Hakkachow

Located at 615 St. George Square Court in Winston-Salem, Hakkachow offers Asian fusion cuisine for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. There is a full bar as well as daily drink specials. Online ordering and online reservations are available.

 

Much like Phoenix Asian Cuisine in Greensboro, Hakkachow calls to mind a non-corporate P.F. Chang’s, only better. The restaurant is modern and spacious with plenty of seating to go around. The menu skews Chinese though there are Korean and Thai offerings as well as a sushi/poke menu as well. While there is something to be said for the comfort of familiarity, that menu, save for a few of the sushi rolls, offers no surprises. Everything you’ll find here, you’ve likely already had elsewhere.

 

My wife and I opted to start with one of the unique rolls (Cajun Revolution: tempura shrimp, cream cheese, and jalapeno inside/Cajun salmon, tuna, yellowtail, crispy shallot, aioli, and eel sauce outside), followed by a veggie fried rice (with homemade chili oil) and Singapore noodles, respectively. Our app came quickly, and we didn’t have long to wait for our entrees either though service slowed considerably as the restaurant got busier. However, our server remained courteous, apologetic, and unflappably professional through it all.

 

The kitchen proved to be on its game as well. On paper, the Cajun Revolution seemed almost too much, but it made for a tasty bite: spicy, crunchy, and flavorful. Singapore noodles are one of my go-to dishes for Chinese and Asian fusion, and Hakkachow’s version didn’t disappoint. While not the best I’ve had, the composition, flavors, and aroma were all there. The fried rice was likewise well-executed, and it contained a variety of veggies, but it wasn’t leaps and bounds ahead of what you can get elsewhere.

 

Hakkachow’s entrees run large, which helps take the sting out of the mid-teens pricing. On the one hand, that is hardly unreasonable for a nice meal out. On the other hand, depending on how you feel about your favorite Chinese takeout joint, the extent to which Hakkachow’s food surpasses it may or may not justify the extent to which Hakkachow’s prices do.

 

All told, Hakkachow promises competently made food in a pleasant environment. It might lack a distinctive “wow” factor, but it doesn’t seem likely to let you down, either. 

68 Bagel & Grill

 

Located at 1116 Eastchester Drive Suite 112 in High Point, 68 Deli Bagel & Grill serves breakfasts, bagels, and sandwiches. It is open from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Online ordering is available.

 

The newest addition to Centre Stage plaza, 68 Bagel & Grill is a bit of a headscratcher. The name suggests a location further up Eastchester past the Palladium, and a more established bagel shop is less than a mile away. This bafflement aside, 68 Bagel & Grill does have several things going for it. It’s spacious and clean, the staff is courteous, and there are more menu options than you’d expect. Like the other are bagel shops, 68 offers bagels with various spreads, breakfast sandwiches, and lunch sandwiches. To those, they add French toasts (including stuffed), pancakes, and omelets. The ability to get a more-than-a-sandwich breakfast without the bustle of a diner is a definite draw. The fact that they use Giacomo’s meats is another perk in their favor.

 

For my first visit, I picked up a Jersey Shore (Taylor ham/egg/cheese) on an everything bagel to go. The sandwich was prepped quickly, and the pricing was fair. The melty cheese/salty meat combination hit all the right flavor notes. The bagel, however, was chewier and breadier than a true New York style, and the texture seemed a bit off. They make them in-house rather than using New Garden as a supplier, so they get points for effort at least.

 

If getting your hands on a great bagel is your only concern, you’re probably better served going down the street. However, if you value ambiance, customer service, variety, or aren’t seeking bagel supremacy, 68 Bagel & Grill makes for an attractive breakfast or lunch option.

Inka Grill

 

Located at 214 South Elm Street in Downtown Greensboro, Inka Grill offers Peruvian cuisine for lunch and dinner. It is open from 11-9 Monday-Thursday, 11-10 Friday and Saturday, and 11-8 on Sunday. Alcohol is available, and tables can be reserved online.

 

Inka Grill had been on my to-try list for some time, but my wife and I ended up here almost accidentally when the last food truck festival proved to be too chaotic. I’m glad that we did as it made for a good though not outstanding meal.

