My First Time: Fourth Ward Bread Co. In Uptown

My experience on Tuesday was (actually) my second time visiting Fourth Ward Bread Co.--my first time was in December when I met a friend there for coffee. I expect to now make this my go-to bakery/cafe/coffee shop when I'm in Uptown.

Simply put, Fourth Ward Bread Co. is awesome. Open since September, it's located on North Graham Street, just off the intersection of Graham and Sixth streets (across from CVS). The layout is inviting, the decor charming: high ceilings, exposed brick walls, tall windows, and cool furniture, like a table propped up by an antique bike.

Photos by Jarvis Holliday.

The food is the star, though--this is, after all, a bakery. On my first visit I had the egg and cheese croissant; on Tuesday I ate lunch there, ordering the turkey bianca (sandwich) with the soup of the day, which was clam chowder. It's hard to convey how good the food here is. It's served fresh, hot, and flavorful--everything you would want from a bakery. I can't wait to try other items on the menu, particularly the sweets like the cinnamon bun, cookies, and cannoli. The coffee is decent; I'd say there's room for improvement with it.

Because I'm someone who often finds myself needing a space to do a couple of hours of work on my laptop in between meetings or interviews for stories, I love that this spot has plenty of tables and seating. And there's free WiFi, of course. Fourth Ward Bread Co. is family-owned, so that's another reason I look forward to being a repeat customer.

Another cool fact: the cafe was used in a scene in Homeland last season. Remember when Saul's wife was having that affair?

Photo credit: Facebook

Fourth Ward Bread Co., 312 N. Graham St., fourthwardbreadco.com, facebook.com/fourthwardbreadco.

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LaCa Projects Turns One Year Old, Brings Cuban Art Exhibition to Charlotte

Latin American Contemporary Art (LaCa) Projects opened exactly one year ago this Friday (March 21) in the revitalized FreeMoreWest neighborhood in Charlotte. I've been wanting to check out the gallery for the past year, and finally made it happen last Thursday for the opening of Cuba: Art of the Fantastic. The opening reception drew a great crowd and featured live music and dancing in addition to the amazing artwork.

Curated by Abelardo Mena, Cuba: Art of the Fantastic is said to be the first exhibition of Cuban visual production in Charlotte and the surrounding region. Mena is the curator of Contemporary International Art at the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in Havana, and this exhibit brings together four incredible artists: Juan Carlos Verdial, Alicia de la Campa, Alexander González, and Vicente Hernández. "Full of imagination and fantasy, these artists are joined by their eagerness to freely reinterpret symbols of the Cuban culture, of its geography and history, Catholic and African popular religions, proverbs of the Cuban popular idiosyncrasy, and by their deep knowledge and intertextual game with iconic works of the Western, European, and United States, all places where they have gathered considerable momentum," as the exhibit is described in the press release.

Cuba: Art of the Fantastic is on display through May 2. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 1-5 p.m., and by appointment.

LaCa Projects, located at 1429 Bryant St., is a great space, tucked away amid other renovated buildings that have been transformed for commercial and artistic uses. Usually when I make my way over to FreeMoreWest, I'm visiting the restaurants along the West Morehead Street corridor, like The Burger Company, Pinky's Westside Grill, and Savor Cafe. But if you make short turns onto South Sumit Avenue and Bryant Street, you'll find LaCa, which is dedicated to the presentation, development, and promotion of Latin American art and culture. The gallery is part of a larger planned expansion that includes artist studios and a cafe.

Ventures like LaCa Projects show that there are many diverse cultures thriving in Charlotte, and you should certainly pay them a visit. For more details, go to lacaprojects.com, facebook.com/LaCaProjects, and twitter.com/LaCaProjects.

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Sell (or Recycle) Your Used Cell Phones, Tablets, and MP3 Players to ecoATM

I stumbled upon an ecoATM a few weeks ago while at Northlake Mall. I decided to pay it a visit this evening, with old cell phone in tow.

