NC | Travel By Jury

Great Eat: Early Girl Eatery, Asheville, NC

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Admin of TBJ

Decorated with local art – including some impressive customer scribbles on the brown paper tablecloths – the Early Girl Eatery is one of the best brunch spots in Asheville, NC, a city no stranger to good eats (Tupelo Honey? Laughing Seed? Havana? Barley’s? Oh, decisions). But the Early Girl is worth a visit if for no other reason than their food is organic, local, delicious, and there’s something on the menu for everyone. The care these folks put into simple recipies like granola/yogurt/fruit is delightful, and they remain loyal to the farms and Southern charm around their clients to provide all sorts of deep south staples (grits, fluffy homemade biscuits, bacon, eggs) next to inventive quiches (duck?), sandwiches (fancy some grilled catfish?) and vegan-friendly items (the tofu scramble looked pretty awesome). The brightly lit, open and sunny little restaurant is conveniently located near downtown – in the Cat’s Alley – and the staff are friendly as can be. The decor changes as the Early Girl features new local artists, there are vegan, gluten-free, and low fat/low carb options – ANYONE can eat here, so if you’re driving through Asheville with a crowd, this is your spot. And you’re always sure to find locally-made jelly on your table and a smiling person to walk you through the joint’s delicious menu. Eat here. You will love it.

Filed under: Great Eats, North America | Tagged: Asheville, bacon, biscuts, brunch, duck, Early Girl Eatery, family friendly, friendly folk, gluten-free, great eat, grits, local farms, local food, local greens, local jelly, local meat, meat and 3, NC, organic chocolate milk, organic food, pan fried catfish, quiche, vegan, vegan tofu scramble | Leave a Comment »

JR/Great Eat: The Wine Shop, Charlotte NC

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Admin of TBJ

Have you ever wanted to go to a cozy place and get a glass of fine wine without all the pretentiousness of wine snobbery? Maybe you’ve wanted to find a place that is classy and fun without being overly expensive? Then you should check out The Wine Shop located in the Rivergate Shopping Center in South Charlotte, NC. This is a perfect place to hang out with friends or even grab a glass on your own while you ruminate over a good book, your journal, or class notes. The menu consists of quite a nice selection of red and white wines, along with a few dessert and bubbly wines; there is something to fit your taste regardless of what you may be feeling.

Most wine is served in three sizes, a tasting size, a flight (a half glass), or full glass. You can also buy a whole bottle of some of them, but please note there is a uncorking fee for each bottle added onto your tab. What is really nice is to order several tasting sizes and get a panoply of flavors for your tongue to taste, however, getting a half glass is also nice as an appetizer if you know you’ll be having dinner elsewhere.

Although The Wine Shop specializes in wine, they also serve a wonderful menu filled with lunch and dinner options of soups, salads, sandwiches and full entrees. If a whole meal is not to your liking, the menu contains many cheese and meat choices to go with your wine. However, my personal favorites on the menu are the $7 appetizers. Their calamari and crab cakes are excellent and served with spicy pesto aioli sauce. My most recent love is the vanilla crème brûlée with a Muscat dessert wine. There is no need for dinner after having that, and it serves as the perfect treat after a long day. If you can get there between 4-6 Sunday through Thursday, you’ll get the benefit of Happy Hour, with select wines at $5 a glass and $6 appetizers, and on Sundays they also serve brunch starting at 11 am.

The Wine Shop offers a fantastic selection of wine, but if wine is not your forte, feel free to browse all of their world class beers. They have an extensive beer selection sure to please every palate. Beers from around the world, stouts, lagers, ales, and domestics fill their coolers. I’m not a beer drinker, so I can’t say too much about them, so go there and let me know.

More than just a wine bar, The Wine Shop is, as the name implies, a shop. While there feel free to browse the shelves for your own bottle. You can even buy it off the shelves and drink it there, even if it is not on the main menu. They also sell beer and various cigars. There are a few samples of art on the walls that are also for sale.

