Zest

As we sat down to our table at the newly-opened Zest in downtown Cary, our server joked that it was a
good thing we had a 5:00pm dinner reservation. "We actually ran out of rice last night," he said, which stunned us all, considering the menu features numerous sushi rolls and entrees served with rice. It just goes to show how popular and successful this spot has already become. (And it was packed when we left at 6:30!) Pro tip: go with a group of friends so you can work your way through the small plates, and go early - by 5:15, they had already run out of spring rolls.

My dining partners and I agreed that the restaurant looks how our dream home kitchen would be - a bright, open concept with beautiful light fixtures, floor to ceiling windows and a gorgeous color scheme. The menu is lengthy, and full of tempting options. Be sure to check out their craft cocktail list - I was delighted to sip a beverage version of one of my favorite desserts: Sticky Rice with Mango. The drink was shockingly light and easy to sip, and combined Mango Vodka, Rumhaven (Coconut Rum), Rumchata Coconut and Mango Puree, garnished with Toasted Coconut. My sweetie opted for the boozy Thorogood For You, a unique blend of Japanese Whiskey, Sapporo Lager, Amaretto, Lemon and Honey. 

Sticky Rice with Mango. A favorite dessert in cocktail form. 

We dove right into a lovely pile of blistered Shishito Peppers tossed with Sesame Oil, and served alongside a Ranch-style dipping sauce. I was a bit surprised to see a wide selection of Oysters available on a menu that reads predominantly Asian Fusion, but they were delicious, nonetheless, as we opted for both raw and chargrilled. 

Shishito Peppers

A beautiful display of Rice Crisps hid a mound of Ahi Tuna Tartare, which made for quite the reveal. The entire table loved this perfectly balanced dish. The tuna was tossed with a slightly sweet and acidic "Zest Sauce", Scallions and Masago, and slivers of Avocado rested on top. A delightful bite of food.

Ahi Tuna Tartare

It was nearly impossible to decide which Specialty Rolls to order, as many sounded tempting. We opted for "One if By Land," featuring Lump Crab, Tempura Shrimp and Avocado on the inside, with Seared Tenderloin and Shallot Crisps on top. (I did not detect any of the promised Truffle, which was unfortunate). The "Two if By Sea" roll combined Spicy Tuna, Roasted Serrano, Jalapeno and Cukes on the inside, topped with Tuna and Chili Crisp. But the crowd favorite was easily the "Screaming O" roll, with Spicy Tuna and Tempura Shrimp on the inside, with lightly seared Tuna, "O" Sauce and Scallions on top. It was so good, we ordered a second.

Rolls Galore

My favorite dish of the night was the Tabletop Tenderloin, which we almost overlooked. This dish is a must-order. It will definitely be a go-to every time we return. Described as "ishiyaki-style," diners are in charge of cooking their own tenderloin. Our server gave us a demo, melting 2 pats of butter on a hot skillet over a flame, and seasoned strips of beef with salt and pepper. After just a moment, the beef was ready to be drizzled with a bright, herbaceous Chimichurri, which made the dish. Eight strips of beef was not nearly enough.

Tabletop Tenderloin

My tablemates and I decided we were getting a little full, but needed one more dish to round out our meal, so we opted for the Thai Lettuce Wraps. It was a mistake to order these AFTER the beef, as they were fine, but lackluster in comparison. Leaf Lettuce was not the proper vessel for the filling, as it got too soggy and much of the delicious filling fell right out. Perhaps romaine or a sturdier green would work better. The mixture of Chicken, Water Chestnuts, Bell Pepper and Onion was drenched a bit too heavily with Thai Plum Sauce which again, caused issues with the "wrap".

Thai Lettuce Wraps

Make your reservations now, before Zest gets too long of waiting list. It's a perfect fit for downtown Cary and will continue drawing diners who are excited by their unique and plentiful offerings. And don't forget to check their website for nightly specials!

