I was floored to find out that, because of your votes, I was not only 1 of only 12 blogs to move on to round 9 of Project Food Blog, but was also Readers’ Choice! FLOORED. Thank you times a million for your amazing support! Challenge #9 was to write a restaurant review. After telling you about my head-on collision with the homelessness epidemic in San Francisco, I heard about The King’s Kitchen and its mission to “feed the hungry and heal the brokenhearted.” Please read my review below and consider supporting me in this round! VOTING IS NOW OPEN! Please sign in to your Foodbuzz.com account (or register if you don’t already have one). Then go to my official entry here and vote by clicking the heart next to the words “Vote for this Entry.” I’d be so grateful for your continued support.

Dorothea sat across from me, a child of God in the kitchen of the King, and wore a sweet grin on her face, though she was recounting times in her life that were anything but happy. She described herself as a character, and you could see by the way she lit up her coworkers’ faces that it was true. She’s worked her way up from dishwasher to prep cook at The King’s Kitchen, a new restaurant in uptown Charlotte, but what she was remembering during our conversation were the times before she had this opportunity — darker days of her life.

“I was wild, a troublemaker,” she said, and “it was a hard struggle to get back. People do make mistakes, and when you want to do what’s right, it’s hard because [jobs] look at your background, not realizing that we all make mistakes.” But The King’s Kitchen, a restaurant that donates 100% of its profits to help feed the hungry and employs workers others might consider “unemployable,” recognized that all she needed was an opportunity.


After my first anonymous visit to the restaurant, I returned to get to know some of its amazing staff. From L to R: Dorothea, Sous Chef Sam Stachon, and my fantastic server, Charity.

When we got up so that I could take a photograph of Dorothea, she pulled Sous Chef Sam Stachon along with her, saying affectionately, “I want a picture with my chef, my chef.” Her words seemed to communicate a particular emotion to me, but I reflected on them all night before finally recognizing what it was: acceptance. The King’s Kitchen is a family, and Dorothea is — as she deserves to be — a beloved member.

* * * *

Restaurants are part of the broader hospitality industry — but what does hospitality mean in the world today? In America? In my city, in my neighborhood, in my heart? Does it mean good food, attentive service, a comfortable seat, a cordial smile? Maybe all of those things, but even more than that, hospitality carries with it a deeper sense of welcome. It’s an opening of one’s space and talents, an expression of love, and a willingness to serve. As Dorothea’s story illustrates, both the staff and the customers have found hospitality in The King’s Kitchen.


The King’s Kitchen

The ninth (!) challenge of Project Food Blog is to write a restaurant review — something that’s never happened on Willow Bird Baking! Especially after listening to the judges talk about exploring the “folklore of the meal,” I felt inspired to resist the traditional tone of restaurant reviews. The point of this blog is not to write to you from an expert standpoint — it’s to talk to you, one home cook to another, and to tell you my stories.

A WBB style restaurant review will tell you, first off, about a place that touched my heart — and I hope you’re already seeing how The King’s Kitchen did just that. Second off, a review here will tell you about my honest, individual experience with the food a restaurant served and the atmosphere they created. Finally, it just wouldn’t be a Willow Bird Baking post without a recipe. Sous Chef Sam Stachon gave me one of my favorite King’s Kitchen recipes to make at home and share with you: Southern Pimento Cheese with Lavash Crackers.

The Food:


One of my favorite dishes: Fried Flounder with Butter Beans, Macaroni and Cheese, and Coleslaw

The King’s Kitchen serves comfort food that amplified, for me, the feeling of hospitality. Every dish became an allusion to something in my past, some memory of home or family. I sampled biscuits, cornbread, one appetizer, three entrées, six side dishes, and two desserts in all. And apart from feeling a little humiliated to have just admitted that on the internet, I had a fantastic experience.

The Fried Flounder, for instance, had a light and flavorful breading and was served with a tangy, house-made tartar sauce with capers. Another entrée, Aunt Beaut’s Fried Chicken, transported me to the Fridays in high school when my dad would bring fried chicken by my summer job as a special lunch. It was juicy, crisp, and nestled next to a bank of corn and perfectly flavored collard greens.


Aunt Beaut’s Fried Chicken with Collard Greens, Macaroni and Cheese, and Corn

The Shrimp and Grits were unexpected. They had a more intense tomato flavor and were lighter than a typical spicy andouille sausage incarnation. As Mike and I ate this dish, I remembered Charleston and cobblestones, buying a bouquet of flowers from a peddler in the night — flowers I still have tucked away somewhere. Mike enjoyed the dish more than I did, but we both agreed that there didn’t seem to be a way to go too wrong when choosing anything on the menu. Everything felt like home.


