panini-local farm egg, taleggio, chives

Toast Paninoteca

345 West Main Street

Durham, NC 27701

919.683.2183

www.toast-fivepoints.com (link)

Simplicity and heart.  Two notions that when focused upon could lead to a very fruitful life.  This concept was instilled in me from a very early age by my grandfather Jasper Grier and this realization was reinforced to me during his passing last year.  He lived his life in full awe of his family and loved ones and gave to them at every turn to his full capacity.  Having been a successful businessman for most of his adult life he practiced restraint with his wealth, never really participating in flashy trappings but instead comfortably pursued his passions of reading, traveling, and researching his ancestry, and was always poised to support his family when the need arose.  Reserved, he exemplified to me the power of confidence that comes with the knowledge that by giving love, a life takes on meaning.  His business life too revolved around these concepts.  He opened a single Arby’s franchise back when the fast food industry was just beginning to take shape, in the days when they still referred to them as ‘restaurants’, and not ‘joints’.  In his latter years he would mention how he missed the old days of having a simple menu, consisting of a one or two types of roast beef sam’ich and fries or potato cakes.  He was distraught with how the business had changed to try and reinvent the wheel every year with new sandwiches, promotional items and gimmicks just to tickle the registers and at the compromise of quality product.  Maybe that is the reason for the reemergence of such ‘simple’ based concepts such as “Five Guys Burgers”.  People are drawn to simplicity and it has its place.

Simplicity and heart.  That is what I witnessed at Toast Paninoteca in Durham.  Located downtown at the Five points intersection.  Toast was born of Kelli and Billy Cotter.  Based on a traditional Italian sandwich bar-paninoteca, Toast takes the idea of simplicity by offering seasonal local ingredients delivered in four basic forms: Panini-hot grilled sandwich, Tramezzini-cold sandwich on crust-less bread, Bruschetta-grilled bread w/toppings, and Crostini-small toasted bread w/ toppings.  The addition of daily homemade soups, some salad and warm olives rounds out the effortless menu, straight forward and done right.  The heart comes from the owners’ obvious care for not only quality product but from the manner with which it is delivered.  While I was there shooting Kelli Cotter worked the room, appreciative of everyone that entered and made it clear that she was not surrounded by just customers but by friends.  From the local architect stopping in for lunch to the ‘dude’ claiming “Toast porn!” as he noticed my gear to the homeless man who came in to use the bathroom and left with a complimentary bag and notification from Kelli that “there is enough in there for breakfast tomorrow”, it is evident that people return, in support of simplicity and heart.  Jasper would be impressed.

All content © Mark Petko Photography

warm olives with orange, rosemary, garlic, crushed red pepper

panini- tuscan kale, ricotta salata, sweet and hot pickled peppers

daily homemade soup- cauliflower puree, brown butter, capers, toasted hazelnuts

crostini (3)- 1. warm goat cheese, local honey, cracked black pepper 2. peperonata, pecorino romano 3. avacodo, lemon, parmigiano reggiano

bruschetta- roasted beets, ricotta salata, orange, mint

All content © Mark Petko Photography

Annatto seed wafers with Lime Curd and Roasted Figs

David Bernstein

Revolution

107 West Main Street

Durham, NC 27701-3603

919.956.9999

www.revolutionrestaurant.com (link)

chocolate tower                                                                                                                                                                                         

Jim Anile

Dig if you will a picture…of you and I engaged in a meal…If you happen to lack any sense of imagination to do this, then you may be of little use to Jim Anile, Executive Chef and Proprieter of Revolution.  After spending an afternoon working with Jim, I left with the sense that battling the mundane of everyday culinary existence is of some importance to him.  Having some background in food styling, Jim was an active participant in the shoot, offering sound ideas and voicing concerns on the end result of the imagery.  This concern for the detail of his work and the importance of edibility (may not really be a word, but you get the point) transcends his hopes for a good photograph and furthermore on to his dishes.    After spending twenty-some years in the business I feel Revolution is Jim’s break away opportunity at real self expression.  Having come from a long list of involvements with restaurants from New York City to Dallas and Asia to London, Jim’s pedigree has given him the foundation for which he can let loose with his creations being served at Revolution.  Specializing in Contemporary Global Cuisine, Revolution is located smack dab at the heart of Downtown Durham on West Main Street and is a sleek yet cozy space offering patrons a comfortable setting within which enjoyment can ensue.  Partnering with his wife Teresa, who handles many of Revolution’s operations, the two have attained the help of Chef De Cuisine, David Bernstein and Pasty Chef, John Tate to aid in the offerings provided.  Having only opened at the end of December 2008, this team has already been noted as “Best New Restaurant in Durham County” by The Independent/2009.

Thanks to Teresa and Jim for allowing me to exercise my photographic abilities at Revolution.

Peanut Butter and Goat’s milk “shake” with fixin’s

5 Spiced Pork Belly & Diver Scallops with Butter Beans and Watercress

…ya say ya want a revolution…tell’em you got spoonfed…

All images © 2009 Mark Petko Photography