After two years of design work we broke ground late December of 2015.
There was something about the change from the conceptual to the concrete that made this project that much more real for me. I can't imagine what it is going to feel like once the structure of the house begins to take shape.
And while this is an exciting time, there aren't too many visuals to share of the mud and concrete pit that will be my future home.
Soo..
I love Durham. I love food. Those loves combine and you get my options on local eateries.
Because I grew up in the Watts Hospital neighborhood and spent two wonderful years as a student at the North Carolina School of Science and Math, I am going to start with restaurants around Ninth Street.
Ninth Street Eats
Having lived at NCSSM for two years Cosmic became a second kitchen for a lot of us students. It was a no brainer due to their affordable delicious food within walking distance of the school.
Now it has become a place of nostalgia as well. Don't let that fool you. Unlike the nostalgia around say, MacGyver, Cosmic still shines like it used to. Delicious, fast food at good prices in an environment that is full of character.
Elmo's has been a favorite since my childhood. Once I forgave them for taking over the space from Ninth Street Bakery.
As Durham's only long term dinner it's a gem. Their menu has a ton of options and is very well priced. The low key, family friendly environment also makes it a great place to grab a bite.
While at NCSSM I challenged myself to try everything on their expansive menu. While I almost reached my goal, I simply could not keep up once they started adding new specials all the time. I see this as a good thing.
I am in love with the following dishes: Huevos Rancheros, Greek Grilled Cheese, Bacon Waffle and their Chicken and Dumplings.
I am a carnivore. I love a good burger. I am beer-snob-ish, I love a good beer. Dain's is a great place for me. I think they have one of (if not the) best burgers in Durham. With the large selection of beer (bottled and on tap) as well as the option of tater tots or shoe-string fries with your burger, Dain's is one of my happy places.
Also run by Dain, these are some of the best wings I have ever had. They have several flavors from classic buffalo, to BBQ, Teriyaki, Sweet Thai Coconut Chilli and Carolina Honey Mustard.
Also the waffle fries at Heavely Buffalos are something special. Battered, but lightly and perfectly crisp on the outside with a soft core, these waffle fries will raise the fry bar in your book. I promise.
Also, they deliver.
Relatively new to the scene, Oval Park Grill is a good in-between of fine dinning and casual comfort. They have a focus on local fresh foods and their menu changes accordingly. They offer unique spins on classic dishes that are truly unexpected and delicious.
They also have a very good burger. Which I would recommend with these crispy smooshed fingerling potatoes.
I love a place where I can have local beer on tap, start with an order of raw oysters and then have a solid burger.
French fine dinning at it's best. The food is artfully crafted and you can taste it in every bite. While on the pricer side of eating out in the area, it is well worth the expense.
When the restaurant gets busy it can make it hard to hear conversation at your table, but after the food arrives there usually isn't much talking.
Leave room for desert. The chocolate mousse (when they have it) is one of my favorite foods on the planet.
I could go on all day about food, but I won't. In coming posts I hope to cover the delicious dishes of downtown and good eats on the south-side of town.
Next post I hope to cover what work went on before we broke ground and what the process of choosing fixtures was like for me.
Thank you for reading!
Alison
