Food Review: The 411 Italian Cafe Chapel Hill NC Restaurant

The lovely 411 West Italian Restaurant and Cafe in Chapel Hill, North Carolina is a long standing culinary institution. We were invited to visit and share the 411 West experience. We loved the European exposure and the incredible Italian cuisine. 

411 West, Chapel Hill, NC by CarolinaMama©

411 West just celebrated 25 years in Chapel Hill this past September.  We tasted and experienced why! The atmosphere of 411 West is really relaxed and casual. It can be dressy and celebrate occasions just as well. The lighting and the music were at just the right level to relax and enjoy the awesome meal.  We really loved the paintings on the walls.  Our server was top notch, his knowledge of the menu was extremely helpful in some of our decisions. We learned why 411 West was named "Best Italian Restaurant and Best Pasta in the Triangle!"

411 West is located on the West end of beautiful and bustling Franklin Street which is the heart of University of North Carolina. 

411 West Restaurant and Cafe photo by 411 West©

"411 West is a member of the Chapel Hill Restaurant Group, a Green Plus certified business, and recipient of the Sustainable Business of the Year award from the Foundation for a Sustainable Community."

This was an amazing meal, we decided we were vicariously in Italy! The atmosphere and food surely made us feel like it was true.  We started with the 411 West Warm Crab Dip and the Wood Grilled Shrimp.  

These appetizers were exceptional.  Our teen sons LOVED the Wood Grilled Shrimp.  These scrumptious appetizers could easily make a meal with couple of these other outstanding Piccoli Piatti (small plates).  So many great options to choose from at 411 West.

Next, we had to try the Kale Salad.  We both generally like kale, so this was a real treat to have a kale salad prepared so incredibly well with many ingredients we would normally not think of such as the reggiano cheese and fresh, grilled sweet peppers. This was the best Kale I have ever tried. It definitely made me want to up my Kale game! :) 

Next, it was time to make a decision on the Entree. The choices were all sounding delicious. Our boys even found themselves challenged at narrowing down the options. We poured over the menus, the server was very patient and informative of dishes we were not familiar with at 411 West. 

The Linguine was a great contender as 411 West makes their own handmade Pasta daily!  That says it all to me. Fresh Pasta cannot be beat. 

Then, I usually live on the edge and ask the server for a generous portion of freshly shredded Parmesan Cheese. This mades the dish. A little sharp flavor and it brings out the other flavors and blends them together

The meal was absolutely delicious.  We all tried a different amazing entrée.  One of our Tigers had one of his favorites, the Pizzette!  

He loves pizza ... teenage sons, pizza...so this was perfect that he could have his own pizza fired in the wood burning oven, so delicious!

We also have a Classic Spaghetti fan in our family. He is happy with a great Marinara with some kick to it. And 411 West served up a unique marinara sauce for him. 

Our other Tiger had the Spaghetti Bolognese.  He said it was some of the best pasta he's ever had.  Take a closer look.... it was amazing! 

Everything made fresh from scratch that day, taking advantage of local North Carolina farms to have the freshest ingredients possible.  Absolutely Amazing!! 

My husband and I usually get 2 separate entrees to experience different flavors, but we really wanted to try our own Lemon Linguine Shrimp and Scallop Pasta.  

Lemon Linguine with Shrimp and Scallops, 411 West, Chapel Hill, NC
by CarolinaMama©

Freshly made pasta (daily) with shrimp, scallops, some other fresh vegetables like roasted garlic, this amazing combination being perfectly completed by being sautéed in white wine, lobster butter and clam broth.  This combination is one of the best pastas we have ever experienced.  

Millionaire Pie Peanut butter mousse pie on graham cracker crust, glazed with chocolate and served 

with whipped cream and chocolate sauce

....  the Millionaire Pie leaves you speechless. And wishing you had not chosen to share! lol 

Millionaire Pie at 411 West photo by CarolinaMama©

The desserts were quite delicious to wrap up our scrumptious meal.  We could not decide on one, so we got the Millionaire Pie and Chocolate Chess Pie.  As much as we typically go for the chocolate, the favorite was the Millionaire Pie with the combination of the peanut butter and chocolate. 

Chocolate Chess Pie Served with cookies 'n cream ice cream, fudge sauce and whipped cream

Chocolate Chess Pie, 411 West, photo by CarolinaMama©

411 West serves the Southern dish, Vanilla Creme Brulee Traditional baked custard with 

caramelized sugar topping

 Ciao! 
Warmly, Carolina Mama

FTC Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Visit Chapel Hill and 411 West Restaurant and Cafe. All opinions are my own. 

