Hutch and Harris is about to celebrate its 5th birthday in February and in this day and age, one might say that’s hitting a milestone. Especially given all the great choices in The Twin City, not to mention all the big chains claiming a big piece of the pie. But “5 years old” suits Hutch & Harris well and they’ve kind of hit a bit of an iconic status downtown. Traipse down Fourth Street on any given Friday or Saturday night when the weather is nice and the outdoor patio area (practically on the street) is filled…and inside, the diner meets taproom dining room is bustling.

I had eaten at H & H for brunch a couple years ago and it was great but I always seemed to find someplace else to eat for dinner. The name made me think I might be dropping $$$ on a pricey steak. Not so!! Admittedly, my Attractions Book is helping my foodie budget and we had a coupon, so after some grocery shopping recently, we decided to grab a bite with the kids. Are you like me and just have no desire to cook after being at the grocery store for an hour? It’s a regular occurrence. Mr. Foodie pretty much assumes we will be eating out if a late afternoon is spent at the store. Anyway, I digress…

Hutch & Harris leans more Southern with strong Louisiana influences so the night we visited, I ordered the Dixieland Jambalaya. It was everything you expect it to be with dirty rice, juicy, big shrimp, chicken, tasso ham and smoked sausage. It was spicy but not too much. And it was plenty big enough to eat HALF and take home.

Mr. Foodie decided to go with the special. Foodies, this is when I should stop eating and start taking notes, because I tend to forget the name of the special. I called H & H and they reminded me that it’s called Le Blanc Fried Pork Chop with Red Eye Gravy. It was simply a fried pork cutlet with a medley of roasted vegetable and a Tasso gravy over the top. It was like pure soul food. So distinctly southern, yet not too heavy. It should be ADDED to the menu. Do you hear, Chef? If you see it as a special, it is a must try.

He got a salad too…

Despite all the southern tastes, like Moravian Chicken Pie, Shrimp & Grits, pimento cheese and fried pickles, they manage to sneak in a few internationally-inspired dishes from Moroccan to Vietnamese. And the owners, who hail from Maryland, would be remiss if they didn’t offer a couple of lovely Chesapeake Crab Cakes. Oh and there’s Mac-n-Cheese and chicken tender platter, which we ordered for the kidlets. They ate bread. But they were both really good. We told the kids they were missing out. Usually the chicken comes on TOP of the “mac.”

The dinner menu is fab because it has a wide array of appetizers, small plates, salads and sandwiches in addition to the entrees and very affordable prices. Affordable without a coupon, even! Most entree prices stay in the mid-teens. Check them out for lunch for similar options and even lower prices plus the brunch on Sunday is top notch with Benedicts, tostadas, omelets, waffles and biscuits and gravy. A few of their every day items are offered then too.

I look forward to checking out Hutch & Harris at lunch and again at brunch. It’s definitely a place that’s easy to go back to. They are also participating in Downtown Winston-Salem’s The Big Eat on Tuesdays through February in which signature items are HALF OFF!

www.hutchandharris.com
Located at 4th and Spruce, downtown Winston-Salem
336-721-1336

The District is relatively new and a popular spot, but the foodies decided to tone it down and try it one day for lunch. We’ve been here a number of times with friends (for drinks and dinners) and kids (for a tour of appetizers) and each time has been above par, so we expected the same for lunch. The District is another downtown Winston-Salem eatery that fits in well with that lively downtown scene, where you feel comfortable hanging with friends after a busy work day or as a hangout on the weekend. The claim to fame is the roof top bar, which you must take advantage of one nice comfortable evening so you can enjoy the gorgeous downtown views and maybe a sunset. If the top of the house is too full, there’s plenty of space for dining al fresco. And if you don’t eat outside, rest assured the beautiful interior is comfy and pleasing with its wood beams and exposed pipes. Very industrial and it ties in well with that area of the city.

