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I See France - Parisian Flair at Rue Cler

Ask yourself... Why do Americans celebrate Bastille Day?  Answer:  In one word... Food.  This Saturday, July 14th is Bastille Day; just another excuse to eat some wonderful French food.  No need to jump a plane, just head to Rue Cler in Durham for authentic French cuisine.

Rue Cler is a Parisian-style restaurant, bakery, and caf� in downtown Durham.  Their food is inspired by French tradition and seasonal, local produce.  The owners,  John Vandergrift and Chris Stinnett, (also owners of Pop's Restaurant in Brightleaf Square), direct a crew of chefs, cooks and wait-staff to provide a relaxed, warm & inviting atmosphere serving fabulous French cuisines since 2006.

The Bakery Caf� is directly next door to the restaurant. You can get in on the action by stopping by for breakfast or lunch serving fresh coffees, espressos, and choosing from a selection of home-made pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and their famous beignets.

Ah... the beignets: Available only at lunch and weekend brunch, these warm, chewy, sugar-dusted spheres of dough, served fresh from the fryer, are an essential element and a perfect ending or beginning to any meal at Rue Cler.

Rue Cler's dinner menu changes daily depending on what's fresh.  Each course is created and selected by the culinary team focusing on the wonderful local ingredients they receive from around NC.  There is a prix fixe menu  but also a bistro and brasserie-style classic dishes available in the a la carte portion of our menu.   

Rue Cler serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, lunch on Mondays through Fridays, and dinners Tuesdays through Saturdays.   

Rue Cler -401 E Chapel Hill St, Durham, 27701, Reservations accepted: (919) 682-8844, Website.

Restaurant Hours:

Brunch: Saturday and Sunday 10:00am - 2pm 

Dinner:  Tuesday through Saturday 5:30pm - until

Bakery Caf� Hours:

A Squeal Deal: Quail Ridge Books & Music presents Bob Garner's Book of Barbecue with Samples from The Pit - July 12

Hush Puppy Heritage: Bob Garner's Book of Barbecue: North Carolina's Favorite Food is the ultimate reference guide to North Carolina barbecue; a bible of the heritage and tradition of a disappearing rural lifestyle.  On Thursday, July 12 at 7:30pm, Raleigh's Quail Ridge Books & Music will host a book signing with Bob Garner and serve BBQ samples from The Pit restaurant.

Beyond 'Nana Pudding:  Both of Bob Garner's two previous books are combined, updated, and expanded into one volume. It is packed full of recipes for barbecue and popular side dishes (above and beyond the traditional hush puppies, slaw, and 'nana pudding).  Sidebars include useful tips, barbecue-related news, and profiles of past and present influential pit masters and barbecue aficionados. It also shows how barbeque continues to evolve.  This tome is the definitive guide to anything and everything pertaining to North Carolina's favorite food and a must for your recipe library.

Can't Make It? To request a signed or personalized copy, call 919-828-1588 or 1-800-672-6789 or email: orders@quailridgebooks.com (at least 48 hours in advance) to check availability.

Quail Ridge Books & Music: 3522 Wade Avenue, Raleigh; Contact:  919-828-1588; Website

To Bee or Not to Bee   

Pardon My French - Macarons & Macaroons

Americans.... so unreefahned...so unsofistique.  Zay have zees tings called - how you say? - Macaroon?  You know, from how you zay coconut?  Zay look so tak-ee.  When will zey learn to make a real pastray macaron?   Ooh la la...Si bon et si fran�ais!

Before the French blow a beret we'll explain the difference between macarons and macaroons?  No, they are not the same thing.  While both recipes are gluten free by default, they're entirely different cookies.  The sandwich-like French macaron is more of a meringue cookie, getting its light, airy texture from egg whites.  The Southern coconut macaroon, on the other hand, is a hearty lump of confectionery made of shredded coconut and condensed milk.  While you can prepare coconut macaroons in about ten minutes, French macarons are generally more difficult to make - though not so impossible that they elude the home cook.

French macarons, as you may have noticed, are newly trendy partout (everywhere).  Macarons, which were made popular by the Paris p�tisserie Ladur�e, are basically little round meringues made with ground almonds which are filled, like a sandwich cookie.  Their appeal is a light airy shell with a sinful, rich filling inside, crunchy and creamy in each delectable bite.  In p�tisseries you can get them in every conceivable flavor:  chocolate, coffee, lemon, raspberry, pistachio, and more.  The meringues are often rather garishly colored to match their parfum.  Click Here for Recipe..

Coconut macaroons are generally dense, moist and sweet, and often dipped in chocolate. Homemade macaroons and varieties produced by smaller bakeries are commonly light and fluffy.  Macaroons principal ingredients are egg whites, sugar and shredded dried coconut. It is closer to a soft cookie than its meringue cousin, and is equally sweet. Many varieties of coconut macaroons are dipped in chocolate, typically milk chocolate. Versions dipped in dark chocolate or white chocolate are also becoming more commonly available. Nuts are often added to coconut macaroons, typically almond slivers. Click Here for Recipe.

After just a taste of macarons or macaroons, even the staunchest of anti-American gastronomes will eat his words.  And enjoy every last bite!  C'est bon!  No matter how you say it!

Openings at Our Lady of Lourdes School for this fall 2012 School Year - There are currently openings in the 3rd, 5th and 7th Grades at our Lady of Lourdes School.  If you are interested, please contact Pam Mueller, Director of Admissions, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School. 919- 861-4635. Website.  

CT Weekends- Summer Sizzle Sales!  Not Your Daughter's Jeans are 30% off!  Come in and check out the great summer colors!  CT Weekends in Cameron Village  437 Daniels Street , Raleigh, NC 27605. Phone  919-787-9073. Hours: Monday - Saturday 10 am - 6 pm.

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Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. - Now Accepting Silver Consignments for a Two-Day Fall Estate Catalogued Auction.  Leland Little's silver specialists are now scheduling appointments to discuss consignments for inclusion in their Two-Day Fall Estate Catalogued Auction.  Please contact the gallery for more information, or submit photographs of your items online!  Contact: Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd., 620 Cornerstone Court, Hillsborough, NC 27278, 1+ (919) 644-1243 Website.

Summer has come to Certain Things!   They have colors galore and "prints" for all you princesses.  AND new Before and Again has arrived.  Certain Things 40% off "BOTTOMS SALE" is still going strong! Certain Things - 404 Daniels St. in Cameron Village.  Phone 919-828-5055.  Like them on Facebook.     

Hunt & Gather on Bernard Street holds a Save After Six Shopping Night on the third Thursdays of each month.  On the third Thursday of each month you will find great markdowns, refreshments, and friendly faces at Hunt & Gather, 1910 Bernard Street, Raleigh 27608.  

Kenna Custom Painting, Inc.  is available to tackle your residential painting needs.  With their great crews that perform very professional jobs on residential homes, you won't believe how quiet and unobtrusive they are.  So if you have that "itch" to freshen up your home, interior or exterior before springtime, contact them now.  Call 919-855-0082 or Email: kennapaint@bellsouth.net.  Website. 

Join My Blog Simply-Refined:  I am an Interior Designer that can inspire and help you with your designs and decorating needs.  Call  Zaytoun Interiors if you're finally ready to decorate or re-decorate your home or office.  What's your style?  If you're not sure, I can help you tap into your inner self and find what makes you want to come home.  Website, Email, Phone: 305-793-8510. 

Did You Know?  For every $100 spent at a locally-owned business, $68 stays in the local economy compared to only $43 if spent at a national chain. Please support our local business!  This is what The Beltline Buzz is all about.   

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