Zomppa - Food Good, Social Good » Good Eats http://www.zomppa.com International food magazine offering a unique international culinary experience for the taste-, Earth-, and community-conscious. Tue, 22 May 2012 11:00:37 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Wow Bao: TidBit of the Day http://www.zomppa.com/2012/05/22/wow-bao-tidbit-of-the-day/ http://www.zomppa.com/2012/05/22/wow-bao-tidbit-of-the-day/#comments Tue, 22 May 2012 11:00:37 +0000 Belinda http://www.zomppa.com/?p=22737 There is something so comforting about a steamed bao – the Chinese-styled bun that keeps lovely hidden goodies inside. They can sweet (bean paste) to savory (roast pork and sausage). This cool joint, Wow Bao, in Chicago takes baos to a whole new level. It includes breakfast ones (including eggs and sausage) to lunch/dinner (including spicy Mongolian beef). They have potstickers and rice and noodle bowls AND make their own ginger ale.

They ship.

Wow.

]]> http://www.zomppa.com/2012/05/22/wow-bao-tidbit-of-the-day/feed/ 1 Watt’s Grocery: TidBit of the Day http://www.zomppa.com/2012/05/17/watts-grocery-tidbit-of-the-day/ http://www.zomppa.com/2012/05/17/watts-grocery-tidbit-of-the-day/#comments Thu, 17 May 2012 11:00:11 +0000 Belinda http://www.zomppa.com/?p=24349 This is a rather delinquent tidbit…I’ve been going to Watt’s Grocery in Durham, NC since I moved here, and while I have many, many favorites, Watt’s has remained as one of the top for its consistent ability to simple wow.

Pan-Seared Sea Bass in Clam Stew, Black Rice, and Tomato Salsa

For those of you in the area, you know what I’m talking about. For those of you visiting, this is one of the absolutely must-stops. Rooted in southern cuisine, owner and chef Amy Tournquist uses the freshest, local ingredients to create perfect dishes.

Best Pimento...ever.

Creative, classic, perfectly seasoned. When folks from out of town ask me which is the one restaurant they should try. It’s Watt’s. Now to get them to open earlier for Sunday brunch….

]]> http://www.zomppa.com/2012/05/17/watts-grocery-tidbit-of-the-day/feed/ 4 Jaleo Vegas: TidBit of the Day http://www.zomppa.com/2012/05/15/jaleo-vegas-tidbit-of-the-day/ http://www.zomppa.com/2012/05/15/jaleo-vegas-tidbit-of-the-day/#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 11:00:35 +0000 Belinda http://www.zomppa.com/?p=22961 I’ve been to Jaleo in Bethesda, MD several times, but finally made it to their newer location in Vegas at the Cosmopolitan. One of the few full-service restaurants open late, it never fails to impress. José Andrés always knows that good food starts with fresh ingredients.

Especially for those late nights…or rather, early dinner before a night spent at the blackjack tables, great food tapas-style is the best way to fill up with deliciousness rather than overstuff with mediocrity.

]]> http://www.zomppa.com/2012/05/15/jaleo-vegas-tidbit-of-the-day/feed/ 2 Scratch Bakery: TidBit of the Day http://www.zomppa.com/2012/05/10/scratch-bakery-tidbit-of-the-day/ http://www.zomppa.com/2012/05/10/scratch-bakery-tidbit-of-the-day/#comments Thu, 10 May 2012 11:00:13 +0000 Belinda http://www.zomppa.com/?p=22718 We’ve talked about the amazing donut muffins of Scratch Bakery in Durham, NC. This locally-sourced eatery boasts an amazing Sunday Brunch.

Pretty much everything is amazing, their made-from-scratch crostada and soups and sausage biscuits But you really can’t come leave without a slice or two of yheir chess pie…chocolate chess, lavender chess, lemon chess…Come early – it gets packed and things get sold out fast!

]]> http://www.zomppa.com/2012/05/10/scratch-bakery-tidbit-of-the-day/feed/ 4 Sympathy for the Deli: TidBit of the Day http://www.zomppa.com/2012/05/03/sympathy-for-the-deli-tidbit-of-the-day/ http://www.zomppa.com/2012/05/03/sympathy-for-the-deli-tidbit-of-the-day/#comments Thu, 03 May 2012 11:00:59 +0000 Belinda http://www.zomppa.com/?p=24204

Another wonderful new Durham food truck (Durham is popping with great ones!), Sympathy for the Deli, serving up deli sandwiches with locally-sourced, hand-cured meats, like this great French Dip. Although I love sandwiches, I don’t always go out for them – or make them – not sure why, but this is one stop I’d make an exception. Flavorful, simple – that’s what happens when you know where your food is coming from!

