Cookies from Helen's Kitchen

I was lucky enough to receive a package of Helen's Kitchen chocolate chip cookies recently - just in time for a road trip to Atlanta! Helen's Kitchen is the brainchild of Charlotte resident Helen Burns, who started her own company in 2008 making delicious chocolate chip cookies. Three varieties are currently available: regular chocolate chip, chocolate chip peanut butter and chocolate chip toffee. I tried the regular chocolate chip and found the cookies wonderfully satisfying. Each cookie is topped with a dusting of sea salt, resulting in a pleasing salty flavor on the tongue which enhances the robust flavor of the chocolate. However, if you prefer your cookies without salt, you can get the cookies that way too! Helen's cookies are not completely chewy or crisp; rather with a combination of the two they are bound to please any cookie lover! Helen's cookies are available individually wrapped or in larger quantities in bags or boxes for purchase online. The cookies are also available from FABO and Reid's Fine Foods in Charlotte.

Breakfast - Desayuno - at Rosa Mexicano

My favorite dish: Shredded Beef with Eggs - so flavorful and juicy!

I had the opportunity to sample the new breakfast menu at Rosa Mexicano while we were in Atlanta in mid-March. The breakfast offerings are available every weekend starting at opening time (11:30 AM) and include some delicious choices. While you cannot go wrong with any of the breakfast offerings, my favorite dish by far is the Machacado con Huevo or Shredded Beef with Eggs. This is made from short rib and includes scrambled eggs with the succulent shredded beef, jalepenos, tomatoes and onions, served hot in a cast iron skillet with tortillas on the side. This is truly one of the best breakfast dishes I have ever tasted! My second favorite main dish is the Creamy Breakfast Tamale, which is grits infused with chorizo, topped with chile-poached eggs and fried cheese - yum! I also really liked the Fried Eggs and Carnitas Hash and the Stuffed French Toast (see photos with additional details).

Special drinks are also available. A sucker for good hot chocolate, I adore the Mexican Hot Chocolate - and get the churros on the side - these are awesome! The hot chocolate itself is infused with almonds and cinnamon and served with whipped cream - delicious. I also enjoyed trying to Coconut Horchata made from pressed rice milk and the variety of Aqua Frescas or "Fresh Waters". My favorites are the honeydew melon and the hibiscus blackberry but the cucumber-tomatillo is also tasty. Although we did not sample them this visit, special adult breakfast beverages such as Mezcal Bloody Maria and Horchata Especial (Anejo tequila, coffee liqueur and horchata with espresso!) are also available and sound awesome.

 

If you have the chance to try Rosa Mexicano on the weekend, definitely check out the brown paper menu on the table, which offers this special breakfast menu!

Horchata (left) and Fresh Water selections.

 

Fried Eggs and Carnitas Hash - love the pineapple-habenero mustard jam served on the side!

Tropical Fruit Bowl - a nice lighter selection.

Soft Scrambled Eggs and Cactus Paddle served with molletes (soft roll spread with refried black beans).

Mexican hot chocolate - yum!

Stuffed French Toast - Cinnamon-Cascabel chile-crusted brioche bread filled with Mascarpone cheese, topped with caramelized plantains - has a delicious kick. One of my favorite items!

Disclosure: The meal described in this review was complimentary. 

e2 Emeril's Eatery

Outside patio and entrance.

Corn muffins served with lunch - moist and a good way to whet your appetite but save room!

I was lucky enough to be invited to try e2 Emeril's Eatery in uptown Charlotte just a few weeks ago. Most folks know Emeril from television but now he owns more than a dozen restaurants across the country in places such as Orlando, Las Vegas and New Orleans. Charlotte's  e2 is located on the Levine Avenue of the Arts between the Mint Museum uptown and the Bechtler Museum. Inside is a full bar and plenty of table seating. There is also a nice patio for al fresco dining. We sat at the bar (there is also a "Food Bar" where you can sit and watch the food being prepared) and enjoyed tasting portions of several of the most popular dishes. My favorite dishes that we tried include the oyster shooter, the signature barbecued shrimp, the pasta with housemade sausage and the apple crepes (photos below). The burger was also good and I enjoyed the corn muffins (above). Other lunch options include chicken and waffle, fresh fish sandwich (this sounded really good!), shrimp and grits and NC Rainbow trout. Several salads and soups are also available including a "gumbo of the day" and there are gluten free items available. 

