Tag Archives: North Hills

Grabbagreen coming to North Hills

green2

As a food blogger I’m always on the lookout for healthy dining options. I was excited to recently learn that Grabbagreen, an Arizona-based fast-casual restaurant concept known for their fresh and healthy alternative to fast food, plans to open their first Triangle location in Raleigh this September in North Hills. The restaurant will be located Lassiter District side of North Hills near Sur La Table.  There are also plans for a second location to open in Cary in 2017.

green1

Grabbagreen brings a much needed healthy dining option to this part of Raleigh. The company focus on making fast food, healthy and promotes an “Eat Clean, Grabbagreen” philosophy by serving a selection of grain and green-based bowls with fresh hormone-free and antibiotic-free proteins provided by local farms, fresh-pressed juice, handcrafted smoothies and acai bowls, breakfast and healthy kid-friendly items. Everything  prepared fresh, made-to-order. Gluten-free options are also available.

Green 3For more information about their full menu visit www.grabbagreen.com. To keep tabs on progress of their North Hills location you can follow their local handles on twitter, facebook, and instagram. I will also be posting updates here as they get closer to opening and plan to share a full review of the North Hills location once it opens it doors this Fall.

 

Leave a comment

Filed under Food, Restaurant News

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.

 

 

 

Leave a comment

Filed under Events, Food, Raleigh, Restaurant News

Midtown Grille “Tour of Spain” Dinner Recap

Untitled

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

 

 

 

2 Comments

Filed under Events, Restaurant News, Restaurant Reviews

Weekend Picks: May 15th-18th

ArtSplosure

Artsplosure ~ This Sat & Sun in Raleigh

Thursday May 15th

Find Your Cool Free Jazz Concert in Durham’s CCB Plaza
Vintage Jazz Band Tea Cup Gin will be putting on a Free show tonight in Durham. Due to the threat of rain tonight the show has been moved to inside at The Pinhook, 117 W. Main St. Music from 7-8:30pm. Make sure you stop in The Parlour just down the street for some of the best ice cream in the Triangle! Event Details

Friday May 16th

Relay for Life Food Truck Rodeo
Stop by RegEd for lunch and games on Friday, May 16th from 11am-2pm. Gussy’s Greek, Chick-N-Que, Stuft and LadyBug’s Desserts will be here to help support this year’s Relay for Life! All game proceeds and a portion of food sales will benefit The Relay for Life of Leesville/Brier Creek/RTP. Rodeo will be in the RegEd parking lot at 2100 Gateway Boulevard in Morrisville. Event Details

Blues on the Plaza at Northgate Mall in Durham
Free Blues show 6-9pm by Jimmy Haggard, Reverbnation Top 10 worldwide recording artist. “Jimmy’s Jam” will include some of the Triangle’s best blues artists playing electric blues fused with hot rock and funk grooves. (Food available for purchase from Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse and Pie Pushers; Beer available for purchase from Carolina Brewery). Event Details

City Market Summer Concert Series
Free Summer Concert Series on the cobblestone streets of City Market in downtown Raleigh. This Friday’s Show will feature tunes from the Magic Pipers. Music 6:30-9:30. Event Details

Saturday May 18th

Artsplosure
Artsplosure’s returns to downtown Raleigh this Friday, Saturday and Sunday with art, music and food. Check the event website for all the details of this great event that celebrates excellence in the performing and visual arts and brings artists and the larger community together to improve the quality of life and cultural environment. Event Details

Tour D’ Coop
Raleigh’s city chicken owners invite you into their backyards for a first-hand look at keeping chickens in an urban environment.  This self-guided tour provides the opportunity to see over 20 coops, from tiny urban gardens to sprawling suburban lots. This is your chance to glean creative ideas from neighbors who are incorporating chickens and permaculture garden designs into their home landscapes to create an inspiring urban adventure. Event Details

Wine Authorities Rose’ Garden Party
Wine Authorities in Raleigh and Durham are hosting rosé wine garden parties at each location Saturday from noon-3 p.m. Each will have a wide variety of rose wines to sample and purchase by the glass. They will also be offering fried fish from Walking Fish, a community-supported fishery that sources seafood from the North Carolina coast in addition to cheese platesCustomers wearing fancy garden party-style hats and bow ties could win a $100 gift certificate for the best Rosé Garden Party costume at each store. The event will benefit the Chapel Hill Breast Cancer Foundation. http://www.wineauthorities.com