Shrimp and Grits

Other odds and ends at our table were also impressive. The biscuits were fluffy and make-your-knees-buckle good when slathered with the housemade strawberry jam. The veggie side items were all fresh and perfectly seasoned. And one of my favorites, the pimento cheese on housemade lavash crackers, reminded me of many a fond moment spent devouring pimento cheese from a spoon over my sink — except it was handmade and had a much better flavor than the sort from a plastic tub.


Odds and Ends (from top L, going clockwise): Pimento Cheese and Lavash Crackers, Biscuits with fresh housemade Jam, Butter Beans and Macaroni and Cheese, and Aunt Beaut’s Chicken and Collard Greens

Finally, the dessert options at The King’s Kitchen are exciting and varied. My pet peeve about some restaurant dining is that many a restaurant neglects the dessert menu, offering pedestrian dishes that are meant to appease rather than delight. Dessert is important, y’all, and The King’s Kitchen boasted plenty of it: Banana Pudding with housemade vanilla wafers, Coconut Chess Pie, Deep Dish Apple Pie, Pecan Pie, Chocolate Pie, and Aunt Esther’s Brown Sugar Pound Cake.

Mike and I come from families with legendary banana pudding recipes, so we were a bit biased. We found the Banana Pudding with toasted marshmallow topping a little too sweet and would’ve loved more wafers. The Coconut Chess Pie, however — which was made by Dorothea herself! — was a work of art with a flaky crust and a dense, coconut filling.


Banana Pudding (top row) and Coconut Chess Pie (bottom)

The Atmosphere:

The food was matched by the exceptional, warm service and comfortable atmosphere. Matt, our first server, was always ready with recommendations or a refill of the best fountain soda everrr (side note: hurray for fantastic fountain drinks). When I returned alone to meet some of the staff, Charity was equally attentive and kind.

More than just the servers’ personalities, though, the mission of the restaurant creates its environment. Even as you sit in the beautifully appointed dining room with lovely upholstered booths, a glossy bar, and, now, a shining Christmas tree, there’s a sense that you’re not the center of the universe, but part of a broader community — a web of people who have and have not, people of all races and classes, and people who are necessarily interdependent. In addition to enjoying the nostalgic food, I so appreciated the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself.

Pocket-Sized Review:

  • Location: 129 W Trade St #100, Charlotte, NC 28202-5305; on the web; or by phone: (704) 375-1990 ‎
  • Hours: Lunch is served Monday through Friday, 11 am-2:30 pm; Dinner is served Monday through Saturday, 5 pm until
  • Cuisine: Southern soul food (lunch menu; dinner menu)
  • Price Range: Dinner appetizers: $4-13, Dinner sandwiches: $8-13, Dinner entrées: $12-24, Desserts: $7.5
  • Favorite Picks: Aunt Beaut’s Fried Chicken, Collard Greens, Fried Flounder, and Coconut Chess Pie
  • Cool Notes: The King’s Kitchen donates 100% of its profits to feed the homeless, and also employs and trains members of society who others may consider “unemployable.”
  • Dress: Casual
  • Parking: Parking is relatively easy to find. We parked in a lot just behind the restaurant on Trade Street that was $6-7 for evening parking. There are also metered spaces nearby.
  • Overall Willow Bird Baking Rating: 4.5 out of 5 spoons

If you’d like to enjoy a little bit of The King’s Kitchen in your own home, whip up some homemade pimento cheese and lavash crackers. The recipe below is simple and satisfying.

What small choice could you make to show hospitality to someone today?


The King’s Kitchen Pimento Cheese and Lavash Crackers — this time made in my own kitchen!

Southern Pimento Cheese with Lavash Crackers


Recipe by: Adapted from The King’s Kitchen
Yield: about 4 servings of crackers, about 2 cups of pimento cheese

Lavash Cracker Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dry active yeast
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon butter, melted and cooled
1/3 to 1/2 cup room temperature water
water for misting

Southern Pimento Cheese:
2 cups extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup gouda, shredded
1/2 cup roasted red peppers, diced (I used half pimentos)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions:
Make the lavash crackers: Sprinkle yeast into 1/3 cup room temperature water to dissolve for 5 minutes. It should start to foam a bit. Combine this yeast mixture, flour, salt, honey, and melted butter in a medium mixing bowl and stir to combine into a ball. You can add up to 1/4 cup more water if needed, but add the smallest amount needed.

