That's it man, game over man, gameover!

What - the - hell - was - I - thinking???

Where did I get the bright idea to tell the Restaurant Manager and  Executive Chef of Rooster's Wood Fired Kitchen about this blog? I guess I just couldn't help myself... Like watching a train wreck...

It all started back in March when I had a wonderful meal at the restaurant in question. I wrote a review and it became my very first post for this blog. Effectively that review/post started this blog. So when Laura Lee, the manager, approached me tonight and it was obvious that she remembered me after nearly 4 months, I was more than a little impressed. She asked me how I had been and I lost control of my brain... and tongue... 'Blurt' is a good word for what occurred next. I told her about writing the review and how it was partial inspiration for the blog, and what I was doing with it. Imagine my chagrin when she said she wanted to check it out. But I kept my cool and said something on the order of "cool" with only a slight crack in my voice, panic welling up in the pit of my stomach... After a little more very polite conversation Laura Lee left me to my very tasty cream of mushroom soup with truffle oil.

My waiter, (whose name I never really did catch, sorry dude) brought my charcuterie sampler, comprised of pork rillettes, bresaola, cured duck, Serrano ham and speck. The rillettes, bresaola, and duck ham were house made and really really good. I asked the waiter if he knew what spice the bresaola was with and he confessed he didn't but would find out. He walked about 10 feet to Ramon the executive chef and asked on my behalf. I imagine the my surprise when Ramon came over to talk to me himself and he also recognized me just like Laura Lee did. He even remembered what I had for dinner. I was again done in... I started to babble about the blog and my charcuterie and smoked leg of lamb... I wonder how much of a dork I sounded like. I must not have made too much of an ass of myself because Ramon and I talked for a while about food and charcuterie and the restaurant world. It was really cool... and he wanted to see the blog too... bugger!

All told I spent 2 or so hours at Rooster's watching the cooks and chefs handle the first dinner rush, eating wonderful food and talking to staff. It was a kewl dinner. I even ordered the mac & cheese. I got to find out what cheese they use in the mac... Sweeet

I even did something I don't do often when on the road, I brought leftovers back to the hotel...

 

Clock wise from the top left Serrano, bresaola, rillettes, speck and in the middle the mac & cheese.

This has kinda turned into another review... So final thoughts:
Only had one creative criticism, the cream of mushroom was a little flat. On a scale of 1-10 it was an 8. It just needed something to brighten it up a little. On whole it still gets high marks for service, decor, and food.

Roosters will remain on my favorites list and is still number one in Charlotte.

If you make it to or live in Charlotte, go to Rooster's. Go a lot. Take bunches of friends.

Cheers

Chris

PS to Laura Lee and Ramon if you read this or the original post... The stools are only uncomfortable after an extended period of time, which I will gladly endure again the next time I am in Charlotte.

C.