]]> http://www.zomppa.com/2012/05/03/sympathy-for-the-deli-tidbit-of-the-day/feed/ 2 Berenbaum’s: TidBit of the Day http://www.zomppa.com/2012/05/01/berenbaums-tidbit-of-the-day/ http://www.zomppa.com/2012/05/01/berenbaums-tidbit-of-the-day/#comments Tue, 01 May 2012 11:00:24 +0000 Belinda http://www.zomppa.com/?p=24273 You remember how some Panera Breads decided to do away with the cash register? Their pay-what-you-want scheme has proven that most people pay full prices. Well, as mentioned yesterday, Durham’s Berenbaum’s (who will be at the Bull City Food Exchange at Fullsteam on May 6), has an open-sourced policy. Folks pay for what they think the food costs.

And boy, is this food worth something!

Berenbaum’s always a wonderful assortment of breads, pastries, treats – and features This & That Jam, which will also be at BCFE. For example, this weekend, they featured two stunning treats. This chili-cheese-quiche tart was one of the most incredible things I’ve had. Subtle heat with a crust so buttery and flaky, I stopped breathing for just one moment.

Finishing off with a sweet peach tart, and all was good with the world.

The guy in front of me dropped a few coins, and I thought, really? Those better be $1 coins! Come get a taste, and see what you think it’s worth. For me, it was worth every bite.

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Great new Durham foodtruck: American Meltdown with gourmet grilled cheese. From grilled cheeses with figs to basil pesto to Pimiento cheese, this is a must follow!

They source as locally as possible, and the bread to cheese ratio is perfect, as is the delicate sizzle of that toast. Flavors sing, and so did I (well, not really, you don’t want me singing, I guarantee you).

]]> http://www.zomppa.com/2012/04/26/american-meltdown-tidbi-of-the-day/feed/ 4 Early Girl Eatery: TidBit of the Day http://www.zomppa.com/2012/04/24/early-girl-eatery-tidbit-of-the-day/ http://www.zomppa.com/2012/04/24/early-girl-eatery-tidbit-of-the-day/#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:00:34 +0000 Belinda http://www.zomppa.com/?p=22722 Asheville, North Carolina is known for great food. This awesome find is meat-eater and vegan-eater friendly. Put Early Girl Eatery on your list when heading to the mountains.

]]> http://www.zomppa.com/2012/04/24/early-girl-eatery-tidbit-of-the-day/feed/ 1 China Poblano: TidBit of the Day http://www.zomppa.com/2012/04/17/china-poblano-tidbit-of-the-day/ http://www.zomppa.com/2012/04/17/china-poblano-tidbit-of-the-day/#comments Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:00:17 +0000 Belinda http://www.zomppa.com/?p=22957 José Andrés of ThinkFoodGroup scored a winner with China Poblano, located at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, NV. A blend of the best from China and Mexico, you watch tortillas and dumplings being made fresh and right in front of you. I didn’t have anything that I didn’t absolutely love. From the 9-hour cooked buns to the shu mai with quail eggs to mole tacos, everything was ridiculously fresh and flavorful.

This is one of those plates where you have a “moment” out of every bite. It alone is worth returning to Vegas.

]]> http://www.zomppa.com/2012/04/17/china-poblano-tidbit-of-the-day/feed/ 0 The Girl and the Goat: TidBit of the Day http://www.zomppa.com/2012/04/10/the-girl-and-the-goat-tidbit-of-the-day/ http://www.zomppa.com/2012/04/10/the-girl-and-the-goat-tidbit-of-the-day/#comments Tue, 10 Apr 2012 11:00:08 +0000 Belinda http://www.zomppa.com/?p=22728 Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard thought she would one day open a restaurant with her beloved goats called the Drunken Goat – even had a painting commissioned – hung over her bed. But turned out that was already claimed by a cheesemaker, so she named her restaurant, the Girl and the Goat, in Chicago.

This place. Is. Amazing.

You don’t have to like goat – there is plenty to like (not pictured) included: pan fried shishito peppers (best EVER), roasted cauliflower, BEST sauteed green beans, hen of the woods mushroom ragout, sugo and handmade pappardelle, and yes, wood oven roasted pig face with a sunny side egg.

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