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Location: Chapel Hill, NC, formerly NoVA and Phila
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Quote:
Originally Posted by poppydog
michgc, have you been to Gourmet Kingdom in Carrboro? We went last night and I really enjoyed the Kung Pao Lotus Root I had. I was a little iffy on the Sizzling Rice Cake w/ Shrimp (and fish). We almost got the Fried Stinky Tofu, but I think it came with the 1000 year egg and the waitress cautioned us that most Americans don't like that. I didn't really want the 1000 yr Egg, but did want to try the Stinky Tofu. Ah, well, maybe next time.
No, but thanks for the rec. We'll try that one next. We have tried 4 places so far and have not been thrilled with any of them. I know we'll hit the right one sooner or later.
I think they have a Chinese menu as well, but that's a little too much for me. Reportedly it's one of the best places around, but I'm not a Chinese food foodie so couldn't really say.
I came from Michigan to Ga, and I can probably undrstand that 'something about it just doesn't feel right" feeling you have. Ive been in Georgia for 4 years now and we can't wait to get out. I can list a slew of great things about Georgia but the list of not so great list for us would be alot longer.
The differnce I notice from Georgia to North Carolina, even though both conservative and in the South...is the over all vibe of the people and the nature of how things get done between the two states. Many of teh relocators in both states vary also. Mostly due to the job bracet availible in both zones.
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Atlanta truly has a big-city mentality if you're accustomed to that. This is what distinguishes North Georgia from any other area of the SouthEast.
North Carolina offers a more "small-town" mentality and lifestyle in all of its cities ranging in size from 90 to 900,000 (population).
Georgia is a very primitive state when it comes to proactive government, planning for the future, highways, preventing corruption in government, etc. Georgia's DOT hasn't really built any new roads in the last 30 years. I don't think Georgia has ever in its history even contemplated looking at how other states do things and learn from them. Blacks and whites co-exist but that's about it. The Republican-dominated government is anti-everything except guns, and the 20% of the state that lives in poverty does little to try to help itself. Section 8 vouchers, 50,000 showing up for free holiday dinners every year, etc. is a way of life for many here in Atlanta.
North Carolina has a rich history of very intelligent minds looking after its people and planning for the future. Still though, with all of NC's growth, you cannot escape the small-town feel or mentality all across the state. The state is always constructing literally hundreds and hundreds of miles of new highways in attempts to bring economic prosperity to all its counties which are mostly rural in nature. NC has the 2nd highest rural population behind Pennsylvania.
These are the differences between the two states as I see them.
Yet, ironically enough, there are no good Chinese restaurants.
Quote:
Originally Posted by poppydog
michgc, have you been to Gourmet Kingdom in Carrboro? We went last night and I really enjoyed the Kung Pao Lotus Root I had. I was a little iffy on the Sizzling Rice Cake w/ Shrimp (and fish). We almost got the Fried Stinky Tofu, but I think it came with the 1000 year egg and the waitress cautioned us that most Americans don't like that. I didn't really want the 1000 yr Egg, but did want to try the Stinky Tofu. Ah, well, maybe next time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by meh_whatever
Red Dragon in Raleigh.
Yeah, there are some decent Chinese restaurants around here. My personal favorites of the ones I've been to are definitely Gourmet Kingdom, Red Dragon, and a place out on Morrisville-Carpenter Road in Morrisville or Cary that I can't remember the name of and don't have time to look up. And then there's the little restaurant inside of the Grand Asia Market in Cary, which is always a fun experience. But I do agree that I wish there were more good choices, and it surprises me that there aren't, considering the influx of affluent population in recent decades, and in particular the Asian and Asian-American population. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the many strip mall Sino-American fast food places, too, and I enjoy my fried rice and egg rolls as much as anyone. But it would be nice if the area had some more "real" Chinese food options beyond those mentioned above, as one finds in California and in bigger cities in other parts of the country. I would think this area could support more of those kinds of dining options these days, and probably they'll eventually show up here, but for now the selection isn't great. I do also adore Five Star in Downtown Raleigh, but that's sort of in a different category. Likewise, I also enjoy the Neo-China/Neo-Asia places (even though I know a lot of people don't), but again, they're in kind of a different category as well. And actually even the hole-in-the-wall strip mall places vary a little more than you might think, and some are pretty good and surprisingly nuanced, especially if you're able to talk with one of the cooks a little and order from the far reaches of the menu or off the menu entirely. But it still would be nice if there was more regional Chinese cuisine available and more overall variety and quality. I'm not really a foodie and certainly not an expert on Chinese food or anything like that. But I would appreciate and support some better diversity in local Chinese restaurants, and I know I'm not alone.
This is getting pretty far afield from the topic of this thread, but I would be interested to hear from anyone who ventures to Gourmet Kingdom. It's pretty widely recommended as the most authentic Chinese around—won the Indy's Best the past two years in a row. Lots of fans on Chowhound. I'm not a huge Chinese aficionado, but I had heard recommendations for it as the best around for years before finally venturing over on a night out w/o the kids. Pretty authentic Chinese menu and I really enjoyed the Lotus Root. Lots of interesting meats that I skipped (I don't eat chit'lins, whether they're Chinese or Southern). I'd definitely like to go back again sometime.
This is getting pretty far afield from the topic of this thread, but I would be interested to hear from anyone who ventures to Gourmet Kingdom. It's pretty widely recommended as the most authentic Chinese around—won the Indy's Best the past two years in a row. Lots of fans on Chowhound. I'm not a huge Chinese aficionado, but I had heard recommendations for it as the best around for years before finally venturing over on a night out w/o the kids. Pretty authentic Chinese menu and I really enjoyed the Lotus Root. Lots of interesting meats that I skipped (I don't eat chit'lins, whether they're Chinese or Southern). I'd definitely like to go back again sometime.
What are you wanting to hear about it? Yes, I go to Gourmet Kingdom on a fairly regular basis (I don't know about "venturing" there), frequently in combination with a visit to the Cat's Cradle or the ArtsCenter near there. I'm hardly an aficionado of Chinese cuisine either, but I certainly enjoy Gourmet Kingdom a lot, and as I mentioned in my prior post, it's probably my favorite Chinese restaurant in the Triangle. I find the menu there a little overwhelming, whether in English or Chinese, but that's just due to the remarkable array of different dishes with various ingredients. (Personally, I do like many kinds of organ meat, including chitterlings, but clearly they're not for everyone.) I generally formulate my order there after a quick consultation with my smart phone, a little heart-to-heart with the (usually) very patient server, and a bit of dumb luck. So far, I've yet to be disappointed. So, overall, Gourmet Kingdom is still not up to the level of some of the awesome Chinese places I've eaten at in other cities, but it's my favorite in this area so far.
Tom, I was talking about the folks who say there's no good Chinese in the area, and haven't been to Gourmet Kingdom yet. I would like to hear if they think it qualifies as good Chinese after they go.
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