If you aren't familiar with ecoATM, it's an automated kiosk that allows you to sell your old mobile phones, tablets, and MP3 players and get cash instantly. That is, if it's determined there's a value for it. There are, reportedly, about 650 ecoATMs around the country, including eight in the Charlotte area: two each at Northlake, Carolina Place, Concord Mills, and Eastridge (Gastonia) malls. At Northlake Mall, there's one on level two just off the food court, near the path to AMC Theatres; and the other is on level one near the entrance to Dillard's.

The ecoATM on level two at Northlake Mall. Photos credit: Jarvis Holliday

The ecoATM on level one.

According to ecoATM, it is able to assess more than 4,000 devices. I experienced firsthand just how easy it is to use. The kiosk makes it clear that the company wants you to be able to get money quick and easy, but that it wants to deter criminal activity, i.e. if someone tries to sell a stolen iPhone they will probably be tracked down. You're required to scan your driver's license or some other form of state-issued ID early on in the process. (If you get to the end where you're about to complete the sale, you'll also have to scan your thumbprint and your photo is taken).

The machine spits out a small tracking sticker, which looks like a QR code, for you to place on the back of the device. Then, you place your device inside a box on the machine, where it works its magic. After about a minute or less, it determined that there was "not a market for my device." So, the (stingy, LOL) ecoATM wouldn't offer me any cash for it, but it did offer to recycle the phone for me. I decided to hold onto it (even though it's practically useless to me).

That's the other advantage to using this machine. If devices taken in by ecoATM can't be resold, they're recycled, which helps the environment by keeping the old electronics from ending up in landfills. In April, the company announced that it had recycled its one-millionth device; it's now approaching two million. There's a large market out there for this service, considering it's estimated that Americans have as many as half a billion old mobile devices lying around that they are no longer using. That happens because the average shelf life of those devices, the majority of which are phones, is less than two years. Because, you know, you usually upgrade to a new phone or it breaks. And the old phones likely pile up in a drawer or box somewhere in your house.

I think a lot of us hold onto them because of all of the data, particularly photos and videos, that we've accumulated on them (ecoATM advises you to delete all of your info from the phone before selling it). I went through my old phone last night and it was like scrolling down memory lane as I looked at photos I took on it between 2009 and 2011. I got my current phone in November 2011, and I plan to replace it in about a month or so (I know, I use a phone longer than most of you; that's probably because I'm not #TeamiPhone). This one has a ridiculous amount of personal data stored on it.

Here's a tip. The two ecoATMs at Northlake Mall are slightly different. The one on level one requires you to stick your driver's license in a reader/slot similar to a cash dispensing ATM, whereas the one on level two requires you to place it against a small glass surface that acts as a scanner. The latter will probably work better for you if your license is old and/or has a crack in it, which could prevent it from successfully sliding through the reader.

Visit ecoatm.com.

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My First Time: Lazy 5 Ranch In Mooresville

I've been hearing about Lazy 5 Ranch for several years now and finally made the 40-minute drive to the animal farm in Mooresville yesterday. Andrea and I went, and even though I knew enough about it to know what to expect, there's nothing like experiencing it for yourself. With this being the end of summer and fall soon upon us, now is as good a time (and weather) as any for you to visit.

Lazy 5 Ranch is a privately owned and operated attraction in Mooresville that's open daily to the public. It features more than 750 animals from six continents, and you get to see them while riding along a three-and-a-half-mile safari trail. You can choose to drive the trail in your own car, or ride one of the wagons, which depart at scheduled times. We drove, which I think enhances the fun because you can go at your own pace (assuming there's not a lot of cars on the trail).

You have the option of feeding the animals (all except for the "cows with the long horns, buffalo, or the zebra" as the instructions state--I assume they're the really mean ones). You do that after purchasing a bucket of feed. While driving along the trail, you're not allowed to get out of the car (you don't really want to), but it truly is like a safari ride. You'll pass many exotic animals. And not just pass them--they'll come up to your car windows. These animals know that the sight of cars means that chances are a bucket of food will soon be dangling out of the window. The alpaca seem to be the greediest--it's funny how intuitive they are to the sound of windows rolling down. And it can be a little frightening to see some of the large animals approach your car, but that adds to the fun.

