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

Chuck's! One of Raleigh's Best Burger Joints!

Chuck's Located in Raleigh, NC

Dish: Fork and Knife Fries

Critique:  French Fry Specialists, don't even think about using your hands- just bring a pitch fork to the table.  You'll need it to ensure each morsel makes it to your mouth.  These fries are loaded with three different cheeses, beef, red bean chili, shredded lettuce, and buttermilk dressing.  Be sure to bring an empty stomach, even The Hotness and Sweetly couldn't finish this dish.

Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!





Dish:  Bear in Heaven Wills Way

Critique:  Not sure how Chuck's comes up with burger names, but The Hotness didn't care.  Her burger was topped with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, and cheese.  This by far was a scrumptious and juicy burger- only wish the beef patty was thicker...still a winner in our books!

Score:  3 1/2 Out of 4 Hotties








Dish:  The Dirty South (Carolina)

Critique:  "Dirty South, can y'all really feel me, East Coast feel me..." Sweetly felt a little more adventurous with her burger selection.  The Dirty South burger wants to let everyone know how dirty it is- how dirty is it?  Topped with smoked pork, chili, crispy onions, coleslaw, and cheddar.  Whoo Doggie! Oh yea, Dirty South...we feel you!  Delicious!
Score:  4 Out of 4 Hotties!

C'mon Egg Lovers! You Know You Want Another...Another Broken Egg Cafe

Another Broken Egg Cafe in Raleigh, NC

Dish:  Cinnamon Roll French Toast

Critique:  “I don’t think you’re ready for this jelly, I don’t think you’re ready…” This unique spin on French Toast is too delicious for consuming.  Seriously, The Hotness almost fainted after taking one bite of these thick, gooey slices of cinnamon roll, smothered with warm cream cheese icing, topped with bananas foster sauce, mixed berries, and whipped cream.  Dear Mr. Cinnamon Roll French Toast…if loving you is wrong, we don’t want to be right!  

 

Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!

Dish:  The Floridian

Critique: One of our favorite omelets simply because we love crab!  The Floridian is filled with cream cheese, topped with fresh crabmeat sautéed in garlic butter, melted Jack cheese, and green onions.  Winning!  Definitely Winning with Mr. Crab!

Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!

 

Dish:  Stan’s #1

Critique: Shrimp-check! Ham-Yep! Cheese- Got it!  Plus crawfish, mushrooms, and special seasonings- what more can a foodie ask for?  Bacon!  The crunchy texture of bacon would have a welcome addition.  The flavors were still on point.  Stan is still #1 in our book!

Score: 3 Out of 4 Hotties!

Dish:  Lobster and Brie Omelet

Critique:  This omelet is for fancy-fancy egg lovers.  A cream cheese filled omelet topped with garlic sautéed lobster and brie cheese covered in a champagne cream sauce.  Didn’t we say fancy?  If you like keeping up with the Jones’ this omelet is for you!

Score: 3 Out of 4 Hotties!  

Tazza Kitchen's Honey on Pizza Guarantees a Party...In Yo Mouth

Tazza Kitchen Located in Raleigh, NC 

Dish:  Spicy Sausage & Black Pepper Honey Pizza

Critique:  Honey on your pizza?  Who created such a unique dish?! That will be Tazza Kitchen located at Cameron Village in Raleigh. The Hotness would have never imagined that the combination of spicy sausage, black pepper, honey, aged provolone, and fresh mozzarella would work so well together. All the ingredients were beyond delicious, but the honey took this pizza to another level:  Gold Medal Level.  Every single bite of this gooey pizza was perfecto!  Don't hate on the honey...especially on pizza!




Score: 4 out of 4 Hotties!

Soo Cafe Bringing Authentic Korean Dishes to Raleigh

Soo Cafe in Raleigh, NC

Dish:  Korean Fried Chicken- Soga and Original

Critique:  What exactly is Korean Fried Chicken?  Its Five-Star fried chicken with a special Korean sauce.  We tried both the Soga and Original sauce.  The Hotness preferred the Soga (Soy-Garlic) over the original sweet and spicy sauce.  We’re not sure how Soo Café prepares these wings but it should be a crime.  Each piece of chicken was moist, delicious, and served piping hot.  Raleigh- You’ve been forewarned!   These sizzling flavors will overtake you!  No wonder that it made Southern Living Magazine best fried chicken list.