Flour your counter and knead the dough on the counter for 10 minutes until it has medium firmness, is not tacky at all, and is supple enough to stretch if you pull it. Place the kneaded dough into an oiled bowl, cover it, and place it in a draft-free area for around 90 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray the counter with cooking spray and transfer the dough onto it. Roll it out until it’s paper thin, stretching the corners periodically, and about 15 x 12 inches, so it’ll fit on a sheet pan. Stop every now and then to allow the gluten to relax if needed. Let it relax for 5 minutes once finished rolling, then transfer it carefully onto a baking sheet. Trim any excess that falls over the side of the pan with scissors.

At this point, you can mist your sheet of dough with water and coat it with sesame seeds, black sesame seeds, cayenne pepper (go easy!), cumin, poppy seeds, or scores of other fun things.

Bake for 13-20 minutes, watching carefully to ensure your crackers don’t burn (full disclosure: I was distracted and some of mine did!), before pulling them out and letting them cool on the pan for 10 minutes. Break them into shards.

Make the pimento cheese: Mix everything together in a bowl. Allow to chill for at least 20 minutes or so for the flavors to meld before serving. Sprinkle with fresh cheddar shreds to serve (and serving on lettuce is a nice touch).


Lavash Crackers with various toppings

P.S. One blog I love is Evangitality, where Kamille charges herself to share the love of Christ (with her family and others) through hospitality. Go see and be inspired!

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by | 104 Comments

104 Comments on Dining in The King’s Kitchen (recipe: Southern Pimento Cheese with Lavash Crackers)

  1. Katie Dean
    December 5, 2010 at 6:46 pm (14 years ago)

    I have never had pimento cheese, but just looking at that ingredient list, I will be making it now!
    Congratulations on your advancement. The story of The King’s Kitchen of of the employee you interviewed is so touching.
    If and when I find myself in NC that’s where I will be heading.

    Thank you for your review. It was wonderful.

    Reply
  2. spabettie
    December 5, 2010 at 6:48 pm (14 years ago)

    this looks wonderful… I have always LOVED pimento cheese and it’s one of my favorite things to make for gatherings.

    I loved your review! congrats on making it this far and you have my vote this time as well! 😀

    Reply
  3. June g.
    December 5, 2010 at 6:58 pm (14 years ago)

    I just read that you’re in NC. Me too:) moyock isn’t tooooo far from Charlotte.
    The king’s kitchen looks yummy!

    Reply
  4. Dmarie
    December 5, 2010 at 7:29 pm (14 years ago)

    great pics and love your descriptions. Signed up on FoodBuzz just so I could VOTE for you. Congrats, well deserved!

    Reply
  5. Meggie Wallace
    December 5, 2010 at 7:51 pm (14 years ago)

    Yay for advancing!! I am so happy! I mean, your cake of doom looked amazing, so you know…
    I have been voting every round for you, and am so happy :3

    This is a wonderful review!!! I want a big ol’ hunk of that coconut chess pie, and some of that mac n cheese about now…. ;p

    Reply
  6. Hot Polka Dot's Mom
    December 5, 2010 at 9:35 pm (14 years ago)

    Julie, I applaud your decision to profile such a worthy venture as the King’s Kitchen and the people associated with it. Food touches many aspects of life, from basic sustenance to nourishing the soul. Well done.

    Judy

    Reply
  7. Jennifer
    December 6, 2010 at 3:17 am (14 years ago)

    Love it! I love restaurants that have wonderful stories like that. There are too many places where servers, cooks, etc are ‘just employees’. There needs to be more “family like” places like this!

    Reply
  8. Sherry
    December 6, 2010 at 8:07 am (14 years ago)

    I did not know of this restaurant and I am only in Gastonia. This is a wonderful idea and I can’t wait to go there. Thanks so much for sharing the story and I look forward to helping you WIN the foodblog challenge!
    Sherry

    Reply
  9. amelia from Z Tasty Life
    December 6, 2010 at 11:02 am (14 years ago)

    Congrats on making readers’ choice! This is a thoughtful choice: what a special place. I also like the pocked-sized review and the recipe addition.
    (This draft is my would-be review: http://tinyurl.com/2cvfm7q)

    Reply
  10. PJ Mullen
    December 6, 2010 at 11:18 am (14 years ago)

    Congrats on the advancement. Love King’s Kitchen, Jim Noble is doing a great thing there. Off to vote again.

