This is in my backyard?

Hey everyone! When checking out the blogs I read everyday I saw that the Raleigh Philosophical Society is conducting a survey. Here is what they have to say about it…

What is your impression of the retail and restaurant offerings in Downtown Raleigh? Are you satisfied with the selection now? If you had the choice between patronizing a business downtown or elsewhere, would you prefer to do so downtown? Do you believe national chains could not only survive but thrive in Downtown Raleigh? Do you think DTR is fine as it is?

The Society would love to gauge citizens’ thoughts on these questions by participating in our first-ever unscientific survey. (You can begin the survey here.)

This short, 10-question survey is for nothing more than fun. We will display the cumulative results of the survey when it has run its course. (Survey Monkey’s free surveys only allow 100 responses; we will shoot for that number of responses or give it a month — whichever comes first.)

Our plan is to offer more surveys in the coming months. Enjoy! And please let your friends know about the survey.

Check out the Raleigh Philosophoical Society blog, fill out the survey, and go enjoy our downtown!

I probably won’t be able to make it out there this Friday the 18th, but anyone in Chapel Hill area should definitely stop by the Ye Olde Waffle Shoppe. Here is an exert from their press release

One of Franklin Street’s favorite breakfast spots, Ye Olde Waffle Shoppe is celebrating 35 years of serving the community and Carolina students in downtown Chapel Hill. To honor the anniversary and thank customers, Ye Olde Waffle Shoppe will be offering its original 1972 menu and prices on Friday, January 18 starting at 7:00am. The 1972 menu will be offered for the whole day with only breakfast items; Ye Olde Waffle Shoppe offered customers only breakfast when it first opened up. Ye Olde Waffle Shoppe will have a raffle for customers, with prizes featuring gift certificates and gift baskets from other downtown Chapel Hill restaurants and shops. Throughout the year, Ye Olde Waffle Shoppe will continue the celebration by featuring one 1972 menu item as the special of the day, one day a month. Stop by and grab a seat at the old fashioned counter or a booth in the back and enjoy a two egg plate special with bacon for $2.50!

If you’ve ever been there before, plan on going, or go there this Friday leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Courtney and I spent one day last week in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Our day consisted of taping “why you love your community” video, meeting awesome locals, and finding really neat food shops! One of the places I discovered, well was told about, was 3 gatos Fire & Rice owned by Tony Dillard. 

3 gatos Fire & Rice is a shop mainly consisting of hot sauces. When we were first told there was a shop with nothing but hot sauces I couldn’t believe it, so you know I had to check it out for myself. If you’re ever in Hillsborough or in need of some hot sauce definitely visit Tony at 3 gatos Fire & Rice, located at 114 S. Churton St, Suite 105. Until then check out the video and you can see for yourself what a shop full of hot sauces looks like!

I went to Mizu  located in Wakefiled Commons today for a lunch meeting (reason why there is no video), but I have to tell you this place is so good! It’s not a huge place but in the middle of the restaurant they have a round bar where the chef’s stand in the center to prepare the sushi. They then have a train that goes around with plates of sushi on it where you just pull your plate off and they colored so you know the price of each plate. They only do this for dinner, but I thought it was really neat, I haven’t seen this since I was in Australia.

The lunch menu was really good though. They have different sushi rolls that you can get. Morgan got the combo and it had 3 or 4 different types of roles and it was only $10.50. She said it was delicious. I got one of the lunch meals. You choose which type of meat you want and then it comes with your choice of soup or salad and fried rice or steamed rice and mixed vegetables. I chose the Grilled Salmon (go figure right!), soup, and the fried rice. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was all really good. The vegetables were cooked and seasoned perfectly, the soup was just right, the rice was as good as fried rice gets, and the Salmon was a 5 or 6 oz piece of Salmon cooked just right…and..it was all for $7.50.. That’s unheard of! I defintely reccomend going to Mizu if your looking for good food at a good price!

I have heard so many wonderful things about 18 Seaboard that last week I decided I had to check it out for myself! I invited my friend and lover of food Shae to go along with me! As I was walking up to the restaurant I was so intrigued at the look and decor of the restaurant…I was already falling in love!

You walk in and the front is all glass looking out over Logans Trading Station and the other stores around. The hostess lead us through the restaurant and sat us by huge windows towards the back, the shades were drawn, but I took a peak and realized they have a spectacular view of the city.

Shae and I took our time paroozing the menu because there were so many good options to choose from. Even though I wanted one of everything I decided to choose something from the “Hardwood Fire” part of the menu. The Hardwood Fire  lists their fish and steaks. I decided to go with this part of the menu because once you choose your entree you get to choose which sauce you would like on it and a choice of two sides. With the advice of our very helpful and patient server Brandon,  I choose the Salmon Filet, with the Champagne tarragon butter, Sauteed Spinach, and Lindley Mills Cheddar Grits. It was amazing, the sauce wasn’t too heavy, the Salmon was cooked perfectly and the sides were just right…Shae wanted everyone to know the Mahi-Mahi was also very good!

Overall the atmosphere was great, the food was amazing and the service was just right. I have included a video that I shot that night, it’s a little dark, but you can get an idea of our experience at 18 Seaboard!

Hit play, then pause and let it buffer through, then hit play again.