Twelve Days of Christmas with The Carolina Inn 2012

Celebrating December 1-31, 2012.  Chapel Hill, N.C. (November 2012)

Now in its 15th year, The Carolina Inn will once again celebrate the Christmas season with enchanting decorations inspired by the traditional Holiday Song, The Twelve Days of Christmas!


A vision of seasonal wonder will be displayed throughout the Inn including magnificently decorated trees, beautifully appointed holiday décor, and events to keep you and your little ones entertained.

The celebration features a festive blend of some new treats (Elf on the Shelf, Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party, Seasons Wreathing, Crafting Christmas Memories, Horse Drawn Carriage Rides,) and many old favorites (10th Annual Gingerbread Village Display and Competition, Breakfast and Brunch with Santa, Holiday Afternoon Teas, walking tour with the Inn’s historian Ken Zogry, children’s etiquette luncheon with author Cecilia Budd Grimes, Christmas and New Year’s Eve dinners and Christmas Day brunches and New Year’s hotel packages).

Online Information and Reservations
Complete information about all of the “Twelve Days of Christmas” events at The Carolina Inn including dates, times and cost, if any, is online at www.tinyurl.com/cm53tt9.

Reservations are required for many of the events and may be made online, calling 919-918-2735 or emailing crossroads@carolinainn.com.

Holiday decorations information now offered via the hotel’s e-store at www.tinyurl.com/cj42scx.

Special Events
• Holiday Afternoon Tea, Nov. 25-Dec. 30 except Christmas Day. Add a special touch to your afternoon respite by treating yourself to a glass of sparkling wine with a tantalizing selection of sweets, tea sandwiches, scones and tea, including Royal Tea, Classic Tea, Little Prince & Princess Tea. $21-$34.

• Elf on the Shelf, Dec. 1. Ring in the holiday season with a special visit from Santa’s Elf. Kids of all ages will be treated to a reading of The Elf’s Story as well as the opportunity to write a letter to Mr. Santa Claus. Holiday goodies and games will entertain all. $15-$60.

• Gingerbread Village Display, Dec. 1-Jan. 2. Relish the festive display of the 10th Annual Gingerbread House Competition entries. Contestants will showcase their creativity and imagination with their edible masterpieces this holiday season with the winners announced on Dec. 23 at 4 p.m.

• Breakfast/Brunch with Santa, Dec. 8, 9, 15 16, 22, 23, 24. Santa is coming to The Carolina Inn. A festive Carolina Inn breakfast or brunch will undoubtedly usher in the Christmas magic for young and old alike. Magicians and face painters will be on hand to entertain everyone. Brunch only on Dec. 9 and breakfast only on Dec. 15. $25-$30.

• Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party, Dec. 9. Join the Triangle Youth Ballet for their annual Sugar Plum Fairy Tea. Ballerinas will dance as you sample treats from the land of sweets. Enjoy Nutcracker story time. See a magic show and get your picture taken with the Sugar Plum Fairy! It’s the perfect holiday gathering. $20.

• Seasons Wreathing, Dec. 10. Attention crafters and dreamers, alike! We will be hosting a wreath crafting class to assist you with proudly designing a handmade welcoming piece to hang in your home. We will be creating a medium sized ornament wreath and requires use of a hot glue gun and some patience, so adults or 15+ children only. The picturesque possibilities are limitless. $45.

• Nine Ladies Tapping, Dec. 12. A free performance for children and adults by Footnotes Tap Ensemble.

• Free violin concert by students of Suzuki Academy of North Carolina, Dec. 16.

• Horse Drawn Carriage Rides, Dec. 16, 22 and 23. Nothing says Christmas like sound of bells on a horse drawn carriage. Enjoy the sites of Chapel Hill as you take a leisurely ride through the campus of UNC. $10 per person.

• Crafting Christmas Memories, Dec. 17. Christmas memories are irreplaceable, especially when they are with your children. We will be completing two Christmas crafts that will hold these memories for years to come. First, we will get trapped in a snow globe! This memento requires that you bring your favorite wallet size photo of your child; if possible, doing a winter activity. Next, we will design a keepsake ornament that your child can proudly display on your tree. $25. 

• The Carolina Inn Walking Tour/Lunch, Dec. 19, 28. The Carolina Inn’s walls hold stories of the history of UNC-Chapel Hill and North Carolina, dating back more than a century. Join the Inn’s historian, Dr. Kenneth Zogry, for a fascinating “behind the scenes” presentation and tour exploring this rich history. $40.

• Children’s Etiquette Luncheon, Dec. 22. Protocol professional Cecilia Budd Grimes will walk kids through the do’s and don’ts of table etiquette as they eat their way through a five-course lunch tutorial. $45.

