Georges Brassier-Charlotte, NC

This restaurant is a lot of fun, has a great menu, authentic french decor and a lot of seating space.  We had our company holiday lunch here last week and I was super impressed!

The waitress had a french accent so I truly felt like I was in a french cafe/bistro from the moment I walked in.  She was very knowledgeable about everything on the menu so she guided us through the entire 2-hour lunch.

We started with a couple appetizers...the calamari (the dipping sauce to accompany the calamari was fabulous) and a cheese plate.  The cheese plate also came with a relish, honey mustard sauce and a fig compote....all which paired perfectly with the cheese offered.  The calamari was perfectly crisp, not chewy and seasoned well.  Overall, great appetizers! 

I ordered the Yellow and Red Beet Salad which came with candied pistachios, feta, oranges, olive oil and arugula.  It was pretty good but I realized I am not a big "beet" person so I wasn't really thrilled with my choice.  My only other complaint is that the portion was very small.  I know these are lunch portions and we had plenty of appetizers but truly this was more of a side salad.  However, it had good flavor and if someone loves beets then this would certainly satisfy!  Everyone at the table loved their meals.  Some got the chicken salad on a croissant, one person ordered the grilled steak salad (which was apparently cooked to perfection), and one other person ordered the grilled chicken sandwich (pretty boring, I know).  Most of the lunch entrees are served with your choice of regular pomes frites (or skinny french fries for us common folk :) or sweet potato fries.  The pomes frites were tasty and savory...not too oily and not too salty.  Overall, everyone was super satisfied with their options.  I also forgot to mention the warm sliced baguettes that were served prior to our entrees....YUMMY!  There is nothing like french bread and this bread tasted so fresh and the butter just melted on so smoothly.  The crust was crunchy but not hard and the center was soft but not too yeasty (yes I made that word up).  It was just perfect!  I should have asked if they made it in house!

My favorite part of this meal was of course the dessert!  We left no stone unturned...we wanted to sample pretty much everything!  We were told they make all of their desserts in house so we were all excited about their pastry options.  Once again, France is known for their pastries so this was a true test of the authenticity of this restaurant! 

By this point the manager was loving us so he sent out a plate of chocolate covered strawberries on the house.  They were amazing...tasted like one of those $5 godiva chocolate strawberries.  Then, the feast began...the chocolate mousse, the nutella cream puffs,  and the creme brule all made their presence known.  The mousse was rich and creamy, the nutella cream puffs came with a side of chocolate sauce so you could really make it special but the winner of the day was awarded to the Creme Brule!!  I'm not even a huge creme brule fan but let me tell you...this was amazing!  It was soooo creamy and flavorful.  It was a perfect balance between a custard and flan.  The consistency was just perfect and the bourbon vanilla flavor was done just right.  I loved all of the desserts but this one had my heart.

Once again, I love to support local places so this restaurant definitely has my vote.  There are many other items on the menu that I would like to try but what we had last week was fabulous.  They have live music from time to time and they are having a huge New Year's Eve party.  It would be worth checking out their website periodically so you can learn about some of their events.  They also participated in restaurant week last spring (I attended), which was a great way to taste some of their most popular menu items.  http://www.georgesbrasserie.com/

D'Vine Wine Cafe (Ballantyne)--Charlotte, NC

The quality of the food here is pretty good but some of the "small plate" items are not easily shared.  It is best if you have two or three people in order to really sample the menu and not break the bank.  Otherwise, you are going to end up needing to order a lot to be full and satisfied.

We were there with a party of 5 so the sharing idea was a little more difficult than normal.   This would be a great place to grab a lite bite before heading elsewhere for your main entrees.

All in all I do really like this place.  I think it is has a cool atmosphere and is in a fun location in Charlotte.  I love the idea of tapas and this place has a nice variety on their menu.

 

I ordered the Canelinni Cake which was on top of an arugala salad and had a carmelized apple on top and was drizzled with a red pepper sauce.  It was a little bland but once I took a bite with the apple and dipped it in the sauce it was much better.  I also ordered the seared scallops.  They had a very nice consistency.  They were buttery, smooth and melted in my mouth.  They were also very fresh but the one negative is that they were served warm and turned cold pretty quickly.

Others at the table ordered  the Apple & Fig plate which is served on toasted focaccia with brie sauce, butternut squash soup, and the Mediterranean shrimp that is baked with peppers, tomatoes, onions and cheese and served on focaccia bread.  All were said to be very good as well! 

They had several other yummy options including cheese plates, pork medallions and chocolate bread pudding for dessert!

As I previously mentioned, this is a fun place with good food.  It has the atmosphere of an intimate wine cellar.  I think if used for the right purposes it is a great place to check out!  They have special events, live music on the weekends and wine pairing specials.  http://www.dvinewinecafe.com/

Azteca Mexican Restaurant-Matthews, NC (there is one in Charlotte also)

Grimy Grub!!

