We all need a little green today, since we’re all watching grass turn brown, and we’re all spending more green to fill our gas tanks and gullets. Ergo, Now Serving presents an all-green edition.
First, while you’re staring at your suddenly brown lawn, envision the green hills of Irelandor at least the cool, dark interior of an Irish pub. Trálí Irish Restaurant & Pub (10370 Moncreiffe Road, Suite 109, Raleigh, 544-4141, www.traliirishpub.com) is now open in the Brierdale Shopping Center near Brier Creek. Trálí’s chef Tom Buckley hails from Tralee, Ireland, in County Kerry. (It’s spelled “tra li” in Irish.)
Buckley has brought Irish favorites (lamb shank stew, shepherd’s pie, Murphy’s Stout) and pub favorites (chicken wings, beer-battered onion rings, burgers) across the pond. His menu also features Greek salad, cod and potato cakes, and a corned beef sandwich. Trálí is open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily.
Another spot for cool eats is Green Tango (www.greentango.com), which serves fresh chopped salads in two Durham locations, at 3211 Shannon Road (401-5800) and the food court at Northgate Mall (416-9700). Soon there will be a third Green Tango at Pavilion East at Lakeview, also in Durham. The targeted opening is September, and if you want to check on progress before then, the construction blog (www.greentangopavilioneast.blogspot.com) promises to “detail every step of the process.”
What’s greener than eating locally and supporting local farmers? Panzanella (200 N. Greensboro St., Carrboro, 929-6626, www.panzanella.com) will host a farm dinner Monday, June 23, featuring menu items created from produce grown by Cathy Jones and Michael Perry at Chatham County’s Perry-winkle Farm. The menu is a la carte. Hours for the dinner are 5:30-9 p.m.; arrive at any time during that window. Call for reservations if your party has six or more.
And finally, here’s a tip for even-greener farmers’ market shopping, courtesy of the South Estes Farmers’ Market (201 S. Estes Drive, Chapel Hill, southestesfarmersmarket.com): Create your own market shopping kit. Assemble cloth bags and reusable produce bags (for potatoes, onions, root vegetables, citrus fruits, etc.); to-go mug (for hot beverages); containers/ reusable plastic tubs (for nuts, beans, salad mix, delicate fruits, etc.); a water bottle; used paper and plastic bags (for bread, mushrooms, loose produce, greens, etc.); cloth napkins (for use in place of paper napkins); and utensils (for eating at the market). “Store your kit near the door, in the trunk of your car, or in any other location that will help you remember to bring it.” The South Estes Farmers’ Market is open 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, but this tip is good for any farmers’ market. Check out the Indy‘s list of Triangle farmers’ markets.
Know about a fun food happening in the Triangle? Send it to Now Serving at food@indyweek.com.
