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October 28, 2007
 Hereghty Heavenly
Delicious
Hereghty Heavenly Delicious is a gourmet coffee shop as well as
dessertery. Located in a shopping center just off of Glenwood inside
the beltline, it's another hidden secret of Raleigh. I've always
thought of Hereghty as simply a place for amazing looking desserts
and coffee, however they also have a lunch menu serving paninis,
soups and salads daily.
I really wanted a turkey sandwich on a croissant this week and
I remembered that happened to be on Hereghty's cafe menu. I stopped
by and got my turkey sandwich on a croissant with tomato, lettuce,
and some type of home made spread. I also ordered a flourless chocolate
chewey with walnuts.( You can't forget to try dessert while you're
at Hereghty.) They toast the croissant and heat up the turkey for
your sandwich. Mine got a little too toasty, but the sandwich was
still pretty good. It took me a while to figure out what was in
the home made spread, but I would describe it as tasting like sour
cream and onions. All the sandwiches come with a mixed green salad
with balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Overall, my sandwich was good,
but I'm thinking about getting a panini next time. The chocolate
chewey taste like brownies which have been cooked on the outside,
but are still gooey on the inside. This might be right up your alley
if you love chocolate, but Hereghty has so many choices that are
all delicious for dessert.
Hereghty's desserts certainly are not cheap, but they are very
unique and beautifully presented. One cake they have is called the
Brasilia consisting of chocolate and lemon sponge, light and creamy
brasilia café mousse, apricot coulis, and coated with chocolate
miroir. As you can see with this kind of high quality dessert, there
isn't alot of competition for them in Raleigh.
Ladies, I really think that this will be one of your new favorite
places to meet your friends for lunch or chocolate. Give Hereghty
a try.
Summing it all up....
Rating? RRR
Cost? Tier 2.5
Menu
Sanitation
Grade
Location and Contact Info:
2603-123
Glenwood Ave
Raleigh, NC 27608
Phone: 919.510.9161
October 25, 2007
Free Cupcakes
This Saturday, October 27th from 10am to 12pm The
Cupcake Shoppe is having a grand opening event. There will be
a ribbon cutting ceremony and free samples of cupcakes. I'm not
sure if you can have a grand opening after being open for two months,
but you can give a wedding present for up to a year after someone
gets married. So, I guess it's alright.
Bear Rock R&D
Bear Rock is testing out a new concept restaurant in Cary, NC at
the Crescent Commons shopping center. They offer a completely different
menu at this restaurant. Offering items like Chicken Pot Pie, Grilled
Mahi Mahi, and Pot Roast. They also deliver food to the table, refill
your beverages, and offer dessert table side. It's been in operation
since the beginning of this year. Here is their press
release.
October 24, 2007
Poppyseed Market
 
I spotted this restaurant not to long ago while I was up in North
Raleigh. Poppyseed Market's web site advertises themselves as Raleigh's
newest upscale deli. However, they have a little bit more on their
menu than the typical deli. They have both hot and cold sandwiches,
soups, salads, and some entrees like butternut squash lasagna. They
also had some great looking sides like macaroni salad, potato salad,
and broccoli salad. The inside of the restaurant has a great look
and has a small section of gourmet foods and wine for sell. The
owner and chef for the restaurant is Julia McGovern, and I found
an article on her in the News and Observer that said she has or
will appear on Iron Chef America.
I visited them today at lunch and asked for a suggestion as to
what I should try. They suggested the Chicken Melt which has marinated
grilled chicken, mushrooms, onions, and white american cheese on
a hoagie. It just so happened that just as I placed my order the
health inspector showed up and put a little kink in the kitchen.
I had to wait a little bit longer than normal for my food since
the grill could not be used while it was under inspection. Since
I was waiting so long, they gave me two free cookies. Anyone who
gives me free cookies are my kind of people. Once I received my
food, I took one bite and I was really surprised. Everything was
fresh and tasty, especially the bread. The only down side was the
amount of cheese. There was a ton of it. However, if you're a big
cheese eater then you'd love this sandwich. I also enjoyed my two
cookies. They're no pumpkin chocolate chip cookie from the Cupcake
Shoppe, but they were still pretty good.
Even though there was too much cheese for me on my sandwich, I
still really enjoyed it. I am planning to go back to the Poppyseed
Market sometime soon and try out another item on their menu. You
should try this place out too.
Summing it all up....
