Monthly Archives: October 2020

Spruce Street Garden – Craft Tavern to Close Permanently

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From the Spruce Street Garden – Craft Tavern Facebook page:

“We are sorry to announce that Spruce Street Garden has succumbed to 2020 and will regretfully close for the unforeseeable future. We will open Friday night October 30 for one last hurrah with a tap takeover from New Sarum Brewing Company. Tap takeover details to follow…
We want to thank everyone for their continued support. We appreciate each and every single person who supported the Spruce Street Garden team. It was an extremely difficult decision to come to and we wish we could keep serving you all through this trying time. We hope we can return one day when life isn’t so crazy and return with a vengeance! We love you all. Thank you so much for everything.”
I know it has been extremely difficult for Alex and Georgia with this restaurant. I feel it never properly got off the ground as they were just getting started, and getting their feet under them, the pandemic hit and threw everything into disarray. They were closed, gathering grounds from PPP and other means and had just really gotten back up and going in the last couple of months. Alex and Georgia just got married a few weeks ago and they had spent money on overhead and, I believe, HVAC and things and now this. I think they have a great vision for what they wanted to do with this. I hope that they can figure out a way to make a go at it again, perhaps in a different location or whatever. I just hate seeing Spruce Street Garden going under. Good luck to you both, Alex and Georgia.

The Man Who Ate the Town Podcast Episode 173

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In Episode #173, proudly recorded in The Less Desirables Studios (South). Zoom sponsored by Bull’s Tavern:

Tim, Ray, and Lea talk about:

  • Street Team Steven talks with the podcast crew about their excursion to Taste of the Triad and his experience with Bootleg Ramen.
  • Tart Sweets closes.
  • City Beverage.
  • Bobby Boy Bakeshop
  • Bootleg Ramen.
  • Other local restaurant news.
  • Tim and Lea talk about “List” updates.
  • Winston-Salem Strong. This website includes the food and beverage list that we have been forging and resources for businesses and individuals that are needed at this time, including unemployment, SBA loans, tips for servers, and many other services. All this in one place. Winston-Salem Strong!
  • Food holidays and history.

Don’t forget our sponsors:

Carrabba’s Italian Grill.  Healthy, grilled meats, wood-fired pizzas, fresh ingredients, and phenomenal wine dinners. That’s just some of the offerings of Carrabba’s. And, Daniel Butner, the local proprietario, is salt of the earth and a pillar of good in the community. Go taste the goodness that is Carrabba’s and see why Tim and Ray are always talking it up!

Washington Perk & Provision Company. Better than a convenience store but not quite a grocery store, in the heart of Washington Park and Downtown WSNC.

The Humble Bee Shoppe is challenging your perception of scratch made and leaving you with an experience you couldn’t possibly forget! With inventive flavor combos and a sense of artistry, The Humble Bee Shoppe isn’t your average bakery.

The Man Who Ate the Town is part of The Less Desirables Network. Give it a listen on iTunes, Stitcher, Podcast Addict, and TuneIn, basically anywhere you can listen to podcasts. Or you can listen here (at the bottom of the post).

Bon Appetit!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The Man Who Ate the Town Podcast Episode 172

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In Episode #172, proudly recorded in The Less Desirables Studios (South). Zoom sponsored by Bull’s Tavern:

Tim, Ray, and Lea talk about:

  • Daniel Butner talks about Daniel Butner Day, Mission to Serve, and more!
  • West End Cafe.
  • The Tap.
  • Cheesecakes by Alex.
  • Bootleg Ramen.
  • Other local restaurant news.
  • Tim and Lea talk about “List” updates.
  • Winston-Salem Strong. This website includes the food and beverage list that we have been forging and resources for businesses and individuals that are needed at this time, including unemployment, SBA loans, tips for servers, and many other services. All this in one place. Winston-Salem Strong!
  • Food holidays and history.
  • Don’t forget our sponsors:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The Man Who Ate the Town Podcast Episode 171

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Chicken 65

In Episode #171, proudly recorded in The Less Desirables Studios (South). Zoom sponsored by Bull’s Tavern:

