations that challenge for the best available. Consider these starters: Duck Breast Tacos with cherry chipotle salsa and goat cheese, Crab Cake Sliders, Pan Seared Scallops with chipotle remoulad; or these main courses: Seafood Trio- striped bass, coconut crusted chili glazed shrimp, and seared scallops with a fried green tomato Napoleon, or Flounder stuffed with crab mousse, as well as the Grilled Pork Chop. This is an especially good choice if you are a wine enthusiast. Their list is extensive, adventurous, and available in many small portions that allow tasting across a wide range.
Green Valley Grill (greenvalleygrill.com) and Printworks Bistro (printworksbistro.com) are the restaurants in two of the Triad's luxury hotels. For a gorgeous setting as well as sophisticated cuisine, these can't be beat.
Santa Fe (423 Pisgah Church Rd, Greensboro, 336-288-3663) is Mexican, noteworthy for fresh seafoods (order anything with shrimp).
Rody’s Tavern (rodystavern.com) is a sports bar, but unlike so many in the genre, they actually prepare everything from scratch. Outstanding onion rings, French fries, good burgers, fried shrimp and fish.
Crafted (eatatcrafted.com) represents the most original restaurant concept in the area. Two locations prepare tacos and other extremely casual finger food in highly creative ways.
I wrote a full review of Liberty Oak (libertyoakrestaurant.com/) recently. Access it and other reviews on the News and Record website, greensboro.com and search John Batchelor.
Southern Lights Bistro (southernlightsbistro.com) was one of the restaurants that started Greensboro's transition from weak dining at any price to fine dining at moderate prices. Designating its theme as "Modern American Cuisine," it's one of the few places I would go for a salad, in addition to sandwiches, burgers, as well as soups, apps, and entrees. Consider Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Bistro Steak, or Tuscan Meat Loaf, among other good choices.
I was really taken with Natty Green’s Kitchen and Market when I reviewed this new establishment in the renovated Revolution Mill complex. Calling itself a "New Age Chophouse," the concept elevates the brew pub concept that has been popular in the original Natty Greene's downtown. I liked the Fried Cauliflower, "Soulshi"- fried chicken wrapped in collards, and especially the Sausage Plate, with various sausages made in house. Burgers and sandwiches join steaks, chops, and other full entrees, such as Cast Iron Salmon, Mushroom Risotto, and Shrimp Mac and Cheese. Note: the name has been changed to Kau (kaugreensboro.com). I have not been back since the name change, but the menu posted online does not seem to have changed much, if at all.
Giovanni’s (https://giovannisnc.com/) endures long after founder Giovanni Carandola has passed, with his protoge, Robert Holden, at the helm. Holden was cooking in the original Giovanni's while still in his teens. More upscale than the popular "family Italian" places.
This list expands on the favorites theme and crosses the location boundary. We like these restaurants very much, but they are not as conveniently located for us, and in some cases, they are more expensive than we are likely to frequent often. But we still like them and we go when we can.
Marisol (themarisol.com) has been regarded as one of the Triad’s best since inception over 20 years ago. I continue to rank it among the top four (along with The Undercurrent, Mark’s, and 1618 Seafood Grille), with the caveat that on any given night, either could outrank the other. My favorite way to eat here is to sit at the bar and order several appetizers. No matter where you sit, this is one of the Triad's most elegant dining experiences. If I lived near Sedgefield and had more money, I would dine here often.
1618 Seafood Grille (1618seafoodgrille.com/) is another top-ranked establishment, not just for seafoods, although the ocean forms the core of the menu, but for complex creations that challenge for the best available. Consider these starters: Duck Breast Tacos with cherry chipotle salsa and goat cheese, Crab Cake Sliders, Pan Seared Scallops with chipotle remoulad; or these main courses: Seafood Trio- striped bass, coconut crusted chili glazed shrimp, and seared scallops with a fried green tomato Napoleon, or Flounder stuffed with crab mousse, as well as the Grilled Pork Chop. This is an especially good choice if you are a wine enthusiast. Their list is extensive, adventurous, and available in many small portions that allow tasting across a wide range.
Green Valley Grill (greenvalleygrill.com) and Printworks Bistro (printworksbistro.com) are the restaurants in two of the Triad's luxury hotels. For a gorgeous setting as well as sophisticated cuisine, these can't be beat.
Santa Fe (423 Pisgah Church Rd, Greensboro, 336-288-3663) is Mexican, noteworthy for fresh seafoods (order anything with shrimp).
Rody’s Tavern (rodystavern.com) is a sports bar, but unlike so many in the genre, they actually prepare everything from scratch. Outstanding onion rings, French fries, good burgers, fried shrimp and fish.
Crafted (eatatcrafted.com) represents the most original restaurant concept in the area. Two locations prepare tacos and other extremely casual finger food in highly creative ways.
I wrote a full review of Liberty Oak (libertyoakrestaurant.com/) recently. Access it and other reviews on the News and Record website, greensboro.com and search John Batchelor.
Southern Lights Bistro (southernlightsbistro.com) was one of the restaurants that started Greensboro's transition from weak dining at any price to fine dining at moderate prices. Designating its theme as "Modern American Cuisine," it's one of the few places I would go for a salad, in addition to sandwiches, burgers, as well as soups, apps, and entrees. Consider Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Bistro Steak, or Tuscan Meat Loaf, among other good choices.
I was really taken with Natty Green’s Kitchen and Market when I reviewed this new establishment in the renovated Revolution Mill complex. Calling itself a "New Age Chophouse," the concept elevates the brew pub concept that has been popular in the original Natty Greene's downtown. I liked the Fried Cauliflower, "Soulshi"- fried chicken wrapped in collards, and especially the Sausage Plate, with various sausages made in house. Burgers and sandwiches join steaks, chops, and other full entrees, such as Cast Iron Salmon, Mushroom Risotto, and Shrimp Mac and Cheese. Note: the name has been changed to Kau (kaugreensboro.com). I have not been back since the name change, but the menu posted online does not seem to have changed much, if at all.
Giovanni’s (https://giovannisnc.com/) endures long after founder Giovanni Carandola has passed, with his protoge, Robert Holden, at the helm. Holden was cooking in the original Giovanni's while still in his teens. More upscale than the popular "family Italian" places.
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