 

Inka Grill’s menu boasts traditional Peruvian steak, seafood, and chicken dishes, chaufas (fried rices), and ceviches as well as a few Italian-inspired items. There’s a lot to choose from if you’ve an omnivore, but vegetarians may be at a loss here. A complementary offering of toasted corn for the table was a nice touch.

 

My wife and I went with a yucca starter, a frijol con seco, and a lomo saltado. The yucca came in rolls that were nicely browned and crispy on the outside. The accompanying huancaina sauce was creamy and added a welcome bit of spice (which was disappointingly missing from an aji verde sauce). The steak in the lomo saltado was perfectly cooked and flavorful, and its accompanying vegetables were vibrant and nicely grilled. The tacu tacu (a Peruvian take on refried beans) in the frijol con seco was a first for us, and we enjoyed it. However, the meat in that dish was more akin to pot roast than steak, which we were not expecting. Both dishes were also quite salty.

 

Our visit occurred at an off-peak hour (before 5 on a Sunday), and Ismael provided excellent service at the start of the meal. Once 5 p.m. arrived and the restaurant began to fill, however, staff began to seem a bit overwhelmed.

 

All told, Inka Grill, while solid, wasn’t quite the “wow” I was expecting. However, the steak at least did reach that level for me, and the breadth of the menu suggests that there are other dishes that can as well.

La Cocina de Mama

Located at 1002 Gardner Hill Drive in Jamestown, La Cocina de Mama serves Dominican cuisine. It is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 8 to 8 on Sunday.

 

I was thrilled to see La Cocina de Mama open up right near my work. Having tried them for both lunch and breakfast, I can easily see myself becoming a regular here. Like any brand new restaurant, they are still ironing a few things out, but on food alone, they are off to a very strong start.

 La Cocina de Mama’s offerings run the gamut from breakfasts (egg/fried cheese/salami paired with different sides) to sandwiches, empanadas, and mofongos (fried and mashed plantains) to beef/chicken/fish entrees and more. They offer several juices and coffees as well.

 

So far, the food has been very good. I stopped by for lunch to go on my first visit and had a Cuban sandwich and a morir sonando (orange juice, milk, and ice). The Cuban was not the traditional Cubano, and if you come looking for pickles and mustard in a sandwich pressed on a plancha, you may be disappointed. Taken on its own terms, however, the sandwich was still quite tasty. The pork was tender, and the thicker bread held everything in nicely. It came with a side of thin, well-salted fries that were miles ahead of a frozen offering. The morrir sonando was creamy and refreshing. 

For my second visit, I dined in for breakfast and went with a mangu (the aforementioned breakfast ingredients with mashed plantains and pickled onions) and a passionfruit juice. Though I might request eggs scrambled rather than fried in the future, everything on that plate was delicious. The plantains were hearty without feeling heavy. The Dominican salami reminded me of Taylor ham, only better (sorry, fellow New Jersians). Juices seem to be a house specialty here as the passionfruit did not disappoint.

 

The folks who run this place are friendly, and the pricing is quite reasonable given the quality and quantity of the food. That said, “good food takes time” definitely applies here, so you may be in for a bit of a wait. If dining in, you can at least take in some of the ambiance (interesting wall art and a pool table in a corner) while you do.

 

All told, La Cocina de Mama is a welcome change of pace for not only the cuisine that it offers but also the care with which it is made.

Island Fest

 

Located at 130 West Lexington Avenue in Uptowne High Point, Island Fest serves Jamaican cuisine for lunch and dinner. It is open from 11-7:30 Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, 11-9 Friday and Saturday, and closed on Monday. Online ordering is available through Uber Eats.

 

While the Khrissy’s Kitchen truck makes its rounds at Brown Truck fairly regularly, High Point was without a Jamaican restaurant until Island Fest recently opened its doors. It’s a welcome addition, and while it has room to grow and improve, there’s reason enough to be hopeful.

 

Housed in the former Lone Star Burger (they kept the cow out front and adorned it with a Jamaican flag), Island Fest is geared toward takeout and quick service. Dining in is an option, and the folks here seem friendly, but you’re coming for the food, not the ambiance.

