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By John Batchelor

November 19, 2009

Imperial Koi definitely worth return visits

Imperial Koi is on the second floor of a new office/shop complex on New Garden Road. The entrance is up the driveway and around back. A patio provides al fresco seating. Inside, banquettes line two walls of panoramic windows, looking out onto a new reside... Read More

November 5, 2009

Try red meat, wine at Graffiti's

Graffiti's Bistro occupies the space formerly held by one of the Chop House Grille installations. A server advised that many of the kitchen staff members remain in place from the former incarnation, and certain parts of the menu, although abbreviated, are... Read More

October 22, 2009

Dan Thai Jazz Bistro pleasant but inconsistent

Dan Thai Jazz Bistro in High Point boasts one of the most active Web sites I've ever seen for a restaurant. I cannot recall seeing such color and flash, such pleasant music, so many photos, such a thorough explanation of the concept, anywhere else. But th... Read More

October 8, 2009

Taverna Opa! is pleasant, festive

The Greek word "opa" is almost always used with an exclamation point to express joy, good will, good health, a wish for happiness or any number of other qualities of life that we all value. Read More

September 24, 2009

Yancey House takes the prize

The Yancey House is this year's winner in the casual dining division of the Best Dish N.C. competition, sponsored by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Our State magazine. Read More

September 10, 2009

Table 16: Perfection that won't break the bank

Perceptions of value blend price with assessments of quality, creativity and skill of execution. I consider this summer's meals at Table 16 the best I've ever had in North Carolina, yet they were priced just in the upper midrange, relative to other Triad... Read More

August 27, 2009

Local food, better prices, new location

Lisa Hawley formerly operated a formal, upscale Southern Roots in downtown High Point. The move to Jamestown has created a casual ambience in keeping with the new location's structure. It was previously unoccupied for a decade and is now operated in partn... Read More

August 13, 2009

Xia Asian has its ups and downs

The interior of Xia Asian Fusion looks quite striking. Rich red walls flank a black tile wall behind the bar, which features a copper-clad waterfall, a black marble countertop over gray tile and a taupe tile floor. Cloth menus scroll out from a bamboo cyl... Read More

July 30, 2009

Three inn-restaurants in the mountains

For this summer vacation column, I selected three historic inns that not only provide the bed and breakfast experience, but also host full service restaurants that serve dinner. All have won Wine Spectator awards in the past. Check Web sites for full menu... Read More

July 16, 2009

Childress winery brunch has variety, value

"Oops, I think I made a mistake." The weather was hot, and Barbara had expressed a desire to sit inside. But she made the remark spontaneously when she looked out onto the covered terrace. If weather is inclement or if you just prefer air condit... Read More

July 2, 2009

Transitions and trends in local restaurants

And then there were none. When I began writing the restaurant review column for what was then the Greensboro Record in July 1981, I identified several restaurants that to me set the standard for quality dining. The Elms, Franklin's Off Friendly and Giovan... Read More

June 18, 2009

Solid flavors, spice characterize Pad Thai

Pad Thai is not likely to catch the eye from outside. It is located in a shopping center that used to draw much more traffic, some time ago. Vibrant colors, however, characterize the interior. Fiery red walls flank green and white tile floors, with light...... Read More

June 4, 2009

Chefs 105 puts elegant dining down by the sea

Andy Hopper and his wife, Bennet Cornwell Hopper, former Greensboro residents, operate Chefs 105, along with partners Kevin Brighton and Mike Santos. This team originated during college years at East Carolina University. Chefs 505 in Greenville, where Che... Read More

May 21, 2009

Tiny Mediterraneo a good value

I first visited Mediterraneo last fall but decided to postpone a review until spring. If my impressions continued to be positive (and they were), crowds could wind up standing in line outside -- perhaps good for the restaurant, but not good for my readers... Read More

May 7, 2009

Several ways to eat fine food on a budget

This is the second installment in a two-part series addressing value menus at area restaurants.   Café Pasta and Grill (305 State St. #A, (336) 272-1308) is offering "336 Tuesdays": $3 for drinks using house liquors, $3 wines by the... Read More

April 23, 2009

Vintage 301 a casual place for dining

Vintage 301 occupies the space that formerly housed The Press Wine Café. It is a casual, afternoon/evening/late-night place, with a menu focused mainly on small plates — tapas-style selections — along with a few larger entrees (albeit s... Read More

April 9, 2009

Fixed-price: Expensive tastes on a budget

I would not presume to try to tell anyone whether this is the time to buy stocks. But I can tell you that, financially speaking, this is a great time to have a meal in an area restaurant.Local establishments are offering some strong enticements to encoura... Read More

March 26, 2009

Good local buzz for Bistro is right on

The Bistro at Adams Farm opened in October. It is a cozy, smallish place that has already attracted a loyal neighborhood following if conversations around the bar are any indication. Deep red walls line the primary dining area, dark gray in a smaller sect... Read More

March 12, 2009

Vietnamese Garden a delight

This location on Battleground Avenue has been home to several failed ventures, some of which came and went before I could visit. Thanks to a recommendation from local veterinarian Dr. Tim Tribbett, I managed to get to Vietnamese Garden about a month after... Read More

February 26, 2009

Bistro offers hearty mountain fare

Bistro Roca combines the French "bistro" - a café where the food is casual, servers are likely to know your name, and friends gather often - with the Spanish "roca," or rock, to produce the nomenclature for this Blowing Rock establishment. I have been ad... Read More

February 12, 2009

Concept right at Southern Lights

More than 25 years ago, a small number of area restaurants served excellent food, but in formal, expensive concepts. Southern Lights' owner Peter Hamilton was one of the local restaurateurs who brought the concept of quality dining at reasonable prices to... Read More

January 29, 2009

Basil's has Italian food you crave

I have been following Chef Scott Leard from his early days at Pinot's (RIP), an especially rewarding term at Southern Roots (RIP) and most recently, albeit briefly, at Carmine's. Now, he holds forth from the small, open kitchen at Basil's Trattoria (not r... Read More

January 15, 2009

Prego's has quality, casual Italian

Prego's menu provides a definition of "trattoria"- a casual, informal café, serving fresh, simple foods found throughout Italy. Seating is provided in one large, salmon-colored room. Personnel are unusually friendly and accommodating. When host/owner Vic... Read More

January 1, 2009

Madison Park: Great flavor, value

Paul and Joan Shepherd established an enviable reputation when they operated The Madison Park restaurant, a concept that reached the heights of our area's fine dining establishments. But the original Madison Park closed about 10 years ago, following a fir... Read More

December 18, 2008

Ready to eat? Support a local restaurant

This is a column I hoped I would not be writing but feared I might. To people who enjoy dining as much as my readers and I do, losing a favorite restaurant amounts to losing a friend. Two weeks ago, I reviewed Grappa Grille. The next day, I received a mes... Read More

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