The safari trail is undoubtedly the most popular attraction, but Lazy 5 is also home to petting areas (where you can walk around and get close to animals), a playground, picnic area, gift shop, and a few snack options like an ice cream stand. It's fun for the whole family, and is also a great date option. I'll let these photos I took with my Windows Phone tell the rest of the story.

The sight of one of the animals inspired this tweet from me yesterday (ode to the Geico "Hump Day" commercial):

Uh oh, guess what day it is. Guess what day IT IS. At Lazy 5 Ranch in #Mooresville. pic.twitter.com/mbufhBphcF
— Jarvis Holliday (@HollidayInk) September 8, 2013

Lazy 5 Ranch is open year-round. Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. until 1 hour before sunset; Sunday 1 p.m. until 1 hour before sunset. General admission: adults, $9.50; children (ages 2-11) and seniors, $6.50; feed available for $3 per bucket. Admission with wagon ride (includes feed): adults, $14.50; children and seniors, $9.50. Only cash is accepted, no debit or credit cards.

Lazy 5 Ranch, 15100 Mooresville Rd., Mooresville, 704-663-5100, lazy5ranch.com, Facebook.

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My First Time: Moe's Original Bar B Que In Matthews

The Charlotte area's offerings of barbecue continue to grow. I was invited last week to visit Moe’s Original Bar B Que, which opened in June in Matthews. The barbecue franchise started as a single restaurant in Colorado by three friends who met at the University of Alabama. That pretty much explains why today nearly all of the 26 locations are either located in Colorado or the South--Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee (relatively speaking, the franchise has expanded rapidly over the last three years).

The Matthews location is owned by another trio, husband and wife Brian and Janeen Fairhurst, and brother Craig Fairhurst. They picked a great location in the charming area along Matthews Station Street, which has the look and feel of a quaint town square. There are restaurants, shops, the Village Green park, public library, historic train depot, and more all in that area. Moe's is housed in a standalone space that formerly housed a Mexican restaurant, but you know you're in a BBQ spot as soon as you enter.

Photos credit: Moe's

Having lived in Charlotte for several years now, I've experienced the never-ending Eastern versus Western North Carolina barbecue debate, whether at events, on TV, or at different restaurants. But Moe's is described as Alabama-style, and this was my first time trying that. The restaurant's signature approach to barbecue is to smoke all of its meats daily using fruit wood

Whenever visiting a barbecue restaurant for the first time, it's imperative that I try the pulled pork. So I ordered the Pulled Pork Platter ($10.25), which comes with two sides, cornbread, and a drink. I chose the mac 'n cheese and banana pudding as my sides. The pork was juicy and tender, and the sauce was flavorful, with a great mixture of spiciness and sweetness. The mac 'n cheese was tasty as well. And I'm a stickler about my banana pudding so I was prepared to be extremely critical: Moe's passed the test. It was good, even though, strangely to me, the pudding was more of a cream color than yellow. Didn't matter though--it was delicious.

Moe's is a family-friendly restaurant, but also has a small bar that serves about a dozen local and regional beers on tap (a good selection). When I arrived on that Thursday evening around 6:45 p.m., the restaurant was packed with people of all ages.

I get asked often by people who are visiting Charlotte, are new to Charlotte, or by my blog's readers who email me asking, what are the best places in Charlotte to get barbecue. I'll now add Moe’s Original Bar B Que to my list of suggestions (which includes Mac's Speed Shop and Queen City Q, as well as others outside of the center city), and by visiting Moe's it'll also give them an opportunity to experience this quaint downtown area.  

Moe’s Original Bar B Que, 111 Matthews Station St., Matthews, 704-814-6637, moesoriginalbbq.com, facebook.com/MoesOriginalBBQMatthews, twitter.com/MoesBBQMatthews. Hours: Mon-Sat., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; closed Sundays.

