Wasabi 88

If a visitor asked you where he should dine while he's visiting your county, which restaurant would you suggest?

David Bailey, a food writer who lives in Greensboro, traveled throughout North Carolina on what he said was a dream assignment for Our State magazine: “to canvas North Carolina in search of foods worth sharing.” He said he chose the featured restaurants “with the help of people from all over.” The challenge, he writes, was “to ferret out something that provides a sense of place, that in some way characterizes a county, and that's not already widely known.”

The result is an article titled “100 foods you must eat in 100 counties,” published in the July issue of Our State magazine, which is available on newsstands now.

The Pitt County restaurant he featured is Wasabi 88, an Asian bistro and sushi bar at 420 E. Arlington Blvd. The article includes a full-page photograph of Wasaabi 88's signature sushi roll, The 88 Roll with filet mignon, spicy mayo and cucumbers.

In the article, Bailey quotes his friend Terri Rooks as saying, “I've eaten a lot of sushi in this state, but Wasabi 88 is the most memorable sushi experience ever.” She says the restaurant's Valentine Roll is the must-eat item on the menu.

Wasabi 88 owner Dai Nguyen said he's thrilled his restaurant was singled out.

“At first I was very shocked and thought that it was a prank call, seeing how many great restaurants there are in Greenville — not to mention Pitt County,” he said. “I am very honored and grateful to be selected, though.”

To celebrate, Nguyen said Wasabi 88 will offer half-price appetizers from 5-6:30 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, along with two-for-one sushi rolls and daily drink specials.

Call Wasabi 88 at 493-0510 or visit wasabi88.com and greenvilleasianbistro,com.

Copper & Vine Kitchen and Wine Bar

Autumn and Steve Mills, owners of Greenville's Dolce Vita wine shop, will open Copper & Vine Kitchen and Wine Bar in early September in the Jefferson Blount Harvey Building, 330 Evans St., in downtown Greenville. The two-story space formerly was occupied by Fourth Street Wine Bar.

“I have been so inspired by my research and travel with wine to bring to Greenville an experience with high service standards with this wine bar concept,” Autumn Mills said.

“We will have a small lunch menu featuring all fresh and locally grown produce and ingredients where possible, along with an extensive wine list featuring 100-plus selections and craft beers with an emphasis on local breweries. Our dinner menu is small plate, tapas-style, so we can offer the highest quality. We will also feature a classic cocktail list with signature wine-based drinks, gourmet coffee and gourmet desserts.

“Ready-made salads and sandwiches also will be available to go.”

The couple will continue to operate Dolce Vita, 3110 Evans St.

Carolina Ale House

The folks at Raleigh-based Carolina Ale House have set their sights on Greenville and plan to open a location here.

The website for the family friendly sports-themed restaurant known for its burgers, steaks and wings already has announced that a new restaurant is “coming soon” to Greenville. But Mindy Amerson, a native of Pitt County who is director of communications for parent company LM Restaurants, said that the plans aren't complete.

“We've got our eyes on the area,” she said. “We're planning on it, but nothing's been signed on the dotted line.”

“Hot Dish” will fill you in on the details as they become available.

Walt's Water Ice

Walt's Water Ice has opened in the former location of Tropical Smoothie Café at 3150 Evans St., beside DragonFly Chinese restaurant in the Lynncroft shopping center.

Owner Walt Roth of Ayden said he combined the Italian ices of the Philadelphia area (which have strong, sugary flavors and a smooth consistency) with those of his native New Jersey/New York (which are more granular and served at a colder temperature). The resulting “water ice” offered at Walt's uses Philly flavorings and is served cold enough to scoop it into a ball.

It doesn't have the same liquid consistency as a slushy and, unlike a sno-cone, the flavorings aren't just poured on top. Machines on the premises churn and freeze the sugar, water and flavorings to Walt's specifications.

Approximately a dozen flavors are available daily, including blueberry, mango, cherry, lemon, cotton candy, chocolate, snow cream, pina colada, strawberry kiwi, margarita, watermelon, root beer, tropical passion fruit, sour apple, raspberry, coconut, banana, orange, bubble gum, pineapple and cappuccino. A few sugar-free varieties are offered.

Cups of water ice cost $1.75 for an 8-ounce kiddie serving, $2.75 for a 12-ounce small serving, $4 for a 16-ounce medium serving and $6 for a 28-ounce large serving.

Hours are 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays.

Sakura Asian Express

Sakura Asian Express, at 3209 S. Memorial Drive across from the Wingate Inn near the Greenville Boulevard intersection, offers Japanese hibachi-style meals as well as other Asian specialties such as pad thai and curry noodle soup.

The appetizer menu features Thai vegetable spring rolls ($3.99 for two), crispy cheese ravioli ($4.99), fried potstickers ($5.99) and chicken or pork fritters ($5.99).

Hibachi entrees are served with vegetables and steamed or fried rice and include teriyaki chicken, steak, shrimp or pork for $6.99; teriyaki salmon or rib-eye steak for $7.99. Thai green curry, Thai red curry and Thai spicy basil are available with a choice of chicken, pork or tofu for $8.99, steak or shrimp for $9.99; and a choice of two for $10.99.

Pad Thai — stir-fried rice noodles with shrimp, chicken, eggs, cabbage and ground peanuts — is $8.99. Other noodle dishes include Vietnamese Rice Soup (Pho) with a choice of steak or chicken ($7.99), Sakura Soba lo mein ($7.99-$10.99), Singapore Curry Noodle Soup ($8.99-$11.99), spicy basil noodles ($8.99-$10.99), spicy tom yum clear noodles ($7.99-$8.99).

The menu also features bowls with rice, vegetables and a choice of tofu, chicken, shrimp or steak ($4.99-$6.99), grilled chicken salad ($6.99), and sandwiches featuring hibachi chicken, steak or pork with sauteed onions, mushrooms, cheese and coleslaw on a Kaiser roll with fries ($7.99).

Hours are 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Call 321-3088.