What I love most about The Wine Shop is its casual atmosphere and great staff. My first time going there I admitted I was clueless about wine selection and my waitress was more than happy to give me a few ideas without acting like I was a complete moron. The prices are not bad for what you are paying for; I normally spend a little under $15 for a glass of wine and an appetizer or dessert. I haven’t had a whole meal there, since I have an odd way of treating it more like a coffee shop than a restaurant, but it would probably be about $25 a person with a glass of wine + meal (that’s on the high side of the scale). But it’s cozy, classy, and unpretentious, and served with a great glass of wine. Those things all together in one place are hard to find and hard to beat.

P.S. They do have a VIP room for private parties and a nice patio for summer evenings. It’s a popular place and you might want to get there a bit early when the weather is warm.

Juror #11

Filed under: Great Eats, North America | Tagged: appetizers, art for sale, calamari, Charlotte, cheeses and meats, cigars, classy, coffee shop atmosphere, cozy, crab cakes, flights, full entrees, full glasses, great eat, hangout spot, happy hour, Juror #11, Juror Review, Muscat dessert wine, NC, North America, North Carolina, outdoor patio seating, quiet atmosphere, Rivergate Shopping Center, salads, sandwiches, soups, South Charlotte wine, tasting size, The Wine Shop, uncorking fee, unpretentious, vanilla creme brulee, VIP room, wine, wine menu, world beer selection | Leave a Comment »

Gobble ’til You Wobble

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Admin of TBJ

Happy Thanksgiving to our United States readers from TravelByJury.com! Check out all of our great eats as you gear up to gobble ’til you wobble! We’re thankful for you – so keep the reviews coming!

Pachapapa, Cusco, Peru
Ladles, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
Loose Meat Sandwiches in Sioux City, Iowa
Granja Heidi, Cusco, Peru
Jack’s Cafe, Cusco, Peru
Caffe Pomodoro, Panama City, Panama
Desserts of Louisville, Kentucky
Gilpin’s Sandwiches, Cincinnati, Ohio
Cafe Campanilla, Madrid, Spain
Dickadee’s Deli, Charlotte, North Carolina
La Bombeta, Barcelona, Spain
Medjool, San Francisco, California
De’Coltelli, Pisa, Italy
Kashmir, Louisville, Kentucky
Barley’s Taproom, Asheville, North Carolina
Maggie Jones; London, England
The General Greene & Cake Man Raven; Brooklyn, New York, USA
La Paella De La Reina; Madrid, Spain
Brasserie Esemeralla; Paris, France
Black Bear Bakery; St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Murphy’s Ice Cream; Dingle, Ireland
Ristorante Zeppelin; Orvieto, Italy
Uto Klum; Üetliberg, Switzerland
Seviche, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Unnammed; Le Peninsula de Azuero, Panama
Three Carrots Pub; Belgrade, Serbia
White Horse Tavern; New York City, New York, USA
The Duke of York; London, England

Filed under: Great Eats | Tagged: Asheville, Barcelona, Brooklyn, CA, Cusco, England, France, good eat, great eats, IO, Iowa City, Ireland, Italy, KY, Latin America, Madrid, MO, NC, NY, OH, Panama, Peru, Pisa, SC, Serbia, South America, Spain, Switzerland, thanksgiving, UK, United States | Leave a Comment »

Great Eat: Dickadee’s Deli, Charlotte, NC

Posted on May 3, 2011 by Admin of TBJ

As I write about Dickadee’s, my stomach is craving the warm smells of the crisp green interior of a sunny little neighborhood deli near Myers Park in Charlotte, North Carolina. Growing up, I used to marvel at the clean cases of deli meats and cheeses, as well as a prank list of important phone numbers, like the President of the United States “direct” line, that was posted by the register. The bright A.L. Brown root beers and cream sodas always made me feel a bit like I was in a foreign land; there aren’t many authentic delis in the south, and DIckadee’s is even kosher – try the kosher deli dog and see if you don’t daydream about it all day (that is my absolute favorite and standby order – and always, always, always get the chips; they are fantastic!). The Monte Cristo sandwich (go for it and get the side of maple syrup) is delicious, and the dagwoods (my favorite is the Bobcat – marinara and cheese and meatballs, nom) are huge. There are plenty of veggie options at Dickadee’s, and you can pretty much craft your own wrap or sandwich if you’re clever. The people at Dickadee’s are really friendly, and the restaurant’s outdoor patio is a perfect place to watch the young professionals of Charlotte whizzing by on a sunny afternoon.

