Food Porn visits: Torii Noodle Bar
Today’s Food Porn excursion takes us to the home of Raleigh’s best dinner deal, Torii Noodle Bar . Torii sits next door to P.F. Chang’s at Crabtree, and at first blush was built to catch runoff from the neighboring restaurants’ long wait queues. In fact, Torii is more of a casual extension of the Kanki.
Torii offers multiple noodle dishes and sushi items. I am quite fond of the Wantan – Men Ramen bowl as well as the TonkoTsu pork noodle bowl. This is great cold weather food, especially the Katsu Curry (pork curry rice).
Recently, though, I discovered that the rice bowl dishes are almost exactly the same dishes that people are being served downstairs at the Kanki. The dish is a heaping portion rice, your choice of meat, and some broccoli. The rice bowl comes with a side of either Japanese soup or ginger salad, which are exactly the same dishes as those downstairs. The meat choices are Chicken, Steak, or Shrimp, but the prices are what blew me away: Chicken is $8 and the other two are $10. Yes, that dish pictured, with an appetizer salad with Kanki’s delicious ginger dressing was eight dollars . There isn’t a better deal in Raleigh, and given the recent changes for the horrible at Sarku (in the food court), there isn’t a more convenient way to get a quality serving of Japanese food for a modest price.
Food Porn visits: Bella Mia
Tucked in a shopping center across Harrison Avenue from SAS in Cary is the Triangle’s best pizza. Bella Mia has a refreshing pizza menu, complete with items like broccoli, fresh basil, and excellent prosciutto. The high-quality ingredients hit a delicious dough, and go into Bella Mia’s coal-fired oven to make a delicious final product.
Pictured is the Sausage, Broccoli, and Smoked Mozzarella Pizza.
Food Porn visits: Mami Nora’s
In 2007 Durham-based Mami Nora’s hit the scene and was an immediate success. The fast-food Peruvian Chicken outlet expanded over here to Raleigh in 2010, and was met with the same reception, and for good reason!
Mami Nora’s marinated rotisserie chicken is cooked with lump charcoal, and is one of the best quick bites in town. I recommend ordering a side of soft corn tortillas, rice, and beans and making little tacos. If this were one of those Southwestern places, they would have some tomato-based sauces. Alas this is not, but there is an extremely hot green chili sauce that is delicious.
I wrote about how Mami Nora’s could add some cheese and some salsas and take over the world. Diner have two options: bring your own bag of cheese and salsa, or better yet, just show up for Taco Tuesdays!
Food Porn visits: Firebirds
One of the best chains in America is the Charlotte-based Firebirds , a mid-level steakhouse. The 35-store outfit is priced to compete with the ubiquitous Outback Steakhouse, however the level of quality in every way is superior.
Today’s entry is the Chili-rubbed Delmonico Steak with a Loaded Baked Potato. This steak cut is a bit of a fatty one, however the chili rub on this piece of meat is outstanding, as is the quality of the bacon on that potato! While the hamburgers are disappointing, other sure-fired winners at Firebirds are the BLT Salad, the Grilled Tenderloin Salad, Colorado Chicken Salad, and the ribs (which are some of the Triangle’s best).
One of the best deals in Raleigh is the half rack of ribs from the kids menu. the $8 meal comes with two sides (nutritionally relevant choices include a salad, fruit, green beans, veggies, and mashed potatoes), milk/soft drink, and a small pack of Oreos. For about a dollar more you can get a baked potato as one of the sides. It’s one of my daughter’s favorite meals in any restaurant.
Firebirds has locations at North Hills, Morrisville, and Southpoint Mall.
Food Porn visits: Taverna Agora
Today’s Food Porn tour takes us to Taverna Agora , the crown jewel of Lou Moshakos’ LM Restaurant Group. The Greek taverna sits in a former Miami Subs location out Glenwood Avenue, but you would never know it as their food stands up pretty well to Greek restaurants like the excellent Kyma in Atlanta and the incredible Stella’s in Richmond.
