Here’s the first entry in what I hope becomes a regular feature here on raleighing.com, Raleighing Raves.  Occasionally, I’ll pick a topic and list my own personal favorites in the area.  First one up is the beloved yet oft undervalued sandwich.  There are a bunch of great sandwiches available here in Raleigh but I’ve narrowed my list down to 5.  I’m leaving out burgers as to me that’s a whole separate genre.  So, without further ado, here are my top 5 favorite sandwiches in order:

1. ABC – The Rockford
   The first time I saw this sandwich on The Rockford’s menu I was certainly intrigued, but not sure I even wanted to give it a try.  Apple, Bacon, and Cheddar?  Really?  With battered bread and powdered sugar?  Just sounded like a bit too much for me.  Well, luckily I did give it a try and many years and many visits later I have yet to eat another sandwich at The Rockford.  I’m getting hungry now just thinking about it.  Sure, it’s a heart-attack of a meal, but so worth it.
2. Chicken Salad (Clay’s Favorite) on Pita – Sunflowers
   I love chicken salad, both traditional and non-traditional.  While I love the basic chicken salad on wheat toast at Tookie’s, Sunflowers’ chicken salad with grapes and pecans is incredible, especially when paired with their pita.  The chicken is sliced into chunks which gives it a good consistency.  While not listed in the ingredients on the menu, I taste a hint of lemon in the mix which mixes well with the sweetness of the grapes and the savory of the pecans.  Unfortunately, you can’t get the pita bread at dinner (not sure why) so you’ll have to go with the sunflower bread as dictated on the menu which is still good.
3. Cuban – Raleigh Times
   Raleigh Times made some great changes to their menu in the past months.  The best addition, in my opinion, is their Cuban sandwich: roasted pork loin, Black Oak ham, pickles, tomatoes with garlic aioli & mustard on pressed Cuban bread.  Yes, it is as flavorful as it sounds.  The mustard and pickles tangy, the ham sweet, the pork loin aioli savory all adding up to one tasty sandwich.  I love many other items on the RT menu, like the burger or the Country French salad, but I think this one is my favorite.
4. Turkey Berry Panini – Cafe Carolina
   Ok, so I’m seeing a trend here.  I obviously like a little sweetness in my sandwiches.  This one from Cafe Carolina has cranberry chutney along with smoked turkey, swiss cheese, coleslaw, and grilled sourdough.  It, too, has a great balance of savory, sweet, and tangy.  I also love the light crunch of the toasted bread.
5. Smoked Turkey Breast on Wheat – Village Deli
   My wife and I used to live in Cameron Village Condominiums and loved being near the Village Deli.  We’d have lunch there all the time and this sandwich quickly became a favorite.  It is a simple turkey sandwich made spectacular by their homemade Vidalia Onion Dressing.  If you’re getting one to go, make sure they put the dressing on the side as the sandwich will get pretty soggy if you don’t.

Ok, there’s my five.  There are some others that I’ll give honorable mentions to:  Tookie’s Chicken Salad on Wheat Toast, Tropical Smoothie’s Turkey Bacon Ranch, and Morning Times’ Apple Brie toasted.  So what are your local favorites?  Use the comments to let me know.  I’m always looking for new favorites!

Another counter lady points me toward a wall of doors that lead to several meeting/conference rooms (which any Wake County group can use for free–just sign up in advance like the those industrious computer occupants have done). Through one door I see a woman gesturing, talking, instructing. She stands before a table laden with beautiful sculpted, collage and painted works of art that look like they used to be . . . . books.  This must be the place! 

If you don’t know where I am by now, then you need to be reminded of that tall, two story building in Cameron Village.  Now, you don’t need to be told about Cameron Village; you know that fun, 50′s sort of walkable shopping center– a shopping center! Right there practically in the middle of the city! Thriving, in spite of surrounding malls and suburban shopping center sprawl!  Don’t stop and shop yet.  Keep going, past Fresh Market, to the end of Clark Street.  That tall, two-story building?  The library?  You remember.

Oh, stop rolling your eyes and saying Geesh, a library?  First a movie theater and now a library?  Because this library–Cameron Village Library–did something extraordinary last week, quietly and without fanfare or splash (because it is the kind of thing they do all the time) this library introduced to about 20 people (for free!) an art form that is the latest hottest thing, an underground art movement, in other cities, spreading faster than kudzu roots; a new kind of art that several well known artists have taken up, whose amazing creations are now on display at MOMA in NYC and the like.   

I walk into the room. Immediately I’m aware of a bustling busy-ness at the several long tables, and realize the workshop already started, so I apologize to the instructor for being late and turn toward one of the tables to take a seat.  I stop, horrified.  People are tearing up library books.  They are furiously ripping the pages right out of books! As fast as they can, they rip pages and toss them on the floor.  Am I in the wrong room after all?  Did I misunderstand the tiny notice I spotted while scanning the A & E section as I do every week, searching for the unusual happening, the barely known but awesome band or writer or artist coming to Raleigh? That miniscule listing, entitled “Transform Old Books into New Art” had snagged my attention. Last winter, in Tucson, I saw artists of all sorts–sculptors, painters, print makers, multimedia artists–all of them applying their particular skill to make what is called “Altered Books.” 