Pimiento Tea Room: Crabcake Night

In the heart of Holly Springs sits a beautiful, old farmhouse that has been restored and turned into a restaurant. Pimiento Tea Room offers lunch, dinner, brunch/tea service and a fun event that caught my attention - CRABCAKE NIGHT. The menu changes each month, but the crabcake remains the same, and let me be the first to tell you - they are to die for. But the entire menu was outstanding, and the restaurant has unique, funky decorations and a great vibe. Head to Holly Springs to check them out, or to catch one of these special nights (the next one is September 17!)

Tea House > Steak House

The price is right for the amount of food you get - seriously, I couldn't finish each course and had to bring home leftovers! Hushpuppies are always a fabulous way to start a southern meal, and these are served with Honey Scallion Butter. The hushpuppy melted in my mouth, and the sweet butter was a welcomed accompaniment. I tried hard not to eat all 5 at once and was mostly successful.

Hushpuppies

I admit, I was a tiny bit skeptical when I saw Corn Chowder listed as the next course (a hot, rich soup in the middle of July?), and was pleasantly surprised at how light and flavorful it actually was. Kernels of Corn, diced Potato and Croutons swim in a deliciously creamy broth. The salt level was perfect. I usually don't love chowders because they're either too heavy, or the creamy broth lacks flavor - not in this case at all. 

Corn Chowder

Next, out came the salad of my dreams. An entire half a head(!) of Iceberg Lettuce was topped with bites of Peach, loads of Blue Cheese and Slivered Almonds, then drizzled with White Balsamic Dressing and sprinkled with Basil. Where has this salad combination been all my life? I am desperate to recreate this at home. The basil tied everything together, and the almonds were a nice crunch. The most fantastic summer salad.

Summer Salad

Finally, the star of the show arrived, and when I tell you there was no filler in this, I mean it. A beautiful lump Crabcake was loaded with bites of sweet meat, and hardly anything else. A textbook perfect crabcake. I would estimate it was about 5 ounces. Really killer. It was served alongside an addictive Twice Baked Potato, complete with Cheese, Bacon and Scallions, and Lemon Roasted Green Beans, which were fine, but nothing special compared to its' platemates. This course alone would cost nearly the price of admission in a restaurant.

Crabcake, Green Beans and Twice Baked Potato

I always save room for dessert, and haven't had any summer fruit cobblers yet this year. So I was thrilled when the dessert was Cherry Cobbler with Vanilla Ice Cream. This was the best cherry cobbler I can remember having - REAL cherries, too, none of that canned stuff - and a light, slightly chewy batter with insane butter flavor. The ice cream was homemade too, with a really nice mouthfeel. It was an absolutely divine way to end a perfect meal. 

Cherry Cobbler a la Mode

Check out the PTR next time you're looking for a ladies' brunch or a fun dinner in a unique atmosphere. But if you're a fan of crabcakes, you absolutely must not miss their next special dinner. I will definitely be returning.

M Tempura

If you live in the Triangle, you've no doubt heard of the M Restaurant Group (M Sushi, M Pocha, M Test Kitchen and M Kokko) and if you're a foodie, you're likely a fan of them all. I finally made my way to the final restaurant I had yet to try - M Tempura. The restaurant is unique in that you must select which of the 3 offered tasting menus you want to do, when you make your reservation. You can choose from the Tempura Tasting, the Omakase or the Kaiseki, which is what we opted for. It was absolutely phenomenal and exceeded my already high expectations. Do allow about 2.5 hours for the tasting, but your mind will be blown. Every single thing is done with intention and executed flawlessly. I would have sat there and continued to eat all night long.

Upon first glance, the menu seems a bit intimidating - 10 courses reads heavy - but I was stunned to not be miserably full at the end of the meal. Everything ate very light, and many of the dishes were one or two-biters. Beer, wine and sake are offered and I found a new favorite Rioja. Within 10 minutes of sitting down, we had already received our first 2 courses. I was worried we would feel a little rushed, but had absolutely no idea what awaited us. The pacing was perfect.

