A Green Borough

January 13, 2008
Seeing as how (one of) my job(s) requires me to spend every weekend in Greensboro, I feel as if I should get to know the place a little better, take in some scenery, experience some night life.


Printworks Bistro is a restaurant in the newly opened Proximity Hotel in Greensboro, NC. What drew me to the restaurant/hotel was an article in the News & Record about how Proximity is hoping for a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. This hôtel particulier is sustainable, using recycled materials for its building, solar panels to generate energy for heat, and other energy/earth saving ideals. I try to keep green whenever I can, and any establishment that I can find that is doing it's part to save the world from destruction is high on my list. In March of this year, I plan on taking a trip to Napa Valley to the Gaia Napa Valley Resort and Spa, the only gold-certified LEED hotel in the US at this time.


I don't have a rubric on which to base my satisfaction levels of an establishment, but this hotel ranks pretty high. It's clean and fresh, with modern furniture I wouldn't dare put in my apartment (too austere for my tastes, but perfect for the clean lines of the hotel). The beds are plush and comfortable. There's even a set of waffle-terrycloth robes in the closet to cozy up in while you watch cable on the flat screen TV or traffic whiz by on Benjamin Parkway. Free wi-fi is surely a draw for many and plenty of plugs/outlets and extra amenities to make you want to stay when you're in the triad area.



Front of hotel. The window underneath the "X" is the room where we slept.




The bathroom. Walk-in glass walled Terrazzo shower and soaking tub with windows that open onto the sleeping room.





The closed doors that hide the joy that is the bathroom. There is also a curtain for more anonymity.


A waterfall in bathtub. How chic. How luxurious. Aveda bath products are the toiletry of choice here. Peppermint shampoo and conditioner, Refreshing bath bar, and Rosemary Mint lotion were part of the arsenal in the bathroom. I wish I had forgotten a toothbrush, comb, or razor to see what delight I'd find.



The Chop Shop

One of my many joys is shopping. Every chance I get, I shop for new gadgets for the kitchen. I think of myself as a no-nonsense kind of gal. I don't have a need for an avocado slicer, a corn kernel cutter, or a shrimp deveiner. I need practical, durable, reasonably priced items to fill my kitchen. Today: Sur la Table.

I've been patronizing Sur la Table (SIR-la-tahbl) since late last year when they had FREE knife sharpening. I couldn't drive there fast enough. The limit was two so I chose my Santuko and slicer knives to test the waters. One day later I went back to retrieve Fric and Frac and they were as sharp as the day I received them in culinary school. They sharpen knives regularly for $2 an inch. I heard a rumor they'll offer the service for free again in April.


They are in the midst of their Winter Sale, 20%-50% off select merchandise. Sur la Table is an expensive William-Sonoma. Specialty gourmet stores are all expensive. But if you want quality and know what you are looking for, specialty is where it's at. I visit the store every Saturday and sometimes on Sundays. Last week it was for a sharpener for my Santuko. Regularly priced at $19.95, on sale for $9.96.This week it was for a heart-shaped Le Creuset pot. Resists chips, stains, scratches and possibly Pompei-esque destruction. Who cares if it is in the shape of an overused muscle? Regularly priced at $50, on sale for $29.96. Le Creuset pots and pans are expensive. And heavy. Wise investment, I say. The sale ends in February, so now is the time!



Like this post?

About the author

Nikki Miller-Ka

Nikki Miller-Ka

Ms. Miller-Ka is a classically trained chef with a BA in English from East Carolina University and a Culinary Arts Associate Degree from Le Cordon Bleu-Miami.

Formerly, she’s worked as a researcher, an editorial assistant, reporter and guest blogger for various publications and outlets in the Southeast. She has also worked as a catering chef, a pastry chef, a butcher, a baker, and a biscuit-maker. Presently, she is a food editor, freelance food writer, and a tour guide for Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours.

Next Post
Previous Post

Leave a reply

  1. JanetApril 21, 2013 at 10:36 AM

    Ohhhhhhh! That soaking tub!!! I love Aveda and, I know you do too! ;)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thank you for coming by! Don't make this visit your last!