Eat at Joe's!

How Local Is Local?

Speaking of local food:  How do you know your "local" food is really local?  If you grow it yourself, you know.  If you buy it from a farmer, you know.  If you buy it through a CSA or at a farmers' market, you can feel pretty confident, I guess.  If you buy it at a grocery, you maybe can't be so confident.  And when you buy it at a restaurant — say someone says the asparagus or beef in their stir-fry is local — how do you know?  Eventually, you have to trust someone, but as the chain gets longer and longer, the web of trust extending from your mouth to the land — that local dirt — gets more and more tenuous.  If Frito-Lay buys potatoes from someone 300 miles from their factory, then ships their potato chips another 300 miles to you, is that local?

In my opinion, this is the organic problem all over again.  The "USDA Organic" definition has already been causing backlash for a while, and it's still going on.  It's probably resulted in more use of terms like "biodynamic," and maybe to a lesser extent in the interest in truly local food, and in the web of trust it implies.

Suggestions, O Gentle Readers?  Whom do you trust, and how do you do it?  Are we reduced to that supposed quotation from Stalin: "Trust, and verify"?  

Local Awesomeness: Lemon Balm Sorbet

In case it hasn't been clear from previous posts how much I like the refreshing nature of sorbets, and how easy they are to make:

Lemon balm sorbet by local SEEDS/DIG teenagers a hit at Farm to Fork 

References:

• SEEDS (South Eastern Efforts Developing Sustainable Spaces)
• DIG (Durham Inner-city Gardeners)
• Farm to Fork 
• lemon balm 

These teenagers grew the herbs for their sorbet and made it themselves.  How's that for local food?  And it impressed the Farm to Fork folks, who are mostly local farmers, restaurateurs, and food workers.  I think that's pretty cool.  

If you like ices, sorbets, granitas, &c, I'd also suggest digging up a copy of

• The Curious Cook by Harold McGee

It's out of print, but worth the effort, even if for no reason other than his article called "Fruit Ices, Cold and Calculated."  Its several pages of simple tables should get you started on making ices from most any common fruit, and some other foods like coffee and wine.  You want Chapter 10. :) The tables are easy, and allow you to pick a fruit, then look up how much sugar you need for the type of ice you want. McGee may also recommend a little lemon juice, if you want, to balance out the sweetness from the sugar you'll need to get the texture of ice you desire.  

For your extra credit project, I can add one piece of advice to McGee's wisdom: substitute about 25% plain corn syrup by volume -- less, if you like -- for his sugar recommendations in the softer ices like sorbets.  The corn syrup will improve texture by making the ice crystals smaller, while also making it slightly less sweet.  There aren't many good culinary reasons for keeping a bottle of Karo syrup in your pantry, besides making pecan pie and perhaps sweetening mixed drinks: putting it in sorbets is a nice extension to your culinary repertoire.  (By the way, I believe I stole this piece of advice from Ben & Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream & Dessert Book.)

Now, go to the farmers' market, a fruit stand, or a local grocery store.  Buy the best, cheapest fruit they have in season.  Go home and make some sorbet.  You'll need an ice cream freezer -- 20 years ago, mine cost me about $20.  You may also want a blender for some stuff.  And enjoy. :)

Did I ever post about that blackberry sorbet I made last year?  Hmmm....

Edit:  By the way, I'd forgotten that Varmint has been making really cool ice pops at home.  I never got myself to buy any molds, but I always wanted to give that a whirl.

I Really Wish I Spent More Time Reading Other Food Blogs

Via Carpe Durham:

• Durham Drink Specials
• Barfly Durham 

Durham Farmers' Market Polls

I've seen in multiple places that there are a couple of polls running nationally on farmers' markets.  As I hope most of you know, we have a nicely growing farmers' market here in Durham.  If you like the DFM, you might want to vote in these:

1. The Care2 "Love Your Farmers Market" poll will give $5,000.00 to the market that wins their poll, which runs until 17 September 2009.  There's a total of $15.000.00 in prizes being awarded to winners, runners-up, and randomly selected markets.  They're also giving away several hundred dollars in cash and tote bags to voters and "recruiters" (those who get other folks to vote) over the period of the poll. The above link leads you to the poll, where you'll give your name, ZIP code, and e-mail address.  Or you can go directly to the page to vote for the Durham Farmers' Market.  
2. The American Farmland Trust is also running an "America's Favorite Farmers Markets" contest.  I don't see when that poll closes; winning markets will get "Free No Farms No Food totebags for use in customer giveaways."  Again, you can go directly to the page to vote for the Durham Farmers' Market.  And again, you'll need to leave some information about yourself.   Ya gotta love that cow graphic on the AFT main page.  :)

Both polls have pre-checked boxes for you to get information from the respective organizations about their missions; the Care2 poll will also send you weekly updates.  

