Weekend in Raleigh

This past weekend, I headed to Raleigh with ma girl Ashton to visit our wonderful friend Erica (and to meet her very special boyfriend, Parker).

We arrived Saturday morning just in time for brunch. Parker and Erica took us to a chicken place called Beasley's. Now, normally I wouldn't order fried chicken, but they swore it was delicious and I can't say no to two people convinced this place is delicious. I got the Chicken Biscuit (fried chicken on a homemade biscuit with pickled green tomatoes and spicy mustard) and a side of beets in a citrus vinegar.

Erica and Parker both got a brunch special that they said was delicious - fried chicken on a biscuit with queso and a fried egg. Parker also got a block of pimento cheese mac n' cheese. Aren't they adorbs?

After brunch, we headed back to Erica's house and napped for a few hours. I awoke to the sweet sound of a chip bag opening, and we happy houred with some guacamole. After primping for the night ahead of us, we picked up Ali and Austin and headed to Centro for dinner. Centro is a very cool Mexican place in downtown Raleigh.

We started with a pitcher of delicious, fresh margaritas and I ordered the stuffed poblano pepper with rice, mint, and plantains on a bed of black beans. It was verrrrry delicious and the perfect dinner before a long night of beers and celebrating Marshall's birthday.

The next morning was a bit of a struggle, but we headed out for one last meal together. Erica and I split a frittata with avocado and tomatoes and an omelette with spinach, tomatoes, ricotta, feta, and mozz. Cheesy goodness. The home fries were amazing, as was Parker's outfit.

Sadly, upon my return to Charlotte, I came down with the stomach flu or some stomach virus that left me totally incapacitated for about 36 hours. My eats yesterday consisted of a piece of toast, a bowl of rice, and a popsicle, but I was just relieved to be able to keep any food down. Very happy to be on the road to recovery!!

Can't wait for Parker and Erica to make it down to Charlotte so Ashton and I can take them on a food tour of the Queen City.

Weekend in Atlanta

This weekend, I went to Atlanta for the first time. Rob has training there for ten days which means I got to visit a new city without having to pay for a hotel room! I've wanted to check out Atlanta for a while now and am so glad I finally went. The city is way bigger than I had expected and full of all sorts of people. We had some amazing meals (most notably at 246 in Decatur, Fritti in Innman Park, and Highland Bakery), saw a hilarious improv show at Dad's Garage, and explored the city. I really, really loved everything I saw (and ate) and hope to go back and visit again soon!

Mural in Decatur (there are TONS of murals everywhere!)

Massive salami sandwich and pile of fries at 246

Most amazing bok choy I've ever had, plus two toasts with ricotta and veggies @ 246

Carmelized onion, pancetta and hot pepper pizza + arugula and proscuitto pizza @ Fritti

Corn-cilantro cakes with black beans, fried eggs, and queso fresco @ Highland Bakery (huge portion!)

Fried Chicken Benedict and amazing home fries @ Highland Bakery

Halloween Weekend

This weekend was wonderful. Friday night, we all headed up to Davidson for dinner with Hilary, Collin, and Collin's mom, Mary, at 131 Main. My mom is obsessed with 131 -- any time she visited me during college, we would go there for dinner and key lime pie. We had really delicious drinks (super dirty martinis with blue cheese olives) and yummy food. Collin's mom is so sweet and our parents had a great time finally meeting each other!

Saturday morning, I woke up and worked out before breakfast. My parents were already back up at Davidson for a lecture, so I made pumpkin pancakes and Rob made toast and eggs. We watched the Davidson football game then headed to the Brickhouse for beers and snacks. Fall at Davidson is so pretty. I forgot how much I love walking around campus during this time of year.

After a great dinner at Cantina 1511, I really wanted to hang out with some friends and celebrate Halloween!! I love dressing up and Rob is such a good sport about it. He insists on doing a couples costume (which earns him a million points in my book) -- last year, we were Fred and Wilma, but this year was a little more last minute so we were Beanie Babies with Meg! Tuck wanted to be a predator so he dressed up like a shark.