Got to Be NC Festival
A free gate, family friendly event at the NC State Fairgrounds this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with an agricultural twist. Enjoy carnival games and rides, live music, food, animal and agricultural displays, antique tractors, and more. Festival Info

Meals on Wheels Food Truck Fest
Bag Of Llamas and Durham Jazz Messengers perform to benefit Meals On Wheels of Durham. There will be a silent auction, cakewalk, cornhole tournament and local beer/food for purchase from Chick-N-Que, Parle-vous Crepe, Only Burger, Valentino’s and Fullsteam. From 5-8pm at the Pavillion in Durham Central Park. Event Details

Whisk Carolina Canning Jubilee
All Day Canning Jubilee on Saturday, May 17th at Whisk Carolina located in Cary’s Waverly Place. They’ll be offering free demos and tastings, a canning contest with prizes.  Special 20% off canning supplies all day Saturday. Event Details

Sunday May 19th

Sunday Bluegrass at Midtown Park in North Hills
Free Live Bluegrass music this Sunday by Darin & Brooke Aldridge at North Hills new Midtown Park. Relax on the grass and enjoy music from 4-7pm. Beer and Southern BBQ will also be available for purchase. Event Details

SouthPoint Anthropology PopUp Market
Stop by SouthPoint Mall’s Anthropology Store this Saturday for a PopUp Market from 12-4pm featuring local businesses like Scratch BakingSlingshot Coffee CompanyThe Apothecary’s KitchenHumdinger Juice

3 Comments

Filed under Weekend Picks

Competition Dining Series “Final Fire” Battle of the Champions Tickets On Sale Today at 7pm!

Drawing Knives

The regional winners draw knives to determine the bracket for Final Fire 2013
(photo courtesy of Competition Dining)

Final Fire Returns to Raleigh!
The Got To Be NC Competition Dining Series returns to Raleigh in November for the “Final Fire” competition. Final Fire will conclude the statewide chef competition and determine NC’s champion. Reservations open Oct. 30 at 7 pm online here.

Location & Dates
The four competitive dinners will be hosted at Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel at 4100 Main at North Hills St., Raleigh (map)

The series begins on Nov. 20 and concludes on Nov. 23. The Got To Be NC Competition Dining Champions from Asheville, Wilmington, the Triad, the Triangle and Charlotte will compete.

“Final Fire” Chef Brackets

November 20th

  • Noble’s Grille, Winston-Salem (John Bobby) vs. Mimosa Grill, Charlotte (Jon Fortes)

November 21st

  • Flights at Renaissance Raleigh Hotel, Raleigh (Dean Thompson) vs. winner of Nov. 20

November 22nd

  • Persimmons Restaurant, New Bern (Gerry Fong) vs. Red Stag Grill, Asheville (Adam Hayes)

November 23rd

  • Battle between winner of Nov. 21 and Nov. 22

At stake in Final Fire is $4,000, a hand-forged set of knives from Charlotte-based Ironman Forge and a trip to Napa Valley, CA to the pro chef program at the CIA Greystone campus, compliments of Kikkoman. The runner-up receives $1,000.

Now in its second year, The Got To Be NC Competition Dining Series has become a statewide movement. Because all people are chefs, farmers, and diners, the event’s mission is to connect and celebrate this community with a dynamic, entertaining experience.

Sponsors include the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Pate Dawson-Southern Foods, OUR STATE Magazine, Certified Angus Beef®, Pepsi Bottling Ventures and Swisher Hygiene.

How it Works
Paying guests will savor each course in a blind tasting alongside a panel of culinary and celebrity judges in a series of four dinner competitions. Each evening, two restaurants “battle” it out side-by-side in a single elimination format. Guests savor a six-course menu (three dishes from each chef without knowing whose food they’re tasting) created around a “featured” ingredient. For each dinner, the ingredient will come from a North Carolina farmer or artisan producer. The featured ingredient is revealed to the chefs only an hour before they start cooking, and it must be used in each of the three courses.

Diners, alongside culinary and guest judges, will rate each dish and determine who moves on to the next round and who goes home.

Reservation Information
Event reservations cost $119 each excluding beverage, tax and service charge. Diners can attend as many dinners as they like. Reservations open online here on October 30 at 7 pm . Event organizers expect the finals to sell out in 24 hours so don’t wait!

Leave a comment

Filed under Events, Food