Sassy Southern Cooking with a French Twist

scones

Sumptuous Scones and So Much More at The Morehead

In a world increasingly cluttered with plastic card keys and generic breakfast buffets scattered around Interstates like so many five-story hotel dominoes, it’s nice to know that there remain special B & B finds that offer so much more, and not for much more money.  These are the kind of places where you’re greeted by name, personally led up a creaky, grand winding staircase topped with a chiming grandfather clock, and, with chunky brass key in hand, enter a soothing oasis of chintz, fat pillows, crisp linens and a cup of hot tea served in a china cup.  These are the kind of places where one feels utterly at home and nurtured, and the kinds of places I personally welcome after a long day (or several days) of travel.

Slightly faded but consummately stately and Southern, The Morehead Inn in Charlotte, NC, is just this kind of place. Built in 1917, the white clapboard and dark green tiled roof mansion was a private residence until it was converted into an inn in the 1980’s. It still bears the mood of a family residence, generously decorated with plush, deep sofas and chairs,  Oriental carpets, mirrors and classic Oriental vases and curios. The staff, largely overseen by matriarchal Guest Service Manager Carolyn Jordan, is exceptionally friendly but adept at giving guests privacy and quiet as needed.

The Morehead Inn is situated in a rolling, green suburb of Charlotte called Dilworth. Broad avenues with leafy trees (just beginning to change during my visit) is an idyllic slice of Southern Americana. My amazing publicist and friend, Stephanie Burt, who is a proud Charlottean by birth, found it for us, and we were both so glad she did.

Naturally, The Morehead experience doesn’t stop at hospitality and charm, but includes a remarkable breakfast feast each morning. There are three choices, a continental menu of yogurt, fruit, pastries, a hot egg, grits, bacon, etc., option, and even Belgian waffles and pancakes made to order.  Each is as great as the next, and keeps you full until well into the afternoon, which makes planning a three night-stay practically mandatory.  Aside from being served by the charming Carolyn, the other thing each of these breakfast shares in common is the inclusion of the most amazing scones perhaps on this earth, almost certainly in the South.

Sumptuous Scones at The Morehead Inn

Prepared by justifiably proud and very talented Pastry Chef Carol Weinles, they have a flakiness and airiness that defies anything I’ve ever before experienced with scones. In fact, prior to sampling Chef Carol’s scones, I’ve never really liked them before, considering them rather mealy and crumbly. Pictured in the upper left-hand corner in the shot above, they are also smaller than most, and make a most inviting, light addition to breakfast. But, no butter is required! Weinles attributes the high butter content and leavening agent (baking powder) to the unique deliciousness of her scones. She was generous enough to share her recipe, below. The fruit added to the scones, according to Weinles, varies, ranging from simple orange zest, to dried cranberries, or dried apricots.

Carol Weinles’ Sumptuous Scones

(Makes 16 – 20 scones)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 cup + 1 tablespoon All Purpose flour

3/4 cup cake flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup dried fruit (suggest cranberries and/or apricots)

2 sticks + 3 tablespoons cold, unsalted butter

1 cup whole cream

2 – 3 tablespoons sugar for dusting prior to baking

Mix sugar, AP flour, cake flour, baking powder and salt on low speed with a blender until just incorporated. Add butter, increasing speed, and blending until the butter is “mealy”. Add the fruit and mix only until it starts to clump. Slowly incorporate the cream. Mix until combined, but do not over mix. Roll out on a lightly floured surface to 1″ thickness. Cut using round or square pastry cutters or using a chef’s knife. Arrange on a baking sheet and sprinkle with a little extra sugar. Bake at 350 F for 12 to 15 minutes. (Note: The scones can be made ahead, frozen, and baked as needed). Serve warm from the oven.

The Morehead Inn

112 E. Morehead Street

Charlotte, NC 28204

(704) 376-3356

www.moreheadinn.com

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The Hits Keep Coming Down Savannah Way

It’s not supposed to happen this way! After  five months of combing Savannah for her best dining establishments as part of research for Savannah Chef’s Table (Globe Pequot Press, Fall, 2012), I would have expected that my list of food targets would be getting smaller, not virtually never ending. I shouldn’t be surprised, really. That’s what it’s like in any good food town, and Savannah is certainly all that and more.

On each visit, I keep finding new gems to write about. That was especially true on a very tasty and successful mission last week. Here’s just some of what’s worth checking out next time you’re in The Hostess City…..

Burton’s By the Beach

Tybee Island, a.k.a., Savannah Beach

 Talk about a blast from beaches past. Located about 20 minutes east of downtown, Tybee offers a nostalgic nod to the good old days with its eclectic architecture and cohesive, sandy Southern beach theme. Surfers and skateboarders race by the otherwise slightly sleepy main drag, at least it was sleepy on a weekday visit. I imagine Tybee’s hot at peak season on weekends. I’ll return to check it out, and will definitely re-visit Burton’s while I’m there.

Burton’s practically commanded me to its order window with its eye-grabbing, bright yellow, red, and green colors and enticing, wafting aromas. The owner is from Mexico City, but in addition to mastering Mexican street food, he’s also aces Cuban and Spanish from this endearing take-out (or eat out at the picnic tables) beach joint.

The fish tacos ($7.95), grilled, sweet fresh tilapia wrapped in soft flour tacos and topped with a sweet/hot, creamy chipotle sauce, more than lived up to their “highly recommended” billing from the cheerful woman who took my order through a sliding glass window. Chunky, chewy black beans and fragrant yellow saffron rice made it a meal – to remember!  So, too, is the Reuben Cubano ($7.50) which features grilled chicken, not the usual pastrami suspect. 

www.burtonsbythebeach.com

The Ultimate Tea – Afternoon Tea at The Tea Room

There is afternoon tea, and then, there is afternoon tea. The Tea Room’s is the ultimate in every way and, therefore, demands a visit whenever proper pampering is in order.

All worry and concerns melt away with each soothing sip of one of the  40+ equisite tea blends offered and each bite of the round, soft, cream cheese, chive and cucumber sandwiches  somehow bring home another time and place in the most inviting way.

It’s too much fun to half a scone and fill it with some of the house made raspberry preserves and then add a generous dollop of slightly sweetened whipped cream. The short bread cookies crack and crumble into buttery, baked decadence with each bite.

Outside of the rear, dimly lit library-like dining area (the area I most prefer), the shop virtually tinkles with authentic Southern charm. Proprietar Elizabeth Ruby can usually be found at the front counter, chatting congenially with one of her many regular customers, and the front of the house is decorated with a fine collection of tea pots, tea cups, tea cozies, cookbooks, children books and more.

Afternoon teas are by reservation only. If tea is not your thing, The Tea Room also serves a broad assortment of outstanding sandwiches, salads, soups and quiches.

www.thetearoomsavannah.com

Other places well-worth a visit:

Rocks on the Roof, Bohemian Hotel

www.bohemianhotelsavannah.com

The Distillery

www.distillerysavannah.com

17Hundred90 Inn and Restaurant (revamped and delicious – especially for lunch!)

www.17hundred90.com

 Thrive A Carry Out Cafe

www.thrivecarryoutcafe.com

Tangerine Fusion & Sushi Bar

11215 Abercorn Street, Suite 10-11, Savannah, GA 31419

(912) 920-5504

There are many more on my must eat and visit list. Look for them here as I discover them, so that you may, too!  In the meantime, please visit the Savannah section of recommended restaurants on the 4* and 5* Restaurants That Won’t Break the Bank to the right of the blog section of this page.

As always, bon appetit and remember to embrace your inner-Savannah. It will make you feel oh so good!

 

 

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