The Sakizuke (amuse bouche) started off with a bang - Shrimp Toast. A bitesize burst of flavor to wake up your palate. The slightly sweet shrimp ate beautifully with the buttery toast square, and got just a little kick from an Aji Amarillo sauce. 

Sakizuke (Shrimp Toast)

Another completely different, equally delicious bite was next - the Otsukuri (sashimi/raw dish). The chef's choice that evening was a Salmon Tartare with Preserved Lemon and Seaweed Chips, a fun and tasty new way to enjoy that perfect tartare.

Otsukuri (Salmon Tartare)

The third course was Ni-mono (steamed dish), which layered a beautifully set Egg Custard with Blue Crab, Ponzu, Walnut Oil and Smoked Trout Roe. The ponzu really brought this dish alive, bringing both salt and acid to the velvety custard and the bites of sweet crab. The trout roe was a beautiful pop of color and salinity.

Ni-mono (Egg Custard)

It was as if each bite was better than the last. Next, out came a stunning, large, white bowl (the plating all night was just fantastic) with our Atsu-mono (warm dish). A meaty Diver Scallop was sliced into strips and rested in a beautiful pool of golden Curried Cauliflower, and topped with Siberian Caviar. This was my husband's favorite dish of the night, and I don't think I can enjoy scallops any other way again.

Atsu-mono (Scallop)

We had made it to the halfway point and were about to embark on the Age-mono (tempura/fried dish). I was eager to sample their tempura offerings, since that is such a large part of their restaurant. We started with a humble Prawn, and that tempura batter was the lightest, crispiest, slightly sweet batter I've ever had. (We even got a little lemon wedge squeezer, a bowl of flaky sea salt and a bowl of sauce to accompany each bite! So fun.) Next out of the fryer popped a bite of Lotus Root, Maitake Mushroom, and finally one of my favorite bites of the night - Seabass. I've never enjoyed fried fish quite like this. It was like butter and melted right in your mouth. Unbelievable. It was a pause-worthy food moment for me.

Age-mono (Tempura)

My jaw nearly hit the floor when I saw what was coming our way. The Sui-mono (soup/broth dish) was not at all a simple soup or broth. It was an entire 4 ounce Lobster Tail alongside a large bowl of melted Dashi Butter for you to poach it in. Throw in a few Escarole leaves for some bitterness and some Chili Oil for heat, and you have a complete dinner all in itself. But no, this was just course #6. It was our other favorite dish of the evening (and presentation, too - see the folded up plate?) and worth the price of admission.

Sui-mono (Lobster Tail)

Sadly my favorite dish was followed by what I thought was the least successful. The Yaki-mono (grilled dish) was a bit of a harsh shock to my palate following that sweet, buttery richness of the Lobster. Strips of Wagyu Beef were tossed in a house barbecue sauce, and served alongside Pickled Daikon Radish and Greens, for a DIY wrap moment. I applaud the idea, but did not care for the intense char on this beef whatsoever. But I was fine with taking a break for one course.

Yaki-mono (Wagyu)

We were on our last savory bite of the night - the Shokuji (rice/meal dish). I didn't expect to see Miso Soup come out, as I tend to associate that with the start of a meal, but at M Tempura, it's a way to end it. And alongside, a fried Nori Chip encased Blue Crab, Rice and Salmon Roe. A really yummy bite that seemed like it should have come a bit earlier in the evening.

Shokuji (Nori with Crab and Miso Soup)

We had made it to the pre-dessert (in my heaven, there is pre-dessert and then dessert). This was a subtle shift from savory into the world of sweet, and a beautiful bite of fried Brie Cheese, covered in Honey, Black Truffle and Nori. It was divine. I want a grilled cheese version of this.

Fried Brie Cheese with Truffle

The Chef's Choice Dessert for the evening was an Avocado Sherbet, made from a Coconut Milk base, but ate as creamy as ice cream. It was a beautiful light green hue that was covered in a sweet and tart Strawberry-Tomato Jam. A lovely way to end the meal.

