| RESTAURANT REVIEW WILMINGTON STAR NEWS |
| Latest Review February 22, 2006 By Jaclyn Piermarini Star-News Correspondent Sweet and Savory might not be the first place that jumps into your mind when you think of checking out a local band, and I can’t say that I wasn’t a little hesitant myself. All I knew about the place was that I’d had a few tasty lunches there in a fluorescent-lighted room packed full of people in flip-flops and T-shirts. But a couple of raves about singer/songwriter Sai Collins from some very discriminating friends got me in the door for dinner on a Wednesday. I was in for a bit of a surprise; the bustling lunch joint had traded in its sterile lighting for candles and pristine tablecloths, and the room had been transformed into an intimate little dinner spot. Sai Collins seemed to be a perfect addition to the scene; I had the impression that I was in his living room as he comfortably made his rounds to chat with friends and have a bite to eat between songs. With acoustic guitar in hand and a well-placed tambourine under his foot, Collins played a mix of reworked covers and originals from his new disc Through my Eyes. With delicate arrangements comparable to the folk rock sounds of Jack Johnson and Ben Harper, Collins picked his way through tributes to both artists, his smooth voice gliding over the rougher edges of the songs. Positive lyrics wove a common thread through the show, and an almost childlike fascination with the world around him stood out on tracks such as Worth the Drive and Scarlet Butterfly. A slightly sped-up version of Tom Petty and the Heartbreaker’s Last Dance with Mary Jane seemed to want to break out of the calming set that Collins had created, but even the faster pace could not diminish its likeness to a sweet lullaby. Playing to a dinner crowd can be a difficult order to fill, but Sai Collins rose above being just background music, no doubt surprising a few unsuspecting diners and gaining more than a few new fans. Review of April 07. 2005 By Allison Ballard Staff Writer allison.ballard@starnewsonline.com In its first 12 years, Sweet & Savory Bake Shop developed a reputation. Dave Herring built the business on great soups, sandwiches and baked goods. Last year, new owners Rob and Dayna Shapiro took over and added a third meal to the menu Dinner and lunch at Sweet and Savory are as different as, well, night and day. During the daylight hours, the atmosphere is still the way it has been. Mr. Herring, who stayed on to help manage the restaurant, makes the soups. (I enjoyed the tomato basil soup and the seafood jambalaya.) A steady stream of customers flow in and out, seating themselves at tables with wildflower bouquets and paper menus. I expected a similar vibe in the evening, but with the addition of tablecloths, candlelight and live music on some nights, Sweet & Savory takes on a new atmosphere. As an appetizer, the shrimp and grits ($8.95) is a fairly traditional rendition, with large shrimp, chunks of bacon and sausage and sautéed mushrooms and onions in a cream sauce. The grits, though, were fried into cake wedges. We were a bit concerned if it would be easy to share. But when it arrived at the table, we didn't have a problem dividing the goodies. We also tried the fried cheese sticks ($5.95). It's something I usually overlook when ordering. But this time, I noticed the description listed these as hand cut cheese sticks that are also breaded and fried by hand. Our entrees were of the same good quality. The chicken saltimbocca ($15), sautéed with prosciutto, mushrooms, spinach and topped with cheese and served on a bed of pasta, was declared the best of those we tried. I also enjoyed the encrusted filet mignon ($19) even though the blue cheese topping nearly overwhelmed the taste of the beef. The elements of the parmesan spinach grouper ($18) – cheese-topped fish and sides of rice and sautéed spinach – blended best when sampled together. No matter what time of day, the sweets at Sweet & Savory are worth a trip. In addition to the brownies and bear claws available in the pastry case, the dinner menu lists cakes of the day, pies of the day and elaborate concoctions such as Crème Brulee ($4.95). On our visit, one of the daily selections was a Dutch Apple Pie ($3.50), which was one of the best I've tried. But our favorite, and one our server recommended wholeheartedly, was the Chocolate Meltdown ($5.25). It's a chocolate toffee brownie, topped with warm chocolate ganache, ice cream and whipped cream. Each ingredient is yummy individually; together, they're spectacular. Allison Ballard: 343-2376 allison.ballard@starnewsonline.com |
| sweet & savory bake shop Cuisine: pastries, soups, salads, dinner entrees Location: 1611 Pavilion Place, near Wrightsville Beach Phone: 256-0115 Hours: 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. Price Range: Breakfast and lunch prices are $2.95-$7.95. Dinner entrees are $12-$19. Payment: Master Card, Visa, AmEx and checks accepted Sanitation grade: 95.5 Parking: in a lot in front of the restaurant Atmosphere: During the day, it's busy and bright. At dinner, tablecloths, candlelight, and live music give a cozier feel. We say: If you're a fan of Sweet & Savory's daytime menus, you'll be just as pleased (and maybe a little surprised) at dinner. Desserts are great any time of day. Web site: www.sweetandsavorycafe.com |
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