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Paventi’s Pizzeria has a jackpot of at least $200, that will be given to anyone who successfully (without cheating or breaking any rules) completes The Paventi’s Challenge. It sounds enticing doesn’t it? But, can you scarf down a one topping, 32-inch pizza in 60-minutes or less? The massive N.Y. style pizza consists of four pounds of homemade dough and two pounds of mozzarella cheese. Take a look at the pizza, watch a YouTube video clip taken at the restaurant and read the official rules of The Paventi’s Challenge on the Paventi’s Pizzeria website: http://www.paventispizzeria.com/paventischallenge.html.

Paventi’s Pizzeria, 6434 W. Sugar Creek Road., Ste. D. 704-509-4404. www.paventispizzeria.com.

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Everyone has a place they frequent for lunch or dinner. Around our office, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Alexander Michael’s and Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe are pretty popular. Favorite dishes, a variety of options, good service — there are lots of reasons why we keep going back. One thing I never seem to really take notice of — unless it’s staring in my face like in the drive-thru of a fast-food restaurant — is the sanitation score. Yeah, I know … I should pay more attention.

Well, for those of you who really care about that kind of stuff — and we all should, really — check out the Mecklenburg County Digital Health Department. You can search your favorite restaurants and find out how they did on their last inspection.

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This just in from the folks at Zink restaurant:

 ZINK AMERICAN KITCHEN
RE-OPENS WITH A FRESH NEW MENU

Charlotte, NC — Zink American Kitchen, located at 201 North Tryon Street in Uptown Charlotte, has reopened after several months of extensive kitchen renovations. Owned and operated by Harper’s Restaurant Group, Zink is a long-time favorite of Uptown residents and workers, boasting an extensive menu and thriving late night bar and patio.

Steve Seitz, Harper’s Director of Operations, said that while returning guests might not notice much difference in the restaurants interior, they are sure to appreciate the revamped menu designed by corporate Executive Chef Tom Condron and Zink’s Chef de Cuisine Jon Fortes. “These two talented chefs have created a fresh New American menu, taking all-time favorite regional dishes and adding their own inspiration. The result is a unique and delicious menu with something for everyone.”

Seitz said some of the new items on the menu include a “Make it Your Way” Burger Bar at lunch and Sunday brunch, Sloppy Joe Sliders and a Grits Bar. At dinner, guests can choose from new items such as the Lobster ‘Mac’ in Cheese, Niman Ranch Slow Cooked Pork, and the Carolina Mountain Trout.

Favorites like the ‘Rock and Roll’ Sushi Bar, the late night bar specials and cool American drinks remain on the Zink menu and will be updated seasonally. In addition, Zink now presents a carafe of ice cold filtered water to each table.

In keeping with the American brand, Zink will use as many American made and American grown products as possible in their food preparation and in the restaurant operations. USA made uniforms are worn by the staff and the bar boasts a wide assortment of domestic wine and beer. With a great bar/late night/patio component and old American black and white movies and Warren Miller films in the bar –Zink has an edgy quality that is truly American ‘Cool’.

Zink American Kitchen opened in 2004. Hours of operation are: Sunday–11.30am-3pm Brunch and 5pm-10pm Dinner. Monday and Tuesday, 11.30am-11pm. Wednesday and Thursday 11.30am-12:00 midnight. Friday and Saturday, 11:30am-1am. For more information, visit the website at www.zinkamerican.com

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Once upon a time, in the magical land called New York City, an internet blogger found the sugar incarnation of pixie kisses and chocolate sunshine. If only we in the Q.C. were so lucky.

Prepare to drool all over your keyboard. May we present: ConeCakes. The holy joining of cupcakes and ice cream cones, after the jump:

(more…)

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One of the things I miss about being away from home is my momma’s cooking … of Korean food. Cho Won Garden Korean Barbeque & Cuisine (2501 Crown Point Executive Drive) opened up not too long ago, but I’m kind of picky when it comes to kimchee, the staple dish in the Korean diet (pickled cabbage with hot stuff on it). If the kimchee’s off, then the whole meal is all wrong for me. I prefer fresh kimchee; a lot of folks like it sour and aged. Yuck.

If you’ve never had Korean food, I strongly urge you to try it. Most of the places I’ve been to do a community-style meal, where you order one main dish, like kalbi (short ribs), with white rice and you share the side dishes (such as kimchee, bean sprouts, anchovies, pickled seaweed, etc.) My favorite places are the ones that give you a piece of fruit at the end of the meal to help freshen your breath (because let me tell you, kimchee breath is the worst). Also, FYI, be on the lookout for pieces of red pepper caught in your teeth.

Sigh. I suppose I should give Cho Won Garden a try … that, or just make the 3-hour drive to Georgia to see my momma. If you’ve been to Cho Won Garden, let me know how it is.

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Step aside, McCain and Obama, for a real celebrity: The Pillsbury Doughboy is coming to North Carolina.

