Feed Hungry Kids (and yourself) with Dine Out Charlotte

Here's a new twist on the traditional Charlotte Restaurant Week: Dine Out Charlotte. The "week" runs for ten days (April 12th - 21st) just like the traditional CRW, but this one has a charitable kick to it: $2 of each meal is donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank's Feed Hungry Kids program.

Traditional CRW happens each summer and winter, but Dine Out Charlotte gives local diners a springtime option. The 3 course prix fixe meals are either $22 or $32 dollars, depending on the restaurant. To view the participating restaurants, their special menus for this week, and to make reservations, go to: http://dineoutcharlotte.com/restaurantlist.php

Some highlights: Restaurant Week favorite Blue features a Bison Osso Buco and their sublime Sticky Toffee Pudding. Fiamma has almost their entire regular menu on their event menu, and Maestro's Bar and Bistro in Pineville is featuring their Apricot & Brandy Lacquered Duck Breast and my personal favorite, their Filet Mignon Medallions with Cabernet Demiglace. For the budget conscious,  both Cantina 1511 locations are offering their 3 course menus for $22 AND  the second course has pairings that include a beer or glass of wine.

The Dine Out Charlotte event is focusing on local independent restaurants and chefs featuring menus with fresh, local spring produce. Second Harvest Food Bank's Feed Hungry Kids program will be able to buy 8lbs of food with each $2 dinner donation. Great food, great cause, what else could you ask for? Come on Charlotte, Let's Eat!

Food Trucks Fighting Cancer - 1st Annual Charlotte Food Fight

The 1st annual Charlotte Food Fight was last weekend at the NC Music Factory. Nine local foodtrucks took part, and despite the cold weather, they were bringing plenty of heat! Benefiting the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, ticket holders were treated to some of Charlotte's finest food, which just happened to be served out of a truck. This year the food fight focused on bacon, with nine local food trucks offering their take on savory pork goodness. Want to get involved in next year's Food Fight? Follow @CLTfoodfight on Twitter.

Round 1: Roaming Fork
I have to say, I have always been a fan of Roaming Fork (@roamingforkNC on Twitter). Anyone who can fry up pimento cheese, make it look like an eyeball but taste like heaven is OK with me. The fact that the head chef is also the only female head chef in the group with such great balls (I couldn't

Fried Pimento Cheese w/ Bacon

resist) is worthy of an extra gold star. And the foodies in attendance thought so too - The Roaming Fork won the People's Choice award in Saturday's competition! The special version for Battle: Bacon included hickory smoked bacon-infused meatloaf (I ate it before I took the picture, it was that good), herb fries with a bacon aoli and a bacon pimento cheese ball topped with a maple bourbon bacon piece. Yum.



Round 2: Root Down

Boudin ball from Root Down

Root Down is an Iredell-based food truck making up their unique take on delicious creole comfort food.  I've never had their food before, but have followed them for months on Twitter (@eatrootdown) and love their knowledge of New Orleans cuisine. The new truck in town came out swinging in this food fight with three courses! The first course was a delicious pulled pork pimento cheese crostini that was crunchy, juicy, and cheesy, all in a single smoky bite. Second course was their soon to be famous boudin ball (pictured). A delicious combination of bacon,

rice and other seasonings fried up like an arancini with an attitude and served

Praline Bacon Heaven

with a sweet cane syrup sauce. Loved the savory/sweet combination! Root Down brought battle bacon to dessert, with their praline bacon. Yes, I said praline bacon. The perfect salty/sweet combo and a fantastic end to my introduction to their food. I also have to mention how nice they are. I told the chef how I had accidentally dropped my praline bacon, and replacements magically appeared. Nicely done.