    Reply
  11. The Mom Chef
    December 6, 2010 at 12:31 pm (14 years ago)

    Hi there. I’ve never read your stuff before and am only on #4 of 12, but you’ve got my first of 3 votes. This was an outstanding restaurant review. Very passionate, focused and honest. I’m totally impressed with your writing, style, and food savvy. You deserve to advance!

    Reply
  12. Jules
    December 6, 2010 at 12:33 pm (14 years ago)

    I love that you chose such a wonderful restaurant to review. And I love that you talked about something more meaningful than decor. Keep up the good work!

    Reply
    • Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
      December 6, 2010 at 12:37 pm (14 years ago)

      Thank you so much, Jules! I wanted to really get at the heart of the matter.

      Reply
  13. cathy/ShowFoodChef
    December 6, 2010 at 12:35 pm (14 years ago)

    Oh good Lord, pimento cheese? You just took me back to NC, also! My grandmother whipped it up so fast, but also from a plastic tub and spread on toasted white bread. Wonderful write up, lovely tone and great spirit. Best of Luck 😀

    Reply
    • Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
      December 6, 2010 at 12:37 pm (14 years ago)

      Thank you, Cathy! Don’t get me wrong, I love the stuff from that tub spread on white bread — but this is much better 😀

      Reply
  14. sippitysup
    December 6, 2010 at 12:47 pm (14 years ago)

    Beautiful. The love and generosity in your heart comes shining through. GREG

    Reply
  15. Susi Matthews
    December 6, 2010 at 1:08 pm (14 years ago)

    See, I’m a damned Yankee but this SO made me want to go there and enjoy both the hospitality and the gorgeous food. I just love the idea of this place and the work they’re doing; nothing is better in this world than true hospitality that literally changes lives and makes it a better place. All mention of religion aside, this establishment is what I would call “Faith in Action” and warms my heart. That’s truly what it’s about and you show it so well.

    Thanks so much for writing about this, competition aside (you deserve to win, far as I”m concerned) you wrote like you were sitting across my kitchen table, chatting with me about it and I love that.

    I’m SO going to try that recipe!

    Susi

    Reply
  16. Vivian (AKA Mom)
    December 6, 2010 at 1:19 pm (14 years ago)

    I never knew about this place!! Wonderful review. I have plans to visit this place VERY soon!! 🙂 What a wonderful concept!!

    Reply
    • Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
      December 6, 2010 at 1:25 pm (14 years ago)

      Thanks, Mom! It was great — you will love it! Tell Daddy to get the chicken!

      Reply
  17. Christy Ruble
    December 6, 2010 at 2:35 pm (14 years ago)

    What a great place, cause and post Julie! Jason and I will definitely eat here the next time we are in Charlotte! I’m going to try that recipe too. We have just recently learned of the awesomeness of homemade southern pimento cheese!

    Good luck this round! I personally think you should get readers choice again!

    Love,
    Christy

    Reply
  18. Amanda @ bakingwithoutabox
    December 6, 2010 at 3:05 pm (14 years ago)

    You found not only a restaurant that speaks to the heart to review. But food that speaks to my heart. Good old fashioned Southern comfort food. Being so far from home at the holidays and kind of emotional this morning, I darn near cried. You better believe I clicked the heart button to vote as quick as I finished sniffing.

    Reply
  19. Jessica H.
    December 6, 2010 at 3:40 pm (14 years ago)

    Absolutely incredible choice of restaurant to review! I voted as quickly as I could. You have my heart!

    Reply
  20. Heather
    December 6, 2010 at 3:53 pm (14 years ago)

    Mmmm…this recipe is reminding me of my visit to Weaver D’s in Athens, GA. Soooo tasty! The biscuits in this review (well, and the chicken, of course) are making MY knees buckle and I can’t even taste them. 😉

    This was a lovely and heartwarming review.

    Reply
  21. theteachercooks
    December 6, 2010 at 4:20 pm (14 years ago)

    I love type of restaurant. Good luck!

    Reply
  22. Joyce
    December 6, 2010 at 4:33 pm (14 years ago)

    Hi Julie,
    First I want to tell you what an amazing blog you have! I’ve been following your posts for a while from Livejournal, and each one is just amazing and the recipes are great! I love your enthusiasm and your genuine desire to spread the love of baking and cooking with others. I’ve been voting for you throughout the competition, and I’ve enjoyed seeing your commitment to your own goals throughout the challenges. This post, however, was fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing this amazing restaurant with us, and congrats on all your success. Good luck with the rest of the competition, but you have definitely proven yourself to be formidable presence in the world of cooking and baking blogs.

