The Aussie Who Ate The Big Apple

WalkAbout: Tower 7 - Wrightsville Beach, NC

Well kids it’s been a while since I wrote either a review or a WalkAbout post. So I figured I would tell you about one of my favorite spots in the WB.
I spend a lot of time in Wilmington, North Carolina because quite a few of my best friends and my boyfriend are from here. It’s sort of become like a home away from home for me too.

I have been eating at Tower 7 for a few years now and I just think they really have it together. The atmosphere is fun, the food is always good and well, who doesn’t love a good margarita?
They also own a few other restaurants around town, so check out their main site HERE

We we’re in town for my best friends engagement and spent tonnes of time on Wrightsville Beach. Both days we were there, we stopped in for a bite. It became a running joke that every meal, someone would suggest Tower 7. It really is that good. Haha!

Delicious Margaritas at Tower 7
Definitely try a Margarita. They are delicious. You can choose frozen or on the rocks. Try one of the more high shelf tequilas if you wanna get crazy or start out with their Wannabe.
What I love is that Tower 7 features 100% Blue Agave Tequilas, makes their own sour mix fresh everyday. That’s what I’m talkin bout!

Now, I am usually a Baja Fish Taco girl all the way…. but I really wanted to try something different. And sometimes a change is good!

Today I went out on a limb and tried the MALIBU SHRIMP TACO- Grilled Santa Fe Marinated Black Tiger Shrimp, Salsa Fresca, Shaved Red Cabbage & Monterey Jack.
This shrimp taco was delicious. Lot’s of perfectly cooked shrimp that had some nice flavor from the grill. I added some of their hot sauce and was in heaven.
*You will find quite a few hot sauces on the table but don’t be afraid to ask your server for their favorite.
They also give you a side of either mexican rice, beans or tobacco onions.

The second time we went, I still felt like I should try something different from my usual Baja Fish Taco, so I went for this puppy.
SAN FELIPE TACO- Dos Equis Beer Battered Cod, Salsa Fresca, Avocado, Shaved Green Cabbage, Cotija & Yogurt Ranch.

Definitely filling and I loved the avocado added to the taco. Cabbage and cheese were on the bottom and added a great texture balance to the crispy fish.

TIP: If you are Gluten Free, choose one of the homemade corn tortillas instead of flour.

If you are in Wilmington, NC, make sure you stop by the beach and also do yourself a favor and stop into Tower 7. I have never had a bad meal there.
Lot’s of surf videos playing, pretty people in bathing suits walking by. Fun, sunny and delish!

*also while we were there Hilary Swank was eating across from us. So you never know who you may spot in there…

WalkAbout : Wilmington NC - San Juan Cafe

So this is my first “WalkAbout” post from outside NYC.
I was spending a few days in Wilmington North Carolina with Kit and his family and really enjoyed our dinner at a new Latin American Restaurant there called ” San Juan Cafe “

The restaurant was founded in February of 2010 by Chef Danny Keegan. A Puerto Rican native, Danny grew up in the small town of Guanica, where he began helping his mother cook for their family at a young age.
After leaving Puerto Rico, Danny chose to pursue Culinary Arts at Johnson & Whales University in Charleston, South Carolina. After graduating, he relocated to Wilmington, where he now lives with his wife and 3 children.

Our meal started with Soup :

Charros
Mexican pinto bean & chorrizo sausage.
The broth was rich and smoky with small bites of chorrizo amidst the tender pinto beans. Seasoned well and I could definitely have eaten a big bowl of this as a meal. So delicious!
Caldo Gallego

White bean & collard soup.
Kit had the white bean and collard soup which had a really nice amount of garlic and seasoning to the broth. The collards were bright, fresh and flavorful and the white beans were tender.

Aracherra

Grilled Skirt Steak served with rice & beans, sweet red onion, & Latin-American pesto
The steak was tender and cooked to a perfect medium rare with a lovely pesto as a sauce. The latin american pesto was probably made with cilantro as it had a really bright flavor and was a great match to the steak. The sweet red onion/pickled onion was a nice addition and added some acidity to the plate.
SPECIAL: Grouper w/ Mofongo pickled caggabe, asparagus and beurre blanc
This was beautiful!!! The fish was so fresh and I was really interested to try the MOFONGO which was served with pickled cabbage on top. The asparagus was tender and fresh and the Beurre Blanc was well balanced.

Mofongo is generally made from fried green plantains (although fried yuca or breadfruit are possible) which is mashed together with broth, garlic, olive oil, and pork cracklings or bits of bacon. It is often filled with vegetables, chicken, crab, shrimp, or beef and is often served with fried meat and chicken broth soup.[1] Mofongo relleno is mofongo stuffed with stewed beef, chicken or seafood, with stewed sauce poured over.

The mofongo was delicious and I would definitely try the Stuffed Mofongo on the menu next time!

Dessert
- Coconut Cake & Flan de Vanilla
The dessert was wonderful. Kit’s mum was celebrating her birthday so we went all out and ordered the homemade flan AND coconut cake.
The texture of the flan was smooth and rich and melted in your mouth. The caramel sauce had that delicious burnt sugar flavor of creme brulee.
I am a lover of all things coconut and this cake was spot on! So fresh and moist with delicate sweetness and coconut flavor.

The service was super friendly and both the manager and bartender were very helpful and offered great tips and favorites.

If you are ever in Wilmington and want to check out this restaurant I highly recommend it!
They have great nightly specials too including Fish Taco’s on Tuesday nights and $3 Mojito’s on Mondays…. Helllllo! ;)

Twitter @SanJuanCafe