Score: 4 out of 4 Hotties!






Dish:  Angus Beef Galbi

Critique:  The Galbi- grilled short ribs marinated in soy sauce is far different than typical North Carolina barbeque.  Accompanied by steamed white rice, the meat was soft and tender with very little fat.  If you’re a fan of Korean BBQ, you’ll love the Beef Galbi.

Score:  3 out of 4 Hotties!






Dish:  Spicy Chicken Bulgogi

Critique:  Feeling adventurous?  Well the Bulgogi has your name written all over it.  Grilled chicken breast, marinated in Korean hot pepper paste with mixed vegetables.  Spicy, but not too spicy- bold, but not too bold- tasty, but oh Soo tasty!  Don’t be afraid of the Bulgogi, it’s worth it!

Score: 3 out of 4 Hotties!






Dish:  Angus Beef Bulgogi

Critique:  Very thin slices of beef marinated in Soo Café’s house soy sauce.  This dish didn’t have the pizzazz of the spicy chicken bulgogi and needed some type of sauce to assist it like the Korean hot pepper sauce.  Also, all Soo Café’s dishes are served with plain white rice- we would like to see delicious fried rice as another side option.

Score: 2 ½ out of 4 Hotties!

Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Restaurant Representing Orlando's Finest

Roy's Restaurant- Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine in Orlando, FL

Dish:  Beef Short Rib Tacos

Critique: FANTABULOUS! Yes, we are fans and these tacos were fabulous!  To be quite honest, we didn’t know how to pronounce half of the Korean flavors contained within these tacos.  But who cares? Tacos included kim chee vegetables and ko chu jang..yea, how you doing chu jang?  These flavors were indescribable and unforgettable.  Roy’s Beef Short Ribs Tacos will be forever remembered as “Lil Tackies from Heaven.”

                                                                            Score:  4 out of 4 Hotties!


Dish:  Tempura Crusted Spicy Ahi Roll

Critique:  These were inhaled in two-seconds flat.  We never had miso butter sauce with sushi before, but who cares?  We loved it.  Matter of fact, going forward we demand all sushi rolls be served with miso butter sauce instead of soy sauce.

Score:  3 out of 4 Hotties!


Dish:  Crunchy Golden Lobster Pot Stickers

Critique:  Though small, these little lobster delectables are packed with scrumptious flavor.  Served with our favorite miso butter sauce and something different- a spicy tagaroshi sauce.   What a challenge to make a pot sticker exciting, yet Roy’s managed to do so.  Truly good food all around, we ate every single bite including the garnishes!

Score: 3 out of 4 Hotties!




Dish:  Wagyu Beef Sliders

Critique:  Yep, we definitely needed more than one slider per plate.  Topped with caramelized onions and chipotle aioli, juicy upon juicy-should be the new name of this slider.  Sweetly finished her burger in one bite while The Hotness took her time and savored each bite- there’s no shame in our game.  And the garlic sweet potato fries…SHAZAM!

Score: 4 out of 4 Hotties!




Dish:  Smoked Mahi Mahi Tacos

Critique:  As you can see, Sweetly and The Hotness tried to order everything off Roy’s menu- boy did we come close!  The Mahi Mahi tacos were our least favorite dish.  Tacos were capped with crispy taro and jalapeño herb puree, we thought the Mahi Mahi could have used an intense marinade to give it a kick.

Score: 2 ½ out of 4 Hotties!



Dish:  Warm Pineapple Upside Down Cake with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Critique:  “And we can’t stop and we won’t stop…” This dessert should have a disclaimer: Will Cause Extreme Jubilation!  Although we were quite full, we could not stop ourselves from spooning each bite into our mouth over and over.  Loved, loved, loved it!  Happy 2014!

Score: 4 out of 4 Hotties!