I have previously mentioned my love for Mexican food so I have been to this restaurant more times then I care to share but I am just now getting around to writing about it!

The MAIN reason I frequent this place so often is because it is right down the street from where we live so it is convenient.  They do have two locations--Matthews and Charlotte (south blvd). 

In MY opinion, this is the best Mexican restaurant I have been to in terms of authenticity.  I know there are a lot of trendy mexican-fusion type joints but this is just your old fashioned get your grub on type Mexican.

The GOOD:  The salsa is very good...fresh ingredients give it a little bit of chunk and the flavor is perfect.  It is a little runny but I don't like salsa that has been thickened by paste or because it was pureed.  I would rather the flavor with chunks of onion and pieces of cilantro--and that is what this place offers. 

The BAD--They serve the salsa in a very small dish and they have a disclaimer on the menu that indicates only the first two rounds of chips and salsa are free.  I mean, what?  I understand we are in a tough economic situation but you can't be a mexican restaurant and charge for chips and salsa.  We have managed to avoid that extra charge so far.  We usually just ask a different person for more salsa every time...I know, a little dishonest, but I can't help it!  I expect a charge when you go to some random place and happen to order chips and salsa as your appetizer (like Chili's or something) but any standard, hole-in-the-wall Mexican place should NOT do such a thing.

THE EXCELLENT:  Their fresh, tableside guacamole!  WOW!  I had no idea avocados could have so much flavor.  It was fantastic.  The flavors were bold and boasted of fresh cilantro, onion, and lime!  It was such a perfect combination of flavors.  I have had it with the jalapenos and without...either way was incredible! 

I typically get the veggie fajitas and that is another reason why I love this place.  TYPICALLY, if I order veggie fajitas I end up with onions and peppers marinated in salt.  Azteca sends out grilled onions, peppers, tomatoes, squash, broccoli and mushrooms.  They are not weighted down with sodium and dripping in a fajita sauce....they are grilled and fresh.  It really is perfectly done!

The beans and rice and pretty basic--nothing to speak about.  The flour tortillas are great and their pico de gallo is fresh and flavorful.

One other downfall is that they don't give you the option for black beans on the side.  But, what I found out is that black beans are not as authentic in terms of Mexican food.  Muy interesante!

It is definitely worth checking them out...even if it is just for their guacamole.  You may want to bring your own jar of salsa though....just kidding

Luna's Living Kitchen-Charlotte, NC

What a fun, hidden treasure!  This is in the Atherton Mills shopping center on South Boulevard.  I have not explored that area previously but I love this trendy spot in town.

Luna's is a small cafe right beside the Market (which I plan to check out in the near future).  I could tell this place was going to be fresh and healthy as soon as I took my first step inside!  I immediately noticed the pineapples on the counter, the smoothies that others had at their tables and the pile of fresh greens in the exposed kitchen.

The menu had a variety of items for breakfast and/or lunch along with a few side items.  The selection is limited but everything is fresh, healthy and mostly organic.  They have a great selection of smoothies and juices as well.  They use Almond milk, greens, fruit and a variety of proteins in their beverages.  Here are a couple examples:  The Power Cleanser: Carrot, Beat, Parsley, Cucumber.  The Flying Lucy: Spinach, Pineapple, Banana, Ginger, Lemonade, Spirulina.  The Grey Hulk: Wild Berries, Banana, Hemp Milk, Maca, Sprulina, Hemp Protein.

These would be great post workout shakes so it is no surprise they are attached to the Evolution Fitness Center.

My friend and I ordered the same dish as it was highly recommended by the waitress.  We ordered the FIRE AND BRIMSTONE VEGGIES BURGER.  It was a Quinoa-Kamat veggie burger with chipotle sunflower hummus (yummy), onion, tomato, salsa verde and their house hot sauce.  It was served on Artisan, organic whole wheat bread and served with a local green salad.  It was awesome!  It just filling enough to be satisfying, the flavor combination was perfect, it was spicy but not too hot and it was fresh!  I felt good after eating as opposed to sluggish and dumpy and bloated.  It was so refreshing!  I know I have only had one item here but I love this place!  I can't wait to return! 

Check them out.  We need more places like this!!   lunaslivingkitchen.com

Holiday Recipe-Pumpkin Bread

I know I am supposed to be doing restaurant and bakery reviews only but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share one of my favorite pumpkin bread recipes.  Here we are at holiday time and I know that baked goods will be plentiful but this would be a great gift or an easy item to bring to any Christmas party!

The bread is super moist and I hate that word but there is really no other way to describe it!  It keeps very well if you wrap it with saran wrap.  Enjoy!!

