Tag Archives: Midtown Grille

July 27, 2015 · 10:42 am

Midtown Grille Hosts Fundraiser to Benefit Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church

North Cook South

On August 23, Raleigh’s Midtown Grille will hold a large fundraiser to benefit the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, SC, site of the recent tragic shooting. The event, called North Cooks South, will be a Chef Collaboration Dinner and all proceeds will be distributed through the church’s charity directly to the victims.

“This shooting was a horrific event and really hit home as I lived in Charleston for four years and drove past this church every morning on my way in to work,” says Midtown Grille Executive Chef Benjamin Harris. “An exciting lineup of chefs from some of Raleigh and Charleston’s finest restaurants will prepare wonderful food and drinks to enjoy and guests can relax to some outstanding live music. This is a fantastic opportunity to give back to a community that’s really hurting right now.”

Event Details:

Date: Sunday, August 23 | Cocktail Hour at 5pm, Dinner at 6pm

Tickets: Tickets will be $150 and are available starting 7/27/15 through Eventbrite.com. Up to 100 guests can be accommodated.

Dinner: There will be nine courses of authentic Low Country, Charleston cuisine. Each chef will prepare two courses with Midtown Grille’s Sous Chef, Bryan Squires providing the dessert course. Midtown Grille’s Sommelier Max Trujillo will be doing wine and cocktail pairings.

Entertainment: The Stephen Riley Quartet

Chefs:

  • Benjamin Harris – Executive Chef, Midtown Grille (Raleigh)
  • Daniel Doyle – Executive Chef and Owner, Poogan’s Porch (Charleston, SC)
  • Chris Coleman – Executive Chef and Culinary Director, The Asbury/Dunhill Hotel (Charlotte, NC)
  • Scott James – Executive Sous Chef, The Angus Barn (Raleigh)

Confirmed Sponsors:

  • Asbury at the Dunhill Hotel, Charlotte
  • Durham Distillery
  • Inland Seafood
  • Locals Seafood
  • Mutual Wines
  • Poogan’s Porch
  • Ray Family Farms
  • Angus Barn
  • Western Wake Farmer’s Market
  • Raleigh Brewing Company

Event inquiries may be directed to Max Trujillo, General Manager, Midtown Grille.

Midtown Grille
4421-115 Six Fork Road
Raleigh, NC 27609
919.782.9463
Website: www.themidtowngrille.com/northcookssouth
Tickets: http://northcookssouth.eventbrite.com

About Midtown Grille

Nestled in North Hills, Raleigh, Midtown Grille is an intimate restaurant and bar offering seasonal, locally sourced produce and meats for our lunch, dinner and brunch menus. Our diverse wine list and on-staff sommelier specializes in all aspects of wine service and wine and food pairing.  Diners can enjoy meals and handcrafted cocktails in a casual-luxe atmosphere with private and open air dining options. Established in 2006, Midtown Grille is locally owned, and prides itself on providing Southern hospitality, while combining New American and classic Southern flavors with new fusion techniques and styles. For more information visit www.TheMidtownGrille.com.

 

 

 

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March 4, 2015 · 11:47 am

Midtown Grille “Tour of Spain” Dinner Recap

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Midtown Grille – “Tour of Spain” Dinner

Back in January I had the pleasure of attending a special “Tour of Spain” dinner at Midtown Grille in Raleigh. The dinner featured a 7 course meal created by Chef Benjamin Harris that paired Spanish tapas dishes with carefully selected Spanish wines. I’ve been to Midtown before, but this was my first visit with Chef Harris at the helm in the kitchen and Max Trujillo as Manger and Sommelier. I was already a fan of Midtown but found myself even more impressed after this latest visit with how they continue to elevate their game in the Triangle food scene.

