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february, 2001 previous reviews
not jerky. not chew. jerky chew. |
mmmph, glomph, *smack, smack*
Aah, the homecoming gets even sweeter. Or, in this case, fried lightly in breadcrumbs and covered in mozzerella. You have to know that currently, I have four different review-worthy items and places awaiting publication. However, when Saturday night rolled around and we went to dinner, I deemed this restaurant worthy of an emergency review. If you live in Winston, you must eat there. Right now! If you don't live in Winston, you must book your flight immediately and get your patoot down here. Right now! The Rose and Thistle is a legend in Winston-Salem. A few years ago, several of us used to gather at their old location on Sundays for brunch. Located on Hawthorne Hill, it was an unassuming little place that was as well known for hosting folk music as it was for its home-cooked food. Unfortunately, it was forced to close due to its location--it sat directly under the Hawthorne Curve on I-40, which was being re-built because of safety concerns. I can't say I blame the city for forcing those businesses out. For out-of-towners, it was a dangerous stretch of highway, and too many people gave their lives for that curve. But we sure were unhappy about the Rose and Thistle's closing. Very unhappy indeed. Fast-forward five years to this August, and redirect your car down Reynolda Road. Turn left into the Reynolda Manor shopping center, and enter the new digs. Mike Turco, the owner, had saved most of the old furnishings, from booths to light fixtures, with hopes of opening again someday. Sure enough, we sat on and among them on Saturday night in a brighter, shinier space. Although open for dinner only, we're not complaining. We're just glad to have them back. Many of you have probably experienced the re-birth of a restaurant or two in your hometowns. Whether it was in the name of image or new, improved menu; their success is always a crapshoot. The Rainbow in Winston-Salem has re-opened two or three times, and never really reclaimed its old glory. Between the tablecloths and the frou-frou menu, the old regulars simply didn't want to hang. Nor do they want to pay the new, improved prices. The Rose and Thistle is using the same menu. Same food, same prices, bigger parking lot. Seat yourself? You bet! Now bring me some grub! Their name is deceptive; you'd think it's a Celtic place, right? Nope--think the best homemade pizza in town, decadent Greek salads, and my dinner of choice--eggplant parmesan. I get woozy and drooly just thinking about it. Dinner arrives. One of us got the spinach salad, delicious in both presentation and taste. Chock-full of fresh spinach leaves and thinly-sliced hard-boiled eggs, it's the sort of salad that makes you forget you're eating well. We didn't get any pizza at our table, but I've had it before, and it's wonderful. Between the tasty crust, generous toppings, and no-cutting-corners-on-the-extras, you'll never look at Pizza Hut with any respect again. And then there's the primary reason you ought to go to Rose and Thistle--eggplant parmesan. One of the meat-eaters at our table took one bite from my plate and was hooked. Under a generous blanket of mozzerella is firm eggplant, perfectly prepared to eliminate all bitterness, and covered in spices and breadcrumbs. Fry lightly and serve to catatonic, bug-eyed redhead. Sorry if I was lousy conversation on Saturday. Really. I was busy licking the plate. And Mom, when you come to visit next month, don't be embarrassed that I leave my good manners at the door. You will, too. *Urp*
The Rose and Thistle |