The dimensions are simple. When you build something with four corners, it will often be a box. A box, while being one of the most structurally-sound and efficient shapes, also contains a stigma we are all familiar with. To those employees stranded in a dead-end job, to artists whose creativity finds boundary uncomfortably close, for those seeking a resolution outside of convention...we seek to escape the confines "of the box."
But a box can be an object of utility, too. Whether storing valuables in cardboard boxes for a move, or retrieving our documents and pictures from an algorithmic box in the cloud, humans find comfort in a sturdily built corner, let alone four of them. We're willing to place our precious commodities in that most trusted shape of all shapes, and food is no exception.
[**update** Qi, a mathematically-minded professional engineer, has just reminded Mike that, certainly, a box is not the most trusted of all shapes. Nor is it even the most efficient in terms of space-to-foot. That would be a circle/sphere. Poor, stupid, Mike.]
On Friday, March 18th, the trio of Faylunchin were delighted to find that "thinking outside the box" might very well be the result of eating inside a box. In this case, a cozy, good-smelling, deliciously-ample box. Not like those boxes you left in the shed last Summer. Yuck.
But a box can be an object of utility, too. Whether storing valuables in cardboard boxes for a move, or retrieving our documents and pictures from an algorithmic box in the cloud, humans find comfort in a sturdily built corner, let alone four of them. We're willing to place our precious commodities in that most trusted shape of all shapes, and food is no exception.
[**update** Qi, a mathematically-minded professional engineer, has just reminded Mike that, certainly, a box is not the most trusted of all shapes. Nor is it even the most efficient in terms of space-to-foot. That would be a circle/sphere. Poor, stupid, Mike.]
On Friday, March 18th, the trio of Faylunchin were delighted to find that "thinking outside the box" might very well be the result of eating inside a box. In this case, a cozy, good-smelling, deliciously-ample box. Not like those boxes you left in the shed last Summer. Yuck.
Our rating system is structured within four primary categories: Atmosphere, Food, Lunch Bargain, and Service. We base our scores out of a possible ten points per category--typical stuff, we know. But this is where our ratings diverge! Sure, we count up the numbers, but they don't have so much to do with the restaurant's overall score. That, friends, is our pride and joy: a celebrity tribute, where we define a restaurant's personality with a famous person's name. Cool, huh? Ya, we know.
ATMOSPHERE
The first thing many newcomers to Four Corners Cafe might see are the neighboring businesses. Mojo's Pints and Pies, Lucky Luke's BBQ, the now defunct Mr. Burger are just of the few other restaurants located in a parking lot compressed with small-commercial real estate, piled atop each other in a fashion more representative of Fayetteville's meager days. Certainly not what comes to mind when realizing that Fayetteville was voted as the #3 best place to live in the United States.
And that's to say nothing of the businesses within this marketplace. It was just as much of a shock to enter Four Corners Cafe and witness the spacious dining area, low wooden tables, ample bar and wine rack. A mix of alternative rock and pop hummed just on the edge of our hearing, as a subtle reminder that this restaurant remains contemporary, even while the colorful timbered wall-hangings (cut in the recognizable shape of our state) reminded us that this restaurant is a locally-sourced, farm-to-table experience. Indeed, many critics could assume Four Corners to be a gentrified experiment, purposefully located in squalor, offering experience over food. But, of course, they'd be completely wrong, the bloody gits.
And that's to say nothing of the businesses within this marketplace. It was just as much of a shock to enter Four Corners Cafe and witness the spacious dining area, low wooden tables, ample bar and wine rack. A mix of alternative rock and pop hummed just on the edge of our hearing, as a subtle reminder that this restaurant remains contemporary, even while the colorful timbered wall-hangings (cut in the recognizable shape of our state) reminded us that this restaurant is a locally-sourced, farm-to-table experience. Indeed, many critics could assume Four Corners to be a gentrified experiment, purposefully located in squalor, offering experience over food. But, of course, they'd be completely wrong, the bloody gits.
