Best Bites of the Bull City: Volume 2
This month’s “Best Bites” column features some of the favorite food and drinks of two very talented Durham chefs who are on the rise.
Ricky Moore is chef & owner (aka “Chief Rocka”) of the widely popular Saltbox Seafood Joint on N. Magnum Street. Moore is an Eastern NC native, originally from New Bern, who now resides in Chapel Hill and has been doing business in Durham for over four years. He recently announced exciting plans to open a second Saltbox Seafood location in the former Shrimp Boats location on Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.
When he’s not cooking up a storm, Moore enjoys spending time with his wife Norma, his daughter Hunter, and son Greyson. “They keep me balanced and inspired,” he adds.
Our next guest on the blog, Chef Micheal Lee, opened M Sushi just over a year ago and has already expanded his Bull City portfolio by opening Korean chicken restaurant M Kokko right next door.
Prior to his endeavors in Durham, Lee was the chef and partner at Sono Sushi in downtown Raleigh for eight years. He always wanted to see if a dedicated sushi/seafood restaurant could exist in the Triangle—one that allowed him to create a system with a narrowed down menu and very consistent quality at a very high level of execution. I think it’s safe to say it is succeeding. Lee continues to thrive in Durham with the goal of opening another three restaurant concepts within the year!
If you want to know what these chefs choose to eat when they’re not busy in their own kitchens, here’s where you can find them…
Breakfast or Brunch
Ricky Moore: I go for the the bacon, egg and cheese on toasted sourdough from Refectory Cafe.
Mike Lee: I love going to Vin Rouge and Rue Cler for weekend brunch. “There’s nothing like a nicely made hollandaise to coat your stomach lining after a bottle of bourbon,” he half-jokes.
Lunch
Ricky Moore: For lunch, I go to Toast where I enjoy their spicy tuna, olivada, fennel and lemon panini.
Mike Lee: Lunch for me needs to be quick and simple, usually on or between two pieces of good carbs…Lucky’s Delicatessen and Toast are perfect for that.
Dinner
Ricky Moore: My favorite dinner is the Caldo De Res, a long simmered beef rib and vegetable soup from El Chapin.
Mike Lee: There are so many amazing places in Durham (and more I haven’t been to), but if I have to pick, Mateo and Littler are obvious treats any evening on any day.
Dessert
Ricky Moore: For dessert, it’s The Parlour where my favorite flavor is salted butter caramel custard.
Mike Lee: Concurs, “I’m a sucker for salted caramel ice cream from The Parlour.”
Coffee/Cafe
Ricky Moore: Nothing beats the Al Mocha at Cocoa Cinnamon.
Mike Lee: Agrees, “I would like to ask Cocoa Cinnamon to open a store next to our place, please!”
Drinks
Ricky Moore: For drinks, any classic cocktail at Alley Twenty-Six is guaranteed to be good.
Mike Lee: I also love Alley Twenty-Six as well as Bar Virgile and Dashi’s izakaya…they make and have the best beverages. On top of that, these places serve awesome food until late night!
Outdoor Eating
Ricky Moore: Outdoor eating is the most fun during the Durham Food Truck Rodeo, which takes place quarterly at Durham Central Park. I enjoy whatever is available from all the great trucks in attendance.
Mike Lee: I will eat Saltbox Seafood on their porch, laying on grass, or even out back next to the dumpster if I have to.
Special Occasion
Ricky Moore: When I want a twist on special sandwich I make a “Half & Half Roll” here at Saltbox – it’s a combination seafood sandwich dressed with all garnishes.
Mike Lee: My wife and I went to Nana’s for the first time for our anniversary and everything was way above our expectations (and our expectations were high). It was amazing food and impeccable service. There is a very good reason why Nana’s is considered a staple of Durham. (Editor’s note: Nana’s restaurant closed in July, 2018)
Bang for Your Buck
Ricky Moore: An affordable and delicious breakfast and lunch can be found at Loaf by getting any of their morning pastries or flatbreads for lunch.
Mike Lee: Tacos at La Superior and Food World, which are very properly priced, are delicious and authentic.
Durham Restaurants to Try in 2017
Ricky Moore: This year, I’m looking forward to trying Mothers & Sons, Littler, NanaSteak and The Durham. I believe all of these establishments share a common philosophy about what it means and what it takes to put delicious food on the plate.
Mike Lee: I’m looking forward to trying NanaSteak. I love steak and people tell me it’s the best. I had amazing steak dish at Nana’s so I can just imagine what it will be like at a dedicated steak house. Lastly, I want to get to Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas. I was able to steal one small bite from a friend’s take-out box and it was a very memorable and delicious bite.
Dani Black says
Thanks for this! With so much food and so little time, it’s good to know what the cookers are eating : )
Egg says
Love it! What’s the avocado dish in the last photo?
magnoliawriting@gmail.com says
The last photo is from Luna – it is their fried avocado appetizer!