But what about the food? I can tell you the lunch menu has been obviously pared down recently as a few favorites are not on the menu or at least are now only on the Dinner menu. No matter, it’s lunch, who has time to peruse a menu forever? I went with a burger because I’m kind of on a quest to make sure I know where the great burgers are in WS. This is the only burger on the menu and it includes a cheese of your choice, lettuce, tomato, mayo and fried tomato “chips”. Not fitting in well with my fitness plan but sometimes I have to take on more calories so you’ll know what local food to love ;). I fitnessed it up by adding a side salad with a vinaigrette rather than fries. I often feel Ike that breaks a cardinal rule in the foodie world but I knew I’d have a chance to try fries that came with a kids meal. It IS a delicious burger. Cooked perfectly on a pretzel bun. Pretzel buns are fab!! Oh and it’s not REALLY the only burger on the menu because they have a black bean burger too IF you REALLY believe that black beans can make a burger. Just kidding. I like black bean “burgers.”

  Not Black Bean. That’s a BURGER.     And the salad….

As far as we could tell, the chicken tenders were great. My big time foodie niece ate it up.
Sister foodie had a Camel City Dip. Think French but BBQ style. Chopped BBQ with bacon, caramelized onions and muenster cheese with eastern BBQ sauce for dipping. It’s a mighty big sandwich. She said it was delicious. Probably enough for 2 people.

As this was lunch, we didn’t go big with our ordering options but I can go on memory for a few other choices. The District has a great spinach and blue crab dip app. Lots of chunky crab on top of a cheesy dip with healthy spinach to take out some guilt.  It’s served with toast points. One of my favorite apps is the sweet and sour sticky shrimp. Think General Tso, mmmmm with brown sugar chile sauce. The fried green ‘maters have a truffled cheese spread and the chicken nachos are great for sharing. There are good lunch specials and combos and a nice selection of salads and sandwiches to please just about anyone. There’s also a good selection of specials each night. The District Roof Top Bar & Grill is a great place to visit with friends and dine outside. Downtown Winston-Salem is a site to behold on a nice spring or summer night. And even if it’s a bit chilly the heaters will warm you up in the evenings. Private dining and even catering are available. Try them on the roof for a date or when you have a big group. You’ll have a ton of fun!

www.thedistrictbarandgrille.com

770 Liberty View Ct, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Open for lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday. Closed Sunday.

Phone: 336-462-8882

It was my birthday and my husband surprised me with a lovely dinner with fellow foodie friends at one of the places we’ve been meaning to go to. Several opportunities have come and gone and we couldn’t make our plans to eat at this newly renowned restaurant. Many say it’s one of, if not THE best in Winston-Salem and I just had to know if Spring House Restaurant, Kitchen & Bar lived up to the hype.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve eaten at Bibs or driven up 5th Street and not realized that I just passed Spring House. It’s HUGE. And gorgeous. But don’t let this Manor-turned-restaurant’s formal exterior fool you. Although it looks “uppity” enough for a formal event, it is welcoming inside and filled with small parlors and rooms perfect for dining with friends or an intimate date. The library bar is gorgeous. I wish I had a shot of it. With its dark ceiling and comfy seating, it is a very relaxing place for a cocktail before dinner. The artisan cocktails are delicious. I had the Gin Sling (made with Pomegranate juice) and Mr. Foodie had an Old Fashioned. Beautiful drinks. My friend, Sarah, had the Lava Lamp. It turns colors 🙂

pretty, yes?

On to dinner, the chef sent us out a birthday treat of Portabella Mushroom and Leek Quesadilla (as featured in Bon Appetit Magazine…Chef must’ve read my mind). It was so delicious. Perfectly grilled tortillas wrapped around those sweet leeks and tender mushrooms with just enough fresh corn salsa and cilantro and corn to brighten it up. There was a lot of texture and it was a very satisfying snack.

There were many beautiful choices on the menu for appetizers. The table ordered the Beer Cheese with broccoli florets, potato wedges and crostini for dipping;  the slow cooked duck confit with a Cheerwine Habanero BBQ glaze (satisfying enough for a one person meal….don’t tell them I said so) and the Mussels that were featured with a smoked wine cream sauce. the table voted that the duck was the big winner, but all were outstanding.

