Q: I saw garlic scapes at the farmers market this week. What are they and what can I do with them?
Tom: I just love garlic scapes. They are the curly green shoots that spring from a young garlic bulb. They have a relatively short season — from late spring until early July, give or take. Garlic scapes have a milder flavor than cloves with an additional fresh “green” flavor note. They are great flavoring agents in stir-fries and soups. Grilled, they make for a great side for steaks or pork chops. You can make an outstanding pesto with them. My favorite use is to mince the heck out of them and make a compound butter. They can also be pickled.

Q: Seems South Charlotte is all franchises and national chains. What are some local restaurants I can patronize?
Tom: I recently had dinner at Lola, a Peruvian ceviche and tapas restaurant in Pineville, I enjoyed immensely. On the Matthews end, Santé has been delivering the goods for years. Open Rice on Rea Road offers a nice mix of classic and innovative dishes representing China, Japan, Korea, and other Asian cuisines.

Q: What happened at Figo36?
Tom: The Menagerie Group sold it to Raydal Hospitality Group (Three Amigos, Sabor, etc). There are no current plans to change the concept, but word is it will soon announce a new executive chef.

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