I guess people will expect me to spend a lot of this month’s column on Crook’s Corner. I don’t know anything about the business or financial arrangements of the last few years, so I can’t answer any of those questions. But I can reminisce a bit about my time there and about the place it held in our community. It would be quite an understatement to say that the town was shocked by the news. That was followed by a general sadness. Literally thousands of people took time to contact me, even though I hadn’t really worked there in several years. I have gotten to know a great many journalists over the course of my career and I think I’ve heard from all of them in the last week or so.
Like most places that stick around a long time, there was more than food involved. I always wanted us to do our best as cooks, to be sure, but it was just as important that the people who came in should have a good time as well as a good dinner. I made more good friends because of my time there than I could possibly list, so I’m not going to start. I will be forever grateful for the privilege of working with all of those wonderful cooks who were in my kitchen over those twenty five years. It was hard but mostly it was fun. And happily, I took those friendships with me when I retired.
Check before you go, because things are changing quickly, but around town, it’s getting more and more back to normal. Imbibe is opening Zog’s, it’s upstairs bar for indoor dining. Still take out only downstairs. Glass Half Full is planning to reopen around Bastille Day (July 14th). Weaver Street has thrown open its lawn, full force. Linda’s, praise the heavens, has pulled through and is serving inside again, but they are keeping their online ordering as well. Acme is serving inside and out and has announced the return of their annual Tomato Festival. This will be their 20th and it will be held July 15th through 18th… I lunched, oddly since I rarely stop for lunch, at three places that are within sight of one another in Carrboro: Luna, Gourmet Kingdom and Iza. At Luna they have a succotash made with posole and you can have popcorn as a first course. Iza’s full name is Iza Whiskey and Eats. You’d think I’d be there for every meal. We sat outside and I had Firecracker Shrimp that was both pretty and delicious. At Gourmet Kingdom, things like seafood and vegetables seem to change all of the time. We were served a whole seabass and, an eyeopener for me — water spinach. Water spinach is delicious and its season here is short lived, apparently. Our various Farmers Markets are fast approaching their full glory. Last year, when we couldn’t go out at all, I started spending my bar money on flowers for my house. Now, I can go out again, but I can’t seem to quit buying flowers. To be continued…
The inescapable Atlantic Beach Pie is on the cover of the June issue of Southern Living, so it seems appropriate to offer Tomato and Watermelon Salad as this month’s recipe. It appeared on their cover in July of 2007.
Tomato and Watermelon Salad
Serves 4-6
- 5 cups ripe, bite-sized watermelon chunks, seeded more or less
- 1 ½ pounds very ripe tomatoes, similarly chunked
- 3 teaspoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 small red onion, peeled, quartered and thinly sliced
- ½ cup red wine vinegar
- ¼ cup good olive oil
Toss the melon and tomatoes with the sugar and salt. Let sit for 15 minutes. Then fold in the onions, vinegar and oil. Serve very cold.
“Just The Bill, Please” is a regular column on Chapelboro.com penned by local culinary legend Bill Smith. Born and raised in New Bern, Bill Smith spent 25 years heading up the kitchen in Crook’s Corner — and over the years, he accumulated the accolades to match his incomparable takes on classic Southern food.
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.
