Lantern

I spent four glorious years in Chapel Hill – not nearly long enough. During my time there, my meals consisted of delicious sorority house cooking, and brunches at Elmo’s and Sutton’s Drug Store. Though I’ve always been a foodie, I didn’t exactly have $30 to spend on an entrée at Lantern, but the restaurant’s reputation always intrigued me. Executive Chef Andrea Reusing is the 2011 winner of the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southeast. The James Beard Awards are the Oscars of the food world. In addition, the restaurant has been featured in numerous publications, including Southern Living and Gourmet Magazine. When an opportunity to dine at Lantern finally presented itself last week, I couldn’t have been more thrilled.

The only reservation time available on a Tuesday was at 5:30pm. When you’re in NYC, dinner isn’t until 9 or 10pm, but down South, I’m totally fine being an early bird. By the time we left, each table was full. Minimalistic décor and Chinese lanterns (how appropo) adorn the quaint restaurant. The back bar is dark, romantic and cozy. There’s even a small stone garden outside, perfect for meditating, or settling into your food coma. In a Wall Street Journal article published last year, Reusing said “Fusion became a stand-in for confusion,” so she makes a point to stay true to Asian flavors, and doesn’t “Americanize” her menu.

 

Our server was very well-versed in dinner specials and prices. I began my Lantern experience with the Cunning Kimono, a crisp and refreshing cocktail consisting of jasmine flower vodka, fresh lemon and honey. It was garnished with a lemon curl, and tasted earthy, in a good way.

 

The Bento Box is essentially “build your own sushi.” The box was delivered to the table with the top on, so it was like opening a present! Great presentation. Sake and tea-cured Arctic Char, house-pickled ginger, red cabbage, miso mayonnaise, sticky rice, fresh wasabi and nori (seaweed) were each in their own section of the box. The pickled ginger tasted like straight vinegar, not the usual sweet and sour flavor I was expecting. The red cabbage and miso mayonnaise were the star ingredients, and it was a fun, hands-on dish.

Crispy Duck Soup was presented in a pot, covered with a lid, so again it felt like Christmas morning to open this gift. I was greeted with a cloud of steam and was pleased with the feast that awaited me. Our server told me I would be extremely satiated after eating this dish…obviously he underestimated my palate. I didn’t find it too satiating at all. Fresh egg noodles and a confit duck leg floated in a clear duck broth, along with oyster and shiitake mushrooms, bok choy and scallions. If the broth had been cream-based, it definitely would have been too rich. Schezwan pepper and chilli oil were presented in little dishes, to use as a condiment for the soup. The Schezwan pepper had a sweet heat that I didn’t care for, while the chilli oil would have been delicious to dip bread in. I used every drop of it. I decided it was too classy an establishment to drink straight from the bowl, but I hated to leave all the broth since that’s where so much of the flavor was.

I had extremely high expectations for Lantern, and for the most part, they were met. It’s been open for 10 years, so it’s not a secret anymore – this place (and Chef Reusing) have quite the reputation now. And we should all be proud to have a James Beard winner so close to home.

The Lucky One

Starring: Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling, Blythe Danner, Jay R. Ferguson
Director: Scott Hicks
Running Time: 1 hour, 41 minutes
Rating: PG-13

Zac Efron has most definitely grown up since his days in “High School Musical.” I hadn’t seen any of the HSM flicks until this past fall, when a friend from Germany came to stay with my roommate and me, and I was subject to their obsession with the trilogy. (I was very pleased, and have no shame admitting that I’m now a fan as well.) After stretching his skills in “17 Again” and “Charlie St. Cloud,” Zac Efron offers a brave performance as Logan, a Marine in search of the woman he found a photo of while in Iraq. He stumbles into a new world, and is anything but prepared for what lies ahead of him.

You're welcome. Photo courtesy of fanpop.com

Some of you might be wondering how I’ve seen the movie prior to its April 20 release date, and I have a very important colleague to thank for that. This trusted colleague’s first comment after the movie ended was “Not enough shirtless time,” in regards to Efron. While I agree, his sensitive and quiet performance was powerful enough for me. I’ll be very careful not to reveal too much for those of you who haven’t yet seen the film (which at this point is all of you! Ha!) or haven’t read the book. As per usual, Nicholas Sparks presents another beautiful story, which tugs at your heartstrings and makes you long for a fairytale love. But no fairytale is complete without a wicked witch, or in this case, an estranged father/ex-husband, played by Jay R. Ferguson. Whenever I loathe the antagonist this much, I know they are doing brilliant work with the character.