 

Speaking of the food, the offerings here aren’t as extensive as they are at Da Reggae Café, but if you have a Jamaican craving, you’ll likely find something that can satisfy it. Entrees range from jerks and curries to fried fish to brown stew beef, quick bites include various patties and coco bread, and sides cover the requisite rice and peas, cabbage, and plantains as well as mac and cheese.

 

They were out of curry shrimp when I placed my order, so I went with fried red snapper in its stead along with jerk chicken, a beef patty, and coco bread. The entrees are available in smaller and larger sizes and include rice and plantains. My wife and I were hoping to get several meals out of our order and did so for under $50. While Island Fest’s early reviews complained about portion sizes, the larger-sized entrees left no room for complaint on that end.

 

The food was a bit uneven, but there were more bright spots than disappointments. Thankfully, Island Fest does not tone itself down for mass appeal: the beef patty and jerk chicken brought a welcome bit of heat. The snapper was nicely breaded and paired well with a peppery barbecue sauce. Speaking of sauces, Island Fest lets you pick a gravy for your rice. We got to try both the curry and the oxtail gravies, and both were delicious. While the rice was a top-tier side, the cabbage and coco bread were forgettable, and the sweet plantains weren’t particularly sweet.

 

Island Fest’s early offerings are promising, and more may be on the horizon. As-is, this probably isn’t the best Jamaican food you’ve had, but the entrees and sauces can hold their own.

California Burritos

 

Located at 2107 Kirkwood Drive in High Point, California Burritos offers Mexican cuisine from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Online ordering and delivery (via DoorDash or Uber Eats) are available. Three for $9.99 tacos are offered on Tuesdays.

 

The High Point offshoot of a Burlington eatery, California Burritos calls to mind the apex version of a national chain. Like a Chipotle or a Moe’s, it offers convenient ordering and lots of customizability. However, its ingredient quality and Californian branding help set it apart.

 

Though its concept is straightforward, California Burritos offers more than its namesake. You can get a burrito with your choice of meat and fillings, but you can also get bowls, tacos, quesadillas, and even carne asada fries. The offerings extend beyond the expected beef/steak/chicken/carnitas to include birria, shrimp, and even crispy fish tacos.

 

My wife and I opted for a carnitas quesadilla and a steak burrito for pickup. I was greeted upon arrival, and my order was ready to go. Though I didn’t linger long, I can say that the restaurant seemed bright and clean. The sound of sizzling meat made me feel like I’d made a good decision.

 

Indeed, the food did not disappoint. Both items were generously sized and well put together. I got a good two-thirds of the way through the burrito before it neared collapse. The ingredients tasted fresh.

 

At $11 and $12 (before factoring in a guac upcharge), California Burritos runs a bit higher than its competition, but it’s a worthwhile tradeoff for the portion and quality of the food. It probably won’t supplant your favorite Mexican spot, but as fast casual options go, you really couldn’t ask for better.

Aqui es Mexico Cocina Mexicana

 

Located at 1800 Westchester Drive in High Point, Aqui es Mexico offers Mexican cuisine for lunch and dinner. It is open from 11-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 11-2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. There is a full bar, food specials change daily, and both outdoor seating and online ordering are available.

 

When Aqui es Mexico succeeded Guacamole at this location last year, one thing became clear not long thereafter: this place is different. Aqui es Mexico offers both traditional dishes not always available elsewhere as well as interesting fusion offerings such as Mexican sushi. Add to that an active social media presence and some tantalizing specials (i.e. $5 Wednesdays or half-priced app Fridays), and if nothing else, Aqui es Mexico deserves credit for trying to separate itself from the pack.

 

My wife and I visited on a Friday night to find the place busy, but given how big the restaurant is, we had no trouble getting a table. Colorful murals adorned the walls, and the atmosphere can best be described as lively. The music is loud, but unless someone is celebrating a birthday (they go all-out in recognizing that here), it isn’t overwhelming.

 

The menu is extensive, and I appreciated the page’s worth of seafood offerings. Whether you’re in the mood for the tried and true (burritos/tacos/fajitas) or want to try something different (the aforementioned sushi, several different molcajetes, more margarita variations than you knew existed), Aqi es Mexico has you covered. Hungry and eyeing leftovers, we went with an empanadas starter, carnitas, and cochinita pibil.

