When I visited North Carolina a couple of weeks ago, I expected to find terrific barbecue. (Some people say that it's the best in the south, which is to say, the world. Many of these people, I would guess, are from North Carolina, although their barbecue is definitely wonderful.)

I did not expect to find great local wine. And yet, a visit to Raffildini, a winery specializing in Italian-style wines, did not disappoint. Yes, North Carolina's wine industry is new, and has a ways to go, but it's certainly showing promise.

In continuing coverage of Michelin starred restaurants in the United States, please find a list of notable NYC chefs and their restaurants who did not receive the three-star award.

New on the site is a three part series on the seven restaurants in New York City that have received the coveted three-star Michelin nod: Daniel; Jean-Georges; Le Bernardin; Masa; Per Se, Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare and Eleven Madison Park.

Of these, several are among the most expensive places to dine in the country, but all of them will set you back a pretty penny.  Just something for you to think about as you jump through hoops to get a reservation.

First, here's an address book for the chosen seven, with a quick explanation of their reservation policies. Generally, you need to plan in advance, but not too far in advance. You need to call at the exact time that the restaurant's phone lines open, and you need to hit redial until you stop getting a busy signal, or until you realize that more than ten minutes have passed and you're probably not going to be able to dine after 5:30 or before 11p.m. In which case, you might as well head to Open Table.

If this is the year that you resolved to get serious about drinking, don't miss Tales of the Cocktail, the nation's premier cocktail event, July 25th to July 29th in New Orleans. Tickets are on sale now.

While you're at it, check out these fine culinary events in July, and learn more about cocktail trends. Or maybe you'd enjoy seeing a dessert set on fire?