Go knock yourselves out.  :)
  

ƒinally

Boy, you hop out to L.A. for a weekend, and look wtƒ happens:

ƒullsteam plans on 726 Rigsbee

The Late Night Issue Downtown

One of the things that's been improving in downtown Durham since I moved here is that there's food available at night.  There are places near or inside the loop to eat dinner now, like Rue Cler, Piedmont, and Bull McCabe's.  There's usually been food in the Brightleaf Square area available late, but downtown proper still doesn't have much available late night.  It's getting better though: the menu at Bull McCabe's seems to look better every time I go, and their late night menu has a burger now, which is nice.  But it'd still be better to see, say, a 24-hour takeout Chinese place, or perhaps as Barry wants, pizza by the slice.

Anyway, I've been thinking that a business that didn't want to commit to an entire 24-hour operation downtown could edge into it by just opening a stand (perhaps still in a storefront) -- no seating, just takeout.  Then they could expand if it becomes clear that the business is there.

Geez, am I dumb.  It's much easier than that.  :)  Not to mention that someone could do a cart.  Or maybe we'll see one of Durham's finer mobile Latino food operations inside the loop.  That would be way cool.  

Slack

I really hadn't been paying much attention to the run-n-wretchs lately, so while I did notice earlier that the Doughman was running this morning (23 May 2009), and did get it into the schedule, I'd pretty much missed that there was a banquet afterward at 6 pm at the Durham Farmers' Market.  Looks like it's already sold out.  It has a nice list of participants, which might explain why the other event for today I ignored -- 2009 Taste of Durham -- has a somewhat more tame list of restaurant participants than the first couple of years.  OTOH, TOD does have a number of other food-related events that might be fun, plus there's the music and other stuff.  I should stop being such a cranky bastard.  :)  I'd also love to hear from any of my Gentle Readers who visit either event and have any opinion.

Durham Central Market Memorial Day Potluck

Durham Central Market is having a potluck and fundraiser this Memorial Day (this coming Monday, 25 May 2009) from 5 to 8 pm.  It's at the Durham Farmers' Market pavilion in Durham Central Park.  Read more details at the event posting on the DCM blog.  

FWIW, DCM is at over 450 members.  They're shooting for at least 1200 before hopefully opening a co-op store sometime next year.  If you like, read about who they are, or look into joining.  They also have an RSS feed for the blog.  

Local Branch of "World Market" Closing

I know some of you buy coffee and the like there, so:

World Market closing store in Durham

MASSIVE STIMULUS PACKAGE

Just sayin'.

P.S. -- It was really yummy.  :)

Triangle Restaurant Week

Thank god someone is out there blogging.  If they weren't, I would never have found out from VarmintBites about Triangle Restaurant Week, which runs from May 11th through May 17th (2009).  While it looks like mostly Raleigh restaurants are involved, I see 5 front-line Durham restaurants participating:

• Four Square
• Papa's Grille 
• Piedmont 
• Pop's 
• Rue Cler   

Visit the Triangle Restaurant Week web site for more details.  
  

Durham Central Market Project Manager Hired

We got a press release yesterday that DCM has brought on a project manager.  They're still searching for locations, but a project manager is a nice step forward.  375 people so far have bought owner shares (including yours truly), which is good.  I really look forward to having a community-oriented grocery near central Durham.  Yay!

"Scenes of Long Acquaintance"

This has very little to do with food, but... hey, it's my blog, right?  :)  MJ Sharp has an exhibition at the Bull City Arts Collaborative until April 24th called "Scenes of Long Acquaintance."  Most of the exhibition there is long-exposure, available light, large format photography.  If you go by, make sure to go to the bathroom and check out the picture hidden back there.  You'll understand the extremely tenuous food connection once you get to the show.  Hours are on the BCAC "Upfront Gallery" page. 

I should have mentioned the exhibition earlier, when it opened last month, but my immediate impetus is that MJ is also having an Open Studio this Sunday (5 April 2009) from 1 to 4 pm at her studio space at Northgate Presbyterian Church on Roxboro Road (map).  She'll be selling a lot of "as is" work prints, so if you like her stuff, you might be able to pick something up for less money than her regular work. 

Wow, I really would love a quarter's worth of Spam squirted thru a little metal tube

http://gastromatic.net/

[Via Wine Authorities, after they clearly had too much to drink.  Dude.]

Any More Durham Food Blogs Out There?

One thing I've been trying to do for a few years now is list all the Durham food blogs I can find in the sidebar.  I bump into one every once in a while, like Sugarpunk just a few days ago, but I welcome help.  :)  In other words, if you know of or have a local food blog, let me know, ok? 

That's The Way They Roll, Again

According to the folks at Wine Authorities, OnlyBurger is going to be back in production tomorrow (Wednesday, 25 March 2009).   They've been out of, um, circulation since a wreck in December.  They're supposed to be at Wine Authorities from 4 to 6:30 pm, so go by and have a burger.  :)

BBQ Jew?

Just a few days ago, I was looking down my list of Durham food blogs, and noticing that, while some were happily active, some are dead, about to be dead, or haven't posted in a while.  I've been kvetching for several months on what I considered my own posting suckitude, but maybe I should give myself a break. 

