Taste Co-Chairs Diane Baldwin and Sherrie Starr present the Peppermill Trophy for Best Restaurant to Chef Smoke Boyd of The Flame. Photo by: Rick Meyer |
The Overall Favorite Restaurant and winner of the Peppermill Trophy was long time New Bern favorite, The Flame Catering and Banquet Centre, and its owner/chef Smoke Boyd. Second place went to Persimmons and Chef Gerry Fong, last year’s overall winner. And third place was awarded to Chef Ashley Moser at 247 Craven.
Lower Neuse Riverkeeper Mitch Blake presents the award for Best New Restaurant to Chef Sami Ben Selma of Bella Cucina. Photo by: Rick Meyer |
Bella Cucina is located on Trent Road in the former Pia’s and features authentic Italian food. Chef Sami, who is classically trained, hails from Milan, Italy. After spending several years working for hotel restaurants around the world, Chef Sami went to New York and then came to New Bern. The Bethlehem Shop and Deli is owned by Basma Hjouj. Since coming to the U.S. in 2004 from her native Palestine, she has introduced New Bern friends to Middle Eastern cuisine, especially food from Lebanon. Last summer she opened her storefront on MLK Blvd. where she offers food, featuring her baklava, as well as Mediterranean groceries and items. The Wild Cupcake is owned and operated by Nicole Costa. Nicole has a home-based cupcakery offering unique flavor combinations. She sells her goods at the Farmer’s Market and by special order.
Voting was tabulated for 5 special food categories: Best Appetizer, Best Soup, Best a La Carte, Best Entrée and Best Dessert. The winner and runner-ups were:
Best Appetizer
1st Christoph's on the Water for their Shrimp "Cones"2nd - Persimmons for their Carolina Sushi
And a Tie for Third Place - Bethlehem Shop and Deli for their Lebanese Spinach Pies and Le Bistro Fine Dining and Art Gallery for their various appetizers - salmon mousse, raspberry duck
Best Soup
1st- The Harvey Mansion for their Szechuan Carrot Soup with Roasted Peanuts2nd The Flame who served Butternut Squash Soup
And another Tie for Third Place - The Hurricane with their Crab Chowder and The Sea Glass Cafe for their Mushroom Gouda Soup
Best a La Carte"
1st - Carolina Bagel for their Macaroni and Cheese2nd- Savage's Woodfired Pizzeria for their selection of wood fired pizzas
Best Entree
1st- The Flame for their Beef Short Ribs with Plum Glaze2nd- MJ's Raw Bar who served Salmon Cakes with Aioli Sauce
3rd- 247 Craven for their Cider Braised Pork with Parmesan Grits
Best Dessert
1st- The Wild Cupcake for her large selection of gourmet mini-cupcakes2nd- The Java Cream with ice cream and cake pops
3rd - Rebecca's Gourmet Cafe for her Sweet Savannah's Candy Coconut and Pecan Brittle
Thirteen new restaurants who participated in this year’s Taste!
Read this previous post for more information about this year's Taste of Coastal Carolina: http://newbernnow.blogspot.com/2012/03/new-area-restaurants-add-exciting.html.
Submitted by: Sherrie Starr, Neuse Riverkeeper Foundation
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