- Harvey might've summed it up best, when he called Four Corners Kitchen, "the ugly kid with a great personality (and extra comfy bar seats)". We'll let that remain his critique. HARVEY'S SCORE 8/10
- Qi commented on the "nicely decorated interior", also calling it "cozy and intimate." He was the first to notice the lack of banjo music, the below average ratio of Subaru's-to-other-cars in the parking lot (all tell-tale signs of gentrification). And Qi was pleased, Amen. QI'S SCORE 9/10
- Mike was all about the wooden tops. The bar with its polished shelving, and the table tops that gleamed in waiting. He also noticed the lighted plant box in the back, where Four Corners grows their herbs. To Mike, anything with an "indoor greenhouse" is worth visiting. MIKE'S SCORE 9/10
Bathrooms
We believe bathrooms are crucial enough to be a subcategory of Atmosphere, deserving of its own score. After his brief visit to the loo, Harvey reported that, "I wouldn't go inside there hungover, but you can't help but pee with a smile." After seeing our picture of the room's interior, we feel you'll understand why. Yet another example of how Four Corners thinks outside the box. SCORE /10 |
FOOD
(for Four Corners' full menu, click here)
(for Four Corners' full menu, click here)
Before we ever visited Four Corners Kitchen, our notions of the restaurant were born of conjecture and quick judgment; one look at the sign above their door (the logo at the top of the page) convinced us to expect country-style fare at fine-dining prices. Just as The Farmer's Table caters to an eclectic breakfast and lunch, Four Corners was set to fancy up lunch and dinner.
Well, in some ways we were correct, while completely wrong in others. Yes, at Four Corners you can expect an adaptation on some basic Southern cuisines. However, this is not a restaurant to haphazardly throw into the category of Southern fusion. To be blunt, this is an artisanal dining experience bursting at the seams, unlike any restaurant in the area.
Qi's Special
Our appetizer was the Duck Fat Fries, served with herb mayo for dipping. These fries were naturally cut, crispy on their potato-skinned edges and toasty on the inside. When paired with the herb mayo, Qi found a flavor "perfectly balanced between fatty and earthy". We could've eaten a tub of these fries for lunch and been content. But that wouldn't be a very entertaining read, would it? SCORE 7.5/10
Well, in some ways we were correct, while completely wrong in others. Yes, at Four Corners you can expect an adaptation on some basic Southern cuisines. However, this is not a restaurant to haphazardly throw into the category of Southern fusion. To be blunt, this is an artisanal dining experience bursting at the seams, unlike any restaurant in the area.
Qi's Special
Our appetizer was the Duck Fat Fries, served with herb mayo for dipping. These fries were naturally cut, crispy on their potato-skinned edges and toasty on the inside. When paired with the herb mayo, Qi found a flavor "perfectly balanced between fatty and earthy". We could've eaten a tub of these fries for lunch and been content. But that wouldn't be a very entertaining read, would it? SCORE 7.5/10
- As for entrees, Harvey chose the Smoked Pork Shoulder Sandwich with chips, and was especially impressed with the apple radish slaw, what he called "an instant classic." On the whole, he was quite impressed with this farm-to-table experience and would certainly visit again. HARVEY'S SCORE 8/10
- Qi was not satisfied with just one special, opting for the soup and salad du jour: Creamy Crawfish Stew with a Mixed Local Greens salad. His salad dressing, aged white balsamic, was "good, but not exceptional", though the mix of herbs and lettuce had a good contrast. The Crawfish Stew "was very hearty, with lots of potatoes and spices," although the crawfish was not the freshest. QI'S SCORE 7.5/10
- Mike's Fish Sandwich was well-breaded on the outside, flaky yet not over fried, while the interior was steamy and hot. He likened it to, "a catfish cooked with the dignity of salmon." But the most extraordinary part of his meal were the pork rinds that he substituted for fries. Popping and sizzling on the plate, it was apparent just how fresh these pig skins had been pulled from the frier. And the serving size was generous! MIKE'S SCORE 8/10
LUNCH BARGAIN
As there was no specific lunch menu at Four Corners Kitchen, our "lunch bargain" category doesn't carry much weight. However, we would being doing this unique, delicious restaurant a disservice by not reporting their reasonable prices.
As there was no specific lunch menu at Four Corners Kitchen, our "lunch bargain" category doesn't carry much weight. However, we would being doing this unique, delicious restaurant a disservice by not reporting their reasonable prices.