Dickadee’s Deli, 1419-A East Blvd. Charlotte, NC

Filed under: Great Eats, North America | Tagged: A.L. Brown, Bobcat, Charlotte, cheeses, cream soda, dagwood, deli, deli meats, Dickadee's Deli, friendly folk, great chips, great eat, great eats, kosher deli dog, kosher meat, maple syrup, marinara, meatballs, Monte Cristo, Myers Park, NC, North Carolina, root beer, veggie options, wraps | 2 Comments »

Great Eat: Barley’s Taproom; Asheville, NC

Posted on January 4, 2011 by Admin of TBJ

As you make your way through the mountains of North Carolina, a stop in Asheville, NC is a definite must; it’s a charming Southern city with strong traces of mindful living buried in the town’s quirky fabric. Barley’s Taproom, located in the historic downtown area of Asheville is a great place to relax after a long drive or a day of shopping in Asheville’s boutique stores. Barley’s doesn’t have your average brews on tap – everything is either local microbrews or distinctive world brews. Barley’s isn’t for the anti-carb brigade; the hops in the beers are loaded with heady punches, and the sourdough pizzas and calzones are stout. Start your adventure into the one-meal-a-day plan with the restaurant’s fabulous black bean hummus, which boasts just the right of peppery kick. Sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, and Andouille sausage are among some of the restaurant’s more adventurous pizza toppings, but the pizzas are huge, so plan accordingly. The jerk chicken and vegetable lasagna are great menu items, but if you stick with the pizza you’ll be definitely wowed. Couple the great food with a laid back atmosphere (a revamped early 1900s building, complete with high ceilings and exposed timber beams), alongside a little stage for live evening entertainment (bluegrass, folksy stuff that won’t intrude on your meal) makes Barley’s Taproom a welcome stop as you wind your way through the Blue Ridge.

Filed under: Great Eats, North America | Tagged: andouille sausage, Appalachian mountains, Asheville, Barley's Taproom, beer, big servings, black bean hummus, Blue Ridge Mountains, bluegrass, calzones, carbs, downtown, feta cheese, filling, friendly folk, great eat, historic, jerk chicken, live entertainment, local beer, local brews, micro brew beer, micro brews, music, NC, North Carolina, NY pizza, old building, pizza, sourdough bread, sun dried tomatoes, vegetable lasagna, world brews | 1 Comment »

Ocean Isle, NC

Posted on October 28, 2010 by Admin of TBJ

My mother’s side of the family is large, with multiple cousins, aunts, uncles, second cousins, siblings, etc., and they all like to get together every few years or so, en masse, in Ocean Isle, NC. As a consequence, many of my childhood beach memories center around Ocean Isle, a rare strip of beach front property that isn’t taken over by condos, hotel chains, and kitsch stores. Ocean Isle has rental properties and two hotels – that’s it – and the end of the island is a gated community. There’s no shortage of sand for your sunning and swimming desires, and you can easily grab beach gear at Surf Unlimited or any of the revolving-named stores near the bridge. It’s easy to rent a bike and tool around the island that way, or you can easily stroll from where you’ve decided to stay (cheaper rentals are on the inlet/intercoastal waterway) to the “town” area, which has a couple of bars and restaurants (Sharkey’s = no, the Giggling Mackerel = maybe), an ice cream parlor, and a putt-putt course. There used to be a water park, but if you’re looking for that sort of beach-shabby-chic, check out the arcade and boardwalk area. Grab an ice cream cone at the Ocean Isle Creamery, then take a walk on the quiet beach. A leisurely walk to the Shalotte Sound offers a great opportunity to watch crabs scuttle about the muddy sand, but if you get too bored, you can always take a plane ride over the area – it’s cheap, it’s scary, but it’s something one can do. Ocean Isle is calm and sedate, and it’s one of the quietest beaches at night. If you’re looking to party, head south to Myrtle or Sunset, but if you’re looking for relaxation, not much beats Ocean Isle.

