Restaurant Review: The Pit

My cousin and her boyfriend were in town from Florida, and wanted some good, traditional Carolina barbecue. I didn't want to take them to a "feed trough" so we went to The Pit. My husband and I had been to The Pit before and for the most part enjoyed ourselves. This time we were pretty disappointed...

First off, they have what they spend five minutes explaining to you-team service. They mean for you to be able to ask anyone for service and to always be taken care of. I find it confusing and impersonal. One person sat us, one poured our drinks, and then we sat. It seems like everyone expected someone else to have their turn. I finally flagged a waiter down and told him we were ready to order, and he replied "Let me get your waitress" (kind of defeats the purpose, huh?)

I ordered the pulled pork plate with fried okra and macaroni and cheese, as well as my cousin who got different sides, my husband got ribs, and her boyfriend got the beef brisket. Everything on my plate lacked flavor. The pork was plain, I assume to add the sauce of your liking, the okra was decent, and the macaroni and cheese was, well, pretty cheeseless. A pet peeve of mine also came out on that plate-lukewarm food. It seems like everything sat in a steam table until served, instead of pulled off the smoker or out of the oven. I turned to my fellow diners, all food enthusiasts, and no one said a word. (and not in the no-news-is-good-news kind of way) Slowly everyone piped up agreeing that everything was just okay.

As a cook, I find it mortifying when I suggest a restaurant expecting a good dining experience and am left empty handed. The Pit lacks flavor, service, and is overpriced. We would have been better off going to a hole in the wall or fast food barbecue restaurant. The only thing The Pit really has going for it is the decor. Too bad there were not a whole lot of customers there to fill this beautiful restaurant....

Restaurant Review: NOFO at the Pig

I love the rare opportunity to go out to dinner with one of my good friends from high school, and we end up going to some pretty good places. NOFO at the Pig (meaning the old Piggly Wiggly) was no different. Located in the 5 Points area of Raleigh, on the same strip as other local favorites, Lilly's Pizza, Third Place Coffeehouse, and one of my favorites Fresh at 5 Points, NOFO is a hot spot for those who prefer lighter fare as well as Ladies that Lunch. The decor is bright and colorful, cleverly hiding pigs in the hand blown glass chandeliers, and a fairly small dining area. Two stories with the dining area, small bar, and kitchen down stairs and a boutique upstairs that sells all local items from cheeses to jewelry, and repurposing old coolers as displays (really one of those stores that you could walk around for an hour). There is nothing on the menu that doesn't look good. Sandwiches, burgers, salads, and blue plate specials, we both had a hard time choosing between a dinner salad or a non-beef burger. We both ended up going for the shrimp burger after it being highly recommended by our waitress. Service was quick and attentive, which is good because we usually spend a good ten minutes talking before even looking at the menu. The only unpleasant thing was the hostess who wore too much perfume, and was noticeable to the both of us every time she walked past. The burger was delicious and unlike any other shrimp burger that I have had. Typically a shrimp burger ends up being a Po' Boy, fried shrimp in a bun. At NOFO, they puree cooked shrimp and then fold in chopped shrimp with onion and pepper. Only the smallest amount of breading and pan fried until golden brown. The burger is served with lettuce, tomato, onion, and a key lime tartar sauce. The tartar sauce was light, not too mayonnaise-y, and had a noticeable lime flavor. We both paid extra to get the sweet potato fries (which I think the up charge was a little high), but well worth it, and came with a Cajun citrus mayonnaise-which also would have been great on the burger. The burger was rich and filling, we both ended up eating half, which I am sure our husbands were happy about as they got the leftovers. Needless to say, I would definitely go back and it would be hard not to get the sweet potato fries again.