Avocado Sherbet with Strawberry-Tomato Jam

I truly would have sat there all night and was secretly hoping we would get a surprise bite or extra course. We snagged a seat at the bar, which made it really fun to have a front row seat. I was stunned at how well the open kitchen operated and communicated, and I cannot recommend this experience enough.

Madre

I'm not quite sure how Madre flew under my radar for as long as it did. Granted, it's only been open for about a year, but my recent dining experience there absolutely stunned me. It's nestled in the newly developed Smoky Hollow area of downtown Raleigh, just blocks away from bustling Glenwood Avenue. The space gives off sexy vibes, with its dark slate color palette, dimly lit semi-circle bar and candelabra that drips with wax. It feels like a restaurant for a big city. It feels like high fashion. Yet it feels accessible. Did I mention how delicious the food is?

Let's back up and revisit the bar - a perfect place to start your night while waiting on your table. My sweetie opted for the Mezcal Marg, combining the smoky Tequila with classic Lime and Agave flavors, while I sipped the Mazzocco Cab. I appreciated the ample wine list but would try the Noche Rosa next time (Honeysuckle Vodka, Plum, Vanilla and White Port!)

Service is prompt and thorough, yet casual. I didn't feel rushed at all. Tapas-style dishes are meant to be shared, and were delivered in a timely fashion, though I was surprised when our order of Scallops arrived first out of everything we ordered - I get it, scallops cook quickly, but I would have preferred starting with perhaps the Roasted Cauliflower instead. The scallops though, were phenomenal - they had a salty, crispy crust and rested on a bed of incredibly soft Curry Chickpeas, and drizzled with Harissa Crema and Chili Oil. 3 scallops come in an order, and I would have liked the option to add a 4th.

If Cauliflower could be described as sexy, it's because Madre was behind it. Roasted to perfection, topped with a Chevre Cheese crumble, and lounging in a pool of addictive Green Goddess sauce - this is a dream preparation for the humble veg. I showed a lot of restraint not eating the green goddess sauce with a spoon. Major ranch vibes.

Pulpo (Octopus) shines here, with Sweet Potato Cream and Roasted Garlic Aioli. The sweetness from the sweet potato was a nice contrast to the smoky char of the octopus, which wasn't too chewy either. Butternut Squash Risotto is rich and smooth, and loaded with Parmesan. It's topped with tender Mushrooms for some slight texture. My sweetie commented that it was the best restaurant risotto he's ever had.

I absolutely loved the Calabrian Chicken, which to my surprise, were 3 large drumettes. Super fun and whimsical to eat. They're dunked in Hot Honey and served with a Pepper Aioli for dipping, and maintained a nice crunch, even with all the sauces. Delicious. You can never go wrong with Burrata, but I wasn't crazy about the Za'atar Tapenade served with it. That specific seasoning combined with the salinity of the olives took away from the subtle flavor of the cheese.

Madre's Salchipapas (their rendition of potatoes) was as surprising as the cauliflower dish: it highlighted a very humble ingredient and totally knocked my socks off. These crispy potatoes seem as if they were fried in duck fat, and are perfectly salty and crispy. I actually couldn't find the promised Chorizo (not that the dish needed it) but I loved the housemade Dijonaise (and would have loved ketchup even more). 

The dessert menu is limited, but the Gianduja was a lovely way to end the meal. It's an Italian-style fudge that's perfectly creamy, not too chocolately, with just a hint of Hazelnut and Sea Salt. That sprinkling of salt really set this dessert off. 

I can't wait to go back to Madre and finish off their menu. It will be hard to resist re-ordering many of the dishes we tried last time, but with so many tempting options, I know we'll manage.