Tim, Ray, and Lea talk about:

  • “Street Team Steven” McDowall is on to talk about his and Tim’s trip to Katsuri Indian Cuisine.
  • Tim and his son, Trey, visit the new Food Freaks.
  • West End Cafe reopening dining room.
  • 1703 Restaurant celebrates 20 years.
  • Bootleg Ramen.
  • Other local restaurant news.
  • Tim and Lea talk about “List” updates.
  • Winston-Salem Strong. This website includes the food and beverage list that we have been forging and resources for businesses and individuals that are needed at this time, including unemployment, SBA loans, tips for servers, and many other services. All this in one place. Winston-Salem Strong!
  • Food holidays and history.
  • Don’t forget our sponsors:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Mojito Latin Soul Food Opens Today!

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Michael and Michelle Millan are officially opening the doors to their newest venture, Mojito Latin Soul Food, today, at 11a. Michael and Michelle are from Miami and Michael’s family is Cuban. So, instead of just focusing on the Cuban aspect (which he does lean into heavily), he’s taking a little bit of all Latin cuisine and making it his own.

One of my co-hosts on The Man Who Ate the Town Podcast, Lea Metz and I got to sample the offerings early! Here’s the preview for your enjoyment!

Puffed pork rinds (Chicharrones)

Pork Belly (Chicharrones)

This is the Chicharron duo. The first picture (left) is the “pork rinds” or the “popped” version, tossed in a slightly salty house seasoning and topped with Mojito sauce. The second picture (right) is the Fried Pork Belly version, also tossed in house seasoning and Mojito sauce. Either of these, I could eat full plates of them. Delish!

Ceviche

This is one of the things I was most excited about when it got put on the table during my tasting with Lea. This is the ceviche! Citrus marinated fish and shrimp with pepper, corn, hominy, cilantro, and tomato. All that covered with Mojito aioli and Tajin seasoning and put it on top of a fried tortilla! I love ceviche and I didn’t let any of it go to waste. I mean, outside of what Lea had.

Jambon Croqueta

The jamón croqueta (ham croquette). Traditionally, these are served with saltines and a lime. So, guess what Michael gave us? Yep, he’s cool like that. They also put these on their “Cuban Deluxe” sandwich.

Tamale

The most excellent pork tamale. Cornmeal dough, wrapped in a corn husk and steamed. It’s topped with black beans, fried onions straws, Mojito sauce, cilantro lime cream & Cotija cheese. Lea and I both remarked to Michael how we’re used to the cornmeal being gritty and granular. This was not that! The cornmeal was smooth, like velvet. Amazing stuff. We had nearly NOTHING left when we finished this tasting. We kept going back to this.

Empanada

The fried hand pie, which is and should be called an empanada. This is the beef version, with a sort of tapenade. Acidic from the olives and tomatoes but man! Such vibrant flavors. We both really enjoyed this.

Street Corn

Street corn, y’all!!!! Flavors almost literally jump off the corn and into your mouth. Acidic, spiced, and tender. Lea and I both kind of moaned and said, “mmmm” when we tasted it. So, good.  I don’t usually do corn on the cob (gets all in my teeth) but this was so tender and flavorful, I couldn’t stop eating it. It was a bit messy but what good food isn’t?

Plantains

This is the mashed plantains (I think). Mojito will have three different kinds of plantains: Tostones (green) served with Mojito sauce, Maduro (sweet) with cilantro lime cream sauce, and Fufu (mashed) with garlic and chicken broth. Whichever this is, it was good enough to keep eating it. I think the confusion to me was that it was kind of sweet, I thought of it as a dessert. But, no matter the style, I’m sure they’re all great. And I’m not even a big fan of plantains. I really enjoyed these.

Mojito Grilled Chicken

The Mojito Grilled Chicken. I remarked to Lea and Michael that chicken is versatile but a lot of times you have to trick it out. This was good at minimal trickery level. It’s topped with Mojito sauce, it’s seasoned well and was just divine. You can get it 1/4 with one side, 1/2 with two sides, or whole with FOUR sides. This is great chicken!

