Carrboro, NC - Gourmet Kingdom

[meatn3]

I drove by the other day and noticed a "grand opening" sign. Has there been a change?

Thanks!

[brokegradstudent]

After a few days of seeing this thread, I had no choice but to get Gourmet Kingdom takeout for dinner last night. Dan dan noodles, Home-style tofu, and stir-fried green beans. All excellent. The tofu was even better for breakfast this morning with another night for the tofu to sop up the gravy flavor.

[meatn3]

Always glad to enable!

I need to make a trip out that way sometime soon.

[LulusMom]

If you can wait until October, and don't mind an early dinner, Lulu and I would be thrilled to join you.

Thanks for the updated report bgs. And they have beer now too, right?

[brokegradstudent]

I picked up a six-pack across the street. They were displaying wine behind the register, so I'd guess they have beer now too.

An early dinner would be awesome. There are vast swaths of the menu I want to try. Particularly the one thing on the menu they didn't translate into english (s2 on the online menu). Given that they translated squirrel fish and several preparations of pork kidney, I'm guessing it must be way out there (or a random oversight).

[LulusMom]

It does kind of boggle the mind to think what they might leave off, doesn't it? My email is in my profile - I don't have the exact dates right now, but LulusDad will be away and we'll be dining out - maybe we could get a group of early diners together.

[LulusMom]

Woohoo. Sounds like a party. Here are some dates that would work for us: Oct 4, 5, probably the 8, 9, 18, 19. Contact me off board (maybe via the google group?) and we'll see what we can get happening.

[pamdemic3]

Gourmet Kingdom does serve beer - a small selection of basic beers and Tsingtao. I don't remember any local brews available.

A few of my favorite GK dishes are the kung pao lotus root, cilantro lamb, and tea smoked duck. It's always fun to go with a large group and try a wide variety of menu items (but I always find it a challenge to try new things instead of going back to old favorites).

[LulusMom]

I do love that kung pao lotus root. I happen to have made cumin and cilantro lamb myself last night at home, and have to say it was pretty darned good (this comes from someone who almost never eats red meat).

[Tom from Raleigh]

I'm totally in if there's a CH feast.

[burgeoningfoodie]

potentially me too.

[meatn3]

October & early could work! Keep me posted...

[cervisiam]

same here! it's been so long since i have been there....

[meatn3]

BG, you are correct on my location. I really like Super Wok in Cary but Gourmet Kingdom has better ambiance. I'm just glad we didn't loose another good Chinese place in the Triangle!

I feel like I've been in mourning since Fortune Palace closed. I was at a get together recently and mentioned this and several of the people had the same stunned reaction of sorrow. My cold and flu season won't be the same without Fortune Palace making soup deliveries to my home!

[rockycat]

+1 Their shredded pork and preserved radish soup was my absolute go-to "I feel crummy and think it's the flu," meal.

On another note, there's a sign for something Vietnamese Coming Soon in the old plaza a few doors down.

[Tom from Raleigh]

Nope, no change. That sign has been there for at least two years.

[meatn3]

Thank you! I seldom get over that direction. With Fortune Palace closed I am glad Gourmet Kingdom is still an option!

[LulusMom]

I think the sign has actually been there since we moved to the area in 2004!

Has anyone been recently? I finally gave in and went for the Shanghai menu at Red Jade (a place I never particularly liked before, but Lulu liked it) and wow, I was very impressed.

[burgeoningfoodie]

Red Jade? or Red Lotus? ;-) Yes I like some of their Shanghai options and I thought meatn3 was in Raleigh in which case Cary offers good options and much closer.

[LulusMom]

D'oh! You're absolutely right. Lulu *always* has to correct me on this (and boy, does she love doing so).

[Panski]

Glad you liked Red Lotus. Husband and I love the Shanghai menu. Shared a good Ma Po tofu and the dry cooked green beans earlier in the week. We always bring home enough for another meal. Other favorites are the shredded beef in chili sauce and the braised eggplant.

[LulusMom]

That Shanghai menu is heads and tails better than the glop I'd gotten there before. Definitely recommend it for those who want something a bit different.

[burgeoningfoodie]

To note, Ma Po Tofu and the shredded beef are both not shanghai foods to my knowledge though it is good that they offer them.

[rockycat]

There are authentic Shanghai versions of a number of Sichuan foods. "Authentic" in the sense that people from Shanghai regularly prepare and serve these dishes and have their own versions that are based on the original Sichuan preparation but have evolved to suit the tastes of the Shanghai-ese. They are generally less spicy than the originals and may have some other adaptations. This is authentic/traditional Shanghai food and is not some kind of concession to American tastes.

[burgeoningfoodie]

I didn't say they were a concession was just noting that their origin is not natively shanghai. I understand what you are saying just wanted to clarify that I wasn't meaning they were Americanizing anything.

[sisterbeer]

I had the braised eggplant there for the first time last night...heavenly!