The Gourmez

Nantucket Margarita Nantucket Cafe and Grill Sutton Station, Durham www.nantucketcafeandgrill.com Wow, the Sauza tequila comes out strong in this margarita.  So does the house sweet and sour blend.  It’s really, really sour.  I can’t pick out the Grand Marnier but that’s probably because my mouth is too busy puckering due to the lemon juice.  If [...]

The Oxford 319 Fayetteville Street Downtown Raleigh http://www.oxfordraleigh.com/ Lunch/Brunch: $9-14 Dinner: $9-19 The Oxford is a gastropub in downtown Raleigh with a posh, yet relaxed atmosphere.  It’s a large space that’s divided into three rooms, one with a huge television, twinkly-starred ceiling, and the Union Jack on the wall; one that’s more of a traditional [...]

Wine:  Clos Roche Blanche 2008 Region:  Touraine, Loire Valley, France This rose is full of berry on the nose that disappears when you drink it.  In the berry’s place, there’s a citrus flavor that tastes like Fresca, except it’s more pungent yet also more grounded.  It’s a velvety wine that is quirky, bright, and stony.  [...]

Saturday, I spent the afternoon and evening checking out SPARKcon for the first time.  It’s a local event that brings together ideas, art, food, music, gaming, and whatever else people want to add down to Fayetteville Street in Raleigh. We began by strolling up the road and checking out the chalk art.  Here are some [...]

Sazerac @ Whiskey Five Points, Durham $12 Whiskey’s Sazerac is made with Jim Beam Rye, Peychaud’s bitters, and simple syrup.  The key to the drink, though, is the absinthe rim the glass is given before the rest is poured in.  Its licorice notes dominate the smell and initial taste; as I love absinthe, this is [...]

Wine:  Snapping Turtle Merlot 2007 Region:  Monterey, CA This smooth, full wine smelled of pipe tobacco and curry leaves.  It tasted of plum with a bite.  The tobacco was also present while sipping.  Strange, but surprisingly appealing as there was also a note of Dijon mustard.  Overall, a pleasant wine. Reviewed 9.7.09.

Amelia Café 905 West Main Street Brightleaf Square, Durham www.ameliacafe.us Food: $3-11 Desserts: $2-6.50 Amelia Cafe is an appealing spot for lunch or dessert if you are in the Brightleaf area. The atmosphere is relaxed but sophisticated with smooth jazz playing and very comfy leather chairs at their tables. They offer candy, sweet and savory [...]

My weekend was what some would call a writer’s paradise.  I spent it attending various authors’ sessions at the North Carolina Literary Festival held at UNC Chapel Hill, which happened to be free!  Yay!  I would say, however, that a writer’s paradise would be to sit on the other side of the table from where [...]

Wine:  Cristalino Cava Region:  Spain This is my first sparkling wine review, can you believe that? It’s also, well, strange. The cava is especially yellow in color and smells of celery and chicken broth, which comes across as comforting rather than off-putting.  There’s no berry to speak of when drinking it but it coats my [...]

Second Empire 330 Hillsborough Street Downtown Raleigh Entrees: $25-37. http://www.second-empire.com Second Empire is a four star, fine dining restaurant housed in a lovely historic Victorian house. We ate in the main house but there is also a more relaxed, tavern section located in their cellar.  Note, though, that the prices there are not any more [...]