Ropa Vieja

The Ropa Vieja (shredded beef in tomato sauce). Such good stuff. This is shredded, slow-cooked beef, in a Creole tomato sauce, sliced olives, cilantro, and scallions. Don’t let the Creole thing scare you, it’s not overly spicy in any capacity, heat or spice. Just delicious. That’s really ALL you need to know.

 

Slow-Cooked Pork

Slow-cooked pork that Michael topped with Mojito sauce. Lea and I both said, “you had me at pork.” The Mojito sauce is made from parsley, cilantro, lemon and lime juices, vinegar, and probably garlic.

Rice and Beans with Pork Belly

The last stop on the Mojito Latin Soul Food tasting train that Lea and I got to ride yesterday: Congri (rice and beans with pork belly). It’s a side, so really, it goes well with just about everything. Michael talked to us about all the ways he cooked his items and you could tell he has a passion for what he’s doing. Pork belly, pork fat in the rice, and with the black beans. There is flavor just waiting to burst onto the scene.

Mojito Latin Soul Food opens today at 11a at 723 N. Trade Street in Winston-Salem. They are open for lunch and dinner.  11a-3p & 5-9p on Thursday
11a-3p & 5-10p Friday
8a-3p & 5-10p Saturday.
8a-3p on Sunday

They are closed Monday through Wednesday.

They have Cuban coffees available, beer, and wine. Full ABC permit is coming in the (near) future. I mean, you can’t be called Mojito and now serve them, right? But, after the long and arduous fight with the FCDHHS, they were more worried about getting open, and here we are!

One thing to note, Cuban food is generally more about flavor and not about the heat. Some Latin food can light you up. That’s not happening at Mojito Latin Soul Food. They are turning up the flavor profiles, not the Scoville Heat Index. Lots of flavors. Lots of delicious flavors.

So many thanks to Michael and Michelle Millan for allowing Lea and me to come in, preview the wares, see the space, and talking with us.

Your hospitality is amazing, inviting, and warm.

Gracias! Amamos tu comida, amigos!

The Man Who Ate the Town Podcast Episode 170

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In Episode #170, proudly recorded in The Less Desirables Studios (South). Zoom sponsored by Bull’s Tavern:

Tim, Ray, and Lea talk about:

  • Michael and Michelle Millan are on to announce they are opening Mojito Latin Soul Food on Friday!
  • Dina Abushihab is on to talk about Baklava & More and her fantastic desserts.
  • Ray talks about Food Freaks.
  • Mozzarella Fellas.
  • Dairi-O.
  • Bootleg Ramen.
  • Burke Street Pub.
  • Other local restaurant news.
  • Tim and Lea talk about “List” updates.
  • Winston-Salem Strong. This website includes the food and beverage list that we have been forging and resources for businesses and individuals that are needed at this time, including unemployment, SBA loans, tips for servers, and many other services. All this in one place. Winston-Salem Strong!
  • Food holidays and history.
  • Don’t forget our sponsors:

    Carrabba’s Italian Grill.  Healthy, grilled meats, wood-fired pizzas, fresh ingredients, and phenomenal wine dinners. That’s just some of the offerings of Carrabba’s. And, Daniel Butner, the local proprietario, is salt of the earth and a pillar of good in the community. Go taste the goodness that is Carrabba’s and see why Tim and Ray are always talking it up!

    Washington Perk & Provision Company. Better than a convenience store but not quite a grocery store, in the heart of Washington Park and Downtown WSNC.

    The Humble Bee Shoppe is challenging your perception of scratch made and leaving you with an experience you couldn’t possibly forget! With inventive flavor combos and a sense of artistry, The Humble Bee Shoppe isn’t your average bakery.

    The Man Who Ate the Town is part of The Less Desirables Network. Give it a listen on iTunes, Stitcher, Podcast Addict, and TuneIn, basically anywhere you can listen to podcasts. Or you can listen here (at the bottom of the post).

    Bon Appetit!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download