Excited about Eating by Ernie Hiers

This edition of Exited about Eating is back in the US at Amelie’s French Bakery in the NoDa (North Davidson) Arts District of Charlotte. This bakery, that also serves a variety of sandwiches, salads and other specialties, is a go-to place to quench not only your sweet tooth, but also your savory cravings.

20160522_112239

Amelie’s French Bakery in NoDa

Dora here. You can say that again. Wait until you catch a glimpse of their dessert counter. Yowza!

20160522_122516

Fun, eclectic interior. Order at the counter

I ordered the Provence B.L.T with Red Potato Salad and because I had no idea what a Tartine was, a Ham & Gruyere Tartine. The B.L.T. was served on a crispy baguette with loads of bacon, lettuce, and mayo that combined for the perfect bite, crispy on the outside and loads of flavor on the inside.

20160522_114230

BLT with Potato Salad

The Tartine is actually an open-faced sandwich. The baguette was blanketed with ham and melted Gruyere cheese.

20160522_114402

Dora here. Talk about gooey and cheesy delicious!! We could’ve made a meal on the tartine alone! But we didn’t. 😀

The Strawberry Candied Almond Salad called to me. Because you know I’m all for salads with fruit, right? Yum! I added chicken for protein and my mouth exploded with flavor with the almost-sweet balsamic vinaigrette and the crunchy candy almonds. Yum! My only negative about this dish would be that it was entirely spring mix (Ernie calls them “weeds”). I would’ve preferred romaine and should’ve asked for the switch. 

20160522_114253

Strawberry Candied Almond Salad with Chicken – YUM!

Still Dora, the interior is eclectic and homey, like a family dinner, with all sorts of conversations flowing and swirling around you. Can you spot my sweetheart in this pic? xo

20160522_122435

Homey and eclectic

Still Dora. What’s up with the big guy? He petered out at the best part. lol. Of course, we couldn’t pass by that bakery case without ordering dessert–awesome marketing ploy on their part, don’t you think? The Monkey Bread (Ernie’s choice) looks sickeningly sweet, doesn’t it? But so not! So delicate, it reminded me of an apple fritter without the chunky apples. And that’s a coconut macaroon next to it. I admit to being disappointed that it wasn’t dipped in chocolate at first, but one bite of that chewy ball of coconut made up for it. Mmmmm.

20160522_121236

Monkey Bread, Coconut Macaroon, Chai Tea Lattes (iced and hot)

Amelie’s definitely made it on our “must go back” list.

20160522_122526

Everybody lines up in front of this extensive dessert case to order. Like you could resist, right?

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

Amélie's Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Excited about Eating by Ernie Hiers

This edition of Excited about Eating takes us on a road trip (or should I say a plane trip?) to Brussels, Belgium and to Peck 47 Restaurant.

20160506_025856Looking for a breakfast spot, we ran upon this gem just down the road from our hotel. This intimate, hometown-type restaurant offers a variety of options with poached eggs and waffles or English muffins.

20160506_024315

Eclectic interior

For my breakfast, I chose the Peck Special, two poached eggs served on chorizo and goat cheese waffles with bacon and psycho sauce and a side salad. (Dora here. Oh, I loved that psycho sauce!! What a kick to get in gear! lol.) This was a great breakfast combination, with the poached eggs being cooked perfectly, firm on the outside and runny on the inside. The thin waffle blended well with the eggs and the spicy psycho sauce. One thing that was interesting was being served a salad for breakfast. Although it looked fine, I could not make myself try it. Something is just plain wrong with salad for breakfast.

20160506_023904

Eclectic interior

Dora here. I came for the coffee. 🙂

20160506_023238

But I figured I better eat something too. I’m not a big breakfast eater, so I opted for a smoothie. Yogurt, banana, honey, and homemade granola. Just the right remedy for a tummy a bit unsettled from traveling. 🙂

20160506_023621

Eclectic interior

What’s the farthest you’ve traveled for breakfast? lol

We rate this restaurant 4 forks out of 5 for a family friendly restaurant serving great food.

Stretch those Muscles

Married to an adventurous foodie husband, I can’t afford to allow excess pounds to linger. So, at fifty-four years old, I joined my first gym. A friend called me brave. I quickly realized, though, that it took more courage to face what was inside of me rather than the actual building. 

Fear. 

Which muscles of yours need stretching? What holds you back?

Lots of awesome articles in May’s edition of  SIBYL Magazine: For the Spirit and Soul of Woman, written by women willing to expose their souls and share their personal journeys. Come find encouragement in my story, Stretch those Muscles, on page 13.

May 2016 Sibyl Magazine

Sibyl Magazine Ad Banner