So you haven't attended a NC Competition Dining Series Event? You're so missing out...what are you waiting for?!

Final Fire- Round 2-November 21, 2013
Flights Restaurant-Raleigh, NC vs. Noble's Grille, Winston-Salem, NC

Course #1 Dish:  Bacon Confit, Crispy Farro, Wild Mushroom, 64° Egg Yolk, Pecan Puree, Candied Pecans

Critique:  For the record-all is well when bacon is involved.  Sweetly thought this dish was bland, but The Hotness approved simply because of the bacon confit.  The candied pecans provided a lovely sweet tasty counter-balance against the saltiness of the bacon.

Weighted Score:  21.09 (Noble’s Grille)







Course #2 Dish:  Quail & Waffles, Pecan Fried Quail, Cornbread Waffle, Chipotle Sweet Potato, Honey Butter, Apple Ginger Honey, Candied Pecans

Critique:  Great play on the classic chicken and waffles!  The Hotness loved the crunchy crispiness of the pecan fried quail.  Sweetly complained that the quail was fried “too hard” but still was delicious, not to mention, the sweet potato puree with cornbread waffles with honey butter gave this dish the edge it needed. The Hotness secretly has a thing for waffles and fried foods.

Weighted Score: 20.18 (Flights)





Course #3 Dish:  Flounder, Citrus Ravioli, Pecan Sausage, Pecan Smoked Fennel, Tarragon Emulsion

Critique:  One of our favorite dishes of the night!  The flounder and citrus ravioli left Sweetly truly speechless.  She kept repeating “Citrus me up, baby!”  After the first bite, The Hotness wanted to be “citrused up” too…whatever that means.  This homerun dish made everyone at our table sing Kumbaya.  Tis absolutely worthy of a 4 out of 4 Hottie score!

Weighted Score:  23.32 (Noble’s Grille)



Course #4 Dish:  Pepsi® & Mystery Brewing Smoked Rye Stout Braised Pork Belly, Asian Pecan Glaze, Sweet Potato & Pecan Grits, Leese-Fitch Chardonnay Creamed Collards

Critique:  Porkbelly!  Not sure why we’re fans of everything pork, but we can’t help ourselves.  We are pork fans!  No need to hide Wilbur or Babe though.  This dish gets points for its creativity using pecans in the grits and sweet potatoes.  The chardonnay creamed collards were quite rich and flavorful, making for a heavy dish.

Weighted Score:  21.24 (Flights)




Course #5 Dish:  Toasted Pecan Caramel, Vanilla Cake, Spiced Diplomat, White Chocolate Pecan

Critique:  Awesome! Heaven on earth!  Fantastic!  There aren’t enough adjectives to describe the marvelous creation of this dessert.  We have never heard of “spiced diplomat” before, but after the first bite, we were both smiling and screaming, “Spice me up, baby!”  Simply wonderful.

Weighted Score:  21.60 (Noble’s Grille)






Course #6 Dish:  Apple Pie with Pecan Streusel, Eggnog Ice Cream, Maker’s Mark Chocolate Sauce, Spicy Pecan Syrup

Critique:  Eggnog ice cream and Maker’s Mark chocolate sauce…say what?!  The flavor of the ice cream was quite unique in very, very good way.  The apple pie with pecans was a delectable compliment to the ice cream and the texture was perfect.  No complaints at all, it was a fine plate to finish off the night.  

Weighted Score:  21.38 (Flights)




Both chefs did an outstanding and phenomenal job representing their restaurant.  Noble's Grill won this round!  Final Weighted Average Scores- 20.93 (Flights) and 21.99 (Noble's Grille)  Although we didn’t know which chefs prepared what dish when voting, we later found out that based on our favorites- Sweetly was #TeamNoblesGrille and The Hotness was #TeamFlights.  Professional judges scores count 70% and diner scores count 30% of the weighted scores.   We can’t wait until the 2014 Competition Dining Series arrives!  Visit www.competitiondining.com to find out more information!  Thank you Jimmy Crippen for bringing this event to North Carolina! +Competition Dining Series