 

Beto provided excellent service throughout the meal, and the kitchen was impressively fast and efficient. Though it was a busy night, we got our food quickly. The pricing was moderate – entrees in the teens – and we got a good amount of food for our money.

 

For as much thought went into the menu and décor here, it’s unfortunate that the food wasn’t as impressive. Our empanadas (two beef and two chicken) looked great as they were fried to a golden brown. The beef were tasty, but the chicken were decidedly bland. The cochinita pibil was nicely sauced though not as intensely flavored as I’ve had elsewhere. Ditto the carnitas, which were appealingly crispy on the outside but underseasoned. The sides were your standard rice/beans/salad, akin to what you’d find in many Mexican restaurants in the area.

 

Because nearly everything else – service, ambiance, menu variety – was a plus here, I definitely wouldn’t rule out a return to Aqui es Mexico. Here’s hoping they can up their seasoning game.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

 

Ichiban Kasuga, the goofy eternally optimistic ex-yakuza, has taken to helping other former criminals find legitimate work while his formerly down-and-out comrades Adachi and Nanba also seem to be thriving. But when a viral video threatens their fortunes and Kasuga’s dating life implodes, he receives a surprising mission from his former clan captain: go to Hawaii and track down his presumed-dead mother, Akane. Upon arrival, Kasuga finds several dangerous factions hunting are hunting for Akane as well. Fortunately, he acquires unexpected allies, including legendary former yakuza Kazuma Kiryu, who is on a mission of his own and whose days may be numbered. Will the group find Akane and discover why she is wanted before it is too late?

The newest entry in Sega’s long-running Yakuza series is the follow-up to 2020’s Yakuza: Like a Dragon, a game that controversially moved the series from action brawler to turn-based RPG. In its own way, however, Infinite Wealth is no less revolutionary. It’s the first game in the series with an American setting, and, the first that really shows longtime protagonist Kiryu’s age (55) and health catching up with him. He’s still quite a formidable fighter, but we get to see him as more of a team player and less of a one-man army this go-around, and the bonds he forms with Kasuga and other party members help flesh him out.

Kiryu is but one of several surprisingly well-developed and well-written characters here. From inane plot contrivances to completely detestable megamaniacal villains, subtlety and complexity are not always Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios’ strengths. Infinite Wealth still has plenty of zaniness – Kasuga imagines street punks as monsters, presumed-dead characters pop up as bartenders who troll their patrons, and you fight malicious construction equipment on more than one occasion – but it's tempered by a more mature approach to characterization. Newcomers Tomizawa and Chitose are introduced as a petty criminal cab driver and a spoiled heiress, respectively, yet both have sympathetic motivations and grow to take responsibility and control of their lives. Returning character Seonhee, the seemingly stern queen of Yokohama’s Korean underworld, lightens up around Kiryu and displays a sisterly affection for underling Joongi Han. Club owner Saeko rebuffs attempts to woo or control her and asserts her independence. While one of the main antagonists fits the all-conquering mold, the others have more understandable rationales for the extremes that they go to.

Much of the voice cast returns from the previous game, and among the English-language performers, Kaiji Tang (Kasuga), Greg Chun (Nanba), and Elizabeth Maxwell (Saeko) continue to impress. Here, we’re also treated to Danny Trejo voicing a character modeled after himself, machetes and all. That said, vtuber Yong Yea is both too young and too inexperienced to really do Kiryu justice. The performance grows on you after a while, but it’s almost worth switching the language to Japanese for Takaya Kuroda’s familiar baritone alone.

While the turn-based combat in Like a Dragon was serviceable, it’s both deeper and more fluid in Infinite Wealth. Positioning plays a bigger role as you can move around to set up back attacks and environmental attacks. New job classes (each with unique abilities) open up possibilities to suit different playing styles that emphasize attack or magic or healing. Kasuga can perform tag-team attacks with party members once their hype meters fill. Kiryu, thankfully, retains his ability from older games to switch between fighting styles, and when his meter fills, he can step out of turn-based combat entirely and simply start punching and kicking opponents at will (similar to the old Extreme Heat mechanic).

