Good Food is Elemental at Elements

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.

Lantern Bar: An Adult Spot for Drinks or Dinner

Lantern, the justifiably acclaimed restaurant from chef Andrea Reusing, is a must-dine spot in Chapel Hill.  What in-the-know locals have discovered is that the same delicious, Asian inspired cuisine can be had in the much more intriguing atmosphere of the Lantern Bar.  Accessible through a separate entrance around the the corner from the main restaurant, Lantern Bar has a transportive quality. It is a cozy, dark space visually dominated by the large red lanterns over the booths and the large bar.  You definitely don't feel like you're in Chapel Hill, or anywhere else in the south. It's the kind of spot you might wander into on a side street in a larger city, and yet it is steps from Franklin Street.  Come for the wide selection of handcrafted cocktails, imaginative wine list and tempting menu of Asian treats.  

The Food

Lantern's food is held to a very high standard and have never had anything "bad" there.  Many are still trying to get over the loss of the Korean Fried Chicken on the menu.  Hopefully, it will reappear one day.  Until then, there are seasonal offerings like the smoked eggplant and consistent favorites like the Arctic Char Bento to satisfy your cravings.   Typically, we come here to share appetizer plates, but the full menu is available as well.

The Drinks

The Red Geisha is  a refreshing combination of fresh strawberry puree, lime, ginger and vodka.  Perfect for a warm summer evening, it was refreshing and not too sweet.  With the charcuterie, we tried the 2011 Freisa from La Casaccia.  It paired well with the rich pork flavors of the pate and the rillettes.

The Atmosphere

Dark and sexy.  As one friend has said, "The lighting there makes anyone look good."

The Service

All the servers are very knowledgeable about the food, cocktails and wine.  The appetizers come out as they are ready which works for some people and not others.  The servers are quick to clear empty plates and keep water glasses filled.  The room is small, so the servers are able to observe your table and fulfill requests without being intrusive.

Harvest Moon is a Find in Ravenel, South Carolina

Highway 17 is a popular route from the Savannah area to Charleston.  It winds through beautiful low country landscapes and often there is not a soul to be found.  That's great for picture taking, but not so great if you're starving.  So imagine one's delight, after bypassing the suspect Flo's Diner and then wondering if there would be no food until Charleston, when an oasis called Harvest Moon appears next to an Advanced Auto Parts store in the hamlet of Ravenel.  

The Food

All the food was homemade and flavorful.  The sweet potato fries were hand cut and seasoned with salt, paprika and a little brown sugar. The pork sandwich was served with a  yellow barbecue sauce made by a local Wadmalaw gentleman and hand-delivered to the restaurant.  Its sweetness was balanced with the tang of the mustard and would be good on a variety of pork or chicken dishes.  The collards were fresh and cooked to retain their natural flavor and texture.  The mac and cheese was a good rendition of the stovetop version.  I am partial to a baked rendition, but this was fresh and tasty.  Harvest Moon offers several homemade desserts, but after cleaning our lunch plates, we were out of room.

The Drinks

Harvest Moon serves beer and wine as well as fountain drinks and sweet tea.

The Service

It was a slow afternoon.  Our waitress was attentive and knew the menu well.

The Atmosphere

This a primarily a local spot, with in-the-know travelers stopping in too.  People dropped by to get takeout and chew the fat about local news.  Owls feature prominently in the decor.  We should have asked why.  Next time...

Three Cheers for the Rah Bar!

Jekyll Island is a popular barrier island vacation spot off the south Georgia coast.  The island has many charms, including Victorian architecture, long beaches and a Sea Turtle rescue center.  For the hungry though, the Rah Bar, at the end of the pier, is the place to be.  

The Food

The menu is limited, which is okay, because all you really need are pounds and pounds of the peel and eat shrimp.  They are so fresh and steamed to perfection with a sprinkling of Old Bay.  They come with cocktail sauce and hot sauce for dipping.  Seafood dip, which seems to be mostly comprised of the aforementioned shrimp in chopped form with some mayo, is served with pita chips.  The steamed mussels were overcooked, and thus a bit dry. There are also steamed crawfish and a few sandwiches that no one was ordering.

The Drinks

There's a full bar and a wide selection of craft and standard beers in cans.  We had Stella Artois and an Aviator Brewing Company Madbeach wheat beer.

The Service

Our server admitted it was his first day.  He stayed on top of our drinks and multiple shrimp orders.  The staff works together well as a team.

The Atmosphere

This is classic waterside beach shack.  There are seats inside at the bar, but why would you sit there if you can be out on the pier overlooking the intracoastal waterway and the historic district.  In the summer, try to snag a seat in the covered section unless you're working on a sunburn.

Skip on Over to Skipper's Fish Camp

If you ever find yourself in Darien, GA, or even if you don’t, but happen to be traveling down I-95 on your way to Florida, get yourself over to Skipper’s Fish Camp, a family-style seafood restaurant on the banks of the Darien river.   South Georgia is home to a particular species of wild shrimp that is particularly delicious.  Skipper’s features these large, juicy crustaceans, fresh oysters and other jewels of the sea in a casual environment.  The restaurant is comprised of a main dining room which has lots of windows and lights and nautical decor.  Across the courtyard, there’s a lively oyster bar with indoor and outdoor seating that also overlooks the river and working shrimp boat.  The dress code is basically come as you are, which is just how we like it.  

Oysters

Peel and Eat Georgia Shrimp

House salad

Whole Flounder and Shrimp Combo with cole slaw

Snow Crab Legs with collard greens and mac and cheese

Crabcakes with collard greens and baked potato

The Food

All the food was very good.  The standouts were the oysters, shrimp, crab cakes and fried seafood.  The collard greens were very fresh and well-seasoned.  The house salad is fresh, but standard.

The Drinks

Beer or cocktails recommended.  The wine selection is fairly pedestrian.

The Atmosphere

Light, bright and clean.  You're not really coming here for the atmosphere.  Look out the many windows at the riverfront, dock and local fauna.  The oyster bar has outside seating overlooking the river.

The Service

Young, friendly and efficient staff.  Food comes out pretty quickly, so have your server pace the entrees if you want to relax.

Around Town

And while you’re in Darien, check out the Waterfront Wine and Gourmet.  A surprising (to us) selection of American, European and Latin American wines, cheeses and other snacks up front and a cozy wine bar with a few beers on tap with views of the waterfront.   And if you’re staying the night, check out Open Gates B&B.  Friendly owners, a refreshing pool in the garden and a top-notch breakfast in the morning.