Sam "Are You Yelp-Worthy?" C.'s Profile

Firehouse subs are like the Ferrari's of subs.  And why do you need the best subs on earth?  It's like asking why do you need in iPad -- after you try it, you'll wonder how you lived without it.  So far, my favs are the engineer,  hook and ladder, and firehouse hero subs.  So tasty and the bread is so warm and soft.

But that's not all.  Their soda fountain is straight out of the future.  A touch screen with what seems like a zillion different flavors.  My current fav: peach sprite zero.  Last week's fav: grape coke.  This could go on for a while..  a long while.

On top of that, 1) they have 50(!!) different hot sauces, 2) they have several big screen TV's, 3) there's outside eating for a gorgeous day, 4) they bring the your food right to you, and 5) the food just tastes GREAT.  There's nothing else you need.

Now, don't take my word for it.  Just ask the genuine firemen and firewomen who actually eat here, sometimes bringing their real firetrucks.    That's right, real firetrucks right in the parking lot.  Oh how I wish I was a kid again so that I could play on those firetrucks..

It has been a long time since I saw any fast food restaurant go the extra mile, and Firehouse subs just ran a marathon for all of us.

Ahh.... THIS is what great Thai food tastes like.  Hands down the best Thai restaurant in all of Winston Salem.  And to think that I was about to give up hope after trying four different Thai restaurants.  After tasting the food here, I can't go back.

This place has only been opened for a month, so everything is very new.  The staff are genuinely nice, and they're very friendly and helpful.  When the owner came out, I complimented the amazing panang curry, and she told us that all of the food are her sister's special recipes.  And it shows.  Authentic and just very, very good.

They also serve sushi and sashimi, and they're sufficiently good, but you came here for the Thai food, right?  I can't wait to go back.

I went to Dr. Lee and he was the best.  He seemed to care a lot about details to make sure everything was done right, and he made me feel very comfortable.  Highly recommend.

Hands down, this place is by far one of the best sushi restaurants anywhere (look at my other reviews that go all the way to Cali, so I know what I'm talking about).  It's located in a little strip mall that looks like it has seen way better days, but when you walk inside, you know this place is special.  I like to call Mizu a little "gem in the wall".

If you just want fresh sushi, you can't go wrong with the Lover's Boat For Two, which has very fresh raw sushi and sashimi.  But most of the time, I'm there for the rolls.  My current personal favorites are Summer Breeze, Out of Control, Three Musketeers, Eel Baguettes, and Spicy King Crab Roll.  If you're not sure, just ask the servers.  They're all so nice and friendly, and their recommendations are usually spot on.  Sometimes, though, I'm in the mood for noodles, and the Nabeyaki Udon is great.

Some of their rolls can be a bit pricy, but for some reason, I always feel like they were worth it.  They're fresh and just so beautiful to look at as you're about to gobble them up.  It is just an experience you can't put a price on.

I wish I could put my finger on exactly why I love this place.  The reason why I can't is probably because there's so many reasons and there isn't just one thing.  First, the people there are sooo nice, and they seem like they genuinely like being good people.  This is something you just can't fake, and it shows.  Second, the location is all the way over by the West End, and so it's rarely crowded (at least when I've been there).  And it's a good thing too because it's small and quaint so you get all the attention you need.  Third, the outdoor seating is very nice on a sunny day -- I cannot figure out why I like it so much because the view isn't that great, but it just is.  And fourth (and finally), the food is just amazing.  You get great selection, and it all tastes great.  Stuffed portobello mushroom.  Baked brie and guava.  Seared ahi tuna salad.  Catfish tacos (what?? I know, it sounds weird, but it's amazing!).

I even love how they have Cheerwine (the local North Carolina soda).  Mozelle's is uniquely southern yet broadly refined.  Translation: It has all the best parts of being southern, while still having that special something that you just can't find anywhere around here.  I don't know how else to describe it, so just go there and you'll know what I mean.

Eating at the Deacon Tower Grille reminds you why you're proud to be a Demon Deacon (which is even more important some years, like this).  The football stadium is very majestic and pristine, and you get an amazing view from this restaurant.  For this reason, it's best to go there for lunch while the sun is out, maybe with some friends or colleagues you want to share in your enthusiasm for Wake Forest (even if you're not a sports fan).  Moreover, the food is great and more than reasonably priced.  I just keep ordering whatever is the special, and it always works for me.

Ask for Sarah.  If you don't, don't blame me if you're experience is less than stellar -- you're on your own.

I have lived in Columbia for some time now, and I don't think I was ever so pleasantly surprised by a restaurant in the area.  From the outside, it's pretty easy to miss this place because 1) the "Azul 17" sign outside is hard to make out, and 2) it's in a shopping center that is pretty much in the middle of nowhere.  But once you walk in, it is clear that this is a very chic and modern bar/restaurant that you don't want to miss.