1 Cup (packed) light brown sugar
2 large egg whites
1 Cup of pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1/4 Cup of Canola Oil
1/3 low-fat plain yogurt
3/4 Cup of Chocolate Chips (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 Cup all purpose flour
3/4 Cup of whole wheat flour
1 1/2 teaspons baking powder
1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees
     Spray 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 metal loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray with flour

2.  In large bowl, with wire whisk, combine brown sugar and egg whites.  Add pumpkin, chocolate chips, oil, yogurt and    vanilla extract;  stire to combine

3.  In medium bowl, combine all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda and salt.  Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture; stire until just combined.  Do not overmix

4.  Pour batter into prepared pan.  Bake:  45-50 minutes or until toothpick insterted in center of loaf comes out clean.  Cool in pan 10 minutes.  Invert pumpkin break onto a wire rack; cool completely.

Toast Cafe-Davidson, NC and Charlotte, NC

Grimy Grub....

Hooray for a new breakfast spot in the Charlotte metro area!  Well it isn't new to Davidson and Huntersville but they recently opened a location on Park Road!  I have been to this place twice (the Davidson location) and wow--SCRUMPTIOUS!  I have only had breakfast items but they have a great menu for lunch and dinner as well.  They serve breakfast daily until 3pm so that is a huge bonus.  They only serve dinner from 5pm-9pm, Wed-Sunday. 

I can only speak about the breakfast at Toast, which happens to be my favorite meal of the day.  I have been known to go to bed thinking about what I will get to eat for breakfast in the morning.  Sad, I know.

Their breakfast menu ranges from traditional items like egg sandwiches, omelets, french toast, pancakes, etc.  I highly recommend any of those items because they are excellent.  Their hash browns are fresh cut potatoes with a very tasty seasoning.  They are wonderful!  But, what I would really check out would have to be their "specials."  They had crab benedict, stuffed french toast, unique omelet blends, etc.  My husband tried the nutella and strawberry stuffed french toast.  Of course I "encouraged" him to order this because I had my eye on the pumpkin spice pancakes but desperately wanted to try that french toast!  Let me just say, we made the right choices!  The stuffed french toast was absolutely heavenly.  It tasted like a chocolate covered strawberry.  It is hard to explain but the bread balanced the "sweet" so it was a perfect combination of flavors.  You could always order a side of hash browns if you need something salty to complete the meal! 

My pumpkin pancakes were the perfect fall treat!  They were super fluffy and the pumpkin flavor was very prominent!  I don't know about you but I have had pumpkin pancakes that didn't taste like pumpkin at all...it just tasted like cinnamon or nutmeg or allspice.  These were light and flavorful.  There were three of them, which was the perfect amount.  They weren't huge so I didn't feel lethargic, bloated and tired after this breakfast.

They mix things up so the menu is always changing.  I am thrilled that  they opened a location in Dilworth but taking a ride up to Davidson is a nice change of scenery as well!  Either way, check them out!  You will NOT be disappointed!  http://toastcafeonline.com/davidson/index.html

Sweet Cakes Bakery-Cornelius, NC

I have been to this bakery twice now and I had the same experience both times...TERRIBLE customer service.  A cupcake bakery is a happy place!  Why do they seem so disturbed when I come in?  I'm a customer and I am definitely not just window shopping...I am there to make a purchase!  You would think for a small, locally owned bakery that would make a difference! 

That being said, the cupcakes were good.  They weren't amazing and they weren't horrible.  And no, I don't just have a bad taste in my mouth due to the customer service.  I can look past anything if the cupcake is on point.  They had some yummy flavors including almond joy, pumpkin spice, peanut butter truffle, cookies and cream, lemon drop, etc.  I didn't see a ton of real "creative" concoctions but they presented well and they had good classic flavors. 

I tried the chocolate strawberry flavor and the peanut butter truffle.  I was hoping the chocolate strawberry would be similar to the flavor of a chocolate covered strawberry.  Polka dot bake shop in Charlotte has this flavor from time to time and it is heavenly!  This was more like they had chocolate cupcakes left over and strawberry icing left over from their strawberry cupcake so they just threw them together.  There was also no sign in front of this blend so it further proves my point that it was a last minute daily flavor.  I don't fault them for that but I am the sucker that purchased the mysterious, no-name cupcake and expected it to be amazing.  The chocolate cupcake was good--pretty standard.  It was light, airy and more chewy (if I may use that word) than I prefer but still good flavor.  The strawberry buttercream had very good flavor so truly the combination of chocolate and strawberry never disappoints..but I just wasn't overly excited by this cupcake.  Not bad though.  Good use of leftover materials...much better than it going to waste!

The peanut butter truffle tasted exactly like a truffle.  Same thing with the chocolate cupcake...light, airy and chewy.  The peanut butter buttercream was very sweet and had a strong peanut butter flavor, which I liked.  It was very rich.  The icing on both cupcakes was soft and more creamy than gritty.  It wasn't crunchy.  The consistency was good.  I also like the way the icing is set on the cupcake....check out the pic here http://www.sweetcakesbakery.com/

Overall, decent place, predictable and can certainly satisfy your sweet cravings.

They definitely need to step up their customer service and make the whole experience more enjoyable.  I wouldn't go out of my way for this place but if stuck in a bind I would go again.