There is much in Infinite Wealth that manages to be both fun and utterly shameless. The Pokemon-ripoff Sujimon collection side activity is back, and it is joined this time by an Animal Crossing ripoff: Dokondo Island. I’m not a fan of either franchise, but the former eventually grew on me – the latter continues to feel tedious. Another string of side activities can best be described as a Kiryu nostalgia tour as he triggers memories of characters from past games and even gets to observe some from afar (he’s been declared legally dead, and the shadowy faction that arranged it tries to distance him from his past life). Add to that everything from dungeon crawl battles to fishing to baseball and more, and there is no shortage of things to do in this game.

Well-designed, well-written, engaging, and eminently playable, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth has, if not, infinite potential, then at least a reasonable approximation of something for everybody. 

Peppers Indian Grill and Bar

 

Located at 727 West Main Street in Jamestown, Peppers Indian Bar and Grill offers Indian cuisine for lunch and dinner. It is open from 11:30 to 3 daily and from 4:30 to 9:30 (or 10 on Fridays and Saturdays). There is a full bar, and a lunch buffet is offered on the weekends. Online ordering is available as are catering and private dining/an event space.

I was sad to see the frequently excellent and just as frequently understaffed Namaste Lumbini close its doors. Thankfully, Peppers, which opened in the same spot, retains some of the Nepalese offerings. Add to that some experienced hands in both the front and back of house as well as a buffet, and there’s a lot of potential here.

 

My wife and I stopped by on a Sunday to try the aforementioned buffet, and we were impressed with the variety of offerings. There were multiple soups and chicken dishes, a paneer, a lamb, a biryani, a fish, several apps, salads, desserts, and even multiple beverage options, all of which were conveniently labelled. At $17ish per person, it was a good value. Though the buffet side of the restaurant was fairly busy, the hard-working staff did a good job of keeping up with the demand: none of the buffet stations stayed empty for long. 

As with Namaste Lumbini before it, the food at Peppers is better than you’d expect. The succulent tandoori chicken was among the best versions I’ve had, and the watermelon drink was very refreshing. Certain dishes (i.e. the fish) had a lot of tiny bones, but blame nature rather than Peppers for that one.

I don’t know if Peppers will have staying power, but given what their kitchen is capable of, one can hope. In the meantime, I look forward to returning for chicken 65, jhol momo, and other favorites while I can.

Shrimply Delicious

 

Located at 2204 Golden Gate Drive in the Golden Gate Shopping Center in Greensboro, Shrimply Delicious offers fried seafood sandwiches and platters. Family-sized portions, online ordering, and delivery (via DoorDash) are available. The restaurant is open from 11 to 9 Mondays through Saturdays.

 

As a fan of both bad puns and good seafood, I was bound to end up here sooner or later. When a po boy craving struck, I remembered the name and decided to give Shrimply Delicious a try. It wasn’t an entirely regrettable decision, but I don’t think I’ll be back.

 

Shrimply Delicious is a smallish space, and the tables in their dining area are packed somewhat closely together. This is a non-issue if you’re seeking takeout, of course, but if you’re looking to dine in, it may get a bit crowded. The menu boasts shrimp and fish baskets (with sides and drinks), fish sandwiches, and po boys. You won’t find any surprises, but there’s something to be said for staying on-brand.

 

I opted for a shrimp and catfish po boy to go. At $12.75, it was priced roughly between 42 Fry and Full Moon’s versions. The staff here are hard-working, but they were getting slammed with to-go orders, and so I had a longer-than-expected wait (albeit not unreasonably so).

Positives first: the sandwich was large, and the shrimp and fish were breaded and cooked well. Nothing tasted greasy. That said, the fish was fairly salty, the remoulade so-so, and the bread was a lackluster generic sub roll.

 

This isn’t the worst rendition of a po boy that I had, but it’s far from the best. Ultimately, Shrimply Delicious proved to be shrimply okay.

Arrowhead Coffee

Located at 518 North Spring Street in Greensboro, Arrowhead Coffee offers coffee drinks and teas. Specialty drinks change seasonally, and online ordering is available via Square.

