Excited about Eating by Ernie Hiers

August 1, 2015March 24, 2016 / Dora Hiers / 6 Comments

This edition of Excited about Eating takes us to Block & Grinder in the South Park neighborhood of Charlotte.

This farm to kitchen restaurant’s philosophy is “Back to Basics” with a menu “structured around appreciating every fresh ingredient.”

One option was a Wild Game Burger. This day’s choice? Kangaroo served with a tomato aioli. Now I have never tasted Kangaroo but I am always open to trying a new taste.

They import their Kangaroo from New Zealand and serve it along with other wild game including camel and elk. The Kangaroo burger was outstanding, cooked perfectly and serve on a toasted bun imprinted with a B & G.

Kangaroo Burger

Instantly, you know it is not a beef burger with the distinct “wild” flavor, much like a venison burger, but earthier. The homemade fries were crispy and just the way I like them.

Dora here. It was the day for trying new things all around. Topped with feta cheese and served with curry aioli, the Lamb burger could’ve passed for beef. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad for Lamb lovers. 🙂

Lamb Burger

I just know that I enjoyed the lean, smoky flavor and I’m a huge fan of feta. I tried the aoili, but preferred it without. And I’m with Ernie. The fries were perfect.

Service was attentive and for the most part quick, and the wait staff helpful and knowledgeable.

Just a note. When you order unique options, they tend to be a bit pricier.

Dora here. Gulp. You’re not kidding. Two burgers, one iced tea, and no appetizers = $47. Yowzee! Better save up your pennies.

As I was saying, don’t let that discourage you. Go for it!

We rate this restaurant 5 forks out of 5 for a family friendly restaurant serving outstanding food.

Excited about Reading: Love on a Deadline by Kathryn Springer

July 28, 2015March 24, 2016 / Dora Hiers

Amazon Purchase Link

The Cover Story~
MacKenzie “Mac” Davis left her hometown of Red Leaf, Wisconsin, to pursue a degree in journalism. But when her dad, the town’s beloved Coach Davis, suffers a mild heart attack, Mac returns home to help out. She takes a job at the weekly newspaper but instead of covering serious topics, her editor wants her to write about social events—like the garden club’s flower show and the historical society’s afternoon tea. Mac knows it’s no way to earn her father’s respect—or the attention of one of the newspapers she hopes will hire her when she leaves Red Leaf.

When Hollis Channing, Mac’s high school nemesis, returns to Red Leaf to marry her celebrity fiancé, the editor asks Mac to cover the big event—and all the festivities leading up to—for the newspaper.

The last thing Mac wants to do is reconnect with the person who made her life miserable when she was a teenager . . . unless it’s spending time with Ethan Channing, the bride’s older brother—and Mac’s first crush.

Mac is no longer the awkward girl who wore the school mascot costume to the Homecoming dance but she realizes something hasn’t changed. Her feelings for Ethan.

Sharing my takeaway~
Reporter “Mac” Davis chomps at the bit for a meaty story, anything that’ll take her back to the big city, away from Red Leaf where everybody still thinks of her as Coach’s daughter. Physician Ethan Channing returns to his hometown, intent on sinking roots in the small community, surprised at Mac’s transformation from sideline “water girl” to beautiful woman.

I have read a few books by Kathryn Springer and enjoyed them, so I scooped up Love on a Deadline when it listed on NetGalley. I’m glad I did. The romance between Mac and Ethan moved along at a fairly smooth pace, and the cast of secondary characters really enhanced the story. The faith thread was subtle, and the story kept me flipping pages for a couple hours.

No heavy drama to sift through in this novella, just a really sweet story that makes for light, relaxing reading. A great book to pack in your beach bag or to squeeze in on a lazy weekend afternoon.:)

Disclaimer: Sending my thanks to NetGalley and Zondervan for the privilege of reading and reviewing Love on a Deadline. I was provided a free copy of the book in exchange for my fair and unbiased review. I was in no way compensated for my review.

Excited about Eating by Ernie Hiers

July 25, 2015March 24, 2016 / Dora Hiers

This edition of Excited about Eating takes us to the historic south end of Charlotte near the Dilworth neighborhood to Crispy Crepe.

Exterior

Dora here. Hey, I recognize that cute guy in the red shirt! 🙂
I would’ve preferred to sit outside, but the Saturday afternoon of our visit was a scorching 95 degrees. The interior was cozy and air conditioned. Check out that giant bottle of chocolate syrup along the wall. How cool is that?

Interior

This unique eatery not only serves crepes, but also waffles, salads, flatbreads and sandwiches.

Making Crepes

I chose the Egg n Turkey Bacon Waffle which is served with two eggs, turkey bacon and fresh fruit. Now this waffle is not an ordinary waffle. It is a Liege waffle, named after a city in Belgium, and is made using brioche style dough and caramelized Belgian sugar, and pressed in a cast iron press.

This waffle was outstanding, definitely the highlight of the dish, and reminds me of waffles from our trips to Europe. The soft scrambled, not runny eggs and bacon were perfectly cooked.

Egg n Turkey Bacon Waffle

Dora here. Isn’t that plate huge? I couldn’t let Ernie eat that whole meal by himself! He definitely needed help with the waffle. Wow! Yeasty and yummy and my fork kept sneaking over to his plate. 🙂

I strategized my order. I knew we were going for a sweet crepe, so I ordered the Smoked Turkey with White Stilten Cranberry Cheese sandwich. Doesn’t that sound intriguing? I know, right? And look at it. Sweet caramelized onions, cranberry cheese…need I say more? Yummo! And to be fair, I did share. 🙂

Smoked Turkey with White Stilten Cranberry Cheese sandwich

The Chocolate Peanut Butter crepe was filled with mini chocolate peanut butter cups, vanilla cream & drizzled with caramel. The chocolate and cream, almost like a donut cream, all mingled together for a sweet ending to a great meal. Check this out!

Chocolate Peanut Butter crepe

Dora here. The crepes don’t normally come split like this. Somebody was a bit too quick with the knife. Lucky I snapped a picture because this crepe vanished within seconds.

The coffee was a different story. Too weak for me. Bummer.

Three hours of free parking is available in a garage around the corner. Service was a bit slow because of the packed restaurant, but you won’t need that long to eat. 🙂