Rating? RRR 1/2
Cost? Tier 2
Menu
Sanitation
Grade
Location and Contact Info:
8801-107
Lead Mine Rd
Raleigh, NC 27615
Phone: 919.870.4997
October 23, 2007
Downtown Restaurants
The most exciting new restaurant coming to downtown Raleigh is
called The Mint. They
are supposedly a five-star fine southern dining establishment. It
looks like they may open up sometime before the end of the year
on Fayetteville Street. If you join their mailing list, they will
let you know about their grand opening event.
Glenwood South has another new restaurant called Globe. Globe is
a new eclectic American restaurant located right next door to Red
Room. I believe that they are taking over a space from a wine bar
that didn't make it. I took a look at the menu and it seems interesting.
They are open up for both lunch and dinner.
Finally, I discovered today that Yancy's Restaurant has a VIP courtesy
shuttle(aka Jaguar). That's definitely a first for a restaurant
in Raleigh.
October 17, 2007
Zest Cafe
I had always known Zest to be the place to go and buy a good Pineapple
or Coconut cake, but they also have a full menu of sandwiches, salads,
and entrees for lunch and dinner. I decided to venture out there
for lunch today. I really didn't expect it to be much different
than any other little cafe in town. I expected some wraps, a grilled
chicken salad or a turkey sandwich. Zest definitely surprised me.
They have so many items on their menu that are unusual and have
twist. I wanted to try them all. Items like a tortilla crusted catfish
with pickled jalapeno tartar on homemade focaccia bread or a turkey
burger with gouda or a balsamic roasted portabello with whipped
ricotta and goat cheese spread, watercress and sundried tomato pesto.
As you can see, lots of interesting choices.
They were really busy at lunchtime and I wasn't sure what to get
to eat. I was impressed that the waitress took the time to help
me pick something out from the menu. Especially, because she was
swamped. I ended up with the pan seared salmon cake with roasted
red pepper charred corn and mixed greens with rhubarb preserves.
I think that I said "mmmm, this is good" about ten times
during the course of lunch. Not only was it tasty, there was plenty
of food to fill me up. I was stuffed. My friend got the spinach
ravioli with crushed tomatoes and pine nuts. That dish got two thumbs
up from him as well. Everyone's food who was sitting around me just
looked delicious. I can't wait to go back and try out the soup and
maybe a sandwich with the homemade focaccia. The only negative thing
about them is that they don't have sweet tea on their menu. A little
disappointing for me, but I guess water is healthier.
Zest also is a shop with some interesting home decorations. They
had halloween decorations, plates, napkins, stationary, toys. Lots
of things to look at while you wait for your table.
Needless to say, I really enjoyed Zest and I would recommend that
you give it a try. It also wouldn't be a half bad place to take
a lunch date.
Summing it all up....
Rating? RRRR
Cost? Tier 2
Sanitation
Grade
Location and Contact Info:
8831
Six Forks Rd
Raleigh, NC 27615-2970
Phone: 919.848.4792
October 15, 2007
Falls Tap Room
Recently opened in the Quail Corners Shopping Center on Falls of
the Neuse, the Falls Tap Room is another restaurant in a chain owned
by the Draft House Group. The Falls Tap Room shares its menu with
places like the Village Draft House, Sawmill Tap Room, and MacGregor
Draft House. They have a large selection of burgers, chicken or
ribeye sandwiches which can be prepared in one of about 20 different
ways, as well as some salads and other sandwiches. The interior
of the restaurant looks a lot like the Village Draft House in Cameron
Village. Pretty simple wooden booths, televisions and brick. It
was really smoky inside yesterday so I opted to sit outside. Usually
I get the fish sandwich, but since I was at a new restaurant I only
thought it appropriate to try something else from the menu. I got
the Jackson Hole Chicken Sandwich, which comes with BBQ sauce cheddar
cheese and bacon. I really wish I had stuck with the fish sandwich,
because what I got was not too great.(FYI, as an alternative, Cloos
Coney Island has a pretty good BBQ chicken sandwich, as well
as Hard Times Cafe.) The service at
the Falls Tap Room wasn't great either. I learned a lesson yesterday
about the Draft House restaurants. Stick with what you know is good
and don't deviate. I think from now on I will just head over to
the Village Draft House and get my fish sandwich with cheese.
Summing it all up....
