Videri Chocolate Factory

May 27, 2013 • Locations • by
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Raleigh’s Warehouse District is past it’s growing pains. Between the influx of new business, attractive renovations, and creative entertainment it’s easily the most exciting and inspiring corner of our tiny city. Nestled in amongst the paint-speckled brick and wrought iron is something unexpected, heartwarming and humble: Videri Chocolate Factory.

I expected to try a few chocolates, learn the process, and maybe score a couple quality photographs. Instead, I left the cocoa-infused factory with a new found respect for not just chocolate, but the reinvented Raleigh entrepreneur and all those in the Warehouse District working to strengthen and expand upon the city’s culture.

The following ‘photo-essay’ is a testament to the tedious work of the Videri staff – sourcing fair-trade cocoa from across the globe, touring customers thru the entire process, and crafting mouth-watering confections coupled with quality coffee in a cozy setting. Thanks to Sam, Thad, and the entire Videri staff for sharing your process and sweet with us.

Be sure to stop by and try everything you can get your hands on and enjoy a cup of Stumptown Coffee – currently the only location in North Carolina offering the Portland, Oregon favorite.

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Warehouse District or Bust

 

Fat, but not State Fair Fat

October 17, 2012 • Locations • by
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There’s no place for “foodies” at the State Fair. It’s not a destination for musings in molecular gastronomy, sous vide lamb shank, local artisan cheeses or finishing salts. The NC State Fair is about one thing and one thing only: fried stuff with cheese!

Sure, maybe there are 2 or 3 vendors selling vegetables of some variety. But I’m pretty damn sure they’re both fried and smothered in Ranch. Why? Because it’s the fair man. It’s about throwing your common sense out a 5 story tall spinning steel cage of death and giving in to your dumbest desires. There are few moments in life when it’s absolutely socially acceptable to sample every dipped, skewered, stuffed, and battered morsel you can hold. Soak it in and enjoy yourself, because like any of the seizure-inducing rides, the fun is short lived and hazardous to your health.

Here’s a short glimpse into our team’s adventure thru the crowds of forest camo, skinny jeans, and lip piercings:

A few important things we learned:

1. Whatever you’re buying, milkshake to funnel cake, start with 1 per group. 1 per person, no matter what it is, is a gamble with death.

2. Wear shoes. For god’s sake wear shoes.

3. There are real people in the freak show exhibits, so prepare to feel really bad about yourself for paying to go in.

4. And finally, apparently there’s such a thing as the Lost Kiddie Colony…I hear a forgotten soul by the name of Sour Patch was lost during the 1999 State Fair and has been running the colony ever since. I wish I were kidding…

Carolina Pork Experiment

April 12, 2012 • Kitchen Experiments, Locations • by
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Time to strap on the armor and go to battle! I’ll be competing in the Brooklyn Brewery Carolina Pork Experiment this Sunday, April 15, @Motorco in Durham from 12-3. Pork, Beer, and Culinary Battle? My kind of party. Follow the link below to buy a ticket and come grub out with some of the Triangles best home-cooks duking it out for gastro supremecy and a free ride to the Brooklyn Brewery!

http://thefoodexperiments.com/tour/durham/

Have at you!

Peruvian Pollo

March 4, 2012 • Locations, Review • by
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Are you a fan of chicken? I thought so, which is why I felt compelled to share one of Raleigh’s little known treasures with you, you handsome devil you. Raleighwood’s a big place, geographically anyways, and there are plenty of hidden gems but Mami Nora’s on Wake Forest Rd. can roast up some chicken like nobody’s biznass.

What’s more surprising than the top-notch grub or low prices is the fact that Mami Nora’s is seemingly impossible to miss. It’s huge, bright yellow, and often surrounded by plumes of rotisserie smokey goodness near a busy intersection.

What do they serve you ask? Chicken. That’s it, but that’s putting it lightly. What they REALLY do is transform chicken into Peruvian Gold, Inca Gold if you will.  Day and Night, Mami Nora’s spit-roasts chicken smothered in heady Latin spices accompanied by classics like black beans, sweet plantains, or yucca fries and the ubiquitous Yellow (cumin scented mayo) or Green (chiles and garlic) sauce. As you can see below, I’m Green Sauce all day.

Each bite is a combination of deep rotisserie smoke, crunchy seasoned skin, and succulent meat dripping with tenderness covered in spicy bright green or yellow liquid love.  Ordering consists of 3 options: 1/4 Chicken (dark or white meat), 1/2 Chicken, or Whole Chicken. Add in two sides and a jet-cold glass of Horchata and you’re sitting higher than Machu Picchu at $8.

In an ironic turn of events, one of Giusto’s hungriest allies and Mami Nora aficionado Mr. Lilley is in Peru as we speak and I’ve given him one task: Find Mami Nora and tell her: “Thank you, thank you for your Peruvian secrets and making it acceptable to consume half a chicken for lunch on a Thursday. I love you.”

Safe travels JML, I’ll meet you where the plantains flow like wine.

 

Run It Back! BOTM – February 2.0

February 20, 2012 • Booze of the Month, Locations • by
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The storm has past and our rag-tag group of bandits made it out of Mardi Gras 2012 all in one piece (physically anyways). We scoured the city, from River Boat Casinos to Funky Frenchman Street, enjoying some great brews and local grub along the debaucherous battlefield crying unanimously, “Run It Back!” With victory in hand, I’d like to run it back digitally with a second helping of Booze of the Month: Abita Brewery’s Mardi Gras Bock!

It’s comforting to see the NOLA crowds holding equal parts Abita beers to shwaggy Bud Lights, even if Abita cost a few dollars more. The Mardi Gras Bock is not as ubiquitous around the entire city, but running it back once more to Butcher in the business district for lunch we kicked back local beers and porky sammies. Tastier than a free peep show on Bourbon Street, the cold brew was the best sip I had all weekend so let’s get to the steamy details:

Abita Mardi Gras Bock

Product Details: Weighing in at a sturdy 6.5% alcohol, brewed in Abita Springs, Louisiana.

Appearance: Deep and caramel tinged with a creamy froth (oh my)

Aroma: Rich and round thanks to the Pale and Caramel Malts but balanced with the floral punch of fresh Perle hops.

Taste: My first sip of the Mardi Gras Bock reminded me of sipping a cream soda for the first time: sweet, smooth and delicious. The heavy use of Malts makes this beer incredibly flavorful but not overpowering or filling, very similar to Abita’s Amber but with a little extra pizzazz. Yes, I said pizzazz, it’s Mardi Gras for crying out loud – no pizzazz, no beads!

Food Pairings: It comes as no surprise that the fine curators of Butcher sell this heroic brew. It’s bold flavors and high-gravity kick make it ideal for cured meats, velvety boudin, roast lamb, or sharp cheeses.

Price: If my memory serves me right, and I say that with little confidence, the Mardi Gras Bock should run you $5-$6 at the bar or $10 for a six pack.

Overall: It’s fair to say I consumed an outrageous amount of “things” this weekend, some good, some horrible, but my first Mardi Gras Bock is the one that stuck. With it’s voluptuous profile and smooth finish I’d gladly return to NOLA for just another sip…in 10 years, when the flashbacks give way…

Big ups to our valiant bachelor and avid Giusto reader Mr. Schrieber for choosing the world’s craziest city on it’s craziest weekend to do the craziest things I’ve ever been a part of for 3 days straight. You owe me a new liver.

 

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