The cookie tasting at NoDa Brewing. Kristen Wile/UP

Q: I saw the pics of the beer + cookie pairing on Instagram. Looked like a lot of fun (and calories). Which cookie was your favorite? And when and where is the next Unpretentious Palate event going to be? 

UP: They were all FANTASTIC! It’s hard to pick a favorite, but Laney Jahkel-Parrish of 300 East did her take on my favorite cookie, the Samoa, and nailed the flavors. The texture was so much better than the actual Samoa, too. In fact, I saved myself a few, and might eat one now!

Our next event is on March 18. We’re hosting a luncheon to honor women in the beverage industry. We’ve also got a restaurant preview of N.C. Red in the works, but you’ll have to stay tuned for a date on that one!

 Q: Where’s a good, casual restaurant to take a non-adventurous eater where I can get good food too? Thinking NoDa or South End.

UP: We’ve got a category on our restaurant finder for that! Haberdish is great for this; everyone loves fried chicken, but the restaurant still has a foodie vibe to it. Sister concept Crêpe Cellar is another place that can please anyone. In South End, try Leroy Fox or 300 East (technically Dilworth, but close enough!).

Q: Which farmer’s market do you think is best?

UP: This is a great question, there are so many! The two that I frequent most are the Yorkmount market, the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market, and South End Market. Yorkmount has the biggest selection, but can be a pain because it gets crowded and you get non-local vendors mixed in. Stick to the first bay and you should be fine. For a quicker experience, South End Market — formerly Atherton Market — is great. It’s in the space behind Anthropologie, and is small, but holds a wide variety of vendors with just about everything you need. If I were closer, the Matthews market would be up there, as would Davidson’s.

Have a question for us? Send it in and we’ll answer it next week!