Rating? RR
Cost? Tier 2
Sanitation
Grade
Location and Contact Info:
5009
Falls of Neuse Rd
Raleigh, NC 27609
Phone: 919.790.7813
October 11, 2007
Bogart's American
Grill
Last time I went to Bear Rock I spent around $10 for lunch. When
I go to Moe's Southwestern Grill, three tacos and a drink will cost
me around $9. Lunch has just gotten expensive, even at the fast
food restaurants. Bogart's is one of the few places in Raleigh that
will serve quality food in a more upscale atmosphere for $6. They
call it their Hard Luck Lunch. There are generally a few items on
the Hard Luck Lunch menu. Usually it consists of a meat with a side
item. I got the cornmeal crusted catfish with rice this week and
my friend got rotisserie chicken with collards and mashed potatoes.
Both were pretty good and each cost just $6. That is really hard
to beat and if you get water to drink then with tax and a 20% tip
you have only spent around $7.60. It's a deal for lunch and definitely
a rarity to find at a restaurant the caliber of Bogart's.
Bogart's is probably the best restaurant in the chain owned and
operated by Rocky Top Hospitality. They own other restaurants in
the area such as Twisted Fork, Michael Deans, and Red Room. Bogart's
food is consistently good and they have one item on the menu that
is great. That is their butterscotch brownie. It is worth the trip
just for dessert. Bogart's also has a jazz brunch on Sundays with
a live band. I haven't made it out for brunch, but I have heard
good things.
Give Bogart's a try for lunch, I think that you'll like it.
Summing it all up....
Rating? RRR
Cost? Tier 3 (Except for the Hard Luck Lunch)
Sanitation
Grade
Location and Contact Info:
510
Glenwood Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27603
Phone: 919.832.1122
October 9, 2007
NC State Fair
The NC State Fair is going to start this Friday, October 12 and
will run through Sunday, October 21. The main reason that I go to
the state fair is strictly for the fair food. I think that everyone
has their favorites, but I wanted to list out a couple of my favorites
in case you were wondering what to try at the fair.
The NC Cattlemen's Association has a ribeye steak sandwich that
is always on my must have list. It's just a steak on a bun, but
it sure is tasty. Their stand is located in between the Jim Graham
Building and the Dorton Arena. Next you're probably going to want
a vegetable, so go a few booths down towards the midway and get
some Super Sweet corn on the cob. This is some of the sweetest white
corn available and it doesn't hurt that they dip it in a vat of
butter before they give it to you. In order to wash your food down,
head over to where they sell Mini Doughnuts. It is located caticorner
to the water fall by the Dorton Arena. They will sell you a huge
cup of sweet tea and some hot cinnamon sugar mini doughnuts. I know
that alot of people love to get fried dough, but try out these mini
doughnuts and you'll be hooked. They have a tiny doughnut cooking
machine that you can see from the window that is pretty neat to
watch. But, maybe you want some dairy in your diet. NC State University
Food Science has a booth where you can get their homemade ice cream
and milk shakes. Everyone raves about this ice cream and you get
a free sticker when you go. They are located in the Hobby and Crafts
building next to the Sam Rand Grandstand. If you're not full yet,
head over to the Education Building and get some free hush puppies.
Directly across from the free hush puppies is the NC Department
of Standards, where you can get weighed for free. A perfect way
to see how much you've eaten so far. In order to finish the day
off, get a cup of milk for $0.50 in the Kerr Scott building.
Hopefully, you'll enjoy some of these recommendations. Also, make
sure you check out my banner at the NC State Fair posted at Gate
8.
October 7, 2007
Pharaoh's
American Grill
After going to Pharaoh's when it first opened at North Hills, I
never thought that they would make it. But, over the years Pharaoh's
has improved and opened up a other locations at Crabtree Valley
Mall and the new Progress Energy building downtown. I went to Pharaoh's
for lunch this week and was pleasantly surprised by the level of
service that I recieved. The lady who took my order and delivered
the food to my table was so friendly. My favorite things about Pharoah's
is their crinkle cut french fries and crushed ice. Those are two
things that are hard to find. Pharaoh's serves hamgurgers, hot dogs,
deli sandwiches, and their famous chicken salad. Compared to alot
of places in Raleigh the chicken salad is pretty good, but what
I enjoy is the hand carved turkey sandwich. It's nearly impossible
to find a turkey sandwich made with real turkey, not deli meat.
(The kind you make after Thanksgiving) Pharaoh's comes pretty close.
It's still deli meat, but it is cut in really thick slices. They
serve the sandwich on wheat with tomatoes and lettuce and add a
little salt and pepper to the tomatoes. Pretty good, as far as turkey
sandwiches go. The only down side to Pharaoh's at North Hills is
that all the seating is outdoors. So it's only really ideal for
take out or nice weather.