Taylor Schilling gracefully portrays Beth, a mother trying to deny her curiosity about this new man in town. She reluctantly hires Logan to help her run her pet boarding house. Though both were wonderful in their individual roles, Schilling looks entirely too old for Efron (though she’s only 3 years older.) When asked “Who would have been a more realistic choice for the female lead?” after some thought, that same profound colleague shrugged and said “me.”

Logan bonds with Beth and her son, and it’s obvious he is a perfect fit for this broken family. Not only does he rev up Beth’s engines, he’s also a father figure to little Ben. I think all two men in the theatre even fell in love with Efron in this role. We discover admirable traits about him – what’s not to love about a piano-playing, Melville-reading, philosophy-loving guy who’s also a handy man? (For those of you taking notes, I’ve essentially described my dream qualities in a male.)

Blythe Danner gives laughs as Beth’s grandmother (though definitely should have been written as her mother) and encourages Beth to follow her heart, and not fall victim to her ex-husband’s heartless games. There are moments where chuckles were appropriate, and other times I had to fight the urge to tear up. “The Lucky One” reminds us to find happiness in the little things – swimming in a lake, cooking dinner with your loved ones, making out in an outdoor shower…  Strong performances and beautiful cinematography make this worth seeing. And be prepared to fall in love with Zac Efron.

Cooking Class: Zink American Kitchen

I’m really fortunate to have an incredible boss who gives awesome birthday presents. For my last birthday, I was treated to a gift card to Harper’s Restaurant Group, to either redeem at one of their four Charlotte restaurants, or at some of their cooking classes. She knows me so well. I attended a cooking class last fall at Mimosa Grill (pre-blog) and had a spectacular time, met new friends and learned how to whip up a ridiculous Sweet Potato Risotto. Upon searching for my next cooking class, I stumbled upon Zink American Kitchen’s “Cuisine of New York.” Since NYC is one of the food capitals of the world, I immediately signed up. Even though I found some courses too complex for me to duplicate in my own kitchen, I left the class with new culinary skills and a completely satisfied stomach.

Momz & me in NYC

When I think of classic NYC cuisine, pizza, street hot dogs and pretzels come to mind, but I doubted any of these would make the menu - and I was right. We began with Manhattan Clam Chowder - the red one. Zink puts a spin on their version of the chowder with tomato water, a flavorful broth as opposed to a thick, stewy base. The tomato water had delicious depth, but requires draining through a cheesecloth for days to make properly – ie, too much work for me. I enjoyed the taste, but found the chunks of carrots and tomatoes an odd addition.

Did I mention that each course is served with a glass of wine? And that the class starts at 10am? 4 courses + 4 glasses of wine = top morning. The Chowder was paired with a 2010 Don David Finca La Primavera, a blend of Argentinian whites. I’m usually not a fan of whites, but it brought out the light acidic notes in the broth.

When you think NYC, you think Katz’s Deli and their mile high sandwiches. So naturally, the second course was a Reuben. I’m not a sandwich person (I KNOW, I’M WEIRD) but I do love a good melt. This was actually the first time I’ve sampled a Reuben, but I knew I was in good hands. Traditionally, Corned Beef, Sauerkraut, Swiss Cheese and Thousand Island Dressing are piled high on Rye Bread. To my approval, Zink used a hot mustard spread in place of the often too-sweet Thousand Island. This deliciously spicy sauce gave the dish a delightful umami sensation (the fifth sense of taste, an overwhelmingly wonderful savory flavor.) My only complaint was the use of toasted caraway seeds, which have a strong anise/liquorish flavor. It was a bit overpowering, as the anise flavor is echoed in the Rye Bread, but the saltiness of the Corned Beef and gooey melted cheese was very comforting.

Though I would have preferred a Hummin’Bird or a Stella with this sandwich, a 2010 Old Vine Lodi Zinfandel was a surprisingly great match. I’m a huge Red Zin fan – not to be confused with White Zin (nast!)

The third course was by far my favorite: Roasted Duck with Manhattan Reduction Sauce and Apple Bread Pudding - easily found in a 5-star NYC restaurant. Tender, melt-in-your-mouth duck under perfectly seasoned skin reminded me of Christmas dinner. The Manhattan Reduction Sauce was quite similar to the cocktail – vermouth and bourbon-based, with duck pan drippings, butter and garlic. If it were served in a martini glass, I would have downed it. In the words of my companion, “Apple Bread Pudding will be my contribution to next year’s Thanksgiving dinner.” Simple to make, sweet and savory, with chunks of apple and a smidgen of cheese on top – this was an outstanding complement to the roasted duck. Without a doubt, this was the most outstanding dish of the day. I could kick myself for not taking photos of each dish, though the presentation wasn’t the highlight. This course was served alongside a Toscolo from Tuscany – dry, similar to a Cabernet. Not my favorite, but the entrée made up for it.

