T1 Tapas in Huntersville’s Birkdale Village has undergone a metamorphosis over the past few weeks, becoming the British-themed iPub. Meanwhile, Hot Diggitee Dogz on Davidson’s West Side closed its doors last week, becoming the latest takeout restaurant to fold in the space near Ada Jenkins Center. Its owner plans to reopen in downtown Cornelius. Also, Flatiron Kitchen + Taphouse is introducing live music on Wednesday nights, and the Festival for Hope & Housing will include area restaurants serving food on the Green in Davidson Saturday. Continue Reading

Tommy Barbee of Barbee Farms in Concord talks to visitors at the 2010 Charlotte Area Farm Tour. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

As awareness and interest in local food has broadened in recent years, farm tours have become a popular way to educate consumers about the sources of their food. On Sept. 17-18, Davidson-based Know Your Farms LLCwill host its third annual Charlotte Area Farm Tour, a two-day self-guided tour at 32 farms across the region.

“What we’re trying to do is strengthen connections between the farms and consumers. It’s just a fun way to do it, and it’s family friendly,” said Wes Shi, co-founder of Know Your Farms. Continue Reading

Pork Banh Mi Sandwich (Nikki Sawyer Moore photo)

Our foodie friend and Davidson grad Nikki Sawyer Moore has a delicious sounding recipe over on her Minced blog today: “Vietnamese Pork Banh Mi Sandwiches With Sriracha Mayo.” It’s not close to lunch but my mouth is watering. She describes it:

“Ground pork, lemongrass, green onions, garlic, jalapeno, and fish sauce combine to make juicy meatballs.  The meatballs are then seared off in a pan, before being placed on a noisily crunchy baguette and topped with pickled carrots, fresh cilantro, and a spicy sriracha mayonnaise.   It’s about the farthest thing from boring and it’s perfect for a quick lunch or dinner, a late-night snack, or a Sunday football game.”

“This is a sandwich you want to feed people,” she writes. OK, we’re ready.

LINK: Sept. 1, 2011, Nikki Sawyer Moore’s “Minced” blog,  “Vietnamese Pork Banh Mi Sandwiches With Sriracha Mayo.”

By LIZ WEINDRUCH
DavidsonNews.net

If you haven’t already guessed, fresh fruits and veggies are the stars of my plates when they’re in season. I prefer my vegetables raw (or barely cooked) with minimal seasoning so I can really taste them.

But my palate hasn’t always been like this. I remember being quite the picky eater as a child. I was open to trying almost anything, and I politely ate what was in front of me, but the words “green” and “vegetable” made me dread sitting down to dinner.  That is, until I tried green beans cooked with bacon drippings…

It was at a typical “meat and three” spot in my hometown of Little Rock, Ark., and my grandmother convinced me to try a bite of hers. I couldn’t have been older than 10 or 11, but that night marked a turning point in my childhood – “Maybe I like vegetables?”

The beans were stewed to almost a mushy consistency and were laced with lots of fresh black pepper and stewed tomatoes. The dish below is a far cry from my original, life-changing love, but it echoes the same flavors and brings a fresh perspective to an old favorite. Recipe below. Continue Reading

Black Velvet Patisserie is Mooresville's newest bakery

A new French pastry bakery called Black Velvet Patisserie has opened on North Main Street in Mooresville, offering cakes to order as well as coffee, pastries and wi-fi in the shop. Meanwhile, Know Your Farms is seeking volunteers for its third annual farm tour this September. Also this week,  Alton’s Kitchen hosts a fund-raiser for Pawbrokers Thursday, andCampania Cafe and Davidson Chocolate Co. are helping out local nonprofits this week by donating a portion of sales on designated days. Continue Reading

Bob Barton shows the sign that got him in trouble. A staff member was waving it on Griffith Street, but that's not allowed under town rules. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

For a few days this month, Hot Diggitee Dogz hot dog shop on Davidson’s West Side has sent a staff member out to the intersection of Sloan and Griffith streets to wave a sign advertising the take-out restaurant. But last Thursday, Aug. 11, that came to an end when a Davidson police officer informed the sign-holder that the practice is illegal in Davidson. Continue Reading