Summing it all up....
Rating? RRR
Cost? Tier 2
Visit their website for a coupon.
Location and Contact Info:
October 7, 2007
Scooter's Bar
and Grill
I spotted Scooter's out of the corner of my eye when I was driving
down Atlantic Avenue. It is tucked up in a culdisac near the corner
of Millbrook and Atlantic Avenue. Although, I really enjoy a nice
gourmet meal, this is not the place to find it. Scooter's is a biker
bar where they have a bike shop in front and a bar and grill in
the back. I'm not an expert in motorcycles, but Scooter's looks
like it has a pretty nice shop and lots of motorcycle only parking.
They have a pool table and darts upstairs and their menu is a good
selection of bar food. I've only been a few times, but I really
enjoyed the BBQ chicken sandwich that I got last time. The chicken
had been tenderized and the roll that it came on was great. They
also have really sweet tea. So if you like sugar water, then you'll
like their tea. Each day they have a different lunch special. If
you're interested you can see them on their website.
Although, a biker bar might not be the typical place you go out
to eat, if you're up for something different you might give Scooter's
a try.
Summing it all up....
Rating? RR 1/2
Cost? Tier 2
Sanitation
Grade
Location and Contact Info:
1911
Sego Court
Raleigh, North Carolina 27616
Phone: 919.954.2171
October 4 2007
The Cupcake Shoppe
I made a special trip out yesterday to The Cupcake Shoppe. I heard
about this place over the weekend and a friend of mine told me that
they had great cookies. I'm a little skeptical whenever someone
tells me about great cookies because everyone isn't quite as critical
about cookies as me. The shop is sandwiched in between a florist
and Amra's. The owner has completely renovated the exterior and
interior of the space on Glenwood South. If I were casting a part
in a movie for a cupcake shop it would look like this place. It's
decorated in baby pink and light grey with a few accent pieces that
are antique like the cash register and a credenza in the dining
area. It is a really neat looking place. They have a about a dozen
different flavors of cupcakes.
I know I went for a cookie, but if you go to a cupcake shop how
can you not get a cupcake? I opted for the mint chocolate cupcake.
Chocolate cake with a lot of mint icing on top. I also got a pumpkin
chocolate chip cookie. The cupcakes cost $2.75 each and the one
I got was a little dry but not bad. The cookies are $1.25 and as
far as the pumpkin chocolate chip goes, all I can say is WOW! That
was one of the best cookies I have ever had. I sure hope that the
pumpkin part of that cookie has some health benefits, because I'll
probably be going back a lot just for that cookie.
Summing it all up....
Rating? RRRR
Cost? Tier 2
Location and Contact Info:
104
Glenwood Ave
Raleigh, NC 27603
Phone: 919.821.4223
October 1 2007
Brixx Wood Fired Pizza
Tonight I went back out to Brier Creek to try the recently opened
Brixx Wood Fired Pizza. I expected it to look like a pizza joint
in a strip mall, but I was really surprised by the restaurant's
decor. I like the general look and even the bathrooms were surprisingly
nice for a pizza place. Brixx has a menu that consists mostly of
pizzas, but there are a few sandwiches and pastas available as well
as a fairly long list of draft beers. My friend and I sat down and
had to wait a few minutes for the waiter, but the waiter gave us
a free appetizer because of the wait. (I always like free food)
Brixx only has 10" pizzas, and I wanted to try either the jerk
chicken pizza or the BBQ chicken pizza. The Jerk Chicken Pizza has
jerk chicken, mozarella, cilantro, and a pineapple and tomato salsa.
The BBQ chicken pizza has chicken, BBQ sauce, cilantro, red onion
and Gouda. I asked the waiter which was better and he said that
I could get one prepared half and half. That was a pleasant surprise.
If you're like me, sometimes you get tired of eating a lot of the
same thing, so being able to switch back and forth works out perfectly.
I actually enjoyed the jerk chicken best, but both were pretty good.
My friend ordered the Mexican pizza and it got a thumbs up.
So, if you're up for some pizza, head over to Brixx Wood Fired
Pizza and give it a try. Plus, they're open late until 1 am.
Summing it all up....
Rating? RRR
Cost? Tier 2
Sanitation
Grade
It's right across from the movie theatre and Maggie Moo's. Either
is probably a good after dinner activity.
Location and Contact Info:
8511
Briercreek Parkway Suite 101
Raleigh, NC 27617
Phone: 919.246.0640
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