This is in my backyard?

I always like it when I hear that a local business is taking the place of a nation chain. Check out the press release we got today from Durham!

Green, Grab and Go!
Saladelia Cafe at American Tobacco

Saladelia Cafe, a local eatery specializing in sandwiches, homemade salads, gourmet coffees and desserts, will be opening in late June, American Tobacco management announced today.  Saladelia’s made-from-scratch fare features organic and local ingredients, and includes vegan and vegetarian dishes.  Saladelia serves organic, fair trade, shade-grown coffees which are locally roasted, and  offers whole leaf organic teas. The green grab-and-go alternative will be located in the Crowe Building replacing Starbucks, who will close on June 9th following the expiration of its food service contract.   Saladelia is slated to open June 30th.

Saladelia Cafe opened in Durham in 1988 and operates two restaurants in the Triangle. The environment-friendly restaurant  encourages sustainable practices, supports local farmers and uses organic ingredients when possible.

To fill the gap in service, American Tobacco management is offering free coffee weekdays 7am to 4pm in the Crowe Building lobby beginning June 9th and continuing until the new eatery opens in late June.

The other day we partnered with Dinners at Home in Heritage to host the May After Hours for the Rolesville Chamber of Commerce. We had a great time working with Davelyn and Jack Rivers, owners of Dinners at Home and their daughter Davelyn who owns the Bottle and Bean which is attached to Dinners at Home.

Dinners at home provides ingredients and recipes for you to come in put dishes together you might want to cook through out the week for you to take home, freeze, then just put in the oven when your ready to eat them. That saves you time on grocery shopping, deciding what to cook, and preparing the meals. Still thinking I don’t even have that time. They also have a menu where you can just come in look in their fridge see what they have then take it home already put together and heat it up for dinner!

Not only does Dinners at Home save the busy mom or dad from having to resort to fast food, but they also have a catering company. The night of the After Hours, we had everything from oysters, to chicken tenders, to meatballs, and more! The selection was huge and it was delicious. I’m not a huge meatball fan, but the meatballs they made were too die for, I definitely went back for more. Everything on the table was above and beyond what you would normally find from a catering company.

Next time your in the Wake Forest area and are running late on dinner or just don’t feel like thinking about what to cook I recommended stopping into Dinners at Home and Bottle and Bean saying hi to Davelyn, Jack, and Davelyn and seeing what they have!

You won’t regret it!

The other night we had different kind of baby shower for my friend Heather, the 7 of us girls all went to get our nails done then to dinner at Humble Pie. Not only was it amazing to finally have some time of pampering to get a pedicure, but the dinner was amazing too.

I’ve always heard a lot of great things about Humble Pie, and I was told over and over I needed to go there, but I just never had a chance, until then…I should have gone earlier but it was definitely worth the wait! The dishes are smaller, which makes the prices better and great for ordering a bunch and sharing around the table. I tried everything from their Teriyaki Grilled Salmon to Shrimp and Grits to Chicken Enchiladas and it was all really good. I am extremely picky about my Shrimp Grits and theirs were good, but not the best I’ve ever had. They were a little plain with just the grits, shrimp, and sauce, but what was there was good! The Salmon and Enchiladas were both good. The Salmon was almost Sushi grade which made it very tender and yummy!

The cooles part about the whole restaurant was the atmosphere. We sat outside surrounded by the Raleigh skyline, white lights and other guests enjoying their meal. It is a great place to eat on a beautiful night but the inside is pretty amazing as well. It has a very eclectic, artsy, and had a fun feel to it.

Oh, how could I have forgotten, we also got dessert! I tried their Tiramisu which was really good! The lady fingers weren’t as moist as I usually like them, but the cream sauce and the chocolate chips on the lady fingers were delicious! I hope to go back with my camera one day so you all can see what I mean by this place, definitely a place to go when in downtown Raleigh!

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?

So you still have a week or so to get ready for Mother’s Day, but I got this press release today and thought I would share it. I haven’t been to this restaurant, but I have been to Greece and the food was so good. If their food is anything like it is over there your mom will be in for a real treat!

APEX, NC – May 11, 2007 – In Ancient Greek culture, the Matriarch of the family was a position of great power and influence. So when it comes to honoring your Mother this Mother’s Day, Kirk and Denise Hatzidakis at CIOS (pronounced Khi-os) Greek Restaurant can show you how it’s done.   

“Celebrating Motherhood” will run from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, May 11th at CIOS on Highway 55 in Apex.  All Mother’s will receive a free dessert, including the legendary chocolate cobbler, and enjoy drawings for prizes throughout the day like gift certificates to area spas and beauty salons. 

“Family celebrations are the cornerstone of Greek tradition, and Mother’s Day is one of our biggest celebrations,” said Denise Hatzidakis, owner of CIOS.  “It will be a great day for the entire family, so we hope to see multiple generations of grandmothers, mothers, sons and daughters.” 

The Greek island of CIOS, home to the Hatzidakis family for generations is known for its polite and peaceful residents who welcome visitors and guests with kindness and hospitality.  Following the family tradition, CIOS in Apex brings old-world authentic Greek cuisine to your table, often pairing it with Greek wines of superior quality.  Live musical entertainment and belly dancing is available most nights, along with catering services.  CIOS is located at

in Apex.  For more information, call (919) 363-5288, or visit www.xioscafe.com.