The Gourmez

Tallulas 456 W. Franklin Street Downtown Chapel Hill Website Pizzas/Mezzes: $7–$12 Entrees: $15–22 Tallulas is a formal Turkish restaurant in the evening that transforms into more of a bar/lounge from 10 PM onward. We were there for the dinner service when a variety of small plates, Turkish-style pizzas, and full entrees are available. The décor [...]

Momokawa Pearl Sake Junmai Ginjo Nigori Genshu Oregon This sake is nigori, so it’s unfiltered, and I’m happy to report that it doesn’t taste like sour milk like the Snow Maiden nigori sake did. Instead, it’s got a delicious creamy flavor of banana, breadfruit, and a bit of kiwi. There’s a strong floral element also, [...]

La Leche Dos Perros, Downtown Durham Website $9 This drink is nothing but horchata and dark rum. I love both of those ingredients, but I have to say, for $9, it wasn’t tasty enough. It’s a classic milk punch, like the New Orlean’s Milk Punch at Papa Mojo’s with bourbon and nutmeg, but that one [...]

Last night, I made my first batch of cold-brewed coffee based off of the first two links on a Google search of the term: Smitten Kitchen and I Need Coffee. This is seriously a simple procedure, though I’m already musing some variations to try, based mostly on time considerations. Here’s what you need: Glass/container for [...]

A Gracious Plenty Cafe 3530 S. Alston Avenue, Durham Website Hours: Mon–Fri, 11–2 Lunch: $5.30–$7.80 A Gracious Plenty is tucked away at the corner of Cornwallis and S. Alston Drive. It’s another of those cafes and catering companies that primarily exist to cater and serve lunch to the RTP crowds, so hours are quite limited. [...]

Hot Guava Dos Perros, Downtown Durham Restaurant Review $8 The Hot Guava is a margarita made from guava juice, jalapenos, tequila, and lime. The jalapeno was bright and powerful from the first sip, but I think that was the problem—all you could taste was that sweet heat and a little bit of sourness. It cancelled [...]

Augey 2007 Bordeaux France This is a subtle wine with a lot of flavor, which may be a contradiction of sorts. It’s full of fruit–the fruitiest wine I’ve had in a while, truth be told. It’s also pretty thick. I like the simple berry goodness; there’s a smorgasbord of blackberry, raspberry, and strawberry all begging [...]

Hardee’s (Southern Fast Food Series #4) Heavily concentrated in the Southeast, but with plenty of restaurants north to Pennsylvania and west to Montana This location: 6116 Farrington Road, Chapel Hill Sandwiches: $3.40–$4, add about $2 to make it a combo Website Oh, Hardee’s, how often I’ve wondered about you as I drive by and notice [...]

French Quarter Cosmopolitan Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse Greenwood Commons, Durham Restaurant Review This riff on a cosmo is made with citrus vodka, grand marnier, cranberry juice, sour mix, lime juice, and grenadine.  Grenadine totally stands out when you are used to standard cosmos. It makes the French Quarter Cosmopolitan a nice option for people who want [...]

Dos Perros 200 N. Magnum Downtown Durham Website Entrees: $12-22 Dos Perros is an upscale, yet relaxed, Mexican restaurant that’s been open for about a year now. It is owned by the fabulous Charlie Deal, whom I call fabulous because I’m in love with his Chapel Hill restaurant, Jujube. Dos Perros focuses strongly on using [...]