Brodeto

Make no mistake - when you walk into Brodeto, Raleigh restaurateur Scott Crawford's new spot, you instantly know you're in good hands. The restaurant is absolutely stunning: cream-colored walls with beautiful ambrosia maple wood tables; a warm, inviting bar and an open kitchen; and plenty of staff ensuring everything is running smoothly. Brodeto opened last month in the newly-developed Raleigh Iron Works area, and seems like a step up from his already swanky and splurge-worthy restaurants Crawford & Son and Jolie. The cuisine is inspired by Italy and Croatia and is a love note to the Adriatic. My experience was as close to a home run as you can get. A few tweaks would have knocked it out of the park. While they are still finding their footing, I know they'll only continue to improve.

I acknowledge that one visit, where I sampled 4 dishes and a cocktail, doesn't necessarily give me the best overview of what the folks at Brodeto can do. But as a mom with a limited budget, one visit is all I can manage right now, and first impressions are everything. The cocktail list is inventive (and expensive), as Crawford's usually are, and the Euro Step featured Mezcal (I subbed Tequila), Aperol, Grilled Strawberry and Chili Oil for a uniquely warm and spicy note. I appreciated the option to sample a wine before I opted for a glass, and the Croatian Plavac won me over.

The "Small Plates" section should be renamed, because the two my dining partner and I ordered provided us each with leftovers. Italian Chicories are dressed with a White Balsamic and Citrus Vinaigrette, and topped with Toasted Hazelnuts for crunch, Grana Padano for umami and Cara Cara Oranges for sweetness. This salad was fantastic and perfectly balanced. I admire a well-crafted salad and this was indeed that. We also tried the Little Gem Hearts (a cross between Romaine and Butter Lettuce), which reminded me of a sexy Caesar. The greens were tossed with a Ramp Caesar dressing, crispy Sourdough Breadcrumbs for texture and what I imagine was an entire wedge of Pecorino Tartufo. That slight truffle flavor from the cheese with the tangy, savory Caesar dressing was absolutely addictive. I would eat this salad every day of my life.

Italian Chicories

Little Gem Hearts

Every pasta on the menu sounded irresistable, but we narrowed it down to 2. I had never heard of or seen a Busiate noodle, which is a long, thin, corkscrew shape, and while it was a whimsical choice, I don't think it was the right pasta for the sauce. Actually, it was more like a broth, featuring Crab, Tomato Confit, Garlic and Lemon. Very robust in flavor, but very thin, and did not cling to the noodle whatsoever. It was actually pretty hard to eat, especially on the appetizer-sized plates we were given. The flavor was a success, but I did not think the execution on this dish was.

Busiate with Crab

Agnolotti is one of my favorite pastas. They are like little dumplings, and Brodeto's rendition is filled with Celeriac, a hint of Black Truffle, Goat Butter and Parmesan. They float dreamily in a light broth (again, not really a sauce) which was again difficult to eat with forks on our much-too-small plates. (I suppose we should have asked for spoons and bowls for these dishes). The pasta dough is so tender and the filling is just bursting at the seams. This was a beautifully composed dish, I just wish it had been easier to enjoy. (It would have been much easier if a single diner were to enjoy these pasta dishes, but they encourage family-style dining, so they could consider altering how they set up dishes to be shared.)

Agnolotti

We opted out of dessert (options were limited and the newly-opened Andia's Ice Cream is right next door). I applaud the service and the cool calmness with which the staff managed the restaurant. I did not have to ask for water once during the meal (side note - the water cups are very cool, they look like clear, plastic solo cups but they are glass!) and the food was coursed out appropriately. The team at Brodeto is all working together to ensure diners have an excellent experience. Save up a few pennies (you will definitely need them) and treat yourself to a taste of the Adriatic.

Dining partner + friend of 20 years

Ajja

Every now and then, a restaurant comes along that reminds you how exciting food can be. Ajja recently opened in the Five Points neighborhood in Raleigh, and immediately had a cult following (these are the folks behind the beloved restaurant Garland, which shuttered its doors post-Covid). After a recent dining experience where we tried nearly everything on the menu, it's easy to see why Ajja was also recently nominated for a James Beard Award ("the Oscars of the food world"). The atmosphere, service and ever-changing menu will have you returning again and again.