Round 3: Papi Queso

I was deeply saddened to learn that my late arrival at the food fight meant I had missed my opportunity to try Papi Queso's (@papiquesotruck on Twitter) bacon entry into the competition. Lesson for next year's attendees: arrive early! From what I heard it was a bacon mac-n-cheese grilled cheese with a bacon-onion jam and a maple bacon hot sauce. The guys were nice enough to let me try some of the bacon jam and my regrets for tardiness became many. The truffle cheesy goodness they made me instead was as delicious as always, but I hope they make this food fight special a guest on their regular menu!

Round 4: The Gourment Goomahs

Just when I thought I couldn't eat anymore, I came to the Gourmet Goombah's food truck (@ggoombahs on Twitter). Another truck I had been wanting to try and they did not disappoint. The Goombah's took the food fight to the mattresses and made two entree-sized dishes for us. I ate the hot dog with caramelized onions and bacon relish before I could snap a pic and the chicken cutlet slider with bacon and caramelized onions was only slightly sweeter than the Goombahs themselves. I can't wait to eat their food again, but it will need to be when I have a much bigger appetite!

Round 5: Sals Roadside Eatery

Once again, my tardiness cost me my chance to try an entry in the food truck fight. Sal's menu looked great - who doesn't want to try a fried shrimp po'boy? But unfortunately, by the time I got to them, they were completely sold out. I'm thinking this meant everyone loved their food so much they snuck back for seconds since it wasn't even 3pm yet. Did I mention next year's attendees should arrive early? Well, now I really mean it.

Round 6: The Chrome Toaster

A relative newcomer to the Charlotte food truck scene, the Chrome Toaster made their own tasty version of a bacon and shrimp taco. The crisp slaw and salty cheese were a perfect pairing. I can't wait to try more of their food!

Round 7: Wingzza

The guys from Wingzza (@WingzzaTruck) never disappoint with their pizza and wings served with a savory, soulful flair.

Their food fight entry was no different - crispy, juicy wings covered in a spicy and sweet mambo sauce were wing nirvana. But they didn't stop there - have I mentioned Wingzza's huge portions? They also served their famous bacon cheese burger pizza (pictured) and yes, those are fries sitting on top. This food fight was far from over, but I was ready to tap out and take a nap!

Round 8: The Herban Legend

The Herban Legend food truck has made some of my favorite dishes, like their schnitzel on pretzel, so I knew they would bring it to this food fight, and they did not disappoint!. Their glazed pork belly, with a sweet, salty, spicy bacon glaze, served on a coconut rice cake, was one of my personal favorites. As full as I was, I couldn't stop eating it! Apparently no one else could either, because Herban Legend took home the "Best Use of Bacon" award at the food fight! Great job, guys.

Round 9: The TIN Kitchen

The Tin Kitchen boys always make fabulous tacos, and I took a quick walk around the NC Music Factory to make room for their Food Fight entry. The chicken and bacon (top right, pictured) was delicious of course, but couldn't hold a candle to their pork tenderloin, bacon and apple taco (bottom right). The salty crispiness of the bacon, juicy, savory pork and sweet toothsome baked apples were an addictive combination, and yes, after 8 foodtrucks, I ate the whole freaking taco. I wasn't alone in my adoration - the Tin Kitchen took home the Judges' choice award at the food fight! Hope the new guy at the window recognizes me next time, and I hope they have this taco on special then too!

The entire Charlotte food fight was a really delicious event for a wonderful cause, and I would love to see more charity events like this in Charlotte. Ideas for next year's event? Should they stick to Battle: Bacon? Add the dessert trucks? I've already given the organizers my two cents, but let them know what you think on Twitter @cltfoodfight.

Street Meat No More - Charlotte is Food Truck Fabulous!

A mere six months ago, the term "food truck" brought up visions of the sketchy hot dog or grilled unidentifiable-meat-on-a-stick vendor that seemed only to appear in the wee hours in Uptown Charlotte. With a little encouragement from @cltfoodtruckfan on Twitter, I finally ventured out to Food Truck Friday in Southend to see what all the fuss was about. And now, I'm officially hooked.


