Sunday, March 24, 2013
Thursday, March 14, 2013
You MUST, MUST, MUST experience The Niche Wine Lounge in Holly Springs,NC
If you're a resident of Holly Springs, NC, live in the surrounding area or passing through, you absolutely must visit the local wine bar! The Niche Wine Lounge is a special place. When I say special, I mean that emphatically. Most people think when they read special. It's just an adjective placed in a sentence. And sometimes I do that too! But not here and it demands special attention! lol See, I did it again! Anyway, on with the specialness of the Niche!
There are only two people who work there, Ted and Aldo. What's cool about that? They know everyone by name! You get superior attention and customer service EVERY SINGLE time you go in. Unless of course you become a staple at the bar. Then, instead of pretzels you're offered dog treats! That's a joke. But it does bring to mind another cool thing about the Niche. If you have a dog you can bring it, sit on their gorgeous Mediterranean inspired patio, sip a glass of wine and soak up the sun. And if that's not enough, Ted may even bring your dog a treat on occasion! How cool is that!
The ambiance at Niche transcends you into your happy place. I've heard people actually use that term about the Niche and I can empathize. The establishment is very nice and they decorate elaborately for the holidays. There's yet another important word. I am actually laughing as I write this because I have to emphasize it! They really decorate people! Their Halloween party is off the charts every year and Christmas is magical. If that's not enough, they host special parties and fundraisers all the time. Not just once in a while so they can say they did something nice! They do this type of thing all the time. They have bands, D.J.'s, painting classes and more. I am sure I missed something. Sorry Ted! But really, please, you must visit. Before I let you get into your car and drive over to the Niche, I need to give you the address and talk about the people that run the place. I'll list Niche's contact information below! So, if you're sick of listening to me ramble and just want to go get a glass of wine, skip to the bottom!
Ted, the owner is a genuine, caring guy with a big heart. He loves the Niche, his patrons and his wine! There really isn't any other way to describe Ted. He connects with his patrons and is a true professional. You really need to experience it fully to understand. Great guy!
Aldo, hmmm.... I really don't even know what to call him. This guy knows everything about wine. He does bar-tend, but to say he's only the bartender, would be an untruth. But to say he's the only bartender would be true! Get it? Sorry, I digress! He's much more than that. I'm not sure of all his duties, but they are many! How many wine bars have you visited where the bartender asks you a few questions and 99% of the time he serves you a wine you love? I'm not kidding. He knows people's tastes and all of the wines they carry. Which is a gazillion. Another nice guy and very professional!
Before I give you the information you need to visit Niche, please know this. I don't work for them and wasn't paid by them to write this! I genuinely love the Niche, Ted and Aldo. I have been a patron there for the past 2 years and will continue for as long as they let me live there, HAHA!!
So go visit them! I promise you'll be happy you did! While you're there tell Ted and Aldo I said hello and put a glass of wine on my tab! Ok. That was a JOKE!
Grace
--------------
Niche Wine Lounge
109 North Main Street
Holly Springs, NC 27540
919.552.2300
Hours: Sun-Sat - 4:00 P.M. - 2:00 A.M.
www.nichewinelounge.com
Facebook: Niche Wine Lounge - Go like them!!!!
There are only two people who work there, Ted and Aldo. What's cool about that? They know everyone by name! You get superior attention and customer service EVERY SINGLE time you go in. Unless of course you become a staple at the bar. Then, instead of pretzels you're offered dog treats! That's a joke. But it does bring to mind another cool thing about the Niche. If you have a dog you can bring it, sit on their gorgeous Mediterranean inspired patio, sip a glass of wine and soak up the sun. And if that's not enough, Ted may even bring your dog a treat on occasion! How cool is that!
The ambiance at Niche transcends you into your happy place. I've heard people actually use that term about the Niche and I can empathize. The establishment is very nice and they decorate elaborately for the holidays. There's yet another important word. I am actually laughing as I write this because I have to emphasize it! They really decorate people! Their Halloween party is off the charts every year and Christmas is magical. If that's not enough, they host special parties and fundraisers all the time. Not just once in a while so they can say they did something nice! They do this type of thing all the time. They have bands, D.J.'s, painting classes and more. I am sure I missed something. Sorry Ted! But really, please, you must visit. Before I let you get into your car and drive over to the Niche, I need to give you the address and talk about the people that run the place. I'll list Niche's contact information below! So, if you're sick of listening to me ramble and just want to go get a glass of wine, skip to the bottom!
Ted, the owner is a genuine, caring guy with a big heart. He loves the Niche, his patrons and his wine! There really isn't any other way to describe Ted. He connects with his patrons and is a true professional. You really need to experience it fully to understand. Great guy!
Aldo, hmmm.... I really don't even know what to call him. This guy knows everything about wine. He does bar-tend, but to say he's only the bartender, would be an untruth. But to say he's the only bartender would be true! Get it? Sorry, I digress! He's much more than that. I'm not sure of all his duties, but they are many! How many wine bars have you visited where the bartender asks you a few questions and 99% of the time he serves you a wine you love? I'm not kidding. He knows people's tastes and all of the wines they carry. Which is a gazillion. Another nice guy and very professional!
Before I give you the information you need to visit Niche, please know this. I don't work for them and wasn't paid by them to write this! I genuinely love the Niche, Ted and Aldo. I have been a patron there for the past 2 years and will continue for as long as they let me live there, HAHA!!
So go visit them! I promise you'll be happy you did! While you're there tell Ted and Aldo I said hello and put a glass of wine on my tab! Ok. That was a JOKE!
Grace
--------------
Niche Wine Lounge
109 North Main Street
Holly Springs, NC 27540
919.552.2300
Hours: Sun-Sat - 4:00 P.M. - 2:00 A.M.
www.nichewinelounge.com
Facebook: Niche Wine Lounge - Go like them!!!!