I did not indulge in any of the stellar looking drinks, although we did sample the house made limoncello - delicious! e2 has a nice drink list, which includes not only classic cocktails, beers and an impressive wine list but also special signature and New Orleans style drinks executed by mixologist Miki Nikolic. His soon to be famous Grass Hopper cocktail includes wheatgrass, hendrick's gin, jalepeno simple syrup, lime juice and cucumber water - yum! Other signature options include a Bacon + Maple, a Pumpkin Spice, and a Prickly Moon with prickly pear juice. New Orleans cocktails include a Sazerac, Bijou, Ramos Gin Fizz and more. I look forward to returning for dinner so that I can sample some of these! 

e2 takes reservations for lunch and dinner and is a great place for a business lunch, a special occasion or a "just because" let's go out! A special 3 course "lunch crunch" menu is offered for $24 with a guarantee of a 40 minute lunch. Adjoining the main restaurant is e2Go, a place where you can grab a sandwich, salad or soup for an even quicker lunch. 

During lunch I had the pleasure of chatting with General Manager Jeff Wakem who also made sure we had everything we needed and were able to taste lots of different dishes. Jeff has worked directly with Emeril in different locations and Emeril himself visits each of his restaurants from time to time. Check out e2 and you never know, you just might see him there yourself!

Oyster Shooter - with spicy New Orleans style Bloody Mary mix and a pickled haricot vert. This was unique and so good - for all you raw oyster fans!

Wood Oven Oyster on the Half Shell - with bacon, onions, spinach and parmesan reggiano. A great choice - love this simple preparation.

The bar, including several homemade liquors. 

Emeril's New Orleans Barbecued Shrimp served with rosemary biscuits. Delicious taste - one of my favorite options - after devouring the large shrimp, the sauce paired so well with the tasty biscuits.

Yellowfin tuna tartare with cucumber, jalepeno, avocado, cilantro and ponzu. Fresh and simple.

Pasta course: with housemade fennel sausage, broccoli rabe and parmesan reggiano. Loved the sausage in this delicious warm-you-up dish.

Chef de Cuisine, Brian Mottola.

Half of "The Burger" with fries.

Special side of the day - warm potato salad.

Honey crisp apple crepes with bacon-maple syrup and house made vanilla ice cream. Utterly scrumptious! I also snagged a piece of the famous banana cream pie to go. It has chocolate shavings and delicious caramel sauce - definitely a good one to share. My family ate it before I could take a photo! Other dessert options include blue corn brioche bread pudding, espresso pudding and (what I want to try next time) - sweet potato cheesecake!

Disclosure: The meal described in this review was complimentary. 

Pre-Valentine's Day Event at Friendship Trays - fun and for a great cause!

Join us Tuesday, Feb. 12 from 5:30-7 p.m.

2401-A Distribution St.

Suggested donation: $30 per person

♥ Make a Valentine for your sweetheart.

♥ Watch a pots de crème and other sweets demonstration and leave with two keepsake cups.

♥ Taste wines, pleasant for the palate and the purse.

♥ Bake and Take and Decorate Red Velvet Cupcakes.

♥ Savor scrumptious hors d'oeuvres from the Community Culinary School of Charlotte and other Charlotte chefs.

NEW FEATURES THIS YEAR:

♥ ♥ A chocolate maker ♥ ♥

   

♥ ♥ A chef on hand to help you with cupcake decorating ♥ ♥

 

♥ ♥ Door prize! ♥ ♥

♥ ♥ New food vendors ♥ ♥

 

A few spaces remain.

Click HERE for more information and to register.

Ramen Bowls at Whole Foods - Special on 2/6

To celebrate the New Year and the launch of their new line of Miso Tonkotsu Ramen bowls Genji Sushi and Whole Foods Market Charlotte (6610 Fairview Rd) are thrilled to present Ramen Noodle Night on Wednesday, February 6 from 6-8PM. Guests are invited to bring a friend and enjoy two bowls for the price of one, or one bowl for $4.50.

A few facts about these delicious ramen bowls:

• The Miso Tonkotsu Ramen combines two of the most popular and beloved flavors of ramen: Tonkotsu pork broth and Miso broth
• The bowls comes with two delicious topping options: Shrimp Tempura and Roasted Pork (Chāshū).
• Unlike freeze-dried ramen options, these delicious bowls are made daily by Genji chefs
• These bowls are delicious prepared on-site, or finished at home with hot water 
• Amy on Food will be trying the ramen bowls soon - stay tuned!

