Lisa Jeffries Nobling – Raleigh, NC

Category: Restaurants

  • The “Soon-to-be-Famous” Cinnamon Bun at The Banks Grill Deserves All the Fame

    The Banks Grill in Morehead City, NC, is a hidden breakfast and lunch gem that we stumbled upon thanks to Yelp.

    It’s “Soon-to-be-Famous” Jumbo Cinnamon Roll, covered in ooey, gooey pecan praline sauce is a generous sweet starter that is easily shared by two or more diners and priced less than $4.00.

    When it arrived at our table I imagined it being too rich for the two of us to finish, taking half home or later, but it was so light that we devoured it in mere minutes.

    Tucked away in the Lowes Foods shopping center on Highway 70 coming into MHC, stop in for breakfast and be sure to order this tasty treat that deserves every bit of fame it’s destined for… Be prepared to wait a few minutes on weekend mornings, though. There’s ample outside seating to enjoy the wait! ?

    Opening times vary between 7-7:30 a.m., closing at 2 p.m., Wendesday through Monday. Closed Tuesdays.

    The Banks Grill

    252-499-9044

    2900 Arendell Street

    Morehead Coty, NC 28557

  • Sunday Funday in Cannes

    A week ago Sunday, Johnnie Bud and I headed to Cannes with GLM classmates Daniel, Sarah, and Stephanie. Taking the SNCF train for $12 round-trip, it was about a 30 minute ride (with stops included) and we couldn’t have asked for better weather.

    It was fairly quiet in Cannes on the day we went, missing the film festival the area is known for that takes place in May, but we walked from the busy town streets down to the beautiful waterfront and enjoyed a super fun lunch at restaurant called o’key beach that is literally situated on the sandy beach and mostly porch seating.

    Word to the wise: there’s nothing speedy about dining in France. (Or really anything speedy, except bus and train service, in the south of France.) Luckily, we were day tripping and enjoying good food and drinks with great company – with absolutely no rush needed. Many service staffers speak a good deal of English, so we haven’t had any challenges dining out… but they certainly appreciate and it usually entertains them when you try to speak French and order off the menu as its written. Also to note, tax and gratuity is included in menu prices and when you try to tip your bartender extra for speedy service, they look at you funny.

    I would love to see this place during the film festival, but I’ll be back in Raleigh by then. Put it on my bucket list to return soon, though! 2017, perhaps?

  • Garner Ups Its Game

    You’d think a small town like Garner would really embrace the local indy business movement, but the busiest places on the weekend are almost always chain concepts – that’s why i’m really excited to share a few new places that are earning my local dollars.

    Zin Yoga Studio & Wine Lounge
    This business isn’t as new as the following two (maybe around for a year or so, already?), but what Kara is doing here is pretty innovative. Yoga + wine = in one place. Get your yoga on at this Aversboro Square studio and then after class, enjoy samples of wine, indulge in a glasses, or take a few bottles of wine home to enjoy. Occasionally, Kara has even turned the studio into a pop-up dinner venue with featuring the culinary talents of Chef Joe from Backyard Bistro and the wine knowledge of Cory Sloan from Tryon Distributing. I’ve taken several yoga classes here with both Kara and Mary and have enjoyed all of them. And I love the variety of days and times that they offer classes. Sunday afternoon zen session? Yes, please!

    And yes, of course, I’ve also sampled the wine and thoroughly enjoyed that too. 🙂 Check out the class and event schedule schedule online at http://zinyogawine.com/. Namaste, y’all.

    The Beerded Lady Bottle Shop
    Just down the street from Zin is The Beerded Lady Bottle Shop, Garner’s first (and currently only) craft beer indy retailer! (Kroger grocery store doesn’t count, kids.) Gal pal Adrianne and I popped in last Sunday after yoga to check this spot out. It had just opened that week, so they were still getting a lot of things worked out – like the right inspections and permits to be able to serve flights and ciders. All good things to look forward to as this new business grows. In the meantime, grab some friends, family and neighbors and taste your way through their draft menu – which is fun to do 5 ounces at a time… a unique offering I haven’t seen before in this area. Read up on what’s available at thebeerdedlady.com and then visit them in the 5th Avenue shopping center.

    Click here for more pictures! (Note I have GOT to move this blog over to WordPress so I can create a nice gallery for these things!)