Filed under: North America | Tagged: arcade, bar, beach, bike, boardwalk, crabs, Giggling Mackerel, ice cream, intercoastal waterway, NC, North Carolina, Ocean Isle, Ocean Isle Creamery, pub, putt-putt, sand, Shalotte Sound, Sharkey's, sun, Surf Unlimited, swim, walk | Leave a Comment »

Corolla, NC

Posted on October 27, 2010 by Admin of TBJ

The Outer Banks of North Carolina draws thousands of visitors every year; maybe it’s because of the history and lighthouses, maybe it’s because it’s so hard to get to, but, to this traveler, Corolla, near Duck, is like an outpost on the edge of the sea. There’s a general store, a pint-size library (I still have my card), and sandy roads that, if you venture too far off of them, you’ll need four-wheel drive. The Currituck Lighthouse, stately in it’s red brick, is a great way to catch a breeze (and great views) while you’re relaxing at the shore; make sure to note all the iron detail on the inside of the lighthouse, and try to spot a wild horse while you’re up there. Speaking of the wild horses, the folks in Corolla respect their equine neighbors, and certain areas of the island are kept wild and rugged in order to deter you from interfering with the horses, though there are some “tours” available if you really must seek them out. There are some great little boutique shops if you’re looking to spend some cash or soak up some AC, and jewelry, along with ubiquitous sand dollar art, are available for your purchasing pleasure. The main point of Corolla, along with the rest of North Carolina’s Outer Banks, is to rest and enjoy the unspoiled prettiness that the local residents have worked so hard to preserve. The proximity of the area to pirate treasures and graveyards only enhances the vibe that you’ve truly gotten away from it all, and that you are on an adventure, even if it’s just to see how many sand crabs you can find between naps on the beach.

Filed under: North America | Tagged: Atlantic Ocean, beach, Corolla, Currituck Lighthouse, friendly folk, history, library, NC, North Carolina, ocean, Outer Banks, pirates, relaxation, sand, shopping, sun, surf, swimming, wild horses | 1 Comment »

Cashiers, NC

Posted on October 26, 2010 by Admin of TBJ

Nestled up in the Appalachian Mountains is the little village (it’s got maybe four stoplights) of Cashiers, NC. You can easily get there from Upstate SC or from Asheville or Brevard, NC or upper GA. The town is also not that far off of the Blue Ridge Parkway, so the town’s location affords you a great place to stay if you’ve been driving all day. A visit to Cashiers isn’t one for those hot on the trail of sightseeing, though adventure and sights are part of the town’s charm; Cashiers is more of a nature destination. Hiking Whiteside Mountain is one way to have a great time there, leaf season or no, and Sliding Rock, Moss Gap, Little Green Loop, and Turtleback Falls are great spots to take a dip in some *cold* mountain water. In terms of food, Cashiers doesn’t offer the most varied of options, but the Carolina Smokehouse is a great bet for anyone looking for some authentic Carolina BBQ. Cornucopia and The Orchard are popular grub stops, and the Wild Thyme Bakery is always slammed with visitors. The best place, for my vote, to get the most out of the mountains and your food options is October’s End, a short drive away, where you can eat while overlooking the Toxaway Falls. Or, of course, a picnic made from local grub at the Farmer’s Market. Note: Cashiers is located in a dry county, meaning you are not able to purchase alcohol at restaurants or in retail stores. You can bring your own alcohol to most restaurants, but it’s advised to purchase any alcohol before you get to Cashiers. Rent a cabin with your friends and enjoy canoeing, swimming, hiking, or just plain relaxing in a beautiful mountain locale!