For some reason, my dining companions thought it would be fun to try multiple courses, so there were a few salads and soups that came our way.  If you get there before the menu changes over and you can score the Smoked Turkey Chowder, then you have to get it! It is amazing. A little spicy and plenty rich and meaty.  A dreamy soup for a cold day.  The pics also show a Waldorf-inspired salad with apples, pecan brittle and Camembert as well as a light and tasty side salad with vinaigrette.  Another couple shared a bowl of sweet potato soup, which was sweet and zesty and reminded me of the inside of sweet potato casserole.

On to the main courses. There were only two more remaining of the special Seafood Risotto remaining so I had our server hold it for me. It was a treasure of succulent shrimp, scallops and Monkfish (known as the poor man’s lobster, but it is awesome). I loved that this saffron infused risotto was more seafood than rice which works better for my diet (!). It was served with creme, diced asparagus and garnished with caviar. I know it sounds fancy. It was quite comforting actually and I didn’t feel one bit guilty. Guilt came later. And only a little bit then for the birthday girl.

Mr. Foodie and Foodie Andy opted for the Slow Cooked Pork Shank with Red Rice and a pickled peach and habanero confiture adorning it. It was also comforting and felt like soul food.

The Foodies Sarah and Heather enjoyed a delicious Truffled Gnocchi with smoked tomato and garlic and laden with gorgeous veggies like asparagus, mushrooms, spinach and eggplant. And Foodie Sean ordered a wonderful Smoked Turkey Carbonara with a garden ratatouille and topped with rosemary breadcrumbs.

Isn’t it all just beautiful?? If the pics are blurry, I do apologize. You never know what you will get with mobile phone pics.

Now for the guilt. I should’ve stopped eating. Right then. But nope! Everyone voted for dessert and all the couples shared and then shared some more by letting us all try. What fun! That’s why I love to go with other foodies.  More pics, more tastes, more to love.

In order here:

Bread pudding: Yummy. A little chocolatey and I was told by Heather that it was the best bread pudding she’s ever had.

Pic is a little dark, but the crumb on top and the moist inside was nothing short of heaven.

Next, the “Babysitter Cake.” I’ve no idea why it’s called that. It’s Spring House’s signature Chocolate cake simply served along side a Hibiscus Cherry Infused Sweet Cream. Just so simple and very rich and perfect for the chocolate lover.

And last but absolutely not least, Mr.Foodie and I shared what I’ll just call my birthday cake. A Pineapple Upside Down Grits Cake. Grits! YUMMM-AMAZING. I love love love pineapple upside down cake. This had a caramel apple popcorn crumble and was served with pumpkin ice cream, which went perfectly with it. It wasn’t too sweet, just perfection.

And then finally the chef complemented us with a glass of birthday bubbly! How nice. We did not get to meet the owner, Chef Tim Grandinetti, but Chef de Cuisine, Joseph came out to greet our table and give us a bit of history about the place (it used to be the Bahnson House and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places)and tantalize our tastebuds for a future trip back as they are about to change their menu as it does every few months. Chef Tim is a chef after my own heart as he uses seasonal ingredients fresh from the farm and market.

Spring House is certainly a place where you can have meetings, private parties and even fancier soirees like receptions and rehearsal dinners but you will feel very comfortable just in smart casual attire (even jeans) and they even have a kids menu with kid faves like peanut butter and apples and even Cheetos-crusted chicken fingers. I’ll bring my non-foodie kids here. Maybe they’ll be converted. It was truly a marvelous dinner with good friends and good times and so comfortable. A great place to go on a date or with friends and it’s not stuffy at all. A good atmosphere and quiet, but not so that you can’t laugh and muck it up with your dinner party. I have to go back for a Wednesday $20.12 tasting, which includes several courses, plus every night they offer a full tasting menu experience for around $44. And if you want to go CRAZY, try a Whole Animal Snout to Tail tasting. I don’t know how much that is, but IT is for FOODIES (that means YOU). I’d say Spring House, Kitchen and Bar should be one of the next places you take yourself.

Check out their menu for all of their history and happenings, including Downtown Winston-Salem’s The Big Eat on Tuesdays during early 2013.
www.springhousenc.com
Spring House Restaurant, Kitchen & Bar
450 N. Spring Street, Winston-Salem, NC
336.293.4797