Editor’s Note: Fork & Dagger is 828newsNOW’s anonymous restaurant review series, written by our independent Grub Scout—no freebies, no press perks, no agenda. Grub Scout pays full price, visits unannounced, and takes notes on food, service, atmosphere, and value. Each review reflects a recent, honest experience rated on our 1‑to‑5 fork scale. We aim to help you discover standout dining spots—from casual diners to white‑tablecloth affairs—one bite at a time.
When your circle of friends contains many career restaurant veterans, you often hear random tidbits about local haunts, as well as new spots. So, for me, