Southern Home & Kitchen: Cooking Class

At the start of the night. Such high hopes!

Have you heard about the new Cooking Classes offered at Southern Home & Kitchen at Thru-Way in Winston-Salem? I hate to be a hater, but I was pretty disappointed with my experience. I'm willing to give it a second chance, but it's left a chip on my shoulder. The spring-inspired class was scheduled from 6-8pm on a Monday evening, but didn't end until after 9pm. By 7:30pm, we had only received 1 course out of the 4 we would be enjoying. Thankfully, the assistant had a heavy hand when pouring the wine (though we could see that two of the 4 bottles were $3 Chuck from Trader Joe's).

I think one of the biggest problems was that the chef had difficulty multitasking. And for a spring-inspired meal, I was missing some green - where were the Peas? Asparagus? Strawberries? The taste of most everything was fabulous, but the menu was a bit heavy: Leek and Potato Soup; a Potato Pancake and Scallop; Filet Mignon with a Mushroom, Spinach and Goat Cheese Strudel; and Bread Pudding with Kahlua Caramel Sauce. This would be perfect for a fall menu. I can't imagine I'm the only one who noticed this.

Bread Pudding...finally!

To his credit, the chef quickly whipped up two impromptu sauces that wonderfully complemented the Scallop and Filet Mignon (both cooked to perfection), and impressed me with his food knowledge. The Scallop was finished in the oven, along with the Latkes, which were a bit gummy, but the impromptu sauce made up for it! I was intrigued by his use of Streusel in the Bread Pudding - removing the dish halfway during the baking process and adding a simple crumble of Brown Sugar, Butter, Pecans and Salt adds a wonderful layer of flavor and crunch. But if you're going to go to the trouble of making a divine homemade Kahlua Caramel Sauce, don't drizzle Hershey's Syrup on it too!

At the end of the class, I was more ready to leave than I was full. Luckily, Dewey's Bakery offers free cake squares on Monday, so my partner in crime and I had a yummy morsel on our drive back to Greensboro. If you go to one of these classes, and I encourage you to, have a snack before you go. It's a very cool store and this is a terrific concept, so maybe I just hit it on an off night. But for me, $46 is a lot to spend on something I'm very less than satisfied with.

The Other Woman

Starring: Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann, Kate Upton, Taylor Kinney
Director: Nick Cassavetes
Running Time: PG-13
Rating: 1 hour, 49 minutes

I was pretty skeptical about “The Other Woman” – I'd seen a ton of press and just knew it would be slapstick (see most of Cameron Diaz’s film history), whiny (ahem, Leslie Mann in “This is 40” and “Knocked Up”) and amateur (Kate Upton who? Oh, boobs) but I was proven so very wrong. This is a fantastic chick flick, that I’ll liken to the ultimate woman's revenge movie: “The First Wives Club”. The chemistry between Diaz and Mann is undeniable - I laughed out loud several times at Mann's brilliantly improvised lines. So did every other woman (and the few men) in the theatre. I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed this movie. 

Gorgeous! Photo courtesy of Moviefone

You've seen the previews - you get the gist. Carly (Diaz) is sleeping with Mark, who is married to Kate (Mann). Once a THIRD "whore" is discovered, the three decide to get even with Mark. Though it gets a bit cheeky - hormones in his smoothies, Nair in his shampoo - the big take down comes as a twist at the end that I didn't see coming.

Taylor Kinney (aka Lady Gaga's beau!) is a breath of fresh air as Kate's sensitive, wealthy and good-looking brother. Nicki Minaj grabs every scene she's in as Carly's sharp-tongued assistant. I was so hoping she would burst into "Starships." And Kate Upton is actually charming. The movie is full of beautiful people. 

This film is a treat. To reference a favorite DC3 (or 4 at the time) song, "Ladies, leave your man at home." "The Other Woman" will have you laughing and making friends with the women in the row behind you.

God Bless Texas: Houston!

I love having friends who live in cool cities. I really didn't know much about Houston (like the fact that it's the 4th largest city in the US!) but I'm pretty much obsessed with it now. In 3 days, I had more meat and hot sauce than I've had so far this year, and loved every bite. My fellow North Carolinian Kelsey and I fell prey to the allure of the city, thanks to our fantastic tour guide (and North Carolinian at heart), Kate.

With my girls!

Our first meal had to be "Tex-Mex," if you will, at Lupe Tortilla. We were treated like royals - samples of their Beef Burritos (spoiler: they're OUTSTANDING), free Flan, two types of Salsa - I was in love already. For lunch, Local Foods has killer fresh ingredients. Truffled Egg Salad is the only egg salad I've ever enjoyed - and I would eat this on a flip flop. It's ridiculously light and fluffy, and the fact that it's served on a Pretzel Roll totally takes it over the top.


We made our way to Rice Village (by the University) for some shopping. It's comparable to Friendly Center or Thru-Way, but way, WAY bigger. At Torchy's Tacos, my eyes fixated on the words "Jalapeno Sausage." If the Truffled Egg Salad blew me away, the Jalapeno Sausage Taco put me on another planet. I was excited to try the Barbacoa Taco, but the Jalapeno Sausage totally took first place. Kate's friends were doing "bar golf," and we tagged along, enjoying Moscow Mules and local Texas beers at several different stops. This was an incredibly fun way to explore the humongous, diverse city.

Macaron heaven!

After exploring the Farmer's Market where we sampled Pecan Wood-Smoked Brisket with Raspberry Sauce (though I gotta admit - I'm an NC BBQ gal - the more vinegar, the better!), we made our way to what's best described as Whole Foods on steroids. Houston's Central Market has everything you've ever dreamed of and more. I almost lost it when I saw a carton of fresh squeezed WATERMELON juice - delightful! I had to sample a Goat Cheese and Honey Macaron, Buffalo Blue Cheese Popcorn and a Caramel Apple Praline Cookie. I just kept seeing my favorite words. What's a girl to do?

I'd like to swim in this Vermicelli bowl.

Thankfully, the humidity and heat were extremely low, so we were able to be outside and ride around the gorgeous neighborhoods without melting our faces off. At Mai Vietnamese, you'll find the most fantastic Vermicelli Bowl of your life. Mongoose versus Cobra is a happening spot to sit outside and enjoy a craft beer. (Or 4.) For an unparalleled dinner, the Red Lion British Pub does up some of the most tender Scallops atop an insane Black Truffle Mash.


Prior to catching my flight, I had to get one last Mexican Food fix at Pappasito's Cantina. A $2 Bloody Mary special sealed the deal. The trio of tacos - Grilled Shrimp, Pork Carnitas and Brisket - came with an appropriate Salsa for each meat. Non-Texas tacos bore me now. I can't wait to go back and explore more of Oil Country. If I've learned anything, it's that Texas loves Texas. And so do I.

God Bless Texas.

Fleming's

My dad had Fleming’s on his “to try” list for years. We visited the unparalleled steakhouse for his birthday and left total converts. Start at the bar, so you can enjoy an Extra Dirty Martini with Blue Cheese-stuffed Olives and some of their homemade Salt and Vinegar Kettle Chips - one crunch is truly not enough.

The Wedge. More like, the leaning tower of Bacon.

Plump darling Scallop with Goat Cheese Polenta

Garlic Bread is served with Sun-Dried Tomato Butter and Mascarpone Gorgonzola Butter. The latter is perfection; they should sell it as a body cream. It’s ridiculous to not splurge on the limited-time $40 promotion, since a Filet alone is typically $41. The first course sets the bar high – a buttery scallop served on a bed of Goat Cheese Polenta with tender Cherry Tomatoes. The Wedge is more like the leaning tower of Bacon, with Crispy Fried Onions, Sliced Blue Cheese, Tomatoes and Pine Nuts. French Onion Soup possesses a yummy Sherry flavor, full of onions, Gruyere and toasted Crostini. You could stop here and be totally satisfied, but the main event was around the corner.

Filet and Lobster Tail!

The Petite Filet with Lobster Tail is about as decadent as you can get. A saucer with melted butter is available, if you choose to take things OTT (over the top). The cracked Peppercorn and salted crust on the filet is fantastic. Spread some of the Mascarpone Gorgonzola Butter on top. Yowza!

Happy Birthday Dad!

The Chocolate Lava Cake seemed most appropriate for a night of celebrations and indulgences. The brownie-like exterior and brownie batter-like interior just screams to be mixed with Vanilla Ice Cream and Chantilly Cream. Raspberries add a nice acidity and color. The Pistachio Cookie is reminiscent of a savory shortbread, and is better than a spoon to get every last bite of melted goodness.

If you go for your birthday, you’ll leave with a box of four Chocolate Truffles. Fleming’s seriously takes care of their customers. This is most definitely a splurge, but you get what you pay for. You’ll leave feeling like very satiated royals.

RiverRun International Film Festival: Le Chef

Starring: Jean Reno, Michael Youn, Raphaelle Agogue
Director: Daniel Cohen
Running Time: 1 hour, 24 minutes
Rating: PG-13

The RiverRun International Film Festival kicked off its 16^th year last weekend, with a trio of fantastic films. I had the pleasure of attending “Le Chef,” at UNCSA’s Main Theatre in the exciting Film Village, thanks to Tart and Tangy Triad! (Be sure to listen to the podcast on April 8 – yours truly is the guest!) Seats for these films fill up quickly, but 30 minutes prior to show time, we luckily found a seat in what was to be a sold out event.

This is a delightful film, especially for foodies. It’s a lighthearted French comedy, and it will make you hungry for Merlot and Turbot. We follow the story of Jacky, an aspiring, likable chef who possesses the palate and talent, but not the experience. It’s difficult for him to hold down a job, much to his expectant girlfriend’s chagrin. Finally, a fortuitous turn of events lands him in the kitchen of one of France’s most beloved chefs.

We see Alexandre, a top notch chef, as an Emeril or Jean Georges - a classic chef in need of some modern techniques. Enter Jacky. "The Man" is trying to take possession of the restaurant, so Jacky and Alexandre must pull out every trick in the book - including molecular gastronomy - to seduce critics and save their restaurant. They even visit a rival's restaurant for ideas disguised as a Sumo Wrestler and Geisha, a most humorous scene.

The trio of sous chefs are fabulous comedic relief and the score is quirky, a most appropriate soundtrack. Food is the focus of the film, but it's truly more about universal struggles, discovering fulfillment in your work, and finding love and approval from your loved ones and yourself. This story resonates with any audience.

**Thanks Tart and Tangy Triad for having me on the show to talk about it! Listen to the full podcast here!

Noah

Starring: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Anthony Hopkins, Emma Watson
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Running Time: 2 hours, 18 minutes
Rating: PG-13

“Les Mis” fans – lucky you! Russell Crowe charms us once again, albeit briefly, with his canary-like singing voice as Noah in Darren Aronofsky’s latest studio production. The film is the center of quite a bit of controversy, but whatever you think you should expect, you’re wrong. Several elements totally surprised me - even the opening credit font was an indicator that this was going to be a very different and unique interpretation of the story.

As Noah’s wife, Jennifer Connelly has about 5 lines in the entire movie, but is strikingly beautiful and strong in her silences. She doesn’t appear to age at all, while Noah goes through about every hairstyle and color in the book. The landscape of the film reminds me of Crowe's “Robin Hood,” and the score soars.

Am I right? YUM! Photo courtesy of Express

Emma Watson has more emotionally gut-wrenching scenes than anyone in the film, and my new celebrity crush, Douglas Booth, plays Noah's son who falls for her. I can see why these two have no trouble re-populating the Earth. Shout out to Sir Anthony Hopkins, who nails his role as the cooky medicine man grandfather. All animals are CGI (computer-generated), but that doesn’t lessen the effect.

If you’re a fan of director Darren Aronofsky (which I’m NOT), you will probably hate this film, as it’s not the creepy, nightmare-enducing “Requiem for a Dream,” “Pi” or “Black Swan.” It was much tamer, with as much emotion as action, though perhaps a bit too much dialogue. The film provides reasonable answers for a lot of questions – how could he possibly build that ark alone? How were there enough people to re-populate the Earth? – and is a far-stretched but believable interpretation of the story. The flood can't come soon enough, but there are some spectacular visual moments. 

Free Ticket Giveaway! - Winston-Salem Dishcrawl

Calling all foodies! Who doesn't like FREE stuff?? I'm so excited to partner with Dishcrawl Winston-Salem for their upcoming Mad Men-themed Dishcrawl! The TV show "Mad Men" will kick off its 7th and final season on Sunday, April 13, and it's the perfect reason to don (draper) some stylish 1960's garb and enjoy some 1960's-inspired cocktails and cuisine!

Want a chance to win a free ticket and be my date?!

Don't let Jon Hamm and me down. Enter today!! (Photo courtesy of Quotivee)

To enter, answer this question in the "Comments" section below:

"What's your favorite old school cocktail?"

Even if you don't watch the show, you'll want to be sure and enter - Shrimp Cocktail, Old Fashioneds, Oysters Rockefeller - this is the type of deliciousness you can expect on the Crawl, but the venues are a SECRET! After dessert, we'll head over to a/perture cinema for the "Mad Men" season premiere!

Good luck and happy crawling! I'll see you there!

