Wasabi

107 Edinburgh South Dr
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 460-7980
www.wasabicary.com

It's the Girl here with a Boy-less review! I discovered Wasabi mostly because it's in the same complex as Casa Margarita.

The Boy is not usually interested in Asian food. We'll have it from time to time, but I could eat sushi every day. I visited Wasabi with a friend, who could also eat sushi everyday. We really enjoyed the bamboo decor and peaceful ambiance, and like the best of Cary restaurants, inside Wasabi feels like it's far, far away from the outside's stripmall parking lot. Our waiter was friendly, offering to answer any questions we had, and drink refills came quickly.

The actual food is, well, sushi. There are no mind-blowing texture and flavour combinations, but Wasabi offered a solid selection of fresh veggie and fish rolls, all the basics, presented well. There were plenty of vegetarian options, which seems to be pretty typical of sushi places, but I don't eat a lot of meat, so I always like to see it. (I have been talked into accompanying the Boy to a steakhouse, now and again, but I usually perfer lighter fare)

Overall, I enjoyed our meal and our drinks, and I'd go there again, but I don't know if it's you-need-to-try-this-now good. Decent prices for nice sushi, and a good time with my friend.

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Salute

Salute Wine and Tapas
280 Meeting Street (formerly the Chocolate Bean)
Cary, NC

We were sad to see the The Chocolate Bean go, but at least it's being reborn as a wine and tapas bar. The new Salute has the same owners, so expect the same laid-back atmosphere, friendly service and modern decor of the Chocolate Bean. Only now it's for evening hangouts, not morning.

The boy and I tried several different wines from Salute's by-the-glass wine list... in the interests of reviewing, of course, and really liked what we tried. There's also a nice list of beers for next time!

Salute offers a selection of spicy, salty and mild tapas to eat with your wine. I've mentioned before that the boy and I like appetizers better than meals, and this mixed of flavours and textures in the Mediterrean tapas is why. We received a selection of marinaded mushrooms, thin-sliced spicy Italian meat, olives, and mozzarella balls, enough a large snack or a small meal for two.

The food is great, but don't over order, since Salute still offers the chocolatey desserts we loved at the Chocolate Bean. Overall, the unpretentious but wine-loving atmosphere makes it a great place to stop in for a glass of wine, and let that turn into a second glass... and a bite... and maybe more. I'm a bit sad that I can't stop into the Chocolate Bean for morning coffee anymore, but I can't complain about adding a great wine list to a place we already liked!

Mouthful

Mouthful, the N&O's food blog, mentioned us the other day:

And I wanted to point out this local blog, boyandgirleatout.
This couple, rendered on the blog in stick figure drawings, gives
reviews of restaurants, mainly in Cary. Their stick figure faces
change based on whether their reviews are positive or negative. If you
live in or near Cary, the blog is a good starting point.

Also, the boy wants you all to know that those aren't stick figures, that's what we really look like. Say hi when you see us eating out, ok?

Via Mouthful - The Blogosphere: Varmint Bites, Chef Shirle and more | newsobserver.com blogs

Boudreaux's Louisiana Kitchen

501 E 36th St
Charlotte, NC 28205
http://www.boudreauxs.com/

The boy and I are back in Charlotte. (According to this blog, we were in Raleigh just long enough to eat fair food!) We wanted to try Boudreax's Louisiana Kitchen, which led us to NoDa, a sweet little arts district. NoDa is a couple blocks of coffeeshops, galleries, bars and small eateries just off the major artery of North Tryon Road.

The dining area was simple polished wood tables, with a well-stocked bar on one side, and on the other, a rolling garage-style door to connect the indoor and outdoor seating on warm nights. We visited on a chilly night, so it was closed, but still offered prime people-watching windows.

The day's special was fried fish with a shallot and tasso ham sauce, over grits. Tasso is cajun ham, in case you were going to state blankly at the waitress (like I did), and it comes as tiny, spicy bites of ham in the sauce. I had to try the special, while the boy ordered jambalaya.

Both dinners were spicy, without overpowering all the other layers of flavor, and both portions were way too big to finish.

They also offered a collection of cocktails, including a Hurricane Katrina (a hurricane with extra alcohol from places Katrina stopped on the way to New Orleans, with $2 going to disaster relief), mojitos, beer and a wine list.




Overall, a great night. Boudreaux had good food, and our waiter had time to recommend a string of other NoDa attractions.