What dessert is more New York than cheesecake? We rounded out our class with Cappuccino Cheesecake with Dulce de Leche and Sea Salt Caramel. This is a coffee lovers’ dream. I love cheesecake and I love coffee, but ironically I don’t always love coffee-flavored desserts. The Oreo crust and Sea Salt Caramel made this dish for me – I would have been totally satisfied with just that. Unfortunately, they didn’t teach us how to make the Caramel, which I would have enjoyed adding to my repertoire since each time I attempt it on my own, the sugar ends up crystallizing! Not that it needed a wine pairing, but Jorge Ordonez Cava Champagne was a nice palate cleanser to the coffee.

  

If you’re a foodie, check out the Harper’s Restaurant Group cooking class schedule. Zink, Mimosa Grill and Upstream each offer one class once a month. It’s definitely worth the money, and you start your Saturday the right way. I look forward to the Cinco de Mayo class, where we’ll sample Spanish wines and create Spanish tapas!

21 Jump Street

Starring: Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Ice Cube, Dave Franco, Rob Riggle
Director: Phil Lord, Chris Miller
Running Time: 1 hour, 49 minutes
Rating: R

I haven’t laughed out loud this much in a movie in a long time. The re-make of “21 Jump Street” does so many things right: spot-on casting, crude humor (my fave) and tons of action. Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill portray two cops who go undercover to infiltrate a drug ring in a local high school, because neither of them can “make it” on the streets like real cops. Their chemistry is undeniable. They should go down as action movie royalty like Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta in “Pulp Fiction.” Ok, maybe not that classic. More like Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker in “Rush Hour.” The loads of action (and the shots of Channing) are enough to satisfy both guys and girls.

Going up against Jonah Hill comically, Channing had very big shoes to fill. And fill those shoes he did. He stood his ground, and wasn’t entirely slapstick like I was expecting. Hill has even advanced from his “Superbad” days, with a more mature humor, yet still a bit bawdy. On opposite ends of the popularity spectrum in high school, the two play against stereotypes when they hit high school again, where Jenko (Tatum) finds himself with the science nerds, while Schmidt (Hill) becomes the big man on campus. They’re surprised at today’s trends – kids are tolerant, environmental advocates and vegetarians – a pretty clever way of sending out a message. Very Glee.

Photo courtesy of All Eyes On Screen

Before I referenced IMDB, I knew the lead student reminded me of James Franco. The voice, mysterious swag, and slight cocky tilt of the head backwards were all too familiar. And what would you know, it’s his younger brother! Dave Franco plays Eric, the school’s head drug dealer. He’s likable - crooning on his guitar, preaching about all sorts of advocacy - but he’s involved with some pretty serious stuff. On their first day at school, Jenko and Schmidt are forced to take the drug themselves, to prove they aren’t narcs. Hilarity ensues.

Ellie Kemper is amusing as a chemistry teacher, mad-crushing on Jenko. I love this chick, but she’s getting to be a little like her “Office” co-star Ed Helms, and typecast as the space cadet. Rob Riggle is BRILLIANT. This underrated comedic character actor stole every scene he was in with his minute facial expressions. He has perfect comedic timing.

After weeks of unsuccessful take-downs of the bad guys (but lots of fun high school parties), Jenko and Schmidt feel pressure from the Police Captain (Ice Cube) and know that their last chance to crack the drug ring is on prom night. The hysterical ending hints at a sequel, and I can only hope one is in the works.

Vivace

If you want a great view of the Queen City skyline, as well as a modern spin on classic Italian dishes, look no further than Vivace. Located in Charlotte’s Metropolitan development, Vivace’s neighbors include Trader Joe’s, Target and some of the city’s most upscale and fashionable condominiums, aka, my dream neighborhood.

A vast bar, ample seating and a large display of wine bottles occupy the main floor, and bright orange fixtures hang from the high ceiling. A stairway leads to an additional bar, where outdoor patio seating provides the breathtaking view of Uptown. After hearing rave reviews, my group and I decided to try Vivace for brunch, and we left nothing less than blown away.