Filed under: North America | Tagged: Asheville, BBQ, Blue Ridge Mountains, Blue Ridge Parkway, Brevard, Carolina Smokehouse, cashiers, Cornucopia, farmer's market, fresh vegetables, GA, hiking, little green loop, moss gap, NC, North Carolina, October's End, SC, sightseeing, Sliding Rock, swimming, The Orchard, toxaway, turtleback falls, Upstate, Whiteside Mountain, Wild Thyme Bakery | 2 Comments »

Wilmington, NC

Posted on September 20, 2010 by Admin of TBJ

Situated on the Cape Fear River, Wilmington, North Carolina, remains one of the cooler coastal towns that North Carolina has to offer. If you’re fortunate enough to be able to navigate downtown Wilmington’s one-way streets, you’ll enjoy the small but friendly downtown Wilmington, which features the touristy Riverwalk; it’s actually pretty nice after you’ve tucked in a good meal and continue down the River at a sleepy pace with your last drink warming your belly. Wilmington’s quirkier side can be seen closer to the downtown area, where locals and UNC-W’ers in the know tend to flock; check out the Brown Coat Pub for their Guerilla Theater comedy nights, and simply bar-crawl your way through the trendy couch bars and half art gallery/eateries. Daytime downtown results in some good shopping finds, and I love Brooklyn Pizza best of all of Wilmington’s little pizza dives. Most tourists flock to check out the Battleship USS Carolina, but unless you love history, skip it and head to the beach (Ft. Fisher, Kure, and Wrightsville are all close by); you’ll be able to scope out Wilmington’s old town architecture – especially the churches – on the way there. Skip the boat tours unless you’re into ecology or just like boats – there are haunted tours, mystery tours, etc. in the Wilmington area. Wilmington has a burgeoning film scene (Dawson’s Creek was filmed there, yes, but UNC-W has a film program too!) and definitely check around to see if anything’s going on while you’re there; Wilmington is sleepy, but it is always a good time.

Filed under: North America, Uncategorized | Tagged: art galleries, Battleship, beach, boat tours, Brooklyn Pizza, Brown Coat Pub, Cape Fear River, comedy, couch bars, Dawson's Creek, dives, ecology, film, friendly folk, Ft. Fisher, Guerilla Theater, Kure Beach, mystery tours, NC, North Carolina, relaxation, Riverwalk, UNC-W, University of North Carolina, USS North Carolina, Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach | Leave a Comment »

Grandfather Mountain, NC

Posted on September 15, 2010 by Admin of TBJ

Grandfather Mountain is truly the grandaddy of North Carolina’s Appalachian Mountain attractions (corny intro, but true). Set up high in the Linville area of NC, Grandfather Mountain boasts eleven (11!) different hiking trails, which have varying degrees of difficulty and can be reached through a variety of entrances to the park. You can even get to the hiking trails by crossing the nefarious Mile-High Swinging Bridge, which my Dad enjoyed swinging as my mom and I squealed and teetered across on my first visit to the park (the bridge was refurbished in 1999, so you can’t really swing it anymore, but it’s still quite the vista view). There are several wildlife viewing areas in the park, ranging from wildlife encounters (check the park’s website for the current black bear activity level in the area) to wildlife rehabilitation/viewing (otters, bears, and raptors, like the golden eagle, are often seen in special enclosure areas). Stop for a picnic or a visit to the on-site nature museum; you can even shadow a wildlife keeper if you sign up ahead of time (or you are attending Camp Oconeechee, the local girl scout camp). Days, hours, a week – whatever you have time for, a trip to Grandfather Mountain is well worth the switch-back drive to get there.

Filed under: North America | Tagged: Appalachian mountains, bears, Blue Ridge Mountains, Camp Oconeechee, eagles, Grandfather Mountain, hiking, Linville, Mile High Swinging Bridge, nature, nature museum, nature trails, NC, North Carolina, otters, picnics, raptors, wildlife | Leave a Comment »

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