• Make Your Own Gingerbread House, Dec, 23. Just in time for the holidays The Carolina Inn is hosting a children’s Gingerbread House Making Class. Join us for a cozy afternoon that begins with storyteller, Heidi Werner and her tales of Christmas magic. Each child will then be able assemble and decorate their very own Gingerbread House complete with an apron, chef’s hat and all the holiday sweets and goodies that their imaginations can hold. At the end of the class, each child will take home a completed Gingerbread House and accessories. $45.

Love the Carolina Inn and the Twelve Days of Christmas!  How do you celebrate and what traditions do you celebrate?  

Warmly, Carolina Mama

Hottest Trends In Weddings

We have been involved in the beautiful Carolina Wedding Season.  Great friends and family have tied the knot right here in North Carolina!  The beauty - of the Brides of course - and the locales, venues, Chapels, and more have been breathtaking. 

We have attended Weddings just minutes from the Chapel where my own parents tied the knot in the 50s!  Talk about romantic.  And we all celebrated two Wedding Receptions at Raleigh's new, chic, Stockroom 120.  

In fact, in April, my friend, Sugar Megnolia broke in the Stockroom with her Southern Wedding that had the makings of the Hottest Wedding Trends!  She had us at the Photo Booth and their Monogram Lights on the Brick Walls... but it was the Biscuit Bar knapsack we went home with that gave us a good night cap. 

Here are the Hottest Trends in Southern Weddings by The Carolina Inn: 

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (July 26, 2011) – As the region’s weddings capital, The Carolina Inn reveals today’s hottest trends. The historic hotel on the UNC Chapel Hill campus has been hosting weddings for the past 87 years and hosts more than 125 weddings annually.

1. A Favored Cause. Brides and grooms are opting for a donation to their favorite charity -- breast cancer awareness, SPCA, UNICEF and Disaster Relief in lieu of providing their guests with favors.

2. Photo Booths.  Nothing better than a vintage tradition than allowing the guests to take a minute and capture the fun they had on this special day.

3. Lighting.  From custom-cut gobos of monograms and graphics to projected wallpaper, weddings are taking advantage of lighting to add a whole new dimension to their décor.

4. Originality.  Brides want a variety of locations within their venues where they can create different moods and experiences for their guests. Gone are the days of being stuck in your chair for two hours.  

5. The Food Truck.  The idea of having something special at the end. Weddings are taking it to a whole new level by having a coffee truck or Krispy Kreme show up to top off the party.

6. Comfort.  It’s less about trying to impress and more about having fun. Parties are choosing flip flops over high heels.

7. Lounges.  Comfortable seating is not just for high-end receptions anymore.

8. Feasting Tables.  Perfect for family-style service … another hot trend.

9. Don’t Take the Cake.  Brides are opting for wedding cake alternatives such as cookies, gelato bars, cupcakes, whoopee pies and French macaroons.

10.  Go Green.  All items have a sustainability factor as brides want to be environmentally responsible.

“It’s all about telling your story” said Heidi Werner, director of catering at The Carolina Inn. “Brides and grooms really want to showcase who they are as a couple and are creating their wedding receptions based on their lifestyles and interests. Wedding rules are out the door and replaced with trends of comfort and community. A whole new generation has ushered in limitless options of originality and here at The Carolina Inn we have our hand in the cookie jar of hot ideas to customize a couple’s perfect day.” 

The Carolina Inn has a long-standing tradition of helping brides and grooms fulfill their most cherished wedding dreams. From the exquisitely beautiful to the elegant and romantic, The Carolina Inn has been transforming wedding fantasies into memories that live forever for more than eight decades. Providing an atmosphere of warmth and grace, the Inn’s intimate parlors, secluded courtyards and expansive ballrooms are perfect for wedding receptions or the exchanging of vows.

From the stylish Old Well Room, with its evocative Art Deco décor, especially popular for weddings, to the elegant John Sprunt Hill Ballroom, neoclassical in design, The Carolina Inn has been making wedding dreams come true since 1924. With a tradition of hosting memorable bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, champagne brunches, wedding receptions and banquets, it devotes equal care to events for ten guests or five hundred.

For many alumni and others with a fondness for the charm of historic Chapel Hill and The University of North Carolina, wedding events at The Carolina Inn are a family tradition.

Learn more by calling 919-918-2749, emailing weddings@carolinainn.com or visiting www.CarolinaInnBride.com.

ABOUT THE CAROLINA INN
Built on the campus of UNC Chapel Hill in 1924 by John Sprunt Hill – distinguished alumnus, successful businessman and University trustee – The Carolina Inn's original concept was "to provide for the special wants and comforts of the University alumni...and University visitors". The historical Carolina Inn features 185 charming and well-appointed guestrooms including 7 luxury suites. www.CarolinaInn.com

What Wedding trends have you noticed lately?  These are definitely Southern favorites.

Warmly,  Carolina Mama