We dined al fresco on a beautiful spring evening, with a lovely view of downtown Raleigh in the distance. The patio is stunning, complete with bright lights, colorful artwork and an enormous firepit. Ajja's "borrowed" and "signature" cocktail list is a perfect place to start. I opted for the "Wait For It", a wonderfully balanced mixture of Gin, Orange and Calabrian Chiles with a hint of Lime and Honey. (I wasn't bold enough to try the "Mary Had a Little Dram", featuring Lamb fat-washed Mezcal, but maybe next time.) Instead, we opted for lamb in food form, and were wowed by the Croquettes. One is big enough to share, but you might not want to. They're perfectly crispy and savory, and even better when wiped through an herby Schug sauce and sweet Tomato Coulis.

Never in a million years would I have imagined a place could have so many delicious dips and spreads, but the place does exist. And it's Ajja. (I have to admit - I enjoyed these more than any of the proteins we ordered!) Warm Moroccan Hummus is chunky and better than anything you'd find at the store. It's topped with Sweet Peppers, a drizzle of Tahini Yogurt, Sumac Onions and Corn Flakes for texture, along with a handful of other delights to make this a great starter. Carrot Houriya is a love song to carrots. They're caramelized, which brings out the sweetness, and topped with tangy Goat Cheese and a mound of slivered Almonds for crunch. Both of these are served with a nice, dense, Sesame bread.

Carrot Houriya, Lamb Croquettes and Joel's hand

The *star* dip was the Warm Squash Dip, featuring purees of both Butternut and Delicata Squashes, with brown butter for richness and Pomegranate Molasses for brightness. My only complaint was not having enough toast points to enjoy this dip (it's ok, I just used my spoon).

A nice, bright Citrus Salad features Baby Romaine, Endive and a first for our table - Candied Dukkah (an ancient grain) - which gave a nice salty/sweet note and crunch. Broccoli Rabe had just been added to the menu and was well-received by 50% of our party - others were turned off by the bitterness of the vegetable.

Citrus Salad

Our favorite protein of the night was the unassuming, humble Chicken Thighs. Do not sleep on this! Tender meat is marinated in Buttermilk, Garlic, Cilantro and a hint of Lemon and just melts in your mouth. I had high hopes for the Lamb Seekh following that outstanding Croquette we had earlier, but this rendition was a little chewy. Lamb Shoulder is cubed and served on a (shallow) pool of Labneh and topped with crunchy Pistachios, but I couldn't find the promised Acorn Squash. This dish was just OK for me. We also had mixed reactions to the Spare Ribs, that were topped with a Peach-Tamarind glaze and served over a bed of Turmeric Cabbage. I enjoyed the flavor more than the texture of the meat, which seemed a bit chewy and overcooked to me.

We didn't have an ounce of room for dessert (I would have made room for more Warm Squash Dip if I could have) but after-dinner libations proved to be just the ticket. I was pretty thrilled with our experience and appreciated the prompt, frequent checkbacks from our congenial server. Make your reservations now because this place is busy. Hopefully you can snag a table later this spring to enjoy the fabulous patio. You won't be disappointed.

2024 Oscar Predictions

Greetings, dear readers! Did you think I could possibly forget to post my 2024 Oscar predictions? I may not be sharing detailed reviews of everything I've seen this season, but believe me - I am watching. Pop your bubbly, dress in your finest loungewear and get ready for Sunday night - the best night of the year!

Best Picture

"American Fiction"
"Anatomy of a Fall"
"Barbie"
"The Holdovers"
"Killers of the Flower Moon"
"Maestro"
"Oppenheimer"
"Past Lives"
"Poor Things"
"The Zone of Interest"

Should Win: At the time of press, I have seen 80% of the nominated films (it used to be my goal to see all nominated films, but that was BS...Before Sloan). I quite enjoyed "Barbie" and "Poor Things" and was tickled to see 2 films with heavy comedic elements nominated, a rarity for the Academy. However, I think it's very safe to say that "Oppenheimer" will take the statue. It blew me away. The acting, the score, the editing, the set design...it was brilliant. If I was a betting woman, I would go all in on this one.

