local favs: brunch

This is the first of, hopefully, many posts recommending some local favorite restaurants of mine! For all my fellow Demon Deacons out there, check out these posts if your stomach is crying out for a break from that "delicious" Pit Food.

If you find yourself wandering the Downtown Arts District of Winston Salem on a Sunday afternoon and are looking for an early afternoon meal, check out Finnigan's Wake Irish Pub and Kitchen! Located at 620 North Trade Street, this little pub has some of the best Irish food around. 

Recently, I got Artichoke Benedict (my first Benedict anything! I know, shocking), and it was absolutely wonderful! 2 poached eggs served on top of "Opie's arti-cakes" and a sliced buttered and toasted English muffin, smothered with fresh hollandaise sauce. Served with hashed sweet and golden potatoes, a cheese toastie, and a grilled roma tomato, it was hard to find room in my stomach for everything on my plate! I washed it all down with an ice cold water, garnished with a fresh slice of cucumber. (sounds odd, but give it a chance!)

Other popular brunch menu items are the Boxtys (a traditional breakfast item- a thin potato pancake folded over some d-lish ingrediants!), Bangers and Mash (Irish sausages topped with Smithwick’s gravy, served with
mashed potatoes & braised cabbage), the Irishmans Breakfast, as well as some traditional sandwiches, soups, salads, and classic entrees like Fish and Chips. You're going to want to come back and try them all.

But Finnigan's isn't just a great place for brunch! They're open for lunch and dinner, and they feature some satisfying entrees. Not to mention, their sweet potatoe fries are TO DIE FOR. Don't take my word for it, check 'em out!

a trip to Asheville...

So last weekend, I went up to Asheville, NC to see my good friend Candice in an amazing performance of Chicago (she was Roxie!). After seeing the show, we spent the day exploring merely a fraction of the shops and restaurants in downtown. Along with some cute fashion finds, I had the opportunity to experience some of the most awesome local flavors this artsy town has to offer!

The first restaurant we went to was called Early Girl Eatery (recommended by two of my good friends). I had the omelet of the day, made with wild mushrooms, sweet corn, and goat feta cheese. It came with home fries, and wheat toast (which I smothered in butter and the most delicious jam). I have to say this was one of the best omelets I've ever had. The sweet crunch from the corn, the earthiness of the mushrooms, and the tangy feta was in one word...AMAZING. I wish I'd taken a picture to document the dish, but it had my undying attention the minute it was set before me.

I did snag a pic of some the best granola ever. My mom ordered it, and loved it so much, she bought a tub to take home.  Lucky me :)

One of the other places we went to was the local favorite the French Broad Chocolate Lounge. Though I could have ordered one of everything on the menu, I decided to go with two simple chocolates (I was still full from brunch). One a 70% dark chocolate from Nicaragua (on the left) the other a Hazelnut Crunch (right).

The dark chocolate was simply chocolaty in it's most pure form. The Hazelnut, was a nice counter to it's companion, thanks to it's creamy, nuttier taste.

The star of the weekend (and our downtown tour guide) Candice got a Nibby Brownie (flecked with cacao nibs) and a delicous and beautiful breve.

Yum!!

 For dinner, we went to one of my favorite places, Doc Chey's Noodle House. I'd been one other time, and loved it so much, I had to go back. For an appetizer, we ordered the Thai Shrimp Rolls. They were DELICIOUS! Filled with a smooth fresh shrimp and garlic filling, they were served with a sweet chili sauce that I wanted to lick from the bowl. So good!

 I ordered the Chinese Lomein Noodle Bowl with beef (from local Hickory Nut Gap Farm). It consisted of traditional stirfry ingrediants (cabbage, onion, carrots, bean sprouts), fresh house-made egg noodles, and tender grass fed free range beef, but it was anything but ordinary. Since all the ingrediants were so fresh, the dish had delicious flavor all it's own. I definitely plan on ordering it again.

 (I wonder if starting this blog counts as an overdue personal decision?)

If you ever find yourself traveling through the Blue Ridge Mountains, or visiting the famous Biltmore Estate, take the time and explore this creative city! Your stomach will thank you.