This is the right place, the teacher says, laughing. She is Tracy Johnson, the manager of Panopolie, a beading store in Raleigh.  She says she instructed the class to rip out pages–to remove around 40 % of the book.  This is how you start an “Altered Book.”  Take an old book that has committed no crime other than to become very outdated and very unread, and is now sentenced to the landfill with about a hundred of its buddies (and that’s just in this room alone for this class; tons of them go into the landfill all the time) and you rip out a bunch of its pages, to make room for what you do to the remaining pages: you will paint, collage, pierce, fold, cut, twist, tie, punch, lace, sculpt, bind, glue, stitch, any thing at all, whatever your vision and artistic eye leads you to do.  And this former book is not only rescued from certain death; it becomes art, your art.

For two hours last Thursday, at no cost, I made an altered book, thanks to Cameron Village Library and Panopolie (in addition to beading supplies, the store sells material for book arts, and is starting to offer classes in altered books and handmade journals, taught by Dawn who brings this new art form to Raleigh all the way from her former city–New Orleans).

Coming up (for free!) at Cameron Village Library:

MYSTERY AUTHOR PANEL DISCUSSION June 5  at 6 PM, famous writers right here!

LOCAL AUTHOR PANEL DISCUSSION June 10 at 2 PM  More famous writers (of the local literary sort)

PRESS 53 PUBLISHING Sunday June 3 at 2:30 PM: a successful small press in Raleigh and the authors they publish will talk about writing, getting into print, etc.

So, turn off your 500 Cable/Satellite TV/Radio set, get off your $100 month phone/broadband digital gadgets and visit this sunlit spot with free books, free wifi, free computer use, free meeting space, free audiobooks, free workshops, free information on anything you want to know and I mean anything (and from far better sources than Google or Wikipedia).  That counter lady who knew what I wanted before I said it?  She is called a librarian.  Every librarian I have ever known loves to give information.  That is what they are there for.  Imagine.  A real person that is helpful, accurate, and kind; a human being with a talent for sensing what you want before you say it, the way a good auto mechanic just knows what your car needs by looking at it. This is healing stuff for people who are tired of automated menus and computerized programs that pretend to do what libraries really do. Get thee to the library.  Take a book cure.

Cherry is a full service home furnishings and accessories store that specializes in modern Italian furniture, but has a large array of accents to give your home a modern makeover as well. You can find rugs, light fixtures, unique hand blown glass pieces, tableware, barware, and numerous other home accessories as well.

Some well known brands at Cherry include Rosenthal tableware and serving pieces, Nambi metalware, and Michael Graves designed pieces. For many of the lines, the store is the only authorized retailer in the state.

Cherry is the brainchild and namesake of Louis Cherry and his wife Ann Marie Baum. The husband and wife team saw a real void in the Triangle for contemporary and modern design and decided to do something about it. The day to day operation of the store is directed by Mrs. Baum. With her background in interior design and retail management, she is perfectly suited to help all their clients find the perfect look for their homes.

Cherry is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. It is open on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. A grand opening celebration is planned for late April.

How did Raleigh get so lucky?  Swiss brothers Brian and Chris Hereghty felt like Raleigh would be a great place to live and start a business.  Chris is a french trained pastry chef and Brian is a former architect.  Chris manages the baking and Brian runs the front of the house. 

Hereghty serves excellent and well made coffees.  You can pair your coffee with a quiche, scone, stuffed croissant, or a cinnamon roll.  The hands down best is the cheese danish.  It is so good it will make you want to smack your mama.  Lunches feature daily soups and a variety of REALLY tasty paninis such as the prosciutto di parma.  That case also includes their flourless chocolate chewies with walnuts, financiers (don’t make the mistake of calling them “mini muffins” as I might have done), croissants, and an assortment of cookies. 

However, the real stars are the masterpieces in the dessert case.  An inventory of the desserts evokes the same reaction out of women that perusing a fancy jewelry store does.  It literally looks like a dazzling display at a modern art museum, but as good as they look, they taste even better.  Chocolate lovers go nuts over the “Paris” with its layers of chocolate mousse and chocolate sponge cake.  In the mood for something tropical?  Try the Okinawa with mango, passion fruit, and chocolate mousse layers on a flourless coconut cake layer.  You have to special order my personal favorite- the Frasier, but trust me its worth the effort.  The fresh strawberry, pistachio cream cake is to die for.

Hereghty makes the perfect spot to end an evening and fills a major void since there are a real lack of places in town to go for just dessert.  Wash down some seriously decadent desserts with a cappuccino or a night cap of Santa Julia dessert wine while live music filters through the air around you.  Close your eyes and you just may find yourself drifting off to Paris.

We’ll do our best to stay abreast of this one and let you know when it becomes official.  Again, just rumor at this point and I absolutely am not betting anything on it actually coming to fruition.