Dining in the Dark - A Feast for the Senses - Jan. 30 at Osso

A neat food opportunity for Charlotte area diners:

Good Eats and Meets is partnering up with the new culinary hot spot Osso in the trendy NC Music Factory to bring you a meal, where nothing meets the eye and is unlike any other you have ever had before! Imagine that you are recognizing friends only by their voice, where sounds tell a story, aromas come alive and elegance is felt. In this era of information overload, visual stimulation has reached an all time pinnacle. But imagine, just for an hour or two that you cannot see, that you are abandoning vision in exchange for a new, more stimulating dining experience – this is “Dining in the Dark”...A Feast for the Senses!!!

The purpose of our dinner is to give guests a unique eating experience while fostering a greater understanding of what it's like to be visually impaired and to raise awareness for their cause.

During your Dining in the Dark meal, you will savor a multi course meal in a room where you can’t see a single solitary thing, from your plate of mystery food to the faces of your fellow diners. It will be more than a culinary experience, it will be a sensory and social experience to the tenth power. 

The evening will begin at 8:00 pm where all the guests will mix and mingle over cocktails (one is included in the cost of the meal-surprise!) before entering our inner sanctum of darkness. We will seat everyone and make sure that you are comfortable before the meal will begin. The rest is up to you. We will be offering a phone check and anything else that might interfere with your meal. 

Spread the word and come with a couple of your friends. Seating is limited and will go fast! Don't wait and miss out! Every previous Dining in the Dark event has SOLD OUT. 

The cost is $39 per person or $79 for a couple for the full meal with one cocktail/beer/wine, as well as tax and tip. The final price on Eventbrite includes the tax, tip and Eventbrite fees and is all inclusive. What a deal for this truly unique event!

Good Eats and Meets is the largest dining, drinking and socializing group in the US and you can find more information at...

http://www.meetup.com/geamclt

https://www.facebook.com/goodeatsmeets

https://twitter.com/goodeatsmeets

http://pinterest.com/goodeatsmeets

http://instagram.com/goodeatsmeets

Osso Restaurant and Lounge offers Italian cuisine, both classical and modern prepared by one of Charlotte's most followed and recognized Chefs, Gene Briggs of the famed Blue. http://ossocharlotte.com/

Amy on Food in Charlotte Observer

Things have been so busy lately I have not had a chance to post. Fear not. Amy on Food will return in full force in 2013. In the mean time enjoy this article about Amy on Food, which was in the Charlotte Observer on 12/16/2012.

Happy New Year!

The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar

 Tuna Nachos - love the Crab Rangoon dip served on top.

I was recently invited to check out The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, a Charlotte restaurant that pushes the limits on the definitions of "sushi" and "burger" and even invents its own words like "burgushi" to describe combinations that blend elements of burgers and sushi. The menu here is ENORMOUS! You could not get through it even after a dozen visits. There is plenty for everyone with the burgers and the sushi standing out as the main items to consider. There are some great appetizer options also including the above tuna nachos we enjoyed. 

Inside, there is a sushi bar and a full bar (including sake selections) and lots of trendy, modern sushi theme art lines the walls. The patio, heated for winter enjoyment, is a great option also, although if you want the vibe you should stay inside. Even with the obvious attraction for the young adult crowd, The Cowfish is welcoming to families and the wait staff didn't blink an eye when we brought in our infant for an early dinner. 

If you haven't yet tried The Cowfish, it is definitely an experience and a destination. I look forward to returning again to try the burgers (more than a dozen combinations plus an option to build your own) and the build your own sushi - what fun!

Martini.

Sweet and Spicy Thai Cucumbers - available as an appetizer or side.

The Motherload sushi platter - includes every piece of fish on the sushi menu! Unique presentation and very tasty. They even have different flavors of fish roe for the top of the roll which tops a California roll with all types of sashimi.

Close up of the fried shrimp head, also on the Motherload platter.

Filet and Lobster Roll. Very inventive!

Sushi bar.

Patio where we sat.

 

Cheesecake.

The Grasshopper milkshake - mint chocolate chip goodness.

Disclosure: The meal described in this review was complimentary. 

