Durham Charm Take Two

Stan and I had the lovely opportunity to take my parents for their Christmas gift this past Saturday. We got the tickets to the downtown Durham walking food tour.  It was an extra special gift, my favorite kind, the kind that includes quality time with those I love.

First stop.  Fishmongers.  Stan and I have talked about going here but hadn't made it until Saturday. We got to sample the grilled Salmon (my fave), catfish bites and another tasty treat I can't remember. The owner came out and told us all about how he is able to secure the freshest of the fresh fish and shellfish for his restaurant.  We also got to hear about the history of how Fishmongers started out as a seafood market.

My dad curbsided the owner after his schpeel and talked cooking, "just between us chefs".  Yes, we will be going back to Fishmongers, dad.  :)

Next stop was a little peak into Parker and Otis.  Stan found an interesting book about Charcuterie and had to send a picture to our dear friends who first introduced this country boy to such a phenomenon.

Next stop.  Lilly's Pizza.  My dad was excited and perusing the menu here...finding a lovely unique list of one of a kind pizza and toppings.  We still aren't quite sure what "atomic tofu" might taste like on pizza...We had a delicious basil, tomato and white cheese pizza instead with a glass of delicious chardonnay.  Yum.

The coolest thing about Lilly's?  The people.  The food was great and made even better by a very friendly staff who all greeted us and made us feel very welcomed.  We will go back.

Just a little piece of our 3.2 walked miles that day...

Next stop, The Little Dipper.  Think, Melting Pot, but cooler and more original.  I found it so neat that it was started by a teacher.  He and his wife own it and have made it into such a charming little destination.  We shared a dill cheese dip with broccoli, fresh bread, tomatoes and apples.  Yum, yum, yum.

Cool highlight here was the sand art.  There were pictures of sand hung on the wall.  The idea is to spin the frame and watch the different pictures unfold before your eyes.  Very cool.  When the kids get a little older, this will be a great place to take them...at this point, I fear the sand art might return to its original destination...the ground.

Very cool.  While leaving our next destination, Basan, a new Sushi restaurant which was the best food in Pop's opinion, there was a ball hit over the Bull at the ballpark and it rolled into our walking tour.  So Durham.  So fun.

We enjoyed a delicious sushi roll, shrimp and bok choy with a pear wine to complement.  It was very tasty and a great treat before heading to a show at the DPAC.  I am hoping to make this my first return destination after the tour since I already have DPAC tickets for the end of the month.  :)

Heading pack towards the Cupcake Bar...just passing up American Tobacco on the left.

And, a photo opportunity at the iconic steel bull downtown...

We did get to see an ELF too.  Here, dad was learning about the ELF from this fella who was traveling around the country in one.  Deemed as a bicycle, it also has an electric motor than can give you extra power when needed.  It is completely solar powered and manufactured at Organic Transit, right downtown Durham.

And then...the cupcake bar...

Dad said it was disgusting.  So so yummy.  We sampled the cinnamon with cream cheese icing and the mocha almond.  The unique thing about the cupcake bar is that there were many different liquours used in several of the cupcakes.  The staff gave us wonderful descriptions of the little tasty treats, leaving us hungry for more!  :)

We ended our tour at the Old Havana Sandwich shop with their classic Cuban sandwich and fried plantains.  Yummy.

Then, we headed to one of my all time favorite things about Durham, the ballpark.  My parents, being the avid baseball fans, were overjoyed when they remembered that the Bulls were a triple A team. The newly renovated stadium also captured their attention and it was a grand slam home run for our sweet Durham city tour for my parents.

What a beautiful park!

Happy Mommom and Pop!

Connor eeking out a smile for mama.

 Landon, in his element.

Our crew, with a grumpy Connor...

Snowcone?

There's that smile I love!

LJ was way into the snow cone and I was super glad she was on Stan's lap. ;)

She did "lap hop" during the game, but was outstanding as far as 2 year olds go.  Here mom was teaching her all the players' names. Note, puppy got to come to his first ever Bulls game.  :)

And, this here, may be why my Connor was so grumpy.  What a week for my new Kindergartner.

We had such a magical time on the tour.  It wasn't just Durham, it was the company.  The best kind of gift ever is that of an experience with those you love most.  What a treasured day for us all. Thanks Durham!