- Harvey's Smoked Pork Shoulder sandwich rang up at $9.50, and his Fried Cherry Pie was $6.50. That's enough for him to admit, "you get what you pay for. Well worth it!" HARVEY'S SCORE 7.5/10
- Qi's soup and salad combo was by far the most economical at $10. But when added with the Duck Fat Fries and fried peach pie, an additional $12, this meal-for-one got a bit hefty. QI'S SCORE 8.5/10
- Mike's Fish Sandwich, normally served with chips, contained a $2.50 up-charge for Pork Rinds. He reserved his right for pie, however, choosing to guzzle a local beer instead. His total, approximately $21, was so similar to that of Harvey's and Qi's that he cursed himself for not ordering a pie. MIKE'S SCORE 7/10
SERVICE
All of us at Faylunchin can agree on this one. Like the sleek, anatomically-correct shape to which Four Corners Kitchen accredits its name, our server was of the upmost utility. Qi and Mike were the first to arrive, promptly welcomed by our mustachioed server. After delivering our waters, he made sure to check in routinely while we waited on the Englishman, letting us know that any of our needs would be met promptly. His service remained untarnished throughout the meal, at times so efficient that he went unnoticed.
All of us at Faylunchin can agree on this one. Like the sleek, anatomically-correct shape to which Four Corners Kitchen accredits its name, our server was of the upmost utility. Qi and Mike were the first to arrive, promptly welcomed by our mustachioed server. After delivering our waters, he made sure to check in routinely while we waited on the Englishman, letting us know that any of our needs would be met promptly. His service remained untarnished throughout the meal, at times so efficient that he went unnoticed.
- Harvey claimed our server to be "friendly and knowledgable", though he was most impressed by the perfectly-waxed swivel of his mustache. HARVEY'S SCORE 8/10
- Qi was also awed by our server's furry prowess, yet remarked on his subtle service instead. Admittedly, there were times when Qi's water was refilled without his recognition. We call that a NINJA SERVER! QI'S SCORE 9/10
- Mike noticed the mustache with a sigh, somewhat jealous that his own could not compare. But he wouldn't complain. This mustache was a fine host, from the opening beer to the closing check. MIKE'S SCORE 9/10
OVERALL SCORE
To find a celebrity that embodies the gravitas of "thinking outside the box", we had to do just that. Our brainstorming process: Who has remained relevant across decades? Who has had to reinvent themselves, almost to extremes, to captivate an audience again and again? Who, as Harvey put it, "is an ugly kid with a great personality"?
Wait. Which celebrity can play one part showman, one part playboy, one part singing/dancing/scientist/sex-crazed drug addict? And can this same person have starred in an 80s sitcom as an awkward genius-child? I think we have our answer...
This week's celebrity score, honoring the savviness and boundary-defying qualities of Four Corners Kitchen, is none other than...
To find a celebrity that embodies the gravitas of "thinking outside the box", we had to do just that. Our brainstorming process: Who has remained relevant across decades? Who has had to reinvent themselves, almost to extremes, to captivate an audience again and again? Who, as Harvey put it, "is an ugly kid with a great personality"?
Wait. Which celebrity can play one part showman, one part playboy, one part singing/dancing/scientist/sex-crazed drug addict? And can this same person have starred in an 80s sitcom as an awkward genius-child? I think we have our answer...
This week's celebrity score, honoring the savviness and boundary-defying qualities of Four Corners Kitchen, is none other than...
(left photo courtesy of comicvine.gamespot.com, right photo courtesy of saastr.com)
Okay, okay. So, Neil Patrick Harris has never really been unattractive. As a woman or a man, it's equally possible to stare glossily over Neil's perfectly styled hair, impeccable wardrobe, wondering whether he'll buy you a drink first or just get to business.
But the 80s made for awkward hairstyles and stupid ties, so everyone was just a bit uglier in that decade. You get our point. Neil, like Four Corners Kitchen, can equally be the place to sip a glass of wine and talk politics, or the place to a gurgle beer and slather herb mayo on your duck fat fries. Or perhaps you'd spend the evening listening to the amorous popping of pork rinds on a steamy plate. Ya, that sounds more like something NPH would do.
But the 80s made for awkward hairstyles and stupid ties, so everyone was just a bit uglier in that decade. You get our point. Neil, like Four Corners Kitchen, can equally be the place to sip a glass of wine and talk politics, or the place to a gurgle beer and slather herb mayo on your duck fat fries. Or perhaps you'd spend the evening listening to the amorous popping of pork rinds on a steamy plate. Ya, that sounds more like something NPH would do.
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...and if you'd like a view of how Four Corners' pork rinds look up close, well we've got your video right here!
...and if you'd like a view of how Four Corners' pork rinds look up close, well we've got your video right here!
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