Q: Is it officially tomato season yet? Who grows the best ones?

UP: It is! This chart from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture shows what the typical growing period is for produce, and is a handy link to save. As for the best tomatoes, we reached out to Alyssa Wilen of Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen to get her take. She’s a Charlotte native, and has been shopping locally for her cooking classes since launching the cooking school. I’ve even taken a class that focused solely on tomato dishes. Her picks? New Town Farms has the sweetest, but Small City Farm’s Arkansas Travelers are another favorite. Wilen says she’s also been liking the ‘maters from Burton Farms lately, too.

Q: Will Pinhouse have food when it opens?

UP: The self-serve taproom with duck bowling will open in Plaza Midwood in July (grand opening is the 27^th). While they don’t have a kitchen, I’m told there will be food trucks there.

Q: When is Barrister’s opening?

UP: I know, I can’t wait either! Barrister’s is an ingredient-driven restaurant opening in Gastonia, inside of the new boutique Esquire Hotel. I reached out to chef Kyle McKnight, and his answer was they’re “real close.” The website is up and running, so I’d say any day now. We’ll be there as soon as we can; the opening has seen some serious delays.

Have a question for us? E-mail it to editor@unpretentiouspalate.com and we’ll answer it next week!