Baconessence

 We had the Baconessence food truck serve our neighborhood for another block party this week. Their food is really good! Highlights: Lobster Rolls, everybody's favorite, just as good as the ones I had in Maine, I swear! And a new dish, Bacon and Smoked Sausage Jambalaya. It's not just about bacon, but the bacon is great. Highly recommended!

I have unretired (again)!

 Can't seem to get this retirement thing right. I keep going back to work, albeit in situations where I can still have a good time and control my own schedule.

I passed the NC Real Estate Broker's exam on the first try. Joined Kim Mathis and Associates at Keller Williams One. Kim was my student when she was in the eighth grade. Now she's my boss!

I am hosting an Open House this afternoon (Sunday, September 1) in Oak Ridge at 5809 Willow Way. This is a gorgeous home with screened porch, a brick patio, and a chef level kitchen. Priced at $729,900. Come see me and this great property! Click below for listing information:

https://kwone.yourkwoffice.com/property/5809-Willow-Way-Court-Oak-Ridge-NC-27310/1889719017299072

Walter's Wine School at Harper's

 Harper's holds periodic wine sampler dinners, approximately monthly. These are smaller and much less expensive than other wine dinners around the Triad. Most recently, the meal was based on Albarino, a Spanish white that my wife and I like. 

First up was from Licia.

The kitchen paired Licia wth Pesto Pasta, a pleasant, 

light rendition of this perennial favorite.

Next up was Burgans, widely available in restaurants and groceries.

Shrimp Scampi married well with the Burgans. 

This was an especially well-executed scampi, with pleasant light flavors 

well-suited to the albarino wine.

Pazo Senorans was the third albarino. This one was a bit fuller-bodied than the others.

You can't go wrong with mussels and grilled bread!

If you, like many others, have grown a bit tired of chardonnay 

(not that it's bad, it's just ubiquitous), 

you should try the more fruity flavor of albarino. 

It's an especially solid wine for food pairings.

Anniversary Brunch at The Undercurrent

 Can't have just one celebratory meal for an occasion as important as this! A few photos from Sunday Brunch with Courtney and Fred at The Undercurrent (undercurrentrestaurant.com).

Who would have thought you would find the Triad's best biscuits in a fine dining restaurant?

Both guests ordered omelettes. 

Dale got a Breakfast Burrito.

My choice was Shrimp and Grits with blistered okra.

Anniversary Dinner at 1703

 My wife and I celebrated our 33rd Anniversary this week. Hurricane Debby forced us to stay at home on Thursday (8/8), the actual date of our wedding (in Beaufort), but we scheduled dinner Saturday night at 1703 in Winston-Salem (1703restaurant.com). This is an exceptionally attractive restaurant, a true white tablecloth experience, with additional patio seating in a large shaded area adjacent. (I consider that patio to be one of the two most attractive outdoor seating areas in the Triad.)

My wife started with a cocktail- this is a gin, lime, soda concoction 

with fresh rosemary peeking out. Really refreshing on a summer evening.

First course was Chanterelle Pate.

Chef Curtis Hackaday is a certified forager. 

Always order a mushroom dish here!

Because it's summer, and simply because the description was so inviting, 

Dale ordered Watermelon and Jumbo Lump Crab Salad for her main course.

This is dressed in a delightful Lemon Honey Poppyseed Vinaigrette, 

augmented with feta cheese and almonds. 

I am not as disciplined as she is.

I got Lamb Two Ways- three chops joined by merguez sausage-

hearty and robust, enhanced with Walnut Dill Labneh, 

which is a cheese made from strained yogurt.

You can read my full article about 1703 on the YES! Weekly newspaper website:

https://www.yesweekly.com/foodanddrink/chow-down-at-1703-restaurant-catering/article_480ef738-b547-11ee-9bd9-374863f3e157.html.

Special Events at The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel

 Recently attended an expo at the Kimpton Cardinal Hotel in Winston-Salem (thecardinalhotel.com). They have a space on the 20th floor that is designed for recreational large parties- birthdays, receptions, etc. 

They had the space decked out in a beach theme.

A rolling bar greets you as you enter.

There's a basketball court, with an option for tble tennis.

A bowling alley

Foosball tables

A TV and recreational area, sports-themed

Another bar, of course

And food, provided by The Katharine restaurant. Here is the salad course.

Prime rib- man, that tasted good!

Roasted heirloom carrots and Parmesan risotto

Brie and raspberry en croute, bacon-wrapped scallops

and pies!

Takeout from Reel Seafood Grille

 My wife and I live near Reel Seafood Grill  (2002 New Garden Road #208, Greensboro, 336-617-4200, reelseafoodgrill.com). This is one of our favorites, but because of the location, we get takeout more often than dine in. 

This is a half portion of almond crusted trout.

(Trout Amandine)

We find that a single order of trout is plenty for both of us. The sides we ordered with this serving were mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables. (I made the slaw on the side).

Lunch at Green Valley Grill

 I get together once a month with some classmates from Page High School, class of '64. (Our reunion is September 14!) This month, we met at Green Valley Grill, always a pleasant experience.

Grilled Tuna Salad

Mediterranean Shrimp Salad

Mediterranean Tapas

Watermelon Margarita

Watermelon margaritas are back in season at Taco Mama. They just won reader's awards in YES! Weekly Newspaper for Best Margarita in both Guilford and Forsyth counties, Best Tacos in Forsyth County, runner up for Best Tacos in Guilford County, andd second place for Bes Cheap Eats,

Imperial Koi Asian Bistro and Sushi Bar

 A few photos from meals at Imperial Koi (1941 New Garden Road, Suite 200, Greensboro 27410, 336-286-3000). My wife and I live nearby and we eat here often. One of our favorites!

Dragon's Nest- tuna inside an avocado

Gemini Roll

Hibachi Salmon

Rocky Shrimp

Steamed Edamame

Tempura Vegetables

Winter Garden Noodle