    Reply
  23. swimmykimy
    December 6, 2010 at 5:05 pm (14 years ago)

    Congrats on being the reader’s choice winner, Julie!

    Reply
  25. Rebecca
    December 6, 2010 at 7:34 pm (14 years ago)

    This post exemplifies what food should be about: community, memory, and creation. Reading this was as heartwarming as a big bowl of soup and a thick warm slice of homemade bread in the kitchen of a loved one. Thank you.

    Reply
  26. Donna
    December 6, 2010 at 8:21 pm (14 years ago)

    Thank-you so much for sharing this heartwarming story Julie ! And congratulations on being chosen Reader’s Choice and your advancement to this next round. You have my vote again!

    Reply
  27. edible cville
    December 6, 2010 at 11:00 pm (14 years ago)

    I read a quote a long time ago by Ruth Reichel that said every GOOD restaurant review has a story behind it. Because you can only write about food alone for so long before people get bored. I always try to emulate that, and girlfriend, you’ve done it. This is one helluva story. I loved it. VOTED!

    Reply
  28. Tiny Urban Kitchen
    December 6, 2010 at 11:01 pm (14 years ago)

    Julie, I loved how you chose such a unique restaurant when deciding which place to review. Thanks for helping us to understand a bit more about places like this. I clicked back to your SF post and I totally agree. I walk through the city every day to work and I similarly feel overwhelmed.

    Reply
  29. Betty @ scrambled hen fruit
    December 7, 2010 at 12:18 am (14 years ago)

    Congratulations on making it through another round. This is a fabulous post as well, and I hope you continue on in the competition. 🙂 (And that pimento cheese looks great!)

    Reply
  30. Sue
    December 7, 2010 at 3:11 am (14 years ago)

    What a unique and wonderful restaurant! Great review!

    Reply
  31. Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table
    December 7, 2010 at 3:20 am (14 years ago)

    I LOVE that you did a pocket-sized review and a recipe! Very creative. Best of luck!

    Reply
  32. eataduckimust
    December 7, 2010 at 3:37 am (14 years ago)

    i have a dear friend who works at a similar type restaurant establishment so i have incredible and deep respect for places such as King’s Kitchen and all that they strive to do. thank you so much for sharing and i really hope more places like this open up!

    Reply
  33. Mariko
    December 7, 2010 at 4:12 am (14 years ago)

    I’ve never had collard greens, and I’ve wanted to try them for a while now.
    I like the personal nature of your review. Good work.

    Reply
  34. Beth
    December 7, 2010 at 7:03 am (14 years ago)

    Loved your post, and I voted for you. Good luck!

    Reply
  35. Jenni
    December 7, 2010 at 9:34 am (14 years ago)

    Thank you for spotlighting such a great restaurant, and the mission behind it. And thank you for an unpretentious, honest review. Well done, Julie! 🙂

    Reply
  36. Noelle
    December 7, 2010 at 10:06 am (14 years ago)

    Congrats on getting Reader’s Choice! You created such a beautiful masterpiece in the last round. Even though I am vegan, I love how artistic food can be and you shared and showed it.

    I really loved the personal story behind King’s Kitchen. It is definitely hard to find a place that is so generous. Thank you for delivering such a beautiful review.

    Reply
  37. Jackie
    December 7, 2010 at 1:01 pm (14 years ago)

    I’ve been voting for you from day 1. Don’t know, once I read your profile and peruse your website, I was drawn in by your candor. I hope you make it to the end. I just voted for you again.. This meal above looks incredible!! And the review was on point.. Good luck. Jackie H

    Reply
  38. norma
    December 7, 2010 at 2:01 pm (14 years ago)

    You do have my vote and also congrats….well done!

    Reply
  40. Stay-At-Home-Chef
    December 7, 2010 at 4:03 pm (14 years ago)

    What a wonderful, heartwarming post. Lovely to read! Good luck 🙂

    Reply
  41. Lisa Orgler
    December 7, 2010 at 6:20 pm (14 years ago)

    Beautiful writing, wonderful perspective and very engaging. Great job!

    Reply
  42. Annie
    December 7, 2010 at 7:30 pm (14 years ago)

    Great review! Now if you really want to go off the deep end, chill small patties of the pimento cheese and stick them in the center of your next burger…. Good luck!