Midtown has a quaint but casual atmosphere and a creative menu that features regionally inspired dishes. It is the type of place I feel comfortable recommending to people looking to celebrate a special occasion or just a casual night out with friends to enjoy great food and drinks. They are open for lunch and dinner and recently began offering brunch on weekends. They have a beautiful dining room and bar area including a private dining area that is perfect for special events.

The “Tour of Spain” dinner was held with 20 or so guests seated in the private dining area of the restaurant. Before each course was served Chef Harris would spend a few minutes explaining the dish to guests and Max, the Sommelier, would provide details about the wine pairing and talk about the region of Spain the wines originated from. Everything was delicious and it made for a wonderful evening out with my wife.

Below is a quick visual recap of the “Tour Spain” dishes served. These photos were taken by the talented Felicia Perry. I appreciate Felicia allowing me to use her pictures as they truly capture the essence of the Chef Harris’ creations. Felicia specializes in photogrpahic services and marketing assests for the food, restaurant and hospitality industries. You can view her portfolio and and learn about the services she offers at http://www.feliciaperryphotography.com/.

Photo Courtesy Felicia Perry Photography

Course 1: Marcona Almonds, Olives and Serrano Jamon  (cured Spanish ham) served with a glass of Santiago Fino from the Jerez region of Spain.

Photo Courtesy Felicia Perry Photography

Course 2: Bacalo & Salt Cod, Tomates, Potato, Olive Oil and Sous Vide with a side of Charcoal Grilled Octopus paired with a glass of Gramona Imperial Cava.

Course 3

Photo Courtesy Felicia Perry Photography

Course 3: Head on Gambas, Garlic, Chiles, Grilled Scallion paired with an Albarino from Rias Biaxas.

Photo Courtesy Felicia Perry Photography

Course 4: Eggs and potatoes with chorizo and saffron aioli paired with Bobal DeSanJuan from Utiel Requena.

Photo Courtesy Felicia Perry Photography

Course 5: Dates wrapped in cured Spanish ham (Serrano Jamon) paired with Hazana Tradicion from Rioja.

Photo Courtesy Felicia Perry Photography

Course 6: Albondigas & Ground Lamb, Romesco, Fennel paired with a full bodied Carignana from Priorat.

Photo Courtesy Felicia Perry Photography

Course 7: Almond cake with olive oil and basil ice cream paired with a  Santiago Pedro Ximenez from Jerez.

There is something special about understanding the history and culture behind the food and wine we enjoy at dinner. It makes for a much more meaningful dining experience and is a great way to enjoy a night out with friends. The “Tour of Spain” dinner at Midtown was a fun evening of excellent food and wine and I highly recommend attending one of their tour series dinners in the future.

Upcoming “Tour of California” Dinner at Midtown
As part of their ongoing tour series, you can join Midtown Grille on March 12 at 7 p.m. for a “Tour of California” dinner and wine pairing. You can view the menu of California inspired dishes and make reservations by visiting their website here.

Midtown Grille
4421-115 Six Forks Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609 (map)
website: http://www.themidtowngrille.com/
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MidtownGrille
twitter: @MidtownGrilleNC
instagram: @MidtownGrilleRaleigh

 

 

 

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February 2, 2015 · 10:19 pm

First Friday Art at Brushstroke in Raleigh w/ Chriba Chirba & Nickelpoint Brewing

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Photo Courtesy Felicia Perry Photography

On the First Friday of the month local artists are featured at galleries throughout Downtown Raleigh. It’s a time for the community to celebrate the local art culture and meet the creative people behind the work. This Friday from 6-9pm four great local artists will have their talents on display at Brushstroke Studio & Gallery.  Brushstroke is a working studio and art gallery located at located at 520 N. West Street in the Glenwood South District of Downtown Raleigh. On display will be paintings by acrylic artists, Susan Bolick, Shade Maret and Gail Scoggin; as well as photographs by Felicia Perry, which will include a series of photographs taken throughout North Carolina.