Will Win: "Oppenheimer".

Best Actor

Bradley Cooper, "Maestro"
Colman Domingo, "Rustin"
Paul Giamatti, "The Holdovers"
Cillian Murphy, "Oppenheimer"
Jeffrey Wright, "American Fiction"

Should Win: Before I saw Cillian Murphy and Paul Giamatti's performances, I was convinced that Bradley Cooper was finally going to win an Oscar (he has been nominated 12 times!!!) I didn't particularly care for "Maestro" but there was just so much hype surrounding the film, I figured it was his time. Then, Mr. Giamatti graced us with yet another quirky, heartfelt performance. The Academy loves to reward body of work, and while "The Holdovers" wasn't necessarily my favorite performance of Giamatti's, I can see things swinging in his direction. Who doesn't love Paul Giamatti? But THEN, Cillian Murphy with his electric eyes completely transformed into the role of J. Robert Oppenheimer and I was floored. He carries this massive motion picture on his shoulders with ease. 

Will Win: It's a toss-up but, Murphy.

Best Actress

Annette Bening, "Nyad"
Lily Gladstone, "Killers of the Flower Moon"
Sandra Hüller, "Anatomy of a Fall"
Carey Mulligan, "Maestro"
Emma Stone, "Poor Things"

Should Win: If Emma Stone hadn't already won for "La La Land," I would say her performance in "Poor Things" is Oscar gold. I think once actors win a coveted statue, they're allowed more risks with the roles they take, and are perhaps offered more unique and daring parts. I thought Lily Gladstone did a beautiful job portraying an Osage woman on the verge of a physical and emotional breakdown. So it's clearly a race between the 2 of them.

Will Win: Gladstone.

Best Supporting Actor

Sterling K. Brown, "American Fiction"
Robert De Niro, "Killers of the Flower Moon"
Robert Downey Jr., "Oppenheimer"
Ryan Gosling, "Barbie"
Mark Ruffalo, "Poor Things"

Should Win: I've always believed that the Supporting Actor/Actress Oscars should go to the actor/tress who made a scene or a movie better. They're not it much, but when they are in it, you perk up in your chair a bit. RDJ did this effortlessly in "Oppenheimer" and Ryan Gosling nailed this as Ken in "Barbie". Alas, the Academy REALLY hates to give out statues for comedies, and Hollywood REALLY loves a comeback story. While RDJ has "been back" for a while, this is his time. He was brilliant in "Oppenheimer". (I will also say, that as a huge fan of SKB, I am rooting for him even though I haven't seen "American Fiction" yet).

Will Win: RDJ.

Best Supporting Actress

Emily Blunt, "Oppenheimer"
Danielle Brooks, "The Color Purple"
America Ferrera, "Barbie"
Jodie Foster, "Nyad"
Da'Vine Joy Randolph, "The Holdovers"

Should Win: This one is tough. America Ferrera was great in "Barbie", and I'm a long-time fan of Emily Blunt. But I don't see either of them winning for these roles. I loved Da'Vine Joy Randolph on HBO's tragically delicious show "The Idol," but I didn't think "The Holdovers" was her best work. If previous award shows are any indication of the winner (and they usually are), it's Randolph's statue.

Will Win: Randolph.

Best Director

Jonathan Glazer, "The Zone of Interest"
Yorgos Lanthimos, "Poor Things"
Christopher Nolan, "Oppenheimer"
Martin Scorsese, "Killers of the Flower Moon"
Justine Triet, "Anatomy of a Fall"

Should Win: Christopher Nolan has an unbelievable 8 nominations and no wins. It is 100% his time. "Oppenheimer" was a masterpiece. 

Will Win: Nolan.