Dasarang Korean Restaurant - Greensboro, NC

There is a small Asian-town in Greensboro, not too far off I-40. We first bumped into this area when there was a Korean wing's place - which has unfortunately long since closed. However, on our way back from Western NC, we were hungry for some Korean food, and found this little gem. 

When you walk in the door, and are the only non-Koreans, you know that you've found the right place. While the decor was clean and simple, there was nothing special - definitely not a place for ambiance. Thankfully, the menu was printed nice and large on the wall, with pictures. Prices were very reasonable, and they included the normal small dishes from Korean restaurants.

Dasarang Restaurant

4929 W Market St
Greensboro, NC 27407

(336) 235-2150

Lola - Seattle, WA

Now that the foodie craze has gone mainstream, one struggles to identify restaurants that are truly original, unique and not-over commercialized. On this recent trip to Seattle, I discovered that multiple restaurants promoted on the "Best of" from the Food Network were from the exact same owner (Tom Douglas), and from within a few blocks of each other. I am not certain how one should feel about this - could it be that the Food Network is simply self promoting?


Disappointed, I did still try the fresh made doughnuts (more like beignets) from Lola's. Though delicious... I think the ones from Rue Cler back home were just as good... if not better. 

Lola (of the Tom Douglas Restaurants)
2000 4th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98121
(206) 441-1430

Din Tai Fung - Seattle, WA

Sometimes, picture are enough. For those who know - you probably already know that Seattle and LA have the only US stores. For those who don't - just try them...

xiaolongbao (the reason this place is famous)

Sorry, for these precious gems, eating was way ahead of picture taking...  

Coyote Kitchen - Boone, NC

After having had the incredible fish tacos in Charlotte, I was not anticipating to have an opportunity to have any good tex/mex type meals anytime soon. Imagine my pleasant surprise to find a great restaurant in Boone?! Boone is generally a great destination for those headed out to Blowing Rock, the Blue Ridge Parkway or Tweetsie Railroad (Theme park with railroad).

We decided to eat at a restaurant along the main drag called Coyote Kitchen - the restaurant's logo/artwork seemed to have had multiple variations and multiple artists, but thankfully that was the only disappointment at this place. 

We ordered a burrito and the yucatan boat, both pictured below. The burrito was a surprising mix of flavors - with only thin threads from a tex/mex heritage, but yet with clear influences from other western areas.  The Yucatan Boat was sort of a western equivalent of a sheperd's pie, but with the meat on top; maybe you could think of it as a burrito bowl variant, but that description really does not due it justice. Both were delicious, as were the homemade salsas. I was disappointed that we didn't have more stomach to try all the other sauces, and even an appetizer... but we will be back. 

The Coyote Kitchen

200 Southgate Drive
Boone, NC 28607-6250
(828) 265-4041

Note to self: Place to try in the Triangle

Notes to self: Food bucket list

Any suggestions?

Note to Self: Places to try in Asheville

Asheville:

Corner Kitchen
12 bones smokehouse (Obama, long lunch line)


 

The Confectional - Seattle, WA

I have to admit - I've never been a huge cheesecake fan - though the last few years, I have enjoyed a couple of the smooth delights that has caused me to start changing my tune. I was in Seattle, and just had to try out this place - named the Confectional, located right in the Pike Place Market. Though I am always paranoid about tourist traps, there was obviously something special about this place. The name alone had the power to draw you in.... the front display case, visible from the street is pictured below, grabs you as get closer.

We had the mexican chocolate (sinful spice so nice) - which was smooth with a bit of heat
and the quadruple chocolate (thank you, may I have another!) - which was simply decadent. Each serving was of sharable size, but the smaller size was a great way to try multiple flavors. The cheesecake truffles were also delicious - but harder to differentiate the flavors. For $4 more, they provide packaging (TSA approved) for you can carry your little love bites onto the plane... I for one will be back.

The Confectional
1530 Pike Place
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 282-4422

The Brunch Box - Morrisville

Imagine the kind of breakfast place that a bunch of football players would open- not shy on flavor or portion size. That is exactly the kind of place that The Brunch Box seems to me, at least based on the two things we had there. The Carolina eye opener had roast beef and some heat (pepper jack) wrapped in flat bread. It was a perfect portion size for breakfast that won't slow you down, yet flavorful enough to make breakfast worth eating. 

They also had a special on grilled Kieblasa - I think the pictures do more justice than I can in words - served hot with spicy mustard. 

Centrally located in nowhere land (near the new Walmart in Morrisville), it is definitely worth a drive; best of all, it is next door to our Japanese favorite, Teriyakin.

The Brunch Box
10970 Chapel Hill Rd
Morrisville NC 27560. 

Cabo Fish Tacos - Charlotte, NC

When I hear "fish tacos" on the East coast, I prepare myself to be disappointed... for some reason, no one seems to have perfected the simplistic little delight that street vendors in Tijuana have perfected. So when a restaurant has a name of "Cabo Fish Tacos", I was prepared to be really really disappointed. In the midst of spotty thunderstorms, we grabbed take out and ate in the car... and then had to go back for more.

The beer battered fish tacos had large pieces of light, but possibly a bit too thickk batter (probably due to the beer batter). They were fresh and hot, with an un-intrusive light cole-slaw. The Tavaroo tuna tacos were not fried, but had a wonderful honey wasabi sauce - they just seem to slide down deliciously, with a bit of heat. After having the fish tacos, we decided we had to go for the carne asada tacos... which were full of big, well seasoned chunks of medium meat. which is when I finally had the full epiphany. 

These tacos were definitely not the Tijuana or Cabo San Lucas. These were a reinterpretation of the west coast experience, with perfectly warmed tortillas, delicious sides (jalapeno mashed potatoes and fruit salad). While I still do miss the left coast... these were a delicious new memory for the east.

Cabo Fish Tacos 

3201 North Davidson Street
Charlotte, NC 28205-1033
(704) 332-8868

Take-out beer-battered fish tacos (over half of the pieces of fish wolfed down by my son)