According to a press release we got yesterday, the ticklish baking icon will be campaigning in Asheville on July 25-27, encouraging people to nominate Cake, Brownies, Frosting or Quick Bread as America’s Favorite Dessert. For more information, you should check out www.pillsburybaking.com/campaign.

In the meantime, I’ll enjoy the box of brownie mix that came with the press kit. Poke the doughboy’s tummy for me, k?

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Charlotte is lucky. We’re only losing five Starbucks stores!

According to Starbucks.com:
The stores closing in the QC are:

• 9335 Center Lake Drive.
• 2921 Providence Road.
• 4620 Piedmont Row Road.
• 3220 Wilkinson Boulevard.
• 1520 Overland Park Road

It’s interesting to note that the Wilkinson Boulevard location was the city’s lone Magic Johnson Starbucks. I guess it just goes to show you that this really isn’t L.A. and Johnson doesn’t have that much magic here.

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If you you’ve ever had an early morning craving for a burger, but been unable to fulfill it because of the “now serving breakfast only” signs, then this might interest you. Big Daddy’s Burger Bar in Dilworth will soon be selling beef patties (To be specific it’s called the “Breakfast Burger” and features a burger topped with egg, ham, bacon and cheese; all on a bun) during breakfast hours. Along with that, they’ve also expanded their menu with eats like Big Daddy Benedict, Green Eggs and Ham and a build-your-own Three Egg Omelet. Current hours are: Sun.-Wed., 11 a.m.-12 a.m.; Thurs.-Sat., 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Breakfast hours (8 a.m.-11 a.m.) are set to begin on July 26. Big Daddy’s Burger Bar, 1626 East Blvd. 704-714-4888. www.bigdaddysburgerbar.com.

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When Chef Marvin Woods opened his upscale restaurant, Woods On South, he said he was in it for the long haul. His plan was to change the way Charlotte ate, creating a menu of health-conscious dishes.
His plan, however, obviously fell short because Woods on South served its last plate of oven-fried chicken this week.
Tuesday, a sign taped on the front door during lunch stated that the restaurant was closed. Another sign informed workers that payroll checks would be mailed out.
By Wednesday, the restaurant’s voice mail told callers that Woods on South had gone bye-bye.
“It’s been our pleasure to serve you,” said the outgoing telephone message.
Creative Loafing reached Woods by phone Wednesday to find out what went wrong.
“I don’t really have an answer for you right now,” he said. “I need about a week. I’m working on something, and it’s in the nondisclose right now, so I can’t answer any questions about it. But once the ‘I’s’ are dotted and the ‘T’s’ are crossed, I can give you the 411.”
John Stritch, president of Carolina Beer and a partner in the restaurant, wasn’t available for comment regarding the eatery’s closing at press time.
The restaurant opened with a flourish in October 2007. Before becoming Woods On South, the restaurant was known as South End Brewery. According to Charlotte Business Journal, Woods actually worked at the brewery from 1998 to 2000.
Woods made his name nationally on the now-defunct TV cable network Turner South with the cooking show Home Plate, which he hosted while wearing his signature bandanna. He is also the author of two cookbooks.
When Woods opened Woods on South, he said he’d hope to grow with Charlotte, calling it a “diamond city” at the time.
Woods had said at the time that he wanted to offer a lighter version of Southern cuisine. He even had ‘soul sushi’ on the menu.
This isn’t the first restaurant associated with Woods to close. His Miami restaurant, which he opened in 2004, also went out of business.
Currently, according to Woods’s Web site, he’s spending time trying to fight childhood obesity by developing a national kids’ wellness program called Droppin’ Knowledge with Chef Marvin Woods.
His Web site also says that Woods is set to launch a line of sauces and spice blends that will be available online and in grocery stores this year.
Whatever happened at Woods On South, it’s closing leaves another hole in South End. Aside from fast food and Price’s Chicken Coop, there aren’t many upscale choices for dining out in the city’s historic neighborhood.

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When Chef Marvin Woods opened his upscale restaurant, Woods On South, he was in it for the long haul. His plan was to change the way Charlotte ate, adding health-conscious fried chicken to the menu.
Things have apparently changed, and Woods on South looks as if it has served its last plate of oven fried chicken.
While no one from the restaurant has returned calls to Creative Loafing to tell us if or why the restaurant shut down after barely a year in operation, the sign on the door say it all: closed.
Another sign kind of gives you a big clue that the restaurant is calling it quits: Payroll checks will be mailed to you. (I’m guessing that’s a note for the employees.)
The restaurant opened in October with a big launch party in what was South End Brewery. Woods has said at the time that he wanted to offer a lighter version of Southern cuisine. He even had ‘soul sushi’ on the menu.
Many people had parties at the restaurant and for a while the future looked bright for Woods on South. Charlotte was a diamond city, according to Woods and that’s why he chose to open his restaurant here and not in Atlanta.
This is Woods’s second restaurant to close. The former Turner South star opened a restaurant in Miami in 1996. It closed shortly after it’s opening despite being highly celebrated, according to an article from the South Beach Wine and Food Festival’s Web site.
More details to follow as the story unfolds.

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