e d i u g g n i din american Brixx Wood Fired Pizza A short drive from the beach, Brixx Wood Fired Pizza in Mayfaire Town Center is a fun, friendly neighborhood restaurant. Serving the best brick-oven pizzas around, Brixx also offers a fine selection of signature focaccia sandwiches, pastas, fresh salads and desserts. Stop in for a quick lunch, or kick back on the patio with one of 24 beers on tap or 14 wines by the glass. Brixx is also a late-night destination, serving 2-for-1 pizzas and appetizers after 10pm Open until 1am Monday through Saturday and 11pm on Sunday.6801 Main Street, Wilmington, NC 28405. (910) 256-9677. www.brixxpizza.com.
BLUeWaTer Enjoy spectacular panoramic views of sailing ships and the Intracoastal Waterway while dining at this popular casual American restaurant in Wrightsville Beach. Lunch and dinner are served daily. Favorites include jumbo lump crab cakes, succulent seafood lasagna, crispy coconut shrimp and an incredible Caribbean fudge pie. Dine inside or at their award-winning outdoor patio and bar, which is the location for their lively Waterfront Music Series every Sunday during the summer months. Large parties welcome. Private event space available. BluewaterDining. com. 4 Marina Street, Wrightsville Beach, NC . (910) 256.8500.
cHriS’ coSmic KiTcHen cosmicKitchenonline.com Serving breakfast all day as well as lunch and handmade cheesecake, Chef and Owner Chris Lubben loves to make many of his menu items from scratch. Whether you’re in the mood for a fluffy 3-egg Omelet, Shrimp & Grits, Prime Rib Sandwich or Andes Mint Cheesecake, Chris’ Cosmic Kitchen is your “Out of this World� Breakfast/Lunch Destination. Evening restaurant rental is available, as well as a Personal Chef service. Chris’ Cosmic Kitchen is located at 420 Eastwood Rd, Unit 109, on the corner of Racine Dr. and Eastwood Rd. New Winter Hours: 8am-4pm Tues-Sat. Sunday Brunch 9am-2pm. Closed Monday. Take-out calls welcome, 792-6720. Follow us on Twitter @ CosmicKitchen.
of condiments for all of your mid-day or late night cravings. You may find them daily at their new location on the boardwalk of Market and Water St. from 11am to 5pm. Saturdays at the farmers market. ThursdaySaturday nights they are on Market St. between Front and 2nd St. from 10pm to 3:00am. Then they finish the week off at Fibbers on Sunday nights until 3am. To busy to leave the office? Ask about their lunch time delivery service for downtown!!
HenrY’S A local favorite, Henry’s is the ‘place to be’ for great food, a lively bar and awesome patio dining. Henry’s serves up American cuisine at its finest and offers daily blackboard specials that include entrees with fresh, local ingredients. Come early for lunch, because its going to be packed. Dinner too! Henry’s Pine Room is ideal for private functions up to 30 people. Henry’s is home to live music, wine & beer dinners and other special events. Check out their calendar of events at HenrysRestaurant.com for details. 2508 Independence Boulevard, Wilmington, NC. (910) 793.2929.
THe LiTTLe diPPer Wilmington’s favorite fondue restaurant! The Little Dipper specializes in unique fondue dishes with a global variety of cheeses, meats, seafood, vegetables, chocolates and fine wines. The warm and intimate dining room is a great place to enjoy a four-course meal, or indulge in appetizers and desserts outside on the back deck or in the bar while watching luminescent jellyfish. Open Tuesday-Sunday, serving dinner at 5pm. Reservations are appreciated for parties of any size. Located at the corner of Front and Orange in Downtown Wilmington. 138 South Front Street t
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The Verandah CafĂŠ Restaurant located in this oceanfront resort is a wonderful find. This is the perfect place to enjoy a fresh Seafood & Steak dinner while dinning outside overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Chef Eric invites you to experience his daily specials in this magnificent setting. Open daily for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. (910) 2562231 Wrightsville Beach.
Pine Valley Market has reigned supreme in servicing the Wilmington community for years, securing encore’s Best-Of awards in catering, gourmet shop. Now, Kathy Webb and Christi Ferretti are expanding their talents into serving lunch in-house, so folks can enjoy their hearty, homemade meals in the quaint and cozy ambience of the market. Using the freshest ingredients of highest quality, diners can enjoy the best Philly Cheesesteak in Wilmington, along with numerous other sandwich varieties, from their Angus burger to classic Reuben, Italian sub to a grown-up banana and peanut butter sandwich that will take all diners back to childhood. Served among a soup du jour and salads, there is something for all palates. Take advantage of their takehome frozen meals for nights that are too hectic to cook, and don’t forget to pick up a great bottle of wine to go with it. Mon.-Fri. 10am-7pm; Sat. 9am-6pm; closed Sunday. 3520 S. College Road, (910) 350-FOOD.
