Port City Foodies: Getting ready for a big food weekend in this week's restaurant news

Allison Ballard, Wilmington StarNews
·2 min read
The Grilled Cheese Benedict, a special for January 2023, with a serving of black-truffle grits and a mimosa with fresh-squeezed orange juice.
The Grilled Cheese Benedict, a special for January 2023, with a serving of black-truffle grits and a mimosa with fresh-squeezed orange juice.

Welcome to the weekly Port City Foodies newsletter brought to you by me, StarNews reporter Allison Ballard. I’ve heard there’s some sort of sporting event on Sunday. I don’t know many of the details, but I do know it’s going to be a big, big week for food! Today begins the Lunar New Year and several local eateries have specials. Plus, it’s peak time for football snacks – and the next week brings Mardi Gras and Valentine’s Day. I hope you have a game plan for deliciousness. If not, here are some ideas.

So good, it’s Frightening

In addition to all of the other national and global happenings, Friday, Feb. 9 is also the last day of a Wilmington-specific holiday. Tropical Lightning Week! Today, you can stop by Wilmington Brewing Company, of one of their participating vendors, for the last beer release of the week. It’s an IPA brewed with raspberries and blood oranges.

More: Forecast: A week of Tropical Lightning beer at this Wilmington brewery

Tropical Frightening, which is an Imperial IPA brewed with blood orange and raspberries, is one of the special variations that Wilmington Brewing Company makes of its signature Tropical Lightning IPA.
Tropical Frightening, which is an Imperial IPA brewed with blood orange and raspberries, is one of the special variations that Wilmington Brewing Company makes of its signature Tropical Lightning IPA.

Delicious dishes

As I always say, one of the perks of this job is getting to try yummy things. This week, that included the famous – as in featured on national television – onion rings from Copper Penny in downtown Wilmington. I have the story about them here.

I’m also a huge fan of Eggs Benedict. I recently got a chance to try my new favorite version when I was chatting with Michael Pellegrino of Eternal Sunshine Cafe. It’s a grilled cheese version topped with a tomato soup hollandaise sauce. Trust me, it's as good as it sounds. Even better? This monthly feature is being carried over to February, too.

For more great food ideas, check out America’s Best Restaurants, which is a web- and social media-series featuring independently owned restaurants across the country. They were in the Wilmington area this week filming at two eateries here.

More: In Wilmington brunch restaurants, there’s a special place for 'Friends with Benedicts'

The popular Beer Battered Onion Rings at The Copper Penny at 109 Chestnut St. in Wilmington, N.C. were once featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on the Food Network.
The popular Beer Battered Onion Rings at The Copper Penny at 109 Chestnut St. in Wilmington, N.C. were once featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on the Food Network.

Changes to the food scene

It was also a week of big food news. First, the winner of a year-long contest in Burgaw in has backed out of the deal to open a restaurant in Pender County. What are the plans going forward? Check it out here. And, if you want to check out one of the Wilmington area's newest restaurants, here’s a list of some of the openings and closings that have taken place in recent weeks.

More: The latest in restaurants: 13 openings and closings in the Wilmington area

Let’s get social

Follow Port City Foodies on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/portcityfoodies and on Instagram at @port_city_foodies.

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This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Port City Foodies newsletter