Let's Explore Charlotte, NC

Brioche French Toast at Crepe Cellar

I feel like I'm always talking about how I "live" in Charlotte, yet I never share anything about it. When I first started my job I was whisked away to the west coast for my first month or so before actually settling in Charlotte. I spent about six weeks trying to throw together a resemblance of an apartment and then before I knew it, I was sent off on the road to travel four days a week. That honestly sums up my life since September...in fact, I am blogging in the airport right now.

Last weekend I finally had time to get out and about to explore the Charlotte a little bit more than my usual dash to the grocery store or mall. There is a small area in Charlotte called NODA (North Davidson). It's the historic arts district, but now the gentrified area only spans a couple blocks (literally). Nevertheless, NODA has some fun restaurants and cute, artsy shops.

Salmon Crepe at Crepe Cellar

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Crêpe Cellar • Charlotte, NC

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Rating: 4.5/5 Points: Cozy brunch spot, fabulous french toast, great french press coffee Cons: None really... I wanted more honey on my biscuit!

Crêpe Cellar is a much welcomed addition to my brunch spots in Charlotte. The ten minute drive from uptown to NODA is well worth it on a Sunday just to sip on some reasonably priced French press coffee. They even give you a fancy coffee timer along side your press (I was impressed). Coming from New York I am a staunch believer that all good French Toast is made with challa bread, or at the very least, is made from thick cut bread and throroughly soaked in egg. Crêpe Cellar did not disappoint in the French toast department. They had two options, I tried the brioche based version. I also got to try their smoked salmon crepe. It was a soft crepe that came with a biscuit along side. Yum! The breakfast crepe is also supposed to be fabulous. All in all, I can't wait to go back and it's even inspired me to check out more places in NODA.

Black Mountain

Apple-Walnut Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Before heading over to the Biltmore Estate I stopped in Black Mountain, NC for some German food. Black Mountain is a charming little town nestled in the mountains. It almost felt like Woodstock, NY to me. There were a couple cute shops filled with American crafts and a multitude of yummy looking cafes.

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Berliner Kindl German Restaurant • Black Mountain, NC

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Rating: 3.75/5 Points: Great sausage, German groceries for sale, CAKE, beer! Cons: Spätzle wasn't the typical fare I was used to

Berliner Kindl is a straight up home-grown restaurant. I was really excited to fill my stomach with spätzle because I rarely get to have it. When it came out, it was not at all the typical spätzle I was used to getting in Germany. Instead of being pea-shaped it came out more like short noodles. I decided that it was a regional thing and stuffed myself with it anyway (It turns out it was commercially prepared spätzle). The sausage they served was amazing but the dill speckled potato salad was lacking for me. I liked, but did not love the kraut. At this point I was completely stuffed; at this point the waitress let me know that desserts they had. I couldn't resist the Apple-Walnut Cake which turned out to be more like an apple version of a carrot cake. This was the best decision I made (food-wise) all day. The cake was moist, dense, and simply amazing. I would love to try some of their other desserts.

Hello, Asheville.

Pionono: one of the signature dishes at Chorizo Latin Fare

After visiting the Biltmore, I continued my western North Carolina adventure in Asheville, NC. Asheville reminds me of the town I grew up in. It's far more blatantly artsy than Charlotte and boasts of way too many delicious looking restaurants and tarot reading shops. Just about every cafe, bar, and restaurant has been thoroughly soaked in the music scene. I did not have much time to spend in Asheville, however, I did grab some Latin fare.

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Chorizo Latin Fare • Asheville, NC

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Rating: 4/5 Points: Fresh food and great atmosphere Cons: I was really thirsty about an hour after I ate there

Chorizo was fabulous. I got to sit outside on the sidewalk and soak in the vibrant culture of Asheville. I got to see what I presume was a party bus, rolling up the street with a clown chasing the bus on foot. The food was extremely fresh and I got to have the most interesting take of nachos I've ever had: a fried chip bowl with grilled chicken, guacamole, salsa, cheese, and a fried egg on top. Yum. Chorizo makes a house smokey hot sauce that is to die for. It was generously applied to the nachos. Next up was the Pionono-- coffee marinated pulled pork over a bed of fried plantains and spinach, coconut infused rice, black beans, and a side salad. Of course, we can't forget the cheese. I was far too stuffed for dessert or one of the interesting drinks on their menu, but I guess that means I'll just have to go back. :)

Nachos: not your standard nacho plate bowl