Arrowhead rates as one of Greensboro's best coffeeshops and best-kept secrets. Because it isn't in the heart of downtown, it is easy to overlook. Tucked into a small plaza behind Dog Days, it is easy to drive right by it without realizing it is there. However, those who do stop won't regret it.

For starters, Arrowhead's blend of industrial and artsy makes for a unique ambiance. It's a comfortable space with plenty of seating. They don't have a huge selection here, but what they do offer - nitros and flash brews in addition to the usual suspects - helps it stand apart.

During my first visit, I opted for one of their seasonal drinks, the Cherie Berry. This hat tip to our state's erstwhile elevator queen was made from vanilla oat cold brew topped with strawberry foam and freeze-dried strawberries. It wasn't cheap (probably around $7 for a 16 ounce), but it was deliciously smooth and creamy. The strawberry pieces added a hint of tartness and an interesting textural contrast. Service was prompt and courteous.

Arrowhead isn't close to home, so I don't know when I'll return, but I'm glad that I got a chance to knock it off the "to try" list.

Dune: Part Two

 

Presumed dead, Paul (Timothee Chalamet) and his mother Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), survivors of the massacred House Atreides, have been hiding out on the desert planet Arrakis. Paul hopes to rally the native Fremen to strike back at their mutual enemy, House Harkonnen. But first, he must learn their ways. As he does so, tribal leader Stilgar (Javier Bardem) suspects that he might be their long-prophesized messiah. Chani (Zendaya) rejects the prophecy as a dangerous superstition even as she grows closer to Paul. Meanwhile, scheming Baron Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgard) presses his nephew Rabban (Dave Bautista) to crush the Fremen, knowing that Rabban’s younger brother Feyd-Rautha (Austin Butler) waits in the wings as a potential replacement. The Emperor Corrino (Christopher Walken), having allied with the baron to depose Paul’s father, now fears an uprising while his daughter, Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh), seeks to learn the Reverend Mother Mohiam’s (Charlotte Rampling) plans for the future of the throne.

 

The follow-up to Denis Villeneuve’s successful 2021 adaptation of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi classic, Dune: Part Two manages, improbably, to surpass it. Aesthetically breathtaking and powerfully acted, it avoids the first film’s second-half lag. Though ten minutes longer, Part Two feels like a shorter film thanks to more even pacing and plenty to occupy the audience’s attention.

 

Advances in filmmaking technology have made what would have been revolutionary years ago seem commonplace today, but even by these jaded standards, Dune: Part Two is a visually impressive film. Whether showing an immense sandworm crashing through desert dunes or a gladiator duel in a crowded coliseum (in black and white, no less), Greig Fraser’s cinematography is striking. Hans Zimmer returns to provide another powerful score.

 

The story that accompanies this marvel is largely faithful to the source material albeit with a few pragmatic excisions and expansions. Notable in the book largely for being its narrator, Princess Irulan here takes on a greater role in trying to preserve her family’s standing. Chani here is far less supportive of Paul as his legend grows. This gives her more agency – and a chance for Zendaya to show off her acting chops – but though intended as a voice of reason amid religious fervor, she often comes across as just as much of a zealot (an atheist ethnonationalist rather than a religious one) as the fundamentalists she condemns.

 

Both Zendaya and Bardem felt like odd casting choices the last go-around: the Fremen are Bedouin-inspired, and neither actor is Arabic. However, both seem to have grown into their roles, and Stilgar in particular no longer seems like comic relief. Chalamet handles the lead role, capturing Paul’s virtuousness and rage alike, but he leans more adequate than excellent. Fortunately, he doesn’t have to do more with so many other strong performers around him. Ferguson continues to shine as a woman literally and metaphorically possessed, and Josh Brolin finally gets to do something besides scowl. A nearly unrecognizable Butler makes up for Feyd Rautha’s absence from the last film by stealing scenes in this one. He matches Skarsgard’s bald, pale appearance, gravelly voice, and violent cruelty albeit with a sense of honor in combat that the other Harkonnens lack.

 

Literary adaptations often walk a fine line between fidelity and innovation, and a step too far in either direction risks losing the audience. Exceptions as they may be, Dune: Part Two and its predecessor have shown that it is possible to have your cake and eat it too.