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Kefi, founded in 1981 by a group of friends, has a long-standing tradition as a favorite local watering hole. This Wrightsville-Beach eatery is open at 6am for breakfast, offering everything from omelets and pancakes, to shrimp and grits. Take a break from the beach and visit Kefi’s, where their menu features a variety of salads and sandwiches. There is even a “working man’s lunch,� served Monday through Friday, all for under $6. At night Kefi comes alive by serving dinner with a Southern flare. From the fried pickles appetizer to their the shrimp or oyster Po’boy to their nightly dinner specials, there is something that c.G. daWGS will make your taste buds sing. Then stick For great traditional New York style eats around for live music on Friday, Saturday with Southern charm look no further than and Sunday; nightly drink specials are ofC.G. Dawgs. You will be drawn in by the fered. Go online at www.kefilive.com for aroma of fine beef franks served with witty more info and full music schedule. Open banter and good natured delivery from the 6am-2am, seven days a week, with full ABC cleanest hot dog carts in Wilmington. Sa- permits. Lunch deliveries available in the brett famous hot dogs and Italian sausages Wrightsville Beach area. Located at 2012 are the primary fare offered, with a myriad Eastwood Road, (910) 256-3558. 24 encore | january 12-18, 2011 | www.encorepub.com
Mellow out and relax in the comfortable atmosphere that Mellow Mushroom offers. From the giant psychadelic ‘shroom located in the bar area to the Cadillac hanging on the wall, this restaurant is far from ordinary. The open kitchen brings live entertainment as pizza dough flies in the air. Their handtossed, spring-water dough brings new meaning to pizzas and calzones—healthy!! With 20 drafts and an array of microbrews, domestic and import bottles, Mellow Mushroom has an extensive beer list and full bar. Also, check out their lunch specials and variety of sandwiches. Their menu also caters to everyone and offers many vegetarian dishes. Live jazz on Wednesdays. Hours: Mon-Sat, 11am-10pm; Sun., 12pm-9pm. 4311 Oleander Drive, (910) 452-3773.
TroLLY SToP Trolly Stop Hot Dogs are family owned with six locations. Since 1976 they specialize in homemade chili, slaw and sauces. Dogs include Smithfield (beef & pork), Southern Dog, Sabrett
(all beef), Northern Dog, Carolina Packers Pork Dog (smoked sausage), Oscar Mayer 98% Fat Free Dogs (turkey) and Light Life Veggie Dog (soy). Locations are: 126 N. Front Street Open six days including Thurs., Fri., and Sat. night from 10pm-3am; 343-2999, 94 S. Lumina Ave, Wrightsville Beach 11-5pm 7days a week, 6pm9pm Sun-Wed, and 6pm-3am Th-Sat. 256-1421; 4502 Fountain Dr., 452-3952. Open at 11am on Sat.; South Howe St. in Southport, 457-7017; 103A Cape Fear Blvd in Carolina Beach, 4585778. Catering cart available all year from $300. (910) 297-8416.
aSian BiG THai and BiG THai TWo Now with two convenient locations to serve you, Big Thai features authentic Thai cuisine in a fun, relaxing atmosphere. Their delectable menu includes items such as Pineapple Fried Rice with Cashews, Roasted Duck in Red Curry, and several options for vegetarians and vegans. And don’t forget to try their famous Coconut Cake, made fresh in-house. You won’t regret it. Big Thai One (1001 N. 4th St. in the Brooklyn Arts District; 763-3035): Lunch M-F, 11-2. Dinner M-Th 5-9, F-Sa 5-10, Closed Sunday. Big Thai Two (1319 Military Cutoff Rd. inside Landfall Center; 256-6588): Lunch M-F 11-2:30, Dinner M-Th 5-9, F-Sa 5-10, Sunday 5-9.
doUBLe HaPPineSS Double Happiness offers the Port City fine Asian dining at reasonable prices. Now under new management, the restaurant will serve flavorful dishes, prepared by the cultural richness of authentic China. Serving items like traditional dim sum and gourmet home-style cooking, Double Happiness is still dedicated to branding the exotic flavors of fresh ingredients and a romantic spice in all of their cooking. Their friendly staff will always go the extra mile to help diners enjoy their experience. Beer and wine is served for lunch and dinner, and Double Happiness is open Monday through Saturday, from 11am to 3pm and 5pm to 10pm; closed Sundays. 4403 Wrighstville Avenue; (910) 313-1088.
SzecHUan 132 Craving expertly prepared Chinese food in an elegant atmosphere? Szechuan 132 Chinese Restaurant is your destination! Szechuan 132 has earned the reputation as one of the finest contemporary Chinese restaurants in the Port City. Tastefully decorated with an elegant atmosphere, with an exceptional ingenious menu has deemed Szechuan 132 the best Chinese restaurant for years, hands down. 419 South College Road (in University Landing), (910) 799-1426.