    Krafty’s Burgers & Brews
    Also just opening last week is Krafty’s Burgers & Brews in Garner’s White Oak shopping center, next to the movie theater (where Shuck ‘Em Shack used to be). Johnnie Bud and I stopped in last week at the friends and family event to wish owner Robert Stapleton well in the new venture. Keen observers might notice the bar is a carry over from Robert’s original Napper Tandy’s in downtown Raleigh that was located in Powerhouse Square. (Napper’s has since moved to Glenwood Avenue, but Robert kept one of the bars and re-used it here.)

    We were on a tight schedule when visiting and didn’t get a chance to try any food from the menu, but are looking forward to getting back for a visit soon. There are actually quite a few vegetarian-friendly items for me, including a “build-a-burger” option that has a veggie burger base choice! No website yet, but check out updates from their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Kraftysburgersandbrews.

    Click here for more pictures from Krafty’s!

    Are there any other new, locally-owned businesses in Garner that I need to check out next weekend? Let me know in the comments below!

  • New Favorite: Chanticleer Cafe & Bakery in Cary

    Having grown up just a few miles from the intersection of Tryon Road and Cary Parkway, I’ve seen a solid handful of businesses come and go from the corner free standing building in the Wellington Park shopping center. This is the first that I think has a real shot of lasting!

    Chanticleer Cafe & Bakery is open seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., and I’ve read that they hope to expand into evening hours, too. Visit them at 6490 Tryon Road in Cary.

    I stopped in a few weeks ago to grab a quick lunch to-go when I was on that side of town and totally loved the Apple & Brie Panini (Sliced Apples and Brie Cheese with Dijon Mustard on a French Baguette) – although it was hard to pass up the Grilled Cheese option (Ashe County Cheddar and Monterey Jack Cheeses toasted between thick slices of white bread). I’m a sucker for anything with brie, but i’ll probably order the Grilled Cheese next time I find myself over there for lunch – especially with fall approaching and it’s a done deal if I can get tomato soup on the side. Both paninis and sandwiches are served with your choice of potato chips, cole slaw, pasta salad or garden side salad. I chose the potato chips and was pleasantly surprised to find that these are large, house-made chips. #NailedIt

    Check out the full menu that includes breakfast and salads online at http://www.chanticleercafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Chantileer-Cafe-Menu-Web-Format-08-01-2015.pdf. (Their website, http://www.chanticleercafe.com/, also offers separate menus for their coffee selection and bakery items.)

    I asked for four sweet bakery items (manager’s choice) to be packed in a to-go box to send home with my client who I was meeting with after lunch. The total bill for my sandwich and side, plus the sweet goodies to go, was less than $20.

    Save Room for the Sweets!
    On a second visit about a week and a half later for brunch/lunch, the Manfriend, my parents, and I all ventured around the menu. Johnnie and my dad both enjoyed breakfast sandwiches served with Ashe County Cheddar, eggs, and bacon on croissants. Mom ordered a salad and it was so large, she took half home for later. I ordered the Caprese panini (Italian Bread brushed with Olive Oil and filled with Basil, Fresh Mozzarella and Sliced Tomatoes) and although it was good and exactly what you’d expect with basil, mozz, and toms, the Apple & Brie still ranks above it for me.


    This time around, we ordered a French Chocolate Silk Tart which was served basically as a mini-pie. Although the crust was a bit too tough to break with a fork easily, it didn’t our four-some from cutting it up into smaller bites and devouring it. The chocolate silk was true to form – super light, yet rich, and a perfect end to the meal – even though we did sneak a few bites early after we sat down and were waiting for our sandwiches and salads. For all four of us, plus the single dessert, the total bill was about $40.

    Each time I’ve been, there have been equal amounts of diners enjoying the outside seating as well as inside. I’ve never had to wait long and on each visit, the service has been friendly.

    According to the N&O’s food writer, Andrea Weigl, the bakery is owned by chef Craig Freeman, a longtime Raleigh caterer and owner of Edible Accolades.

    If you’re local, stop in soon and let me know what you think of this new local spot in the comments below!

  • Raleigh Rotaract to Host Charity Beer Dinner

    Raleigh people – I hope you’ll join me for a great beer dinner on Thursday, Dec. 11!