MCouls

MCouls Public House has quickly become one of my go-to spots in Greensboro. The bar is cozy, the drinks are good, the food is even better, and you're likely to see a friendly, familiar face. Young and old, couples and singles, men and women - everyone loves this place. The patio is especially inviting in the summer months, but the warm, dimly lit interior is also just as appealing.

I tend to start my meals with the Blue Velvet - a combination of Blue Moon and Crispin Cider. It's hard to beat the sweet citrus flavor here. I've also ventured into Hot Toddy territory, with Jim Beam Maple being the secret to a really tasty one. If you're looking to spice things up, try the Habanero Bourbon.

The Banger Plate is everything you could want in an appetizer. This favorite features plump, grilled Irish Sausages with Irish Cheddar or Port Wine Cheese, Whole Grain Mustard and Toasted Rye Points. Every bite you build is the "money bite." The salty sausage, tangy mustard, nutty cheese and bitter toast combination is perfection.

MCouls' Veggie Burger is one of the best renditions I've had. Avocado, Provolone, Tomato and Sprouts top the lightly fried patty, which crunches beautifully between a toasted Kaiser Roll. At one point, Tots were offered as a side, but alas, they have broken my heart and removed them as an option. Try the Tabbouleh, an herby, tangy couscous, if you're looking to stay vegetarian. If you enjoy Shepherd's Pie, MCouls' version is a dream. Ground Beef and Lamb are cooked with Mixed Veggies, and covered with a blanket of warm Mashed Potatoes and Smoked Gouda. The dish is modest, so you will be tempted to eat it all. Steal a bite of your dining partner's meal while you let this cool. (Waiting will be difficult.)

Shepherd's Pie. Heaven.

I adore the Chicken and Goat Cheese Salad. Mixed Greens get some excitement from a juicy, tender Grilled Chicken Breast, Walnuts, Fried Onions, Tomatoes, Cucumber and Goat Cheese. Order it with the Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette. The quality and consistency of the Falafel in the Falafel Wrap is impressive, but the Remoulade which I requested to be on the side, was not. It made for a pretty messy meal, and unfortunately took over the dish. Otherwise, Sprouts, Tomato, Cukes and Mixed Greens would have been enough of a topping. This was really the only time an order wasn't delivered to me correctly after many, many visits.

You absolutely MUST save room for the Bread Pudding. MCouls' offering isn't like any you've ever had. Slightly toasted yet moist slices of Cinnamon Raisin Bread are drizzled with a warm Bailey's Cream Sauce. Hot walnuts give texture. This is a unique preparation and one of my favorites. This pub is worth the drive from Winston or High Point.

New Orleans

Ah, NoLa. The Big Easy. Home of Emeril, Crawfish and Mardi Gras. Actually, after having spent a few days prior in Mobile, Alabama, they claim to be the birthplace of Mardi Gras. Either way, I knew I wanted to find some King Cake during my trip and get some colorful beads (by just asking for them, nothing crazy). What can I say about New Orleans cuisine? Everything I ate was better than the last thing I put in my mouth. I said "this is my favorite meal" every single day. I had my first "out of body" food experience - this is what dreams are made of, folks. The Cajun/Creole favorites are delightful, but I have to admit that I fell for the adventurous "foodie" options more than the traditional NO fare.

Sweet Potato Beignets

My first bite set the bar insanely high. Little did I know I'd be having beignets twice in 3 hours. SoBou's offerings aren't for the weak-stomached. Sweet Potato Beignets are stuffed with "Duck Debris" and drizzled with Coffee Ganache and Foie Gras Fondue. I died over this. The balance between sweet and savory is perfection. I'm afraid Cafe Du Monde has nothing on these beignets. (They were darn close though, especially when dunked in a Cafe au lait!)

Like Emeril, John Besh is a celebrity chef, but didn't "sell out" quite as hard. His restaurant August was on my dream/never gonna happen list. This meal was one of the top 3 of my life. In these establishments, you'll welcome an amuse bouche (a free bite); in this case, an egg shell whimsically filled with a yellow squash and garlic mousse. Gnocchi with Blue Crab and Black Truffle is fantastically decadent. You'll want to lay on these gnocchi pillows and be covered with this cream sauce blanket. The Brioche Crusted Trout is the most visionary piece of fish I've ever eaten. Not to mention the Crab, Shrimp and Mushroom topping. Every brain cell was focusing on how delicious this was. It was difficult to speak.

Market Vegetable Salad

In the Garden District, Sandra Bullock can walk to Coquette for brunch (her house is enormous) and enjoy Pork Cheeks with a Pimento Cheese Biscuit. The Market Vegetable Salad balances out the richness here, with fresh, raw veggies atop a Cashew Puree with Olive Praline. The idea behind these dishes is genius.

