Monthly Archives: October 2021

The Man Who Ate the Town Podcast Episode 219

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Gosia Kobus, owner of Euro Deli Mart (©Euro Deli Mart)

In Episode #219 proudly recorded in The Less Desirables Studios in The Lab at Industry Hill:

We are now featured on the Triad Podcast Network!

Tim, Michael discuss:

  • Mojito scales back hours due to staffing.
  • Zito Pizzeria closed Monday, Oct 25 through Wednesday, Oct 27 for respite.
  • A new “fry” place is coming.
  • Michael Restaurant Group looking for a thief.
  • City Beverage. Cibo Trattoria. Maddie Cakes Bakery.
  • Tim attended Alma Mexicana’s server training.
  • Tim and Stephanie’s “Big International Adventure” over the weekend.
  • Daniel Butner leaves the foodservice industry.
  • Tim talks about The Country Spinner and a Burger Tour ’21 update.
  • “The List” is discussed as well as other food news.

The Man Who Ate the Town website includes the food and beverage list that we have been forging and curating to know when and how your favorite WSNC-area restaurant is doing business!

Don’t forget our sponsors:

Mojito Latin Soul Food is creating scrumptious Cuban-inspired, Latin-infused street/soul food. A welcoming atmosphere, delicious food, robust cigars, and good times await.

Diamondback Grill. A lovely farm-to-fork eatery nestled in the heart of Buena Vista. Murphy and Kimberly Gregg and company offer fine dining in a casual atmosphere complete with a 20′ wine bar, expert craft cocktails, televisions in the bar area to watch the game, or candlelit dinners in the formal dining area. This gem is waiting to be discovered!

The Man Who Ate the Town is part of The Less Desirables Network. Give it a listen on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Podcast Addict, TuneIn, Amazon Music, Audible, 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 218a – A Supplement Podcast

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Tim talks about the impending closing of Finnigan’s Wake and what the restaurant/bar means to this city, the community, THIS PODCAST, and to him personally. No crowd noise. No background music. Just the intro/outro and Tim.

Slàinte mhath, Finnigan’s Wake.

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Finnigan’s Wake to close for good Oct. 30

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This is a reprint of the Winston-Salem Journal article, it is not mine, I don’t own it. Michael is my cohost and he wrote it for the Journal. Here is the original article. I just wanted the copyright issue out of the way.

Finnigan’s Wake, a mainstay bar and restaurant downtown for 15 years, has announced it will close permanently on Oct. 30.

Owner Philip “Opie” Kirby” posted an announcement on the business’ Facebook page on Monday.

“It’s been an amazing 15 years. One-third of my life has been in this space that you helped create. People make the place and we’ve been blessed with the best staff and customers. Y’all have always stepped up and made our events, fundraisers, and community outreach your own. Your generosity has multiplied over the years to make Winston Salem a better place to live.”

Finnigan’s Wake, 620 Trade St., was one of the first restaurants in the Downtown Arts District, opening in 2006. It celebrated its 15th anniversary on Oct. 6.

Like many restaurants this year, Finnigan’s Wake had reduced its hours — in particular eliminating Sunday brunch — as a result of the labor shortage that has affected many industries during the coronavirus pandemic.

Kirby said in an email that the decision to close was not related to the coronavirus pandemic. “We’ve stayed steady thanks to our amazing community,” he said.

Instead, Kirby, 47, said he personally was ready for a change. “It’s time for me to do something different after this many years in the business. Looking for a new adventure,” he said.

Finnigan’s Wake was known for its big St. Patrick’s Day parties, as well its annual fundraisers for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, in which hundreds of people would get their heads shaved outside the restaurant to help raise money for pediatric cancer research. This fall’s fundraiser raised $50,000.

But, perhaps most of all, Finnigan’s was known for its unassuming owner, who always had a smile for everyone and was known for posting positive, supportive sayings on social media.

Some of his Facebook messages include:

“Don’t fill the space with the first person who fits. Fill the space with the right person who fits.”

“You have more bounce to the ounce. Don’t ever forget it!”

“Gratitude is good.”

His most recent one, on Saturday: “Walk your path.”

Kirby said he didn’t quite know what his future path will be. But he definitely wants to do some volunteering.