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My First Time: Chuy's In SouthPark

I dined at Chuy's on Wednesday evening. The Austin, Texas-based Tex-Mex restaurant chain opened a location in SouthPark less than three weeks ago. There are 44 (and counting) Chuy's restaurants across Texas and the Southeast, and this is the first in North Carolina.

On the way there, when I found out it was located in the space that formerly housed Zink American Kitchen, which first was the home of M5 Modern Mediterranean (both formerly run by Harper's Restaurant Group), my exact words were it was an interesting location for a Tex-Mex restaurant because the prior decor and layout were very upscale (M5 was a hotspot for socialites and local celebrities in its heyday). Well, Chuy's has completely renovated the space and made it its own.

Photos credit: My Windows Phone

One of the company's slogans is "If you've seen one Chuy's, you've seen one Chuy's," meaning each location has a personality of its own. But they all have signature elements of the decor in common like bright colors (flamingo pink is how I describe it) from the floor tiles to the walls, ceiling, and furniture, metal palm trees and funky art. It's intentionally tacky, which makes it appealing, reminiscent of a cheap, 1970s-era Las Vegas diner or casino.

When we arrived to Chuy's around 7:15 p.m., the hostess said it would be about a 45-minute wait. (Side note: Chuy's is in The Village at SouthPark next door to The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, making it one of the most in-demand restaurant corners in the area.) So we went to the bar and ordered margaritas, I grabbed a basket of complimentary nachos and salsa from the Nacho Car, and we sat on a bench on the patio. Luckily, our wait time was only about half of what the hostess previously estimated, so we only had about a 25-minute wait overall. We were seated on the patio, which was great because the weather was pleasant for a July night (it wasn't hot thanks to all this rain we've been getting).

Decor and ambiance aside, we all know that the most important element of a restaurant is the food. I ordered the No. 6 combination--Enchilada, Taco & Chalupa--which is described on the menu as a cheese Tex-Mex enchilada, seasoned ground sirloin crispy taco, and chicken chalupa, a homemade corn tortilla fried and topped with refried beans, cheese, freshly-roasted, hand-pulled chicken, lettuce, tomatoes and jalapeños. I also chose Mexican rice and refried beans from the options of accompaniments.

The meal was delicious. If I had to point out particular standouts I would say I was most impressed with the enchilada and Mexican rice--some of the best I've ever had at a Tex-Mex restaurant.

Chuy's, at The Village at SouthPark, 4310 Sharon Rd., 704-364-3959, www.chuys.com, facebook.com/chuyscharlotte. Hours: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 12:30-6 p.m.

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My First Time: Taco Mac Sports Grill

When there's a new place--especially a restaurant--opening in Charlotte, if it's being raved about, usually it's not long after it opens that I try out. But occasionally, a first visit eludes me for a while. That was the case with Taco Mac Sports Grill.

I was working with a colleague today on an assignment in University City, and there was a Taco Mac nearby. The only Taco Mac location in Charlotte I was aware of until now was the SouthPark one. But tonight I learned there are three around here, with the other being in Huntersville.

If you don't know the Taco Mac story, it originated as a single restaurant in Atlanta nearly 35 years ago, opened by some Buffalo, New York natives who had the goal of serving great Buffalo wings in the ATL. Over the years, the menu and popularity grew, and today there are 24 locations in the Greater Atlanta area. So for decades, they focused on expanding in ATL, and they opened a lone location in Chattanooga, Tennessee several years ago. Those were the only cities you could find them, until they expanded to Charlotte with the opening of the one in SouthPark in September 2010, University in May 2011, and Huntersville in October 2011.

So back to my experience tonight, before walking into Taco Mac, I told my colleague, who's visiting from New York, that I hadn't dined at Taco Mac before but that I'd heard two main things about it: a lot of TVs and a lot of beers. Sho nuff are.

Taco Mac in University has more than 100 beers on draft, 115 in the bottle, and 70-plus TVs (the numbers vary per location; SouthPark has 140 beers on draft). One of the things I really like is that inserted in the massive beer menu is an informative front-and-back one-sheet. One side is labeled "Today's Beer Update" and it features a list of beers that have just arrived, that they're running out of, and beers that are gone, along with the specials of the day. The other side of the sheet defines the "Beer Styles," explaining the characteristics of the different lagers, ales, IPAs, and such, which is extremely helpful for a beer novice like myself.