Saturday, March 2, 2013
THE BEST RECIPE EVER - Chicken Scampi!
I seriously cannot believe I'm sharing this dish with you. It feels like sacrilege! it's a family favorite and no other person on earth has this exact same recipe. Well, I don't think so at least! (Scratching head) hmm... Anyway, I've never viewed it on a restaurant menu either. So, for real people... I am giving up one of my biggest secrets ever! The power of the Chicken Scampi!!
This stuff has the power to make a family, love you more, sit down for dinner when you call them... YES! The first time! It has the ability to transform your children into mommy loving zombies and husbands into little play doe balls in your hands! If you're a man reading this however, please ignore that last sentence! Let me say this for you my friend, if you love to cook, you will love this recipe. Furthermore, man or woman, if you don't like this recipe you need to call a therapist, because something is seriously wrong with you! But I love you "dough". Sorry, I'm a mom and my kids say it that way. Ok. I'm digressing, lets move on to the recipe that will change your life forever! I wish you could see my face. I know Im ridiculous but play along!!!
Chicken Scampi Ingredients:
-Two chickens from the farm that you shot and killed yourself.
-Sorry... lol... kidding. I am starting over!
-1 pound chicken breast cut into bite size pieces.
-2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
-1 lemon
-2 tbs fresh chopped parsley
-1/4 cup butter
-1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
-1 teaspoon salt
-1/4 teaspoon pepper
-1 box pasta. I like linguini
-1 container italian bread crumbs
-2 eggs
-1/2 cup milk
-Canola oil - enough to cover chicken because you are going to fry it. I use an electric fryer but you can do this in a frying pan! Either way is fine. I just don't like the splatter the frying pan tends to produce.
Directions:
-Put eggs and milk into a bowl. Mix them up! Place the cut up chicken in the mixture, move it around and let it sit for a minute while you prepare the rest!
-Place the bread crumbs into another bowl. Take the chicken out trying not to get all the goopy egg with it and place it into the breadcrumbs to coat.
-Take the fresh squeezed lemon, garlic, parsley, butter, olive oil, salt, pepper and place it into a pan and cook it on low heat for about three minutes, until the butter is melted and flavors have blended.
-Heat canola oil on medium high heat until it starts to sizzle. I normally give it about 5 minutes. Place the chicken in the pan. Please BE CAREFUL. If you're a rookie fryer put the chicken in slowly or it will splatter the oil and it will hurt you! Honestly, it burns. Again. I like the deep fryer basket thingy, for this very reason.
-Fry the chicken until the pieces are golden brown.
-As the pieces are cooked, place them on a serving tray and keep them warm on the stove. If you can! I have a warm button. That's the best invention since sliced bread and I feel blessed to have it! YAY. Sorry. I get excited sometimes!
-Ok, next you cook your noodles and place them in a casserole dish. Pour the scampi sauce mixture over the pasta.
To serve: Simply plate the pasta, put a few pieces of chicken over the pasta with some grated parmesan cheese. Add a few drips of melted butter on that chicken and eat your heart out baby!
Grace
This stuff has the power to make a family, love you more, sit down for dinner when you call them... YES! The first time! It has the ability to transform your children into mommy loving zombies and husbands into little play doe balls in your hands! If you're a man reading this however, please ignore that last sentence! Let me say this for you my friend, if you love to cook, you will love this recipe. Furthermore, man or woman, if you don't like this recipe you need to call a therapist, because something is seriously wrong with you! But I love you "dough". Sorry, I'm a mom and my kids say it that way. Ok. I'm digressing, lets move on to the recipe that will change your life forever! I wish you could see my face. I know Im ridiculous but play along!!!
Chicken Scampi Ingredients:
-Two chickens from the farm that you shot and killed yourself.
-Sorry... lol... kidding. I am starting over!
-1 pound chicken breast cut into bite size pieces.
-2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
-1 lemon
-2 tbs fresh chopped parsley
-1/4 cup butter
-1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
-1 teaspoon salt
-1/4 teaspoon pepper
-1 box pasta. I like linguini
-1 container italian bread crumbs
-2 eggs
-1/2 cup milk
-Canola oil - enough to cover chicken because you are going to fry it. I use an electric fryer but you can do this in a frying pan! Either way is fine. I just don't like the splatter the frying pan tends to produce.
Directions:
-Put eggs and milk into a bowl. Mix them up! Place the cut up chicken in the mixture, move it around and let it sit for a minute while you prepare the rest!
-Place the bread crumbs into another bowl. Take the chicken out trying not to get all the goopy egg with it and place it into the breadcrumbs to coat.
-Take the fresh squeezed lemon, garlic, parsley, butter, olive oil, salt, pepper and place it into a pan and cook it on low heat for about three minutes, until the butter is melted and flavors have blended.
-Heat canola oil on medium high heat until it starts to sizzle. I normally give it about 5 minutes. Place the chicken in the pan. Please BE CAREFUL. If you're a rookie fryer put the chicken in slowly or it will splatter the oil and it will hurt you! Honestly, it burns. Again. I like the deep fryer basket thingy, for this very reason.
-Fry the chicken until the pieces are golden brown.
-As the pieces are cooked, place them on a serving tray and keep them warm on the stove. If you can! I have a warm button. That's the best invention since sliced bread and I feel blessed to have it! YAY. Sorry. I get excited sometimes!
-Ok, next you cook your noodles and place them in a casserole dish. Pour the scampi sauce mixture over the pasta.
To serve: Simply plate the pasta, put a few pieces of chicken over the pasta with some grated parmesan cheese. Add a few drips of melted butter on that chicken and eat your heart out baby!
Grace
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