Food and Travel

Charlotte’s favorite butcher shop turned specialty restaurant opened its doors at Langtree in Mooresville  last week. Block & Grinder opened in Charlotte in 2013 with the concept of “everything under one roof” bringing high quality meats from the butcher block to the dinner table. The Lake Norman location is twice the size of the location on Providence […]

Pretty sure RuRu’s Tacos & Tequila is already on your radar as our pick (and everyone’s pick) for one of the QC’s best patios. Not sure if you’ve thought of RuRu’s for lunch – their Buy 2, Bet 1 Free taco lunch special is one of the best treats in town for the price. Even […]

These recipes brought to you by PUPPIES & BRUNCH. It’s official ~ no matter what the calendar says, summer grilling season is officially here! I’ve never been a master griller, but there’s not much better than sitting outside having a summer cocktail and cooking a meal on the grill. When I was a kid, I […]

We all want to eat healthy, support local farms and reduce our carbon footprint. But when dinner time rolls around, do you find yourself picking up Chick-Fil-A for the family instead of standing in the  grocery line at Whole Foods? We’re all guilty of it – we really want to eat better – but it […]

Maybe it’s the refreshing lightness during warmer temps, or the threat promise of bikini season just around the corner. Whatever the reason, there is nothing quite like a good salad in the summer. Charlotte has definitely amped up its salad game ~ more and more places now offering salads that range from traditional to downright […]

It’s not that we think all carbohydrates are evil, at least not the complex and non-processed carbs. Carbs are an excellent source of fuel for your body and your brain ~ they are not an irreplaceable source, but an easy and useful source if you choose to go that route. If you hate carbs, then […]

With the dollar’s strength vs the euro, and the airline and hotel deals that abounded for summer, it seems many scoop readers are planning big-time trips to Europe, and several have written asking for packing advice. Since virtual shopping and armchair travel are two of my favorite pastimes, I’m happy to oblige. I’ve traveled abroad […]

This week’s recipe for you to use all those beautiful blueberries you are getting at the Farmer’s Market and from The Produce Box is brought to you by Kate of PUPPIES AND BRUNCH. When I was a kid we spent every summer visiting family at our cottage in Maine. It was in a tiny town called […]

These recipes brought to you by PUPPIES & BRUNCH. There are some foods that just scream summer to me, like Chicken Salad, Pimento Cheese, and Popsicles. Growing up, my family always spent summer holidays at Lake Lanier in Georgia. How my mom dealt with 4 hungry kids (and our friends) is beyond me. But she […]

Y’all know I love prepared and take out food that is as good or better than homemade. My specialty is knowing where to pick up dishes for supper club and potlucks, so I don’t have to cook, and my friends don’t have to suffer my cooking. I am now committed to never being without three […]

It’s almost summer – which means swimming, barbecues, and lots of parties. If you have kids, it also means that school’s out and they’ll be home ALL.DAY.LONG. By the time dinner rolls around, the whole family will need a break. Take advantage of kids eat free (or very cheap) all week long at our local […]

This week’s recipe brought to you by PUPPIES AND BRUNCH  There are few things in this world that I enjoy more than pasta. Literally mention pasta, any kind of pasta, and I’m there. But as much as I love pasta, my waistline hates it. The second I eat it my stomach puffs up like Violet […]