Bonefish Grill Celebrates National Seafood Month

Famous Bang Bang Shrimp - it's so good, it's trademarked!

I was recently invited to check out Bonefish Grill at their location in Matthews, NC near Charlotte. October is National Seafood Month and in celebration Bonefish has some special menu items on tap. We sat near the bar area and had a fabulous time sampling some of the National Seafood Month menu items along with several classic menu items that are always available. Don't miss the Bang Bang Shrimp. The mussels Josephine were also really tasty. From the special menu my favorites include the swordfish with pumpkin ravioli - love sweet raviolis - and the tuna entree, served with a whole grilled jalepeno. Bonefish also has a wide selection of wines and cocktails. Calvin enjoyed the fresh apple martini and later, an espresso martini. I enjoyed trying some of the non-alcoholic specialty drinks. Bonefish Grill is a great place for an upscale meal that won't break the bank - and there are plenty of options for non-seafood lovers as well including the tasty filet that we tried. Check them out before National Seafood Month ends. This location also serves Sunday brunch - a great idea!

Surf and Turf Roll (back) and Ahi Tuna Sashimi appetizer.
 

Mussels Josephine - great sauce for dipping the delicious bread!

Ahi Tuna Special with grilled jalepeno and delicious rice - kicking it up a notch!

Filet Mignon - available with various special toppings. 

Fresh Apple Martini - enjoyed by all.

Wood grilled swordfish with pumpkin ravioli - the ravioli is amazing!

Bonefish also has delicious desserts including this warm chocolate concoction with ice cream and berry sauce.

Disclosure: The meal described in this review was complimentary.

Friendship Trays - Garden Party Saturday 10/13/12

Friendship Gardens.

If you have not yet heard about Friendship Trays and its many affiliate programs, you are truly missing out on a vital community organization in Charlotte and a worthwhile volunteer and donation opportunity. Friendship Trays provides meals - cost is based on income and ranges from nothing to $4.50 - to people of any age who are unable to prepare a healthy meal and have no resource to help them do so. Most people pay less than $1 per meal and volunteers make up the bulk of the manpower that runs this daily operation. The program receives no government funding and counts on donations and a huge volunteer effort to keep going. 

An affiliate garden program called Friendship Gardens, which is a partnership between Slow Food Charlotte and Friendship Trays, helps people start community gardens and accepts donations back from the gardens, including local, fresh foods in the delivered meals. 

Friendship Gardens is hosting its annual fundraiser, a fun Autumn Garden Party, this Saturday October 13, 2012, including food, music, dancing and mischief in the garden. Tickets are $50 and you can buy them online or pay when you arrive. Registration is here. 

To donate to Friendship Trays, click here. 

Also on site is the Community Culinary School of Charlotte (CCSC), which trains unemployed individuals, including some former offenders, to cook and offers help with resume building and interview skills so that graduates are sure to find permanent positions in the culinary field. 

Encore Catering, which grew out of the CCSC and is also on site at the same facility as Friendship Trays, uses students and graduates to prepare food for all sorts of events including weddings. Their rates are competitive and from what I hear, the food is excellent.

Please check out these great organizations and the other Friendship Trays partners - there is so much available on the website. You can also arrange to tour the facility as I did - trust me, you will be impressed with the organization and the direct effect on the community that is obvious when you learn how many folks benefit from Friendship Trays and its affiliates.

More than 800 active clients receive meals from Friendship Trays with 550 - 650 meals being delivered every day! I love this map, which shows all of the clients served and the routes.

Meals are delivered in two parts. Above, the salad/fruit/bread tray, which does not need to be warmed.

The main dish of the day, which is delivered cold and heated up by the client.

Busy at work in the kitchen preparing the meals. Both volunteers and full time employees make this operation possible. Students at the Community Culinary School of Charlotte take 14 week classes and some work in the Friendship Trays kitchen.

Fresh peppers delivered from one of the many community gardens.

Friendship Trays partners with many community organizations including the Community Culinary School of Charlotte and Encore Catering. 

Lots happens at 2401 Distribution Street! Volunteering and/or donating is a great way to help our community. If you would like to volunteer, 125 drivers are needed every day to fulfill 94 routes and kitchen volunteers are also needed.

Contact Lani Lawrence at llawrence@friendshiptrays.org to volunteer.

Another view of Friendship Gardens.