Discovering Delicious
This was a super-quick, high flavor, minimal ingredient meal courtesy of Clinton Kelly of The Chew television show. While not absolutely faithful to the Chinese restaurant version (sweet Italian sausage, I'm calling you out here), I think it was better. The individual herbs and spices stood out, turning what can be a bland dish into a family-pleasing weeknight meal. Add a little steamed jasmine rice and you're at the table in under 30 minutes.
A search for a new fine dining lunch spot in Chapel Hill led us to Elements. Elements is tucked in a corner of the East 54 development near Meadowmont in Chapel Hill. East 54 has claimed many restaurants and shops in its short life, but I hope Elements can beat the odds. While billing itself as new American cuisine, the menu slants heavily toward Asian fusion, not surprising since chef-owner Michael Chuong was the founding chef at the renowned An in Cary. The Food:
Viet Rolls:
Lemongrass chicken, shrimp, bibb lettuce, bean sprouts, cucumber, and peanut hoisin sauce. The order is large, three whole rolls, so be sure to share if you're not starving.
All the "Big Plates," or entrees, come with the house salad which was a pleasant surprise and showed the attention to detail in the kitchen.
The daily Bento Special featured grilled salmon with red curry, steamed rice sprinkled with black sesame seeds, sautéed vegetables that were tasty and not an afterthought, fresh fruit and a spring roll filled with a curry-spiced filling reminiscent of an Indian pakora.
The Honey Walnut Prawns were four jumbo shrimp, perfectly cooked in a tempura batter. The lightly spicy orange glaze and candied walnuts played off the sweet, delicate flavor of the shrimp. It was served with steamed rice on a bed of chopped napa cabbage and slivered fresh red pepper,
The Service:
Our waitress was friendly and attentive. Food delivery was timed well. The only missteps were a dirty wine glass and a unsolicited check. The latter is a common element of service in the US. I can understand in a busy restaurant at lunch service when servers may be running around. However, at a high-end restaurant I find this habit somewhat annoying and shortsighted on the server's part. We were not finished and ended up ordering another round of wine.
The Atmosphere:
It was a gorgeous day, perfect for dining on the shaded patio. The interior is bright and comfortable, with a main dining room, bar with banquette tables and a wine bar.
The Verdict:
The food was very good, fresh and a change of pace from typical lunch fare. If lunch is an example of the kitchen's talents, I would definitely go back to try the dinner menu.