Upon being seated, Cheddar Scallion Biscuits were brought to the table. Any restaurant that brings a delicious, complimentary starter gets an “A” in my book. These buttery and cheesy biscuits were like soft pillows of heaven, and they rival Red Lobster’s infamous Garlic Cheddar Biscuits - Vivace’s are much smaller, so you can eat more and not feel as guilty (that’s how us girls like to think of it at least.)

I fell in love with crepes during my trip to exquisite Paris, but I’m hesitant to order them in the States (not to mention at an Italian restaurant!) However, I couldn’t resist the description of the filling: Short Ribs, Gorgonzola, Mushrooms and Caramelized Onions. Yowza. The tender meat was saturated with a luscious red wine reduction sauce, which played beautifully against the creaminess of the Gorgonzola Cheese. The subtle sweetness of the Caramelized Onions took this dish to the next level, and each bite of the stuffed, paper-thin crepe was not enough.

Polenta is the Italian version of grits. Being a huge fan of cheese grits, Cheesy Polenta sounded like a side that was right up my alley. Oddly enough, the appearance reminded me of scrambled eggs, but it rocked my world. It was flavorful and comforting.

I’m thrilled I experienced such a magnificent brunch at Vivace. I look forward to returning for dinner, to see downtown lit up (and the wine selection). This was far from my last visit.

Vivace

The Hunger Games

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Stanley Tucci, Elizabeth Banks
Director: Gary Ross
Running Time: 2 hours, 22 minutes
Rating: PG-13

I’m probably one of the few people in the world that hasn’t read The Hunger Games trilogy. They’re insanely popular and may have even surpassed the “Twilight” mania. The fact that it was filmed in North Carolina furthers the craze, at least among locals. The story surrounds 12 districts in a futuristic society, whose punishment for a long ago rebellion is to participate in the annual “Hunger Games.” A boy and a girl from each district venture to the Capitol, where they are trained to fight each other to the death. Intense. The movie is long, though not too long, but I could watch the effortless Jennifer Lawrence on-screen for hours on end. Her portrayal of Katniss is an inspiration to young girls, as she shows both maternal and warrior-like instincts. A strong supporting cast furthers the film, though from what I’ve heard, it doesn’t even compare to the book.

In the first fifteen minutes, Katniss volunteers as “tribute” after her younger sister gets chosen to fight. (Hasn’t everyone seen that clip by now?) It’s heartbreaking – Katniss knows there is a strong chance she won’t survive – her odds are 1/24. Josh Hutcherson plays Peeta, the boy chosen from her district. In the words of a colleague, Hutcherson is “a shrimp” compared to Katniss’ best friend Gale, played by the yummy Liam Hemsworth. (Side note – Liam didn’t get enough screen time and I envy Miley Cyrus for taming that tall drink of water.) Peeta doesn’t seem to pose as much of a threat – Katniss could easily take him. Jennifer Lawrence is a natural in the woods, as the harsh, unforgiving wilderness very much echoes that of her breakout film “Winter’s Bone.” She got an Oscar nod for that, and I know more are in her future. I just didn’t see the chemistry between Katniss and Peeta. Perhaps this was a casting flaw, or just an underdeveloped plot line.

Elizabeth Banks is unrecognizable as Effie Trinket, the pair’s escort to the Capitol. Her sing-songy voice was stuck in my head the entire evening. On the 200mph train, they are surrounded by lavish furniture and rich delicacies to eat, which neither are accustomed to, coming from the poorest district. (The pastries in this scene are from Amelie’s – an awesome bakery in Charlotte’s NoDa neighborhood!)

As the last tribute to win from their District, Woody Harrelson plays a sloppy drunk who could care less about the “Games.” It’s only when he sees Katniss’ talent and possibility to win that he begins to act as a mentor. Stanly Tucci is exaggerated and hilarious as the “Games” commentator. (Anyone besides Dickie V would have done wonderfully here.) The play on reality TV here is interesting: their society has gotten so desperate for entertainment that watching youths battle to the death is popular.

I suppose it was his breakout role in “Precious” that got Lenny Kravitz his acting reputation. He is wonderful as Katniss’ sexually ambiguous designer/friend. I was apprehensive as to how the film would get us attached to the tributes, and then expect us to be okay with them dying. The girl next to me in the theatre was bawling during one particular death. And though Katniss possesses some ridiculous hunting skills and incomparable determination, pure luck saved her butt once or twice.

This film definitely makes you wonder how far away this futuristic society is. Not that I think society will ever resort to killing our own for pure entertainment value, but as reality shows get more and more ridiculous, and trains creep to 200mph, it does make me curious. I hope the second and third movies/books include more Gale time, and I’m eager to see the rest of the journey unfold.