April 2, 2020

Q&A: Washing eggs, Simpson’s opening

Each week, we answer your questions

Q: When I buy eggs at the farmer’s market, am I supposed to wash them? And is there a difference in flavor between the colors?
UP: For this one, we reached out to Piedmont Culinary Guild founder Kris Reid. She says that most farmers do a good job of cleaning the eggs before selling them, but if there’s any sign of debris on the eggs, you should wash them before storing them. As for the different color eggshells, Reid says there’s not much difference in taste, the eggs just come from different breeds of the bird.

Q: I was hoping to plant herbs this weekend. Are there any farmer’s markets selling plants?
UP: I would check out Celtic Frost Herb Farm. They’re usually at the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market, but won’t be this weekend because the market is only allowing food vendors. Instead, you can order your plants and pick them up at the farm by appointment. The list of available plants and herbs is available on Facebook.

Q: Is Simpson’s on Kings Drive still opening this week?
UP: No, they’re not. They’ve pushed the opening back a week to April 10, though we suspect it might get pushed back yet again.

Q: Are restaurants making enough money on takeout?
UP: Not many of them. I suspect we’ll see some people deciding soon that it isn’t worth it for them to stay open, as Eater reported is happening in other cities. The concepts doing well are ones that are fit for takeout and travel well, which favors comfort food establishments over fine dining. However, you’re seeing a lot of fine dining restaurants shift their menus to favor home-style dishes, instead. If you can, keep getting take-out dinners — most restaurants are offering curb-side service, and you can buy wine, too.

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