Best. State. Ever?

What you are about to see is embarrassing.  Only for the simple fact that I’m about to disclose to you the unbelievable…yet necessary (haha, lies) amount of food I’ve eaten in the past five days.

The best, juiciest fried chicken I’ve ever eaten. Served with buttermilk biscuits drizzled with honey – Beasley’s Chicken and Honey, Raleigh, NC

I don’t know what kind of eaters you guys are so you may not think this is a lot of food, but my goodness I think I really overdid myself.  One thing to know about me is that I suffer from clean plate syndrome, the idea that you are not done eating until your plate is clean (THANKS A LOT, GRANDMA).  Of course, with all the very public battles against obesity I now know that I’m supposed to stop eating when I’m full but I simply cannot do it!  This leads me to feeling completely stuffed and uncomfortable and whispering to myself “why Lord? Why?”.  To be honest, the issue doesn’t come up that much when I’m at home because I just serve myself smaller portions but restaurants are a whole ‘nother ball game.

Shrimp and grits tasting, pork ragu tastings – The King’s Kitchen, Charlotte, NC

Basically on day one of this trip I realized I had to pace myself.  I’m proud to say that by day three I was able to stop eating when I was full…for the most part.  I’m still working on it.  I won’t be able to include images of everything that I ate just yet because I’m working on a food story for another travel site, but I promise to post the other article when it’s published and an additional food album later.  Here are a few culinary highlights from my trip through North Carolina and my travel schedule.

Pan Roasted Rainbow Trout with crispy pork belly, Brussels sprouts, artichokes and corn milk butter. Brussels sprouts so smoky + trout so crispy = me so happy

Day One: Raleigh/Cary – Beasley’s Chicken and Honey

Day Two: Chapel Hill – Carolina Crossroads

Day Three: Chapel Hill/Carrboro – Open Eye Café,  Neal’s Deli, Acme, Lantern

Day Four: Charlotte (Uptown and South End neighborhoods) – e2 Emeril’s Eatery, Bonterra Dining and Wine Room

Day Five: (Uptown and NoDa neighborhoods) – Harvest Moon Grille, Cowbell Burger & Bar, 7th Street Public Market, Queen City Q, Rooster’s Wood-Fired Kitchen

Mind you, that’s not everywhere I went! Ugh I’m full all over again just looking at that…

Happy weekend!