Fire in the Triangle Comes Back to Raleigh! Time to Get Your Grub On!

Fire in the Triangle- June 30, 2014
The Oxford- Raleigh, NC vs. City Kitchen, Chapel Hill, NC

Course # 1 Dish:  Goat Cheese Espuma, Spiced Thompson Orchards Peach Jam, Pistachio Crumble, Pomegranate-Molasses Pickled High Rock Farms Blackberries, Corn Relish

Critique: We never heard of espuma before this night, but boy are we happy it was introduced into our lives.  This plate was a great kick-off- light and fresh.  Who knew corn and peaches went so well together?  The goat cheese was an added bonus.  The Hotness and Sweetly both approved of this dish and the espuma!  Good stuff!

Weighted Score: 22.52 (City Kitchen)







Course #2 Dish:  Fried Manchester Farms Quail Breast, High Rock Farms Blackberry Cornbread, Walnuts, Thompson Orchards Peach Barbecue Sauce, Crispy Heritage Farms Bacon

Critique: Best dish of the night!  The fried quail arrived piping hot.  Crunchy, flavorful, and oh yea babe- tasty!  The peach barbecue sauce tasted wonderfully and like the best barbecue sauce evuh!.  Seriously, we needed this sauce in a jar.  Not to mention, the blackberry cornbread was perfection in our mouth.  The Hotness wanted more, but Sweetly wasn’t trying to share.

Weighted Score: 27.83 (City Kitchen)






Course #3 Dish:  Ginger-Braised Heritage Farms Cheshire Pork Butt, Corn Custard, Cilantro & Thompson Orchards Peach Chimichurri, Balsamic High Rock Farms Blackberry Vinaigrette, Corn Confetti

Critique:  Unfortunately, this was our least favorite dish.  Sweetly who is already hard to please- was not pleased at all.  From the pork butt to the cilantro to the corn custard- these ingredients crashed unforgivingly onto our taste buds.  These flavors did not mesh well with us.  However, the chef still gets points for creativity.

Weighted Score:  23.46 (The Oxford)





Course #4 Dish:  Cherry Wood Smoked Venison, Thompson Orchards Peach Glazed Johnston County Mangalitsa Shoulder, Confit Potatoes, Carrot Purée, High Rock Farms Blackberry Roasted Peaches

Critique:  With the exception of the bacon, this dish was a little bland.  The venison was tender but needed more seasoning which the bacon itself could not compensate.  The confit potatoes were pretty awesome and succulent plus a welcome addition to the venison.

Weighted Score:  21.15 (The Oxford)





Course #5 Dish:  Thompson Orchards Peach Coconut Mousse, Crème Fraiche Cake, Roasted Peaches, High Rock Farms Blackberry Compote, Almond Crumble

Critique:  Yummy! Time for dessert!  All the ingredients complimented each other- especially the mousse and the peaches.  The Hotness wished that there was more texture or crunch incorporated as the almonds seemed to get lost in the dessert.  This dish was still the best dessert of the night.

Weighted Score:  24.27 (City Kitchen)


Course #6 Dish:  Thompson Orchards Peach Cheesecake, Orange Basil Chocolate Ravioli, High Rock Farms Blackberry White Chocolate Fondue, Candied Pecans

Critique:  Once again, Sweetly was not pleased.  The Hotness appreciated the valiant effort and clear talent executed in this dish.  The peach cheesecake and chocolate ravioli were unique flavors in their own manner and based on the point scale, fellow diners enjoyed this dessert.  

Weighted Score:  25.79 (The Oxford)





City Kitchen won this round!  The Final Weighted Scores were 24.87 (City Kitchen) and 23.46 (The Oxford)  We believe it was the fried quail that put City Kitchen over the top.  The Hotness can't wait for the Final Fire rounds in November.  Visit www.competitiondining.com to participate in the next event.  Thanks again Jiimmy Crippen- you're the host with the most! +Competition Dining Series