 

The Man Who Ate the Town Podcast Episode 218

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Tim discusses:

  • Tim rides solo.
  • Providence Farm 2 Fourth happens and raises over $90k. Tim talks about the menu and flavor profiles of the event.
  • DiLisio’s changes hours again.
  • Bar Nola.
  • Tim and Stephanie had dinner at Davie Tavern.
  • City Bev is having a tent sale later this month.
  • Small Batch Halloween Party.
  • Tim talks about The Country Spinner and a Burger Tour ’21 update.
  • “The List” is discussed as well as other food news.

The Man Who Ate the Town website includes the food and beverage list that we have been forging and curating to know when and how your favorite WSNC-area restaurant is doing business!

Don’t forget our sponsors:

Carrabba’s Italian Grill.  Healthy, grilled meats, wood-fired pizzas, fresh ingredients, and phenomenal wine dinners. Those are just some of the offerings of Carrabba’s. And, Daniel Butner, the local proprietario, is the 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!

Mojito Latin Soul Food is creating scrumptious Cuban-inspired, Latin-infused street/soul food. A welcoming atmosphere, delicious food, robust cigars, and good times await.

Diamondback Grill. A lovely farm-to-fork eatery nestled in the heart of Buena Vista. Murphy and Kimberly Gregg and company offer fine dining in a casual atmosphere complete with a 20′ wine bar, expert craft cocktails, televisions in the bar area to watch the game, or candlelit dinners in the formal dining area. This gem is waiting to be discovered!

The Man Who Ate the Town is part of The Less Desirables Network. Give it a listen on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Podcast Addict, TuneIn, Amazon Music, Audible, 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 217

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Tim and Michael discuss:

  • The Carolina Classic Fair.
  • Providence Farm 2 Fourth.
  • Brasstown Chocolate. Clemmons Kitchen. Dioli’s.
  • City Bev is having a tent sale later this month.
  • Mama Mia reopens this week.
  • Tim and Stephanie visited A Slice of Napoli.
  • Small Batch Halloween Party.
  • Tim talks about The Country Spinner and a Burger Tour ’21 update.
  • “The List” is discussed as well as other food news.

The Man Who Ate the Town website includes the food and beverage list that we have been forging and curating to know when and how your favorite WSNC-area restaurant is doing business!

Don’t forget our sponsors:

Carrabba’s Italian Grill.  Healthy, grilled meats, wood-fired pizzas, fresh ingredients, and phenomenal wine dinners. Those are just some of the offerings of Carrabba’s. And, Daniel Butner, the local proprietario, is the 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!

Mojito Latin Soul Food is creating scrumptious Cuban-inspired, Latin-infused street/soul food. A welcoming atmosphere, delicious food, robust cigars, and good times await.

Diamondback Grill. A lovely farm-to-fork eatery nestled in the heart of Buena Vista. Murphy and Kimberly Gregg and company offer fine dining in a casual atmosphere complete with a 20′ wine bar, expert craft cocktails, televisions in the bar area to watch the game, or candlelit dinners in the formal dining area. This gem is waiting to be discovered!

The Man Who Ate the Town is part of The Less Desirables Network. Give it a listen on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Podcast Addict, TuneIn, Amazon Music, Audible, 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 216

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Chef Brian DePaulis (©Providence)

Tim and Michael discuss:

  • The Carolina Classic Fair.
  • Eat Drink Burger Week Results.
  • Tim talks with Chef Brian DePaulis from Providence Kitchen about Farm 2 Fourth and the Providence Wild Game Dinner.
  • Adam Andrews, Maddie Cakes Bakery, Pullium’s BBQ.
  • O’Brien’s pausing delivery and online ordering.
  • Tim talks about The Country Spinner and a Burger Tour ’21 update.
  • “The List” is discussed as well as other food news.

The Man Who Ate the Town website includes the food and beverage list that we have been forging and curating to know when and how your favorite WSNC-area restaurant is doing business!

Don’t forget our sponsors:

Carrabba’s Italian Grill.  Healthy, grilled meats, wood-fired pizzas, fresh ingredients, and phenomenal wine dinners. Those are just some of the offerings of Carrabba’s. And, Daniel Butner, the local proprietario, is the 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!