This upscale Mexican restaurant has a huge Tequila list with the most expensive shot topping off at $200(!).  But that's only the draw.  There are 17 (yes, that's SEVENTEEN) different types of Margaritas, mostly priced around $10-13.  We tried four and the best-tasting one is made with blackberry puree called "Horny" -- if you refuse to try it because you're embarrassed by the name, it's your loss.

We tried quite a lot of dishes and the Chesapeake guacamole that was made fresh at the table.  The Chesapeake has a Maryland-style twist with crabs and Old Bay seasoning -- pretty much tastes as you might expect it (pass).  I'm confident that we would have had better luck with one of the other two guacamoles because it was pretty fresh.

We had quite a lot of success with the Platos Pequenos (Little Dishes), which are like tapas.  It's hard to remember their names because they were in Spanish, but we liked them all.

The flan was a nice way to finish the meal if you have the room.

Overall, it's a very nice upscale Mexican restaurant that you would never think to expect from Columbia with great tasting food and drinks.  It's a bit pricey, which makes me hesitant to go more often, but it is definitely a great experience.

If you ever visit Wake Forest University, you should do everything in your power to stay at Graylyn.  Burn bridges if you have to -- it will be worth it.  This hotel / conference center is such a unique experience that you will undoubtedly it remember for a very long time.  

This hotel looks like a castle in Europe, only with modern amenities.  Inside are huge fireplaces, knight armor, antique furniture, etc. that support my European castle comparison.  The rooms themselves are fairly modern with wireless internet access, for example.  I got lost a few times in their spiral staircases (trust me, skip the elevators), and I ended up finding a few surprises including the "Grill" restaurant and a billiards table.

The best part of the entire experience is the exceptional service of the hotel staff.  I think that for pretty much anything you ask, they will find a way to make it happen.  I cannot remember another hotel staff experience that came even close.

However, don't bother looking for the "ice cream room", even though there are signs everywhere for it.  It's just a small kitchen with ice cream bars in a mini-fridge.  I wonder what would happen if I asked the hotel staff for an actual ice cream sundae.  Oh well, perhaps on my next visit. :)

Imagine if you could step into a very unassuming restaurant that looks like someone's home, and you ended up traveling back in time to the type of restaurant George Washington might visit (legend has it that he actually did.  once.).  This restaurant, which looks much bigger on the inside than on the outside, is warm and inviting from the very beginning.  I can't quite put my finger on it, but it felt like I was home, even though it looks nothing like my home.

Their food is in the style of the Moravian church, which I hear is a major influence in the region.  I know next to nothing about them except that their food (mostly American style) is apparently from fine ingredients and made with careful attention.  Their chicken pot pie was the best I had ever had.  As a wine appreciator, I was pleased with their wine list, which had several good selections including a Malbec that I loved.  Also, the waiter was a gentleman who somehow made the entire dinner very special.  And to top it off, entire experience came at a down to earth price.

The only off-putting thing was that a gratuity of 15% was automatically added to our check, even though our party consisted of only three people, and then there was a line for additional tip.  I had originally planned on leaving a 20% tip, but the additional math required really tempted me to leave just the 15%.  And I would have too if I didn't think it was really wrong considering my experience.

Let's not be shy and address the big white elephant in the room from the start.  If you're a fan (read: not necessarily expert) of wines or movies, you know that Hitching Post II was featured in the 2004 movie Sideways.  If you're an especially dedicated fan, you might have even taken the unofficial "Sideways Tour" of places featured in the movie.  If you haven't, don't bother -- it's not worth it in quality nor price, and you'll end up wondering what's so great about Pinot.

The one exception is the Hitching Post II (where the character Maya worked as a waitress).  This little steakhouse is somewhat unassuming from the outside, and it's a little difficult to find, but there is a treasure waiting for you on the inside.  I have tried the filet mignon, the prime flat iron, and kobe steaks, and they are each magnificent.  The Grilled California Quail is a must if you're not in a steak mood (why are you here?).

And, of course, there is the matter of the Pinot Noir.  If you watched the movie, you know that Miles and Jack share a bottle of the Highliner at the bar, so you're probably going to want to try some yourself.  And you should.  It is an excellent Pinot.  However, I personally think the Santa Maria is the best Pinot they have.  I'm not trying to say that you shouldn't have the Highliner -- just that perhaps you should also try the Santa Maria to compare.

What puts this place over the top, though, is that the amazing food and wine here is at a very down-to-earth prices.  I would have thought that with the movie and all, their prices would be through the roof.  It is not.  Great food and wine at a very reasonable prices.  What more can you ask for?