Food Truck Friday in Southend

 Just as it sounds, Food Truck Friday in every Friday night in the lot at Camden and Park, across from Phat Burrito. I'll devote another post to that wonderful event, but for now, a few of my favorites from our local Food Trucks that can be found all over town.



The Vermont Jemima from Cupcake Delirium

 Life's short, so we'll start with dessert. My absolute favorite has to be the Vermont Jemima Cupcakes from Cupcake Delirium (@onthegocupcakes). Buttermilk cake, maple buttercream frosting and two pieces of candied bacon on top. Yes, it's dessert food porn and after one bite, you'll know you're being naughty and you won't care. Really. Honorable mentions: anything from Sticks and Cones (especially in the summer) (@sticksandcones) and the griddled bread pudding from Papi Queso (@papiquesotruck)



Schnitzel on Pretzel from Herban Legend

 So on to sammies. My go-to has to be the Schnitzel on a pretzel bun with a homemade spicy aoli from  Herban Legend (@herban_legend). The arugula adds a great peppery bite and the bun is soft and tangy. They also make a mac and cheese dish on steroids with pork crackling and green onions called crack and cheese. It will take you down. The truck is uptown for lunch on Wednesdays between BofA and Chima. Get there early before your favorite is gone.  Another fave has to be Napolitano's (@Napolitanosmkt). Their sammies remind me of being back in PA. Meatball, chicken parm, it's all good and it's huge. You're probably going to need to share, even if you don't want to.



Grilled Cheese Goodness from PapiQueso

 If I haven't mentioned it before, I love cheese. All cheese, any cheese, I mean it. So my ultimate comfort food sammie has to be grilled cheese. The Papi Queso Truck (@papiquesotruck) has mastered and elevated all of the melty, cheesy goodness that is grilled cheese. The pig mac, with pulled pork and mac&cheese is great, but the traditional is always my fave. Just make sure you add bacon. Everything is better with bacon and this is no exception. They are a Food Truck Friday regular and uptown on Mondays. Get a cup of their tomato soup to go with. I don't like tomato soup at all, but their's I can't get enough of. And it is a great hand warmer while you are waiting for your grilled cheese.


Meatballs and Marinara over Parmesan Fries from Roaming Fork


 Continuing on my love of all things cheese, I have to mention my newfound adoration for The Roaming Fork Truck(@RoamingForkNC). Their fried pimento cheese balls, topped with ranch sauce and hot sauce (I think?) were the perfect cheesy, melty, savory, crunchy bite. Yes, the kind of perfect bite where you have to close your eyes and make yummy sounds to truly enjoy. Staying with the Roaming Fork's balls (insert joke here), their meatballs are nothing to laugh at either. Served over Parmesan fries with a garlicky herbaceous red sauce, they are more fun that you should be allowed at dinner.



Korean Beef Stir Fry from Maki Taco

 You can't talk about food trucks in Charlotte without talking tacos. I don't mean the ground up mystery meat Taco Bell tacos we all know. I'm talking fine dining tacos, but out of a truck. The glazed pork belly taco with house made kimchi from The TIN Kitchen (@TheTINKitchen) is delish, and the view ain't bad either, ladies. Craig Barbour with the Roots Farm Food Truck @Rootsfarm) devotes an entire day to tacos. Pork belly, chorizo, chicken -they are all great and the homade pickled veg and slaws add the perfect tang and crunch. Maki Taco Truck (@makitacotruck) brings great Korean and Asian fusion flavors to their tacos, with an option to be served over rice instead (always my choice).



There are so many more I like, or would like to try and the fun is finding where they are and if I can make it up to their window before my favorites are gone. Twitter is a great way to get their daily schedules. @FoodTrucksCLT @cltfoodtrucks also re-tweet a lot of the food  trucks daily schedules and each truck has a website where they post menu items, specials and where they will be that day. If you've driven past one of these food trucks and wondered if it was the feared "street meat" or something altogether better, the lines for their food should be a great hint that gourmet food trucks have arrived in Charlotte, and you'd best get in line before it's all gone!