And then, out of the blue, a new Durham food blog:  BBQ Jew.  Jews eating 'cue, so you don't have to, but I think you'll want to.  They only have a few posts up at the moment, but who knows what kind of traif they'll wander in with.  I'm looking forward to it, because anyone who can come up with the concept of "The Bermudacue Triangle" -- look in "BBQ U." -- is OK with me.  They're in the sidebar.  Visit early and often.  :)

By the way, it's fitting I was alerted to this by an ex-housemate Jew who lived here long enough to develop an appreciation for Durham's finer things.  Thank you, DJEJ.   

Another Example Of My Not Cooking

I thought this was so nice looking that I took a picture (click to embiggen):

In case you're interested, look down the menu to the #12. 

I... Am... Do-ugh Man

I got a press release this morning for the 2nd running of The Doughman, a, um, athletic/competitive eating event here in Durham.  I've put it in the calendar.  

Joe's Crab Shack in Durham...

... has been closed locally for a few years, if you're one of the people who stumble on this weblog while looking for it.  But feel free to check for yourself.

This public service announcement has been brought to you by Joe.  ;)

Crap

You know what happens when your computer dies and it takes a while to get caught up?  Well, stuff like this happens and you totally miss it. 

Damn. 

Sorry, guys. 

I Knew That DPAC Would Come In Handy

Anthony Bourdain will be at the Durham Performing Arts Center on Thursday, 19 February.  Win tickets from the N&O, and go for free.   Otherwise it's $41. 

Local Beer News

Sean Wilson makes it into the N&O. 

Number Nine

According to Revolution's blog, they've been finishing up final inspections, and are now accepting employment applications.  They don't give a date, but they say they're pushing for that ubiquitous "soft opening" soon.

Edit: They're open.

Invest In Beer

Fullsteam Brewery is close to halfway toward raising the investment capital they want in order to open.  If you want to know more, Sean Wilson is having an event downtown for those interested in investing.  The event is this coming Friday, 5 December.  To see about an invitation, contact Sean, or click on the event link above. 

Personally, I think more beer is better.  :)

[BTW, Sean's "investment clock" reminds me of the "Doomsday Clock" used by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists to highlight the danger of destruction the world faced.  So it's your choice: nuclear destruction, or more beer.  ;)  ]

A Little Break

I'm out of Durham for a week or two, some of the time in areas without reputations for things culinary.  If I find anything interesting, I'll let you know.  Or maybe I'll have time for useless blather.  OTOH, as little as I've been posting, maybe no one'd notice if I just kept my mouth shut.  :)

Anniversary

Rue Cler is having their second anniversary this Tuesday, 18 21 October 2008. They also take reservations now.  I've gotten a lot of enjoyment out of their place over the last couple years, and I hope you have too. 

If you go by, make sure to wish John Vandergrift a happy birthday.  :)

Edit: Date corrected. D'oh.

Edit 2: The menu, reproduced without even the slightest attempt at obtaining permission.  :)  I had to fix some stuff up during the document conversion too.  I hope I didn't lose anything. 

Potpourri

The 2008 NC State Fair starts today and runs through the 26th of October.  Go get your Fried Fair Grease on. 

---

Driving down the Ethnic Grocery Trail the other day, I noticed some work going on at the building that used to house Lonestar.  It looks like it's going to be the new home of Sitar, which will be transplanted from its old location in the buildings being renovated behind TAFKASS and across 15-501 Business to its new home.  They may still be open at the old location -- I'm not sure.  When they re-open,  And they're still open at the old location, amidst the wreckage of that strip mall's renovations.  So go get your Indian Food On.

---

In "Now Serving" in this week's Independent, Jennifer Strom notes that Pao Lim is closed while the owner changes it into a Japanese restaurant to be called "Kimono."  While I've eaten my share of food at Pao Lim, I never thought it was either particularly good or particularly bad.  I hope Kimono works out better for the owners, and feeds into that area's becoming a food destination.  Go get your Kimono on.  ;)

Burger? I Just....

OnlyBurger is now on Twitter, for what I imagine are obvious reasons. 

I'll put a link in the sidebar. 

Wine Time

A little over a year ago, I said:

Wine Authorities opened this week, so go buy some wine: I want this place to stay open, and not imitate a few other places in Durham this blog has had to mention in an unfortunate capacity.

So, back over there today: it's nice.  They seem to be adding employees.  The party a couple weeks ago was huge.  I don't know why it was that someplace like Fowler's, which used to have a boatload of wine, just couldn't seem to keep that part of the store going, and eventually closed.  Meanwhile we have chain wine stores coming in, and big-box retailers selling wine in huge amounts.  How does WA do it?  I don't know.  Maybe it's the Enomatic, or the other on-premises consumption.  Maybe it's the tastings, or the events, or the kid toys and crayons, or the seating. 

Anyway, they're now open a little later on Friday and Saturday nights: 8 pm.  If you're like me and get home late most days from the salt mine, you now have a little more time to pick up some cheer.  Or maybe just sit in the back with a bit of cold eiswein, and color.  :)