[All of a sudden I'm missing the days of 30 daily readers...  I'm terrible at these disclaimers...

Ok, I'm lying.  Our current readership is so freakin' exciting that I am even more in love with this city than I was when Dana and I started this thing last year...]

map it

map it

Photos by Gail Healey

What we do have for you, though, are copies of their menus and some notes on the interior design to give you a feel for what kind of restaurant it will be.  Let me just add an editorial comment here by saying that I am very impressed by it all.  The menus are exquisite, their offerings are varied, and the place sounds as if it will be quite the retreat from the outside world.  If you click on the image to the right you will be presented with the dinner menu in PDF format.  As you will see, it begins with the appetizers, which they refer to as Whet Plates.  Some mouth watering options here, but I am personally excited about the Kobe Beef Carpaccio which means I will again have this as an option as Raleigh’s other Kobe beef provider is, ahem, not on my list.  Besides this item, you are quickly informed that this restaurant specializes in seafood as 7 of the 10 appetizers come from the sea.  It is also evident that this restaurant is gunning for a higher end experience with things like Caviar, Escargot, and Calamari in it’s own ink.

Next up are the items from the Raw Bar, including five different varieties of oysters and two varieties of clams, all served raw on the half shell.  The Raw Bar also has its own separate menu (PDF format) which includes the same items along with crustaceans and a steamed oyster option.

Soups and salads are then followed by the Main Plates of the menu.  An extremely wide selection is offered here, both in food and price.  The cheapest option is the Asian Barbecue at $16.50 with the most expensive being, of course, the Kobe beef which will run you $38 for 7 oz. or $74 for 14 oz.  Kobe beef is always expensive, but these prices are less than those at Mura in North Hills.  I would say, though, that I am not a Kobe beef connoisseur so I cannot tell you if there is a reason for the difference in price such as cut or quality.  But, I am sure that all of it is fantastic.  Other entrees include beef tenderloin, rack of lamb, veal, lobster thermidor, several fish options, and even fried shrimp and oysters served with Calabash, NC style breading.

This is all followed with a sweets menu (PDF format) offering desserts and various coffee drinks. 

The interior space sounds quite finely finished, with the Raw Bar expensively covered in onyx to give the effect of glistening oysters.  There is a wine bar with swivel iron stools covered in expensive Missioni fabric.  Upstairs there is what they are calling the Skyline Loft, which also has its own menu (PDF format) offering yet another dining option.  The original Fosters bar area will be the bar area in Nelsons as well, but this will now have room for dining, with tables separated by lamps and curved banquettes with high backs offering privacy.

So, as you can tell, I’m excited about this one.  We’ll keep a close eye on it and will let you know as soon as we have a solid opening date to offer you.

When NELSONS opens in early April 2006 (Cameron Village, 521 Daniels Street, 919-832-9815), it will bring the best of classic American-European haute cuisine to life in a stylish multi-faceted setting to rival all others in the Southeast. An inviting dining loggia, gourmet oyster bar, reserve wine bar, private dining room, outdoor loft and more will thrill neighborhood and destination diners alike.

Tapped to lend his expertise in the classics, and his flare for innovation, Executive Chef Robert Brantly brings over 25 years of experience, and a reputation as one of South Carolina’s best, to NELSONS. He’ll present classic cuisine in the dining loggia and beyond, such as Lobster Thermidor, Tournedos Rossini and a Colossal Shrimp Cocktail, as well as original New American offerings, including Kodiak Crab Imperial and NELSONS own oysters Rockefeller.

Additionally, four limestone-topped oyster bars will offer an opportunity to sample the finest, raw or steamed – 6 varieties of East and West Coast oysters, clams and mussels, lobsters and crab — with thoughtful accompaniments, from a classic mignonette to a Floridian Mustard Sauce.

Upstairs, customers will find the Skyline Loft, an open-air bar with a warming fireplace and contemporary lounge furniture, to be the most unique outdoor setting in the area. Cocktails will be served alongside a smart bar menu featuring items such as Kobe Sliders and Tuna Taquitos.

Pastry Chef Sherry Stolfo, also new to the Triangle, will present European influenced desserts, as artful as they are delicious, to complement Brantly’s upscale cuisine. A Dark Chocolate Truffle Gateau, Apricot Genoise and housemade sorberts in meringue will round out the evening fare. On Sundays, she’ll display a host of European tortes and French pastries for the decadent Champagne Brunch.

Chosen for their flair for high-end residential design, the Estill Design Group of Raleigh will marry these intimate dining areas with a soft, contemporary style, imparting a comfortable luxury rarely enjoyed in restaurants. Signature features such as the light-reflecting onyx-covered walls of the oyster bars and the wall of falling water nearby highlight the seafood-focused menu, while supple textures and exquisite Missioni fabrics present a polished and powerful setting ideal for enjoying stellar steaks and fine wines.

Stay tuned, as NELSONS is poised to offer an exceptional dining experience like no other in the region.

Sounds pretty exquisite to me.  We shall see!