With so many beers to choose from, I decided to go with one of the local craft beers, The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Fruh Bock. I'm not really a beer lover, but I thought it was a pretty good lager. And, of course, there's the food. If I'm at Taco Mac, I may as well try the tacos, right? (Don't let the name mislead you, it's not a Mexican restaurant.) I ordered three of the hard-shell Beef Street Tacos. They were good, but not much different or more exceptional than tacos I've eaten before. Next time I visit, and it won't take me as long to go back as it took me to go for the first time, I'm going to try the Buffalo wings, since that's Taco Mac's signature item.

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My First Time: Nova's Bakery in South End

I had a coffee meeting yesterday afternoon with an editor for one of the publications I write for. When we were scheduling the meeting, I suggested we have it at Nova's Bakery in South End. I hadn't been there before, so I figured now would be a good time to check it out.

There are actually two Nova's Bakery locations. This one opened last fall at 1515 South Boulevard (in the former Laurel Market space), and the main one is located in Plaza Midwood--they also set up shop on Saturdays at the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market. All told, Nova's has been making fresh European breads and pastries in Charlotte since 1996, and eventually began serving coffee.

We all hold meetings from time to time at coffee shops/bakeries, but rather than go to the big chains like Starbucks and Panera all the time, I try to support the mom-and-pops. And the great thing about the South End location of Nova's is that it's opened 24 hours a day (Nova's joins Amelie's French Bakery in NoDa as, I believe, the only two 24-hour coffee/bakery spots in the Center City and surrounding areas).

I enjoyed a large cup of Brazilian roast coffee and two croissants--one almond-filled and the other chocolate. The croissants were fresh and tasty, but I wish there was more filling. As for the building, it's a quaint space, with free WiFi, seating inside for eight to 10 people, and seating outside for 10 to 12.

Visit www.novasbakery.com for more details.

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My First Time: Hiking Crowders Mountain, Dining at Azteca Mexican Restaurant

Even though we're less than one month into the winter season, over the weekend you would've thought it was spring in Charlotte. Saturday and Sunday each surpassed 70 degrees, and I know a lot of people took advantage of the great weather.

Personally, Andrea and I went hiking at Crowders Mountain State Park in Kings Mountain on Saturday. She'd gone a few times before, but this was my first time. It was obvious that the unseasonably warm weather had brought out plenty of hikers, as the trails were busy with people of all ages, including many with their children and dogs. But if you're going to climb to the top of the mountain, which we did, prepare for a workout. It was worth the burn in my legs to enjoy the fresh air and to be able to look out over several surrounding cities and towns from the mountaintop.

After about two hours on the trail, we'd certainly worked up an appetite. Crowders Mountain is just outside of Gastonia and since we'd have to pass through Gastonia en route back to Charlotte, we decided to find a place there for a late lunch/early dinner. Franklin Boulevard in Gastonia is home to a lot of retail stores and restaurants--you'll actually find some locations of franchises we don't have in Charlotte. But if I was going to eat in Gastonia on a rare occasion, I didn't want it to be at some big chain restaurant.

There are several Mexican restaurants along Franklin Boulevard, and we sort of picked one out of the hat and went to Azteca Mexican Restaurant (1863 W. Franklin Blvd.). It was a good choice, as we encountered good food, good margaritas, and friendly service. To elaborate, I had the largest margarita I'd ever been served (that's the normal size, and it costs only $7.25) followed by one of the largest dinner plates I'd ever seen.

A margarita fit for an Aztec king.

Complimentary chips and salsa.

Two tacos and an enchilada with rice and re-fried beans.

This cool painting was on the wall above our booth.

There are three other locations of Azteca Mexican Restaurant in the area: two in Charlotte--one on Woodlawn Road and one in north Charlotte--and a Matthews location. Visit aztecarestaurantcharlotte.com for more details.

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