On February 8, 2013 we pledged our undying love to one another in front of the people we love and now we never miss a chance to celebrate. So on our fourth year we ended up in Wilmington, NC celebrating the happiest day of our lives.
Wilmington is an amazing city with a very rich history and AWESOME food. While doing romantic things, we were able to take a small food tour through the town. I went to some of the high-end restaurants along with some town favorites. In this post I wanted to share with you my extended thoughts on how I felt the food tasted and my recommendations if you decided to take a trip yourself. Enough talking let’s get to the food already!!!
My first stop while in Wilmington was Indochine
Indochine is an Thai-Vietnamese eatery that is a second home to the locals. Upon walking in, I knew it was going to be delicious by the large crowd of people. We had to wait 45 minutes for a table, however it wasn’t terrible due to the bar being right by the door.
As we waited I had a glass of white wine and Jamison had a shot of 1800 Tequila with a salted rim /lime on the side. Good conversations and laughs allowed the minutes to zip by. Our names were finally called and they walked us to our table. While seated we looked over the menu and decided on our appetizers.
Summer Rolls with Plum Sauce
Choice of shrimp, mango, or avocado wrapped in delicate rice paper with shredded cucumber, carrots, basil, and rice noodles. Served with plum sauce.
The Summer Rolls tasted fresh and cooling. The vegetables were crisp and the sweetness of the plum sauce just brought it all together.
Steamed Dumpling Sampler
A melody of crab and shrimp shumai, spicy wasabi pork, shrimp, pork, and vegetarian dumplings. Served with ponzu soy ginger sauce.
The steamed dumplings had awesome texture and were not gummy. The fillings of each dumpling flavor profiles were very clear. You didn’t even need a lot of soy sauce to enjoy them. These are a must try for sure.
Sushi: Dragon Tail Roll
Smoked freshwater eel, crab, shrimp, avocado, and cucumbers with a combination of red and orange roe topped with a homemade teriyaki sauce.
The smoked eel on this roll was really good. Although it tasted a bit like cooked tuna to me . The orange roe was getting stuck in my teeth and that I didn’t enjoy. The roll over all was good and I would probably try them again.
After Appetizers, dinner was served…
Pad See U with Shrimp & Chicken
Wide rice noodles sautéed in a dark sweet soy sauce with garlic, eggs, bok choy, broccoli, and onions. Served with peanuts and a lime wedge on the side.
This was a typical stir fry. However I did like that they gave me extra peanut. The portions were very large too. There is no way you are leaving this place hungry.
Braised Vietnamese Catfish
Catfish sautéed in a caramel chili soy with ginger, basil, Thai chilies, and onions. Served with a side of white rice.
This dish was different lol. I would have liked it a bit more if they used the actual catfish instead of the nuggets. I like catfish nuggets fried mostly. However, I ate it and it wasn’t terrible. I don’t think I would order it again lol.
Indochine is a cool place to go and moderately priced. So you don’t spend a lot to get cool food. I would recommend everything I had here. Now if you aren’t meat eater they have a many variations of these same dishes without meat. It is truly the place for everybody. If you are ever in the area please go and check it out.
Our next stop was Kilwin’s…
Kilwins is full of treats for the eater with the sweet tooth. Now I must warn you the line is extremely long and for good reason. The ice cream there is fabulous. I ordered the limited edition Apple Pie ice cream and Jamison had the Turtle Cheesecake ice cream. I literally wanted to eat his and mine. I kind of did…. stop judging lol This is a place you can not miss while visiting and also a local favorite!
I loved this ice cream so much, that I was legit trying to figure out how I could get it home without it melting lol. I would return back here for sure!
The Pilot House screams romance…
The Pilot House is an upscale eatery that sits directly on the river. The view is breathtaking. All you want to do is live in the luxury of the white table clothes and soft music. We ate by candlelight and just had the most amazing time. If your girl is mad and you don’t know what to do? Take her to the Pilot House bro your going to get laid for sure… You’re welcome!
Our Appetizer Chargrilled Oysters
fresh shucked oysters, butter, parmesan, garlic, panko crumbs, lemon, hot sauce, cayenne, and chives with grilled bread
Ok let’s talk oysters, I thought I didn’t like them. at all. When I had them before they were prepared incorrectly and at that moment I was like ew to that part of the sea. However the pilot house has changed my WHOLE mind. This is what I tell people about continuing to try the foods you think you don’t like. Someone may have just made it wrong and now you are missing out. I loved these so much that I ordered them from another eatery.
Then dinner came… Steak and Lobster with Fried Shrimp
grilled flank steak with Cheer Wine demi glace, chargrilled lobster tail with citrus compound butter
Buttery got DAMN on a plate. That’s all. I ate every damn shrimp! lol
Prosciutto Wrapped Grouper topped with Lump Crab and Fried Basil over Risotto
This was so good too! I love how that the fish was big and juicy. The sweetness of the crab, saltiness of the prosciutto, and the creamness of the risotto was the perfect bite.
Lastly we stop a little outside of Wilmington to Wrightsville Beach to Bridge Tender.
Bridge Tender also sits on the water and serves the freshest catch. This was a very romantic place to dine as well. The food was wonderful and there isn’t anything I can complain about. Please stop by and support this place because it is truly AMAZING!
Our Appetizer …OYSTERS ROCKEFELLER
spinach, hollandaise, applewood smoked bacon
Jesus made this with holy water and at least one disciple present. This was a blessing! Amen to these Oysters that was anointed by my sweet baby Jesus. (Shout dancing)
Then there was dinner… JUMBO SCALLOPS & HERITAGE FARMS PORK BELLY
seared sea scallops, Berkshire pork belly, braised local greens, celery root puree, Asian slaw, soy-ginger sauce
First all they didn’t have to Julienne these veggies like this! Umm yes they did! They were crisp, fresh, and DELAWCIOUS! Secondly can we talk about this sear on these JUMBO scallops? They give you 4 really big scallops! The sauce on top made me feel reborn. Like I died and came back. These scallops can be the cure to world hunger. Anyway, I would open palm slap Jay in the face for the recipe for the rub on this pork belly. We all got to take one for the team right? Pork Belly was juicy, salty, sweet, spicy, and delicious. It was sex on a plate.
Chef’s Trio
fish fillet, jumbo shrimp, jumbo crab cake, brown rice pilaf, sautéed season vegetable
It was clear that these people are using a wood grill because my scallops, shrimps, and crab cake walked on my plate then stood there like Beyoncé in a diva fan. I legit stared and smelled my plate for 4 minutes before eating. The fish was cooked perfectly, the crab cake was crabby not breaddy, and the shrimps were yummy!!!!!!!!
I hope you enjoyed this food journey and I will be sharing again when the road takes me somewhere new.
I love you for reading.
xoxo
J. Delawcious
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