Luckily, I found the city's last few remains of King Cake - a Nutella, Raspberry rendition - and it reminded me of a Cinnamon Roll, minus the Cinnamon. I would have liked to try the classic variety, but just sampling the sweet, yeasty pastry was enough for me.

Scallops, Black Truffles, White Bean Puree, Celery Salad

Restaurant R'evolution is lively, not too expensive, and some of the best food you'll find. Especially if you like freebies. After a Black Eyed Pea amuse bouche, the Beef Tartare is served with Pickled Vegetables, Grilled Crostini and a smear of Black Truffle sauce. I couldn't get enough of this combination. It was reminiscent of a cheeseburger - everything just worked. This is what food is supposed to be. The Scallops with shaved Black Truffles, White Bean Puree, Celery Salad and Foie Gras stands out as one of the richest dishes I've ever had. I thoughtfully chewed each bite and was very aware of the delicacies I was eating. White Chocolate Bread Pudding Creme Brulee is the most outstanding dessert I've had in a restaurant. The custard-like dessert is so full of White Chocolate flavor, with Salted Caramel, Lemon-Scented Apricots and Pistachios on the plate. I thank my lucky stars I found this dessert. As if this place was meant for me, a mini jewelry chest appeared, with a bite-sized dessert in each drawer. Strawberry and Raspberry Shortbread Bars, Rocky Road Fudge, a White Chocolate Rum Ball, a Cake Batter Cookie and White Chocolate-dipped Crostini made my night, and made the trip.

Put New Orleans on your to-visit list. Happy hour is 10am-4pm daily. The Garden District is gorgeous, the St. Charles Streetcar is old-timey, Canal Street makes you feel like you're in Miami Beach. This place is a fun escape.

Mom and me at Jackson Square

Mundo

Mundo has filled a traditionally troubled spot in downtown Winston-Salem, as well as the need for a "foodie" tapas bar in the city. One would think it's the perfect location - right next to the Stevens Center, at the prime corner of Marshall and 4th Streets, but that also makes it a destination spot. I dined here prior to seeing a show at the Stevens Center, so the restaurant was packed. On any given weeknight, I'd be interested to see the numbers. I'm thankful a spot like this has opened in Winston, challenging diners to partake in Lamb Belly and Octopus. Served tapas style, all the dishes I sampled were delightful.

You'll want to indulge in one of their Craft Cocktails (all $9.) The Singapore Sling is stronger than you'd think, with pineapple and mango juices and subtle notes of Brandy. The wine and beer list is impressive. The menu is creatively labeled "Mini Smalls," "Veggie Smalls," "Biggie Smalls" and "Skewers." We decided that for 3 people, two Veggie Smalls, two Biggie Smalls and a Skewer would do. We did not leave hungry.

We asked that the dishes be staggered, starting with the Camarones Zarandeados and Chili-Lime Grilled Asparagus, a flavorful pairing. The Chili-Lime notes of the Camarones (Shrimp) impart a nice char and saltiness on the Asparagus, dressing up the standard veggie. Cilantro and Pico de Gallo top the shrimp and Asparagus, which rests on a bed of Black Bean Puree. This is smooth and velvety, drizzled with a touch of Mexican Crema and Queso Fresca.


The Scallops Grenolboise (a French sauce featuring Browned Butter - YUM) are cooked perfectly, and the tender little things are served on a bed of lemony Parsnip Puree - a nice change from Mashed Potatoes - with Hazelnuts and Asparagus. This is a wonderful dish, probably large enough for one person. You get three Scallops with this preparation. I detected a slight note of Balsamic Vinegar, which enhanced it even more.




If you haven't tried Korean BBQ, make it a point to order it whenever you see it on the menu. The Short Rib is served on the bone, to make for some UBER-melt in your mouth meat. The Persian Rice, Pickled Vegetables, Peanuts and Kalbi (BBQ) sauce really make this dish. You could even make a little wrap with the tender Butter Lettuce leaves. I am in love with this preparation.





If you're weary of Indian flavors and cuisine, the Chana Masala is very safe. Lightly Curry-Stewed Chickpeas and Green Peas are served with Persian Rice (like toasted Basmati), with Yogurt-dressed Cucumbers. The Curry is just barely noticeable, not offensive in the slightest. This is enough for one vegetarian entree.

I look forward to many repeat visits to Mundo, and curious to see others' reception of the spot.