Tips for Charlotte Restaurant Week Newbies

Twice a year, the Queen City celebrates Charlotte Restaurant Week, also known as The Queen's Feast. The winter feast week starts this Friday. It's actually a week and a half (covering two weekends) so you have plenty of time to take advantage of the 3 courses for $30 menu at participating local restaurants which can be viewed here: http://www.charlotterestaurantweek.com/

For the uninitiated, CRW can be a little intimidating, and local faves book quickly. Some of my suggestions for you first-timers:

• CRW is a great time to check out an upscale restaurant you have been wanting to try, but were hesitant because of the cost of the menu items. A few I would recommend are Capital Grille, Del Frisco's, Sullivan's, Bonterra, Chima, Flemings, Gallery, Morton's, Upstream & McCormick and Schmick's.
• Make sure you check out the restaurant's CRW menu posted on the Queen's Feast website before booking. Most restaurants won't allow you to sub an item off their regular menu for an item on the CRW menu, so if the CRW menu doesn't have the items you want, go to that restaurant another week.
• $30 doesn't mean $30. The $30 figure does not include tax or tip. In most restaurants, it also does not include any beverage of any kind (adult or otherwise). Some of the more expensive restaurants, in order to keep their food cost profitable, will not include side dishes with your main course. A steak is great, but if you have to order the veg and starch separately and they cost $8-$10 a piece, your $30 dinner just became a $75 dinner after drink, tax and tip. Example: The Palm, some entrees at BLT Steak.
• Look to see if you are getting an authentic meal at that restaurant or if they have "dumbed down" their menu for restaurant week. Some restaurants, again, to lower food costs, will sub in cheaper pieces of meat than they normally serve, or make the portions a lot smaller than normal without clarifying the serving size on their menu. If the goal of CRW is to have a great meal at a great price and enjoy new restaurants, make sure you are getting the authentic experience. Example: BLT Steak only offers a hanger steak, while Sullivan's, Capital Grille, Del Frisco's and others offer the filet mignon normally served on their menu, or better yet, multiple steak options.
• Book your table as far in advance as possible. Most CRW restaurants use Open Table to book reservations and the dates open up almost as soon as CRW is announced. A few places don't take reservations unless you are bringing a large party of 6 or more. If you waited too long to get a decent table at one of your first choices, this may be a great option to check out a restaurant during CRW, but plan to wait - most places will be crowded. One to try: Heist Brewery in NoDa.
• Don't go to a restaurant during CRW where three courses would not normally cost you $30 per person. You'll have a wider variety of items to choose from, they won't be as crowded and won't have to pay for a dessert (or app) you may not eat. A lot of these restaurants will not only have larger CRW menu choices, but will throw in a beer or glass of wine to get the ticket cost to $30.
• Be on time and expect crowds. Most participating restaurants will be at capacity on both CRW weekends. If you are going to be late, at least call, but you may lose your table if they are running behind and have hungry diners already there and waiting for their table. This is not going to be a romantic quiet evening out - people who don't normally dine at such establishments will be there with you, meaning crying babies, loud cell phone calls taken at the table and other fine dining faux pas will be prevalent those evenings. Don't blame the restaurant. If you like the food and service during CRW, you'll love it even more the next time you go.
• Be kind to your server. They will be "in the weeds" all night as managers pressure to turn over tables quickly to handle their full reservation bookings. They will be dealing with the rudeness mentioned above from other diners, and are doing their best to give you an authentic experience during an unbelievably busy time. Keep in mind that you are getting a good discount at most restaurants off what you would normally pay for the food you are eating and tip generously.

Charlotte Restaurant Week is a great opportunity to try new places, revisit your faves and enjoy wonderful food. Have a great time!

Introduction

Hi Everyone! This is my blog devoted to all things food (and drink), especially food in Charlotte, NC. Many of these posts reflect tweets I post on my Twitter account @clt_foodie. I'd love to get feedback on topics, posts and your foodie experiences!