One Sweet World

I wasn’t too happy with the look of the most recent layout…so I’m in the process of finding something that fits me a little better.  The problem is…everytime I decide to do something like this, I end up spending hours and hours consuming more and more information.  Not bad.  Just wish I had more time to invest in everything that I want to know more about.  Don’t think this is the look I’m going for…but for now it is more appealing to me than the previous one.  So please excuse the ‘work in progress’.

What will you do to honor the Earth today and every day after?

Yes…we ate at Rooster’s 3 more times last week. And it satisfied just the same as the first. We did go on to try several other dishes and 3 more new cheeses - cana de cabra, mahon, and garrotxa. Our eating experience consisted of: a beautifully tender ribeye fillet, sea scallops, fried artichoke salad, the best onion rings, au gratin potatoes, lemon ricotta gnocchi, mushroom fregola, buttered butter beans, fingerling potatoes and the yummiest, creamiest pistachio gelato. I know it sounds like so much food, which it was, but thankfully the portions are really great and not enormous…just enough to share amongst the table. And I couldn’t leave without a bottle of the Rooster’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil…specially pressed in Italy for Chef Jim Noble. This is and has always been the best part of traveling with work.

I was in Charlotte, NC working (more on that later) all week and will be headed back on Monday.  But I really had to post about a couple of fabulous dinners that we enjoyed. First, because I was so impressed that this sort of unique restaurant exists in the South and secondly, because the food was really wonderful. Unfortunately, the South does get a bad rap when speaking of great culinary finds. Most of what is talked about in this area of the country pertains to “down-home” cookin’ and bbq.  Outside of that, you’re choices are somehow limited to your ‘run-of-the-mill’ chain restaurants.  But after pickin’ the brain of the Controller here, we managed to come up with more than one recommendation on where to find some of Charlotte’s finest food.

Rooster’s happened to be the first one we tried (after not being able to get near the original choice). But it made me wonder…if this was our back-up, then I am looking forward to trying the others.

Everything about the meal was exquisite.  The aesthetics and design of the physical space was unique, well thought-out, rustic and warm.  The humming of the young chefs working in the open kitchen added to the ambiance, but somehow didn’t invade on it.  The cuisine was a beautiful selection of Spanish, Italian and French influenced a la carte tapas type items.  We started with a lovely salami and selection of cheeses.  The cheeses were excellent…a smooth and creamy Goat Lady chevre, a parmesan-like sheep’s milk cheese - idiazabal, and a semi-hard and mild cow’s milk blue cheese - fourme d’ambert.  I chose the salmon as my protein, and we shared sides of pan-fried corn, sauteed swiss chard with pickled onions, and roasted asparagus.  All of it was amazing!  And in perfect portions, which allowed room for dessert.  The choices were all tempting, but the winner was a warm chocolate cake with peanut butter gelato and bruleed bananas.  Yes, it was absolutely as good as it sounds!! 

The next night we were treated to another lovely dinner at Noble’s Restaurant, owned by the same chef as Rooster’s.  Again, the atmosphere was rustic and warm, but made to feel more like an Italian villa.  The service was top-notch.  The food was impeccable - fresh and high quality.  A small taste of tuna tartare was brought out before we received our appetizer.  Having never eaten anything tartare, I was a little apprehensive, but it was delicate, rich and quite tasty.  Our appetizer was made to order, consisting of a large scallop, shrimp and crab cake.  My entree of Braised Beef Shortribs with candied beets, carrots and brussel sprouts was excellent; however, very rich.  The meat simply melted, and the vegetables were pure bliss.  And for me to say that, says alot.  It is yet another affirmation of how much of a difference there is when eating fresh, local ingredients.  And somehow, we managed to find room for the much-talked about coconut cake, with creme anglaise and chantilly, accompanied by a french press of beautiful Sumatra coffee.  I was officially and utterly full! 

Headed back to Charlotte this week…and hoping we can fit in one more dinner at Rooster’s (since I’m assuming our bill at Noble’s was more than enough damage for one trip!).