This is in my backyard?

It’s been a little over a week now since I got back from my cruise and I have to say I’m still getting used to these numbers on the right side of all the menus. Yes, the prices, I don’t like them, on the cruise everything’s free and I loved it..probably a little too much! The food on the cruise was so good and always there! From the Breakfast Buffet that started at 6am with anything you could want. They had hot foods, cold foods, cereals, freshly made omlets, and every pastry you can imagine.

Then came the lunch buffet! It was event better, everything you could ever want was on the buffett: Pizza, pasta, salads, sandwiches, soups, and so much more..and everything is so good! Then the ice cream machine opened and you could get as many ice cream cones as you wanted! Chocolate was my favorite..go figure right!

The best part of the day was always the 5-star dinner we had! Charlie and Johnson were our waiters (of course that wasn’t their real names, but that’s what they told us to call them since we couldn’t pronounce their real names) They would give you a menu with 5 or 6 appetizer choices, 7 or 8 dinner choices, and then 4 or 5 desserts! I would order around 2 of each one each night! Lobster night I definitely went for more! There were a couple things that didn’t really impress me (Lobster Bisque, way too much Sherry), but overall it was all delicious and I always ate way too much!

Oh ya, and if that wasn’t enough the promenade had a cafe that was open all the time with sandwiches, desserts, cookies, just incase you get hungry while your walking around the ship. And…don’t forget the free room service!!

Nothing gets better than some of the restaurants here in Raleigh, but when sailing the high seas you can’t go wrong with all you can eat dinners, cafes, and buffets!

Today kicks off the first annual Triangle Restaurant Week. Now through May18th will be the Triangle Restaurant Week. As stated on many websites:

“Join our local restaurants in celebrating culinary talents, exquisite cuisine, and dynamic atmospheres. For a fixed price, diners will enjoy one appetizer, one entrée, and one dessert – the ultimate opportunity to experience new dishes or restaurant venues.”

It looks as though lunch is $15 a person and dinner is $25 a person. Check out their website, Triangle Restaurant Week, to find out which restaurants are involved!  

Hi everyone! I’m going to a new Italian restaurant in Clayton tonight, called Mulberry on Main, and I’m really excited  because I’ve heard so many good things about it! I’ll be taking my camera so expect to see something soon on it!

 My question today though is……where are some good locally owned and operated restaurants in your town! I’ve gotten some good suggestions in the past and am always trying to discover more places! Let me know what your favorite is, so I can check it out!

Today myself and three of my coworkers (Doug, Candace, and Ashley Sue) went to lunch at the Crabtree Valley Mall food court, I know were ballerz! So I couldn’t decide want I wanted..I’m one of those people that if I have too many choices I can never choose..I want it all! Then out of the corner of my eye I spotted this cute little place in line with all the normal food court delicacies.  Here is it what the Crabtree Valley Mall website has to say about it…

CRISP SALADS Crisp is now open in the food court. At Crisp, salads are prepared in front of the customer with super fresh ingredients and creative offerings. Customers may choose one of the twelve (12) signature salads or create your own from more than forty (40) quality toppings including three lettuces, homemade dressings and a wide variety of fresh vegetables, meats and cheeses. Each salad is then chopped, tossed and dressed to order. Soups and wraps complete the lunch and dinner menu. 10% mall employee discount.

So I headed on over to their counter and saw what amazing salads they had to choose from as well as create your own salad choices….and so many choices there are! They are locally owned and trying to turn Crisp into the next up and coming salad place! It was a little pricey. I paid $7.96 for my salad (mixed greens, grilled chicken, craisins, wal-nuts, apples, blue cheese crumbles, and balsamic vinagarrette dressing) but it was so good and everything was really fresh! It was nice to have a salad that didn’t consist of 50% iceburg lettuce! If your ever craving a good salad and your in a hurry, I suggest checking out Crisp at the Crabtree Valley Mall Food Court! It was so good I had to lick the bowl!