Late February to early March is a great time to live in this part of the world. No one would describe the weather as tropical during these months, but it’s warm enough to remind you of one of the big reasons why you moved here in the first place: the mild winters! We asked our JFB team what they LOVE best about living here during this time of year.
Jennifer Reinholt LOVES all the great Restaurants.
JFB Agent Jennifer Reinholt is our unofficial food critic. She LOVES eating out at locally owned restaurants. This month she recommends Fork & Cork, which has two locations; one in downtown Wilmington and one in Carolina Beach. The picture here is of her favorite appetizer, Fork & Cork’s famous Crispy Brussel Sprouts which are lightly fried in duck fat and pancetta. She also gives high marks for the burgers, the wings, the poutine fries and the mac & cheese. “It’s good old fashioned American food, but with great portions,” said Jennifer. “The location at the beach, especially at lunch time is very family friendly. The location downtown, especially in the evenings, is more for adults. Either way, put Fork & Cork on your list of places to try when you come to town.
Doug Wahl Loves the Southern Tradition of an Oyster Roast
JFB Office Manager Doug Wahl also had food on his mind, but instead of a fancy restaurant he loves the winter tradition of an oyster roast. Certain foods are meant to be shared, they are meant to be social. Louisiana has its crawfish. Maryland has its crabs. In the Carolinas, we have stump sound oysters. You can grill oysters. You can broil or steam them, too. Some people like them fried. Others eat them raw. The taste is roughly always the same. What changes with the different methods is the texture. Raw oysters tend to be slimy. Fried oysters are really chewy. If you’re a first timer Doug suggests grilling them. “There is something very democratic about an oyster roast,” said Doug. “It doesn’t matter if you are eating them at the biggest house in the fanciest neighborhood, or with a bunch of poor college kids outside of a dorm, the atmosphere is always the same. You place a newspaper on a picnic table, you grab a cold beer, and you bond with all your friends.” The adage says that you’re only supposed to eat oysters in months with an “R” in their name. Here in the Cape Fear Region the season really runs from early October to late March.
It may be on the Chilly Side, but Kris Summers says it is the Perfect Time to Walk on the Beach
This picture was taken at Topsail Beach. On this February morning the sun is shining, but virtually no one is out enjoying the beauty of nature . “I came here from California,” said Kris Summers who walks on the beach at least three times a week. “So, I’ve been living by an ocean for almost my entire life. The difference here, during this time of the year, is you have the beach all to yourself. You can walk on the sand, just soak up all the beauty, meditate and clear your head. For me, it’s the perfect way to start your day.” Kris knows that in a few weeks the crowds will join her. The views will still be amazing, but the privacy will be gone. That’s okay, today the beach belongs just to her. She has discovered what so many others who have found out. “The best thing about being by the ocean, is not necessarily being on the water, whether swimming or in a boat, it’s having your feet in the sand and just looking out at the vastness of it all.”