Featured in today’s photo is the Chicken Fettucini (lemon chicken fettuccini with sautéed spinach, garlic,tomatoes, and fresh herbs in a white wine lemon sauce with Manouri cheese, $14). This dish is a full-on winner. The grilled pork chops dish, however, is phenomenal, and one of my favorite items served in Raleigh’s great selection of restaurants.
A couple of other tips: The Greek Village Salad is excellent, but does not come with lettuce by default. Ask for lettuce if you want a Greek Salad like the ones served in most Greek restaurants. Avoid the Athenian Chicken.
Food Porn visits: Kimbap
Today’s Food Porn tour takes us to downtown Kimbap , a fast casual Korean restaurant in downtown Raleigh. Pictured is the Bibimbap, a mixed bowl of rice with bulgogi (beef), seasonal vegetables, kimchi, and a sunny side up egg. The sauces at Kimbap are excellent, but the pork dumplings are the best I’ve had anywhere.
Food Porn visits: Zoe’s Kitchen
Today’s Food Porn tour takes us to Zoe’s Kitchen , a Greek/Southern fast-casual restaurant. This particular item is one of their nicest, the Steak Kabobs. For $11.50, the dish comes with two steak kabobs (of pretty decent quality), red bell peppers, onions, grilled potatoes, and roasted vegetables. Other winners at Zoe’s include their Greek Salad, Pimiento Cheese, Rice, Chicken Orzo Soup, and Greek Chicken Marinara (on orzo) .
Zoe’s has three area locations: Oberlin Rd (at Wade), North Hills East, and Park West Village (Morrisville).
Triangle Racks Up Beard Nominations
A hearty congratulations goes out to all of the area chefs named today to the
2014 Semifinalists list by the James Beard Foundation
. Out of the 433 national nominees, 9 are in the Triangle area, joined by 3 others from the rest of North Carolina for a total of 12 in this state. No restaurants from Charlotte, the Triad, or Wilmington were nominated. Only 6 nominees went to each Virginia and South Carolina, while 11 went to Georgia. Austin, Texas? They got just 3.
The North Carolina-based nominees for 2014 are:
National Categories
- Outstanding Pastry Chef (20 nominations awarded): Phoebe Lawless, Scratch , Durham
-
Outstanding Restaurant (20 nominations awarded): The Fearrington House Restaurant , Pittsboro
- Outstanding Restaurateur: Giorgios Bakatsias, Giorgios Hospitality Group , Durham (Kipos, Parizäde, Village Burgers, and others)
- Rising Star Chef of the Year: Katie Button, Cúrate , Asheville
Regional Categories
Best Chef: Southeast
- Colin Bedford, The Fearrington House Restaurant , Pittsboro
- Ashley Christensen, Poole’s Downtown Diner , Raleigh
- Scott Crawford, Herons at the Umstead Hotel and Spa , Cary
- Vivian Howard, Chef & the Farmer , Kinston
- Scott Howell, Nana’s , Durham
- Meherwan Irani, Chai Pani , Asheville
- Matt Kelly, Mateo , Durham
- Aaron Vandemark, Panciuto , Hillsborough
Honorable Mention
-
Outstanding Restaurateur:
Mike Klank and Eddie Hernandez,
Taqueria del Sol
, Atlanta
(Taqueria del Sol has a location in Crossroads Plaza)
The 2014 James Beard Awards will be held in New York City on May 2 and 5.
Food Porn visits: Casa Carbone
One of Raleigh’s great, old family joints is Casa Carbone. The family once owned the great Italian restaurant Villa Capri in Ridgewood Shopping Center. Eventually the family found a new home “out Glenwood Avenue” in Oak Park Shopping Center, where they have continued to build an extremely loyal, older, and quiet following.. Casa Carbone is one of the best places in the Triangle to get Italian veal dishes. Featured in today’s entry is Veal Piccata which comes with a side of pasta and a salad. I requested Fettucine Alfredo. One of Casa Carbone’s delicacies is the bread, which is delicious with that brown sauce!
