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!

The Pit in downtown Raleigh is one of the restaurants I’ve been wanting to try in downtown Raleigh. It is on my list of places to go, so hopefully I will make it down there soon. We recieved news today that the owners will be featured on the Today show on Monday. Check out the e-mail below and tune in on Monday! Also stay tuned to my blog when I go and check it out for myself!

“Ed Mitchell, Pitmaster and owner of The Pit of Downtown Raleigh will be going to New York Monday to appear on the Today Show. He and his brother, Aubrey Mitchell will return to New York for the second time this month to represent and showcase Eastern Carolina BBQ.”

So It’s not exactly locally owned and operated, but I’m on vacation for the next 9 days so I thought I would write about the food on a cruise ship. I’ve been on one Carnival cruise about 5 years ago and had a great time. Having everything catered to you and waking up in a new and different place each morning is definitely something I could get used to.

One of the best parts about being on a cruise is the all you can eat food. From the 24-hr ice cream and pizza bar, to the midnight chocolate and fresh fruit bar, to the 5 star all you can eat meals! This time I am going to the eastern carribean on a Royal Carribean cruise and heard it doesn’t get any better! When I get back I will let you all know about the food, my experience and then of course start getting back into the locally owned and operated restaurants around the Triangle!

In the mean time keep the suggestions coming, I still have the Cuban restaurant in Cary on my radar and am looking for!

The other day myself and my co-workers Courtney and Doug (you can see Doug in the reflections ) went out for lunch. I’ve been hearing about Tookies, which has a restaurant downtown but they also have locations around Raleigh, one of them being in the gas station down the street from our station! We hopped in the car and drove on down to find the parking lot packed. Luckily we were able to get a spot, but when we got inside we saw why the parking lot was full, there was a line of people getting their lunch! Tookies has sandwiches, burgers, and more. I got a turkey sandwich and Court and I split Banana Pudding. My Turkey sandwich wasn’t really anything to brag about but the Banana Pudding was really good. Apparently, their chicken salad sandwiches is what everyone goes there for, I heard it was written about in Southern Living. I don’t like Mayo so I didn’t try their Chicken Salad, but Court said it was good! There isn’t much seating inside, but you can see Court and I sitting at the bar and Doug taking the picture from the parking lot.

Would you say that Tookies has the best Chicken Salad in town? If not, where?

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!