Mojito Latin Soul Food is creating scrumptious Cuban-inspired, Latin-infused street/soul food. A welcoming atmosphere, delicious food, robust cigars, and good times await.

Diamondback Grill. A lovely farm-to-fork eatery nestled in the heart of Buena Vista. Murphy and Kimberly Gregg and company offer fine dining in a casual atmosphere complete with a 20′ wine bar, expert craft cocktails, televisions in the bar area to watch the game, or candlelit dinners in the formal dining area. This gem is waiting to be discovered!

The Man Who Ate the Town is part of The Less Desirables Network. Give it a listen on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Podcast Addict, TuneIn, Amazon Music, Audible, 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

Winners Announced in Eat Drink Burger Week Event

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From Michael Hastings, reprinted by permission of Winston-Salem Journal.

 

The Best Burger Overall served last week during Burger Week also was the most creative. The Shrimp and Grits Burger at Sophie’s Cork and Ale in Lexington easily took top honors as it pushed the boundaries of what some people consider a burger.

Chef John Wilson’s burger consisted of a thick half-pound Angus beef patty nestled between two crispy cheese-grits cakes that replaced the traditional bun. The whole thing was topped with a tasty shrimp and tasso gravy. The result was something you couldn’t really eat with your hands like a regular burger, but voters didn’t care because it tasted so good.

Sophie's Cork & Ale Shrimp and Grits Burger (web only)
Shrimp and Grits Burger
©Allison Lee Isley

The Shrimp and Grits Burger was one of 23 burgers served around the Triad for Burger Week, a promotion of local restaurants organized by the Winston-Salem Journal and the News & Record of Greensboro in conjunction with Eat Drink Triad.

Restaurant chefs were tasked with creating a $10 “off the menu” burger to serve Sept. 19 to 25, and diners could vote online for their favorite. Altogether, diners cast almost 1,000 votes.
Sophie’s also was voted the best burger in Lexington and won the Foodie’s Choice award for the most creative burger.
Little Richards Brisket Burger (web only)
The Mojo Burger at Little Richard’s
©Allison Lee Isley

Little Richard’s won for the best burger in Winston-Salem. It also was the runner-up for Best Burger Overall and Foodie’s Choice. Little Richard’s impressed diners with a “more is more” approach to its Mojo Burger. It consisted of a beef patty topped with smoked beef brisket, smoked pimento cheese, bacon, onion rings, candied jalapeno, pickles, and comeback sauce on a toasted brioche bun. It was a beast to eat, a good two meals in one, but people loved it.

Runner-up in Winston-Salem was the Loaded Pimento Jalapeno Burger at 6th and Vine Restaurant and Wine Bar.

Loaded Pimento Jalapeno Burger from 6th & Vine ©Winston-Salem Journal

Crafted: the Art of the Taco took top honors in Greensboro for its Nacho Truck Burger with all your favorite nacho ingredients — including crispy “flaming hot” tortilla chips — piled on top of a burger patty and brioche bun.

Sweet Old Bill’s was the top vote-getter in High Point for its Slob, aka the Big Messy — a ground-chuck patty stuffed with fontina cheese and topped with pork belly, Swiss cheese, tobacco onions, lettuce, tomato, and garlic aioli.

Most everyone stuck with a beef patty for their burgers, with a couple of exceptions. Dom’s, Winston-Salem’s only vegan (or even vegetarian) restaurant, served up a beet burger with black beans, fried okra, lettuce, tomato jam, and vegan queso.
Bleu blended ground beef chuck and short rib with lamb for a Mediterranean-flavored burger with hummus, feta relish, tomato, spring greens, and harissa onion rolls. Spring House served a bison meatloaf patty melt.

Sophie’s wasn’t the only restaurant to combine seafood with beef. Lou Lou’s Seafood in Lexington topped a beef patty with its popular crab mac ’n’ cheese, citrus mayo, lettuce, tomato, and onion.

Other burgers offered a wide range of interesting and unusual ingredients, including pineapple, fried pickles, Brie cheese, Boursin-stuffed jalapenos, Cheerwine barbecue sauce, succotash, deep-fried avocado, fried eggs, and bacon jam.