    The Rotaract Club of Raleigh has announced its inaugural Fall Charity Beer Dinner to take place on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014, from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m., at Backyard Bistro restaurant in Raleigh, NC.
    The event features five food courses, designed by Chef Joe Lumbrazo (executive chef and owner, Backyard Bistro), that are each complemented by beer pairings donated by Raleigh’s own Big Boss Brewing and Lonerider Brewing companies.
    Raleigh is certainly no stranger to beer dinners, but the charity format is one not often seen. Of the $50.00 ticket price, nearly half of the money raised on ticket sales alone will go directly to this year’s designated charity: camper’s scholarships at Camp Mondamin in Zirconia, NC. This year’s beneficiary was selected in memory for local Rotarian Simon Everett, who died in an accident while working as a camp counselor at Mondamin this past summer. Everett donated his counselor salary to fund campers’ scholarships each summer and Raleigh Rotaract plans to pay that commitment forward with the proceeds from this event.
    In addition to ticket sales, silent auction items will be available for bidding on during the event, including food and beverage experiences, gift certificates to local businesses, and sporting event tickets – all great ways to beat the shopping lines at the mall this holiday season while supporting a great cause.
    Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/raleigh-rotaract-2014-charity-beer-dinner-tickets-13465649119 or RaleighRotaract.org. Discounts are available for tables of four – so plan to attend with friends, because more is truly merrier at this event.

  • Brunch at Tazza Kitchen: No Syrup Needed

    Johnnie Bud and I have been big fans of Tazza Kitchen since it opened in Cameron Village earlier this year. They’ve got a great cocktail menu and and a foodie menu made for sharing each other’s plates, so of course we were excited to hear they were adding Sunday brunch to their tasty lineup.

    We called ahead around 12:30 p.m. on Sunday and were thrilled to hear there was no wait to seat two, so we drove over to Cameron Village, sat at the bar, and quickly ordered a Sunday afternoon staple – mimosas, please! (Very happy to report that they used fresh squeezed orange juice and a very generous pour of prosecco at $6. Next time, we’ll go for the $12 1/2 liter carafe option.)

    The brunch menu wasn’t super vegetarian-friendly, but still super appealing nonetheless.

    • Johnnie Bud ordered the French Toast: house-made brioche, cashew praline butter, blueberry vincotto sauce, basil, whipped mascarpone – $9.5
    • I chose the Broccoli Rabe & Smoke Mozzarella Sandwich: oven roasted tomatoes, smokey tomato mayo – $9.5

    Neither disappointed, but Johnnie’s choice was clearly the brunch champ this go around. The blueberries and praline butter made a great sweetener – no syrup required!

    My sandwich was a good choice with the mayo on the side, but would have been a better breakfast item with a fried egg or egg over medium/well added in between the ciabatta slices.

    We got plate envy watching the Huevos Rancheros (corn tostadas, chorizo, sofritto, baked eggs*, salsa verde, pico de gallo, crema, cranberry beans, hash browns – $10.5) and Breakfast Pizza (béchamel, bacon, mozzarella, grana padano, baked local eggs – $13) being delivered to nearby tables, so you can bet we’ll be back in the coming weekends to try those options A.S.A.P.

  • Really Tasty Retreats Happening at O.Henry and Proximity Hotels in Greensboro

    By far, two of my favorite boutique hotel concepts in NC (and the country), O.Henry Hotel and Proximity Hotel in Greensboro will play host to a few very innovative, and tasty, weekend getaways this summer and fall.

    Savor the South Weekend: September 26-28Authors from UNC Press Savor the South Cookbook will join Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants & Hotels Chef Leigh Hesling and Chef Jay Pierce for an evening of what is sure to be incredible food and beverage, and highly entertaining conversations, at the O.Henry Hotel. One-night package includes accommodations, two tickets to Friday’s farm-to-fork dinner, breakfast on Saturday, Saturday’s Tasting Extravaganza lunch, and a cookbook is $295/person, double occupancy. A two-night package is also available and includes additional meals and entrance to the Bourbon & Bluegrass Bacchanal Dinner for $449/person.
    (Image via OHenryHotel.com)

    Sustainable Summer Weekend Getaway: May 30-September 1Check in at 2 p.m. at the Proximity Hotel (or earlier if available) and spend the afternoon traveling nearby greenways via complimentary bicycles or lounging by the property’s infinity-style pool. A $30 voucher for breakfast or dinner at Print Works Bistro is included. Available Fridays and Saturdays, May 30-September 1 (some blackout dates apply) for $219, plus taxes.
    (Image via ProximityHotel.com)

    Weekend Rail Getaway PackageRide the Amtrak train to Greensboro and Proximity Hotel will pick you up at the historic depot! A sustainable weekend getaway at America’s first LEED Platinum-certified hotel and restaurant includes overnight accommodations in a Loft King Room on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday night, as well as a $50 dining voucher for Print Works Bistro, as well as breakfast in bed the following morning, for only $249, plus taxes.

