What To Have

I had another great meal at The Pit tonight. This time I tried all the things that I’m really into and missed on my first visit. I got a two meat combo with fried chicken, bbq pork chops, mac/cheese, horseradish slaw and collard greens.

The first time I was there the chef sent out a pork chop to try. I could honestly eat a giant pile of these. They’re slow cooked and basted with his signature sauce that’s got a little spice to it. The fried chicken was some of the best I’ve ever had, honestly. It’s almost like they use tempura batter. The outside was light and very crunchy, but the inside was very juicy, I was not disappointed even a little bit and I’ll get it again.

I had to try the horseradish slaw this time too. Just as I expected it was a little spicy but to change things up, the chef used purple cabbage, a nice deviation on the normal. I’ve tried the mac/cheese and greens before, and they definitely won’t disappoint.

I’ve been here twice now and had a lot of the menu, and I just want to go back. They’re also open for lunch now!

Parking: There’s lots of on street parking surrounding the entire building. Also, The Depot parking lot is across the street, I’m not sure if they charge, but there is usually plenty of space there.

-Matt

I had an amazing wild mushroom soup at Fins tonight. It was the soup of the evening, and it really worked for me. It included a wide range of wild mushrooms in a creamy base. The chef often serves cream based soups, this was one of the best I’ve had.

My main course is quickly becoming a steady thing for me. While I generally go to Fins for the fish (makes sense right) I’ve also noticed that the other offerings are just as amazing. The chicken stuffed with proscuitto and cheese is one of those non-fish dishes. The outside of the course is crispy and delicate, the inside is tender and juicy. Add proscuitto and melted cheese and you’ve got amazing almost comfort food. But to take it a step further, the chef pars the chicken with grilled ramps and some type of starch, usually potatoes. I know, chicken at a fish place, but I can honestly say that this dish amazes me like everything else on the menu.

Parking: Parking at Fins is easy. either park really close with on street parking on Davie Street. Or park in one of the decks adjoining the Progress Energy Building.

-Matt

Dos Taquitos Centro updated their menu since the last time I was there. I love this, since it gives me the opportunity to try something new. I started with the Chorizo con Queso. This i traditional cheese dip with fresh chips, the twist is the spicy sausage that crumbled up in the dip. It adds a different type of heat to a starter that is already good.

My main entree was also something new on the menu Mole Manchamanteles. I got this dish with chicken (it’s also available with grass-fed pork). One of the traditional moles, this dish is packed with fresh fruits, nuts and spices that blend well together. Everything is slow cooked and the sauce bursts with flavor. I highly recommend this one, each part of the dish complemented each other. I especially enjoyed the spices in the sauce that were then toned down by the fruit.

Where to park:
Parking at Dos Taquitos Centro is easy. They’re located on the west side of S Wilmington Str. You’ve got your choice of on street parking or in one of the public decks that are very close. There is a public parking deck about 100 yards south on the same side, there is also another parking deck a little further south across the street.

–Matt

You might have gathered from the title that I like tequila. There are several places downtown that offer great tequila and tequila drinks. Tequila in all it’s various forms is my favorite drink. I like it served many different ways: straight up, on the rocks, chilled or in a margarita. Here’s a quick list of places with some great tequila.

The duck and dumpling has one of my favorites. Tres generaciones – One of my favorites, I love this smooth tequila straight up.
Riviera has margarita thursday, they offer a wide variety of seasonal margaritas such as white peach and prickly pear.
One of the newest additions to downtown, Dos Taquitos, has an amazing tequila menu. I’m sure it won’t be long before I try each one.
Fins makes a couple great margaritas. They have a special Patron coffee tequila that makes a great drink. They also have Patron’s orange liqueur that they can use to make an excellent top shelf margarita.