    Reply
    • Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
      December 9, 2010 at 9:52 pm (14 years ago)

      Ooh, this totally does make me want to go RIGHT off the deep end!! LOVE it! Thanks for the inspiration, Annie!

      Reply
  43. Bryan
    December 7, 2010 at 8:58 pm (14 years ago)

    Great review. I’ve been wanting to get down there for a while. My daughter got to go to King’s Kitchen this past spring at their dinner opening with her Girl Scout troop. She thought the food was really good and the staff very polite. The chef came out to talk to them. It was a great experience for them.

    Reply
  44. Joan Nova
    December 7, 2010 at 11:22 pm (14 years ago)

    You have such heart! Another wonderful story. Congratulations on all you’ve done thus far and good luck.

    Reply
  45. Jennifer-The Adventuresome Kitchen
    December 8, 2010 at 12:00 am (14 years ago)

    What an incredible and moving story. “what small choice could you make today to show somebody hospitality?” That is a powerful question that will sit with me for some time. Thank you thank you for your words today.

    Reply
  46. Cora
    December 8, 2010 at 11:59 am (14 years ago)

    Julie, your thoughtfulness and appreciation of this “comfort-food” cuisine is heart-warming. This is the food that makes folks feel good. It doesn’t get any better than that. I’m on my way to get ingredients for your Southern Pimento Cheese to take to friends tonight. We grow the most beautiful red peppers down here in Boquete and I can’t wait to get them on the fire! Thanks very much, and best of luck!

    Reply
  47. Charlotte b
    December 8, 2010 at 7:10 pm (14 years ago)

    I voted so did my friend elizabeth go ms r!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  48. Lee
    December 8, 2010 at 9:42 pm (14 years ago)

    I’m so proud of you, Julie! xoxox

    Reply
  49. Becca
    December 8, 2010 at 11:59 pm (14 years ago)

    I’m so glad to hear about a place like this! And of course, to hear of you moving on so far!!!!! 🙂 You definitely deserve it!

    p.s. We are still working on the program I’d mentioned before through the church I go to to link people who need help with church members and affiliates (friends and family) who are willing to volunteer time/services/resources, etc to help meet needs of various community members. I’m going to keep you in the loop just cause I think you’d like to be. 🙂

    Reply
  50. Vivian (AKA Mom)
    December 9, 2010 at 7:44 am (14 years ago)

    (from Dad) Julie, it is 5:45 a.m., but the fried chicken, mac and cheese and all the rest looks wonderful. I am proud of you. You deserve to win. I love you.

    Reply
  51. Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)
    December 9, 2010 at 10:52 am (14 years ago)

    I just voted for you!! So glad you’ve made it to level 9, and I’m sure you’re going to win this one! It was an awesome post 🙂

    Reply
  52. Liren
    December 9, 2010 at 1:53 pm (14 years ago)

    Very touching, Julie, what a special place! Excellent choice for this challenge, there should be more restaurants like this.

    Reply
  53. mochacocinera
    December 9, 2010 at 2:00 pm (14 years ago)

    Go Willow Bird! The choice of foods to display show a great skill in the art of food. You can advance and make endless possibilities!

    Reply
  54. Lori Lynn
    December 9, 2010 at 5:33 pm (14 years ago)

    Hi Julie – A restaurant review that comes from the heart! Love it! Good luck! Fingers crossed for you!
    LL

    Reply
  55. Clare
    December 9, 2010 at 8:14 pm (14 years ago)

    You totally pwned !!! You have my vote as well as my classmates!! Go Ms. R!!

    Reply
  56. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
    December 13, 2010 at 1:47 am (14 years ago)

    Julie, I’m not a bit surprised that you also write restaurant reviews wonderfully! And I’m not surprised that you were reader’s choice too! 😀

    Reply
  57. halojakarta
    December 14, 2010 at 3:12 am (14 years ago)

    I agree with you .. with the theme that you give to a name of the restaurant brought me happy and you deserve applause and respect for you, you accepted the love of good intentions to others.

    Reply
  58. Monica H
    December 16, 2010 at 4:24 am (14 years ago)

    I can’t remember if I commented on this or not, but I just wanted to let you know how awesome I think you are. You are such a beautiful person and I’m glad you thought outside the box and did something different, yet beneficial. I just think you rock Julie!

    Reply
  59. Kamille
    January 2, 2011 at 1:00 am (14 years ago)

    Julie–thank you for your kind words about me and my blog. This review was so sweet and heartfelt. I hope your Christmas was wonderful and this next year is even more wonderful!

    Reply

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