Relaxing Sunset Susan Bolick001

Image Courtesy Artist Susan Bolick

The art alone is more than enough reason to come out, but if you need a little nudge out the door the amazing Chirba Chirba Dumpling Food Truck will also be parked at the gallery this Friday selling their famous dumplings. To help wash it down free beer is being provided by Raleigh’s own Nickelpoint Brewing Company. In addition to all this there will be a special giveaway by Midtown Grille. Brushstroke Studio is easy to get to from Peace Street and with free parking available in their lot. The gallery is also easily accessible via the R Line, stop R4 West Street. Hope to see you there!

First Friday at Brushstroke Studio & Gallery – February 6th 6-9pm
520 N. West Street – Raleigh, NC (map)
Brushstroke Gallery: https://www.facebook.com/BrushstrokeArtStudio

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August 20, 2013 · 10:15 am

Chef Dean Thompson of Flights Wins Fire in the Triangle!

Chef Thompson's new knife

Chef Dean Thompson is the proud winner of a handmade chef knife by Ironman Forge in Charlotte. He is pictured with event host and founder, Jimmy Crippen (left).
Photo courtesy Competition Dining

Last night’s “Battle North Hills” wrapped up Fire in the Triangle. Sixteen chefs from the Triangle competed in the competition that began July 8 and concluded last night. On Monday evening, bragging rights went to Chef Dean Thompson and his team from Flights at Renaissance Raleigh Hotel. He won in a competitive battle against Chef Scott James of Midtown Grille, another North Hills’ restaurant in Raleigh, N.C.

In the dining room at Rocky Top Catering’s 1705 Prime, guests waited to hear the final numbers, eyes riveted on the event host and founder, Jimmy Crippen. Crippen briefly quizzed each chef and his team members about how the day had unfolded. After recognizing the outstanding team at 1705 Prime, Crippen rattled off the scores for all six courses. Chef Dean Thompson and teammates Anthony Zinani and Matt Thompson took home the trophy, a $2000 check, a handmade chef knife by Ironman Forge in Charlotte, and the coveted red chef’s jacket only a Competition Dining finals winner can receive.

Flights team with the $2000 check

Left to right: Mac Sullivan (Pate Dawson-Southern Foods), Matt Thompson, Anthony Zinani, Dean Thompson, Jimmy Crippen (Founder of Competition Dining)
Photo courtesy Competition Dining

The $2000 check was presented by Mac Sullivan, chief executive officer of Pate Dawson-Southern Foods, lead sponsor of the event, and Jimmy Crippen, host and founder of Competition Dining.

Fire in the Triangle challenged the chefs to use two featured ingredients, Certified Angus Beef® and Fullsteam Brewery’s El Toro and Hogwash. The chefs were required to use beef in two courses and Fullsteam Brewery’s “plow-to-pint” beers in each of their three courses for 140 diners. The chefs are not told what the featured ingredients will be until noon on the day they compete.

Course 5, Flights

“Homer Simpson” Beer, Coffee & Doughnuts, Beef Cake & El Toro Tiramisu, Banana Ice Cream, Hogwash Caramel, Chocolate Glazed Krispy Doughnut, Beef & Wonton Sprinkles — Chef Dean Thompson of Flights
Photo courtesy Competition Dining

Visit the Competition Dining flickr photo album for last night’s event for more delicious images of the wonderful dishes prepared by Chef Dean Thompson of Flights and Chef Scott of Midtown Grille. For more information about the Competition Dining Series visit their website and check out the great video below by Kelly McCullen of UNC-TV about the event.


Next Up – “Fire in the City” Charlotte
The competition dining series now moves on to their next event “Fire in The City”, taking place in the Queen City of Charlotte. Chef’s for the Charlotte series will be announced at 6pm on Wednesday August 21st. Tickets for “Fire in the City” are on sale now and can be purchased here. If you can’t make the event but want to follow the action online follow @CompDiningNC on twitter or on facebook. 

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