We are nearing the end of our trip in Chapel Hill. Tomorrow we head out to Nags Head to view some of North Carolina’s coast. How exciting! I love the ocean and with the heat we have been embracing here in NC, I would like to feel some cooler temperatures. I am SO not complaining!
Last night, we dined at Top of the Hill with all our NC friends. This place was located in the heart of University of North Carolina’s campus on Franklin Street and on the roof of a building. I was looking forward seeing the view from the top. Chapel Hill is definitely a beautiful city especially for a college town. I HAVE to say that I like it better than Michigan State’s campus town. It seems more quaint and lots of history seems intact. I like that. Ryan preferred the industrial city of Lansing, which confused me but I was glad to hear his opinion.
We had one more friend arrive from Michigan after a long day of flight delays but at least he made it. It was great to add another friend to the group. It was a gorgeous evening for sitting out in the patio especially since we were not the only ones with the same idea. Good thing we had reservations because we got great seats with the sun setting on our faces.
Thanks to our friends, this restaurant turned out to be such a delight. They have such a unique menu using very fresh ingredients. I was just telling Ryan that it is not everyday you get to step into a restaurant that has unique menu items to choose from. This restaurant was definitely unique!
Some of the menu items that tantalized us were the Sweet Potato Cheese Fries that were topped with melted white cheddar, gorgonzola, scallions with some creole spicy ketchup. I had 2 fries but it did not quite intrigue me.
The other appetizer chosen was the Baked Crab Dip made with artichokes, spinach, and cream cheese along with some crostini. I heard that this was lovely.
Another recommended must were the Lizard Chips which consisted of sliced dill pickle & jalapeño chips crispy fried in their homemade beer batter and served with chipotle ranch dipping sauce. I had 2 fried pickles and liked them ALOT. Lately I have been craving pickled or mustardy foods so this was nice to try.
Ryan and I were tantalized by the French Onion Soup so we each ordered a bowl. I have not had this soup in more than 4-5 years so it was SO delicious savoring a warm delicious soup. There was a lot of cheese and a perfect amount of it on top of a piece of bread. YUM!
Now, I could have very well just ordered a salad to finish off my meal but I really was wanting to try one of their unique entrees. Their Wild Mushroom Grit Cakes called my name because it sounded so gourmet without any meat. Here are the ingredients:
portobello shiitake & oyster mushrooms sautéed in a rosemary cashew cream sauce ladled over crisp stone ground grit cakes
I know right???
I got the dish and well, the flavors were not exactly what I imagined. after 4 bites I started getting nauseous and realized that the dish was not going to cut it. I knew that if I continued anymore that I was not going to be a pretty sight. The flavors in the cream sauce were not distinguishable but I am thinking I imagined this to be a cashew cream and not a cream , dairy-based sauce. Silly me…I pretty much asked for it.
Even though I have not been eating vegan I know I have been trying to make the right choices when eating out, but sometimes it is hit and miss. My gut feeling told me to stick with a salad but I probably just ordered the wrong dish.