    If you can swing the investment in these weekend indulgences, my personal experience from a quick visit to both properties’ restaurants back in March says “ABSOLUTELY! DO THIS!” Enjoy.

  • Hey Raleighs, What Are You Doing Friday Night?

    One of my gal pals (and fellow local nightlife/restaurant/retail rockstars), Christina G., was kind enough to invite me to Yelp.com’s second annual Open Party, so I thought I’d keep the kindness going and share it with you all, as well!

    This year’s theme is Athletes vs. Mathletes (ummm LOVE it) and from what I hear, Yelp’s local events take good time a whole new level. So as you might imagine, I’m very excited to check out my first event with this group of locals.

    Date: Friday, May 6th
    Time: Public Party Starts at 8pm
    Venue: Crabtree Tavern

    Nick and I went to Crabtree Tavern once during football season to check out their offerings. I’m ashamed to say that I didn’t get a chance to blog about it, so I don’t really remember much about the experience – except that I was still working when we got there and I was really impressed when the hostess was able to quickly seat us at a table with a power outlet so I could keep working with my laptop plugged in. I’m a sucker for great service! I’m sure I had a salad, and I would have remembered if it wasn’t good, so I’m looking forward to getting back there on Friday and giving them another try. I’ll make sure to post a review on Yelp after (which will sign up in my blog sidebar here now, too), so I won’t go so long that I forget how it was!

    Do you yelp? If so, here I am. Help me get past the “0” yelp friends icon, please?! 🙂

    PS – Fullsteam Brewery and LoneRider are part of the Friday night shenanigans. If you’re a local beer drinker, that’s likely what I should have started with – because that’s all you needed to hear, right?

    PS #2 – You know I love a good cause! Make a donation to Southern Siberian Rescue while you’re there for a chance to win great door prizes and to collect great Yelp swag. (I can attest to the fine quality of their swag, btw.)

    Cheers!

    (And last, no blog post is complete without a disclaimer these days. I was not contacted by Yelp to blog about this. But, I do know Christina and she did personally invite me out. Personal invitations don’t count as spiffs… at least I don’t think. ;-))

  • The Hushpuppies are a Big Deal

    I almost laughed out loud when I read this line from George Cox’s review of Garner’s (somewhat new) Shuck ‘Em Shack:

    Hushpuppies are not bad for a commercial product, though the Southerner in me cringes at paying $1.99 for a dozen.

    I can remember going to Dockside at some point in college, one of the best locations in Wilmington for a great coastal view – paired with a bite to eat and a tasty drink. only to find out at that point they had decided to not offer hushpuppies at all. (Something about space for the fryer or it being the off-season… clearly I was in no mind for any excuses.) Everyone at our table heavily considered just leaving before ordering anything. What’s a Po’ Boy sandwich with a no hushpuppies? (The answer: not much.)

    Same situation with the ill-fated Sunny Side Too, which also called Garner home. (I can name more than a handful of reasons this local restaurant didn’t last, sadly. But I won’t.)

    My point is this: in Carolina, and much of the South, hushpuppies are expected. And we more often than not expect them to be yummy and a complimentary part of the Southern seafood meal.

    You can read Greg’s entire report on the Shuck ‘Em Shack online at http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/01/14/917251/where-you-can-shuck-to-your-hearts.html.

  • Breakfast with Santa for FIVE Great Causes!

    Dr. Tinney Railey sent me an email this week asking me to help spread the word about this Saturday’s fundraiser and how could I not with so many great organizations benefiting?

    The Third Annual Charity Breakfast Buffet with Santa
    Saturday – December 11, 2010, 8-11am
    at Spice Street Restaurant in Chapel Hill

    This event is organized by the resident physicians at UNC and this year we are supporting 5 charities: Ronald McDonald House, SECU Family House, NC Children’s Hospital, NC Food Bank, and Toys for Tots. Last year we had a great event with over $1,000, 400 canned goods, and almost 500 toys donated. This year same great venue and price but we added an additional organization. We are also bringing awareness to Kayla’s Closet, an organization that provides formal dresses to ladies who could not otherwise afford them.

    Kids can take pictures with Santa (skip the mall lines and prices), make ornaments, and enjoy face painting all while benefiting the community. Spice Street will make a monetary donation to be divided between the Ronald McDonald House, SECU Family House, and NC Children’s Promise for every buffet purchased. We are asking people to bring canned goods or new toys. Adults $10 and kids $5 including tax and gratuity (cash, check and credit cards accepted)!

    Happy holidays, y’all!