Sunday morning, we had brunch with Brett and Joe at Flying Biscuit. My parents love these guys and always have so much fun with them. The rest of the day was spent on the couch watching football and doing some work. We had some super delish Thai food from Deejai last night (Green Curry with Duck and Drunken Noodles) that left me in a food coma. My high school friend Eileen is staying with me for a few days (I haven't seen her in five years!) so I'm sure we'll do something fun tonight!!

To all my friends and loved ones in the Northeast: please be safe these next few days! Thinking about you from down South and hoping that you stay safe, dry, and out of Sandy's way!!

Bro-union

I had big plans for this weekend. Rob's two best friends would be in town, so I was going to make myself scarce and catch up on some long lost girl time: manicure, long runs, pumpkin pancakes, shopping...alas, none of that happened. The hurricane known as Jon Stella arrived late Thursday night and crushed any hope I had of a peaceful weekend.

The boys cooked an AMAZING dinner on Thursday (spice-rubbed chicken thighs, butternut squash and rosemary risotto, and roasted asparagus) - thanks, guys!! - and then I went to bed early while they stayed up late, chatting about all things manly.

Friday night, we had dinner at a Charlotte gem - Beef and Bottle. This place has ZERO curb appeal (as in, looks like a trailer), but has delicious steaks and lots of character. I got the 6 oz filet mignon and asparagus. I never, ever order steak when I go to restaurants so this was a real treat. The company wasn't too bad, either!

After dinner and a few more drinks, we + Lindsay went out to a bar in uptown Charlotte to show Jon what the south is really all about. I'm not sure it measured up to the crazy clubs in NYC, but we had a really fun time dancing until the wee hours of the morning.

Saturday, we spent most of the early afternoon at Jackalope Jack's, a bar with a great patio, where we brunched on mediocre food, drank many Bloody Mary's, and Jon flirted with three different waitresses (this set the precedent for the rest of the weekend). Suffice it to say, that afternoon ended in naps for most of us, followed by another stellar dinner at The Liberty. I had the salmon but the boys had burgers and short ribs -- mmm, beef. They went out, I stayed in...I needed sleep.

Sunday morning, I woke up feeling great but the rest of the crew was a little...slow. We went to Whiskey Warehouse and sat on the porch for brunch. The weather was amazing, they had a Bloody Mary bar, and Jon gave his number to the sixth waitress of the weekend. It was a blast.

Instead of going out for dinner again on Sunday, we made pizzas and salad and watched football. I made pesto with kale, spinach, mint, and basil for the pizza on top. Jon, the pesto hater and true Italian boy, loved it, so I think that means it was a success!

I am completely exhausted today, but it was another amazing weekend with people I love. Can't complain about that.

48 hours

FRIDAY Fly into Reagan. Drive to Sara's. Pick up (extremely spicy) Asian takeout from a little place near her apartment. Eat and drink with her, Alex, and Courtney. Head to Ryan's. Play with Maryland friends. Skip over to Local 16. Watch Sara flirt with a bartender. Cab to Amsterdam Falafel. Grub. Sleep.

SATURDAY Wake up. Tylenol. Run through Rock Creek Park. Sweat it out. Go to Town Hall for "brunch." Get attacked by stink bugs. Eat amazing steak. See three random people from Davidson. Leave five hours (= 2 Bloody Marys and 8 Miller Lites) later. Nap. Beautify. Sushi. House party. Police? Town Hall again. Nachos. Sleep.

SUNDAY Coffee date in the garden. Founding Farmers. Feel full. Walk down the mall. Sit in the sun. Hugs at Metro Center. Cry on the metro. Fly home.

48 hours is way too short to spend with your best friends in an amazing city. 

Celebrations

Sunday morning, we woke up and went to church. Most of the time, I'll enjoy a morning workout while Rob goes to church, but since we had plans to go to Rosh Hashanah services at night, I decided to join him for a full day of religious celebrations.

After a really nice service (in which the priest gave a shout out to the Jewish New Year, which I obviously loved), we headed up to Davidson for a very special birthday celebration! My absolutely wonderful little sister turned 21 yesterday and we brunched it up at North Harbor Club with her roommates and boyfriend, Collin. My dad sent the table a round of mimosas which certainly made the occasion more festive! I baked Hil some gluten-free cupcakes (thanks, Betty Crocker) and we feasted until we couldn't manage to stuff any more food into our happy bellies.

I'm so lucky to have such a sassy little sis! She makes my world go round.