Food Porn visits: Red Monkey Tavern
I had always heard that Red Monkey was put there to catch the runoff from the long waits for tables at the Cheesecake Factory and P.F. Chang’s. We had a coupon, though, so we tried it. As expected the salads tasted like they came out of a food service bag, and my wife’s hamburger was just OK. However my dish was a real knockout: Duck Enchiladas. The red chile sauce was outstanding and gave this dish the punch that so many Mexican dishes in the area lack. At $17, this dish is one of the best bargains in the Triangle.
Food Porn visits: Busy Bee Cafe
Yesterday we took in the Sunday brunch at the Busy Bee Café in downtown Raleigh. The menu selection was somewhat limited, however what was offered was excellent. My wife got the Crab Eggs Benedict which was a good dish, though the crab meat was cold. My dish was much better: Pulled Pork Hash. The dish starts with pulled pork that thankfully doesn’t offer as much vinegar kick as expected. Then they add onions, tomatoes, potatoes, a fried egg, and hollandaise sauce. All in all a really nice dish, plus a fantastic waiter.. Keep up the good work, Busy Bee!
Food Porn: Valentine’s Edition
This one goes out to all you lovebirds who…love like you do. This is a little dish I put together for my wife last year: Homemade Brownie with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream, Strawberry Hearts, and Frangelico Chocolate Sauce. It was delicious, but be careful with the Frangelico. A little bit goes a long way.
The recipe comes from the September 2009 Bon Appetit issue.
Brownie Heart Ice Cream, Strawberry Hearts, and Chocolate Sauce
Amt Meas Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--- ---- --------------------------------
-----BROWNIES-----
1 c Sugar
2 tb Sugar
1/2 c Unsalted butter
1/4 c Water
10 oz Bittersweet chocolate -- chop
3 Large eggs
1 t Vanilla extract
1 c Flour -- all purpose
2 t Flour -- all purpose
1 1/2 T Baking soda
1 t Salt
3/4 c Macadamia nuts -- chopped
2 qt Vanilla ice cream
-----SAUCE-----
8 oz Bittersweet chocolate -- chopp
1/2 c Hot coffee or*
6 tb Frangelico(hazelnut liqueur)
* or 1 1/2 tbsp instant espresso powder dissolved in 1/2 c hot water.
Strawberries, sliced and shaped into hearts, sprinkled with sugar
Fresh Mint, for garnish
FOR BROWNIES: Preheat oven to 325 deg. F. Line 17x11x1in baking sheet w/ parchment. Bring sugar, butter and water to boil in heavy large saucepan over med. heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to low. Add chocolate; stir until smooth. Whisk eggs and vanilla in large bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in hot chocolate mixture. Mix in flour, baking soda and salt, then nuts.
SPREAD batter over prepared sheet. Bake until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 20 min. Cool completely. Freeze until firm.
CUT around brownie to loosen. Turn out onto work surface. Peel off parchment. Trim brownie to heart shape. Place on baking sheet. Cover brownie w/ ice cream. Freeze until slightly firm.
FOR SAUCE: Stir chocolate and coffee in saucepan over low heat until smooth. Add liqueur. (Can be made 1 wk ahead. Cover; chill. Rewarm before serving.)
SERVE by topping brownie with scoop of ice cream, several strawberry hearts, sauce, and a mint garnish.
Food Porn visits: Taqueria del Sol
Today we take you to Cary’s Crossroads Plaza where one of the most interesting southwestern restaurants in the area quietly sits. Taqueria del Sol is an 8-store chain out of Atlanta, with a fast-casual setting. The restaurant serves some tacos and enchiladas, along with an always-interesting full entrée weekly special. The salsas, cheese, and chowders are excellent, but I’ve selected the Chicken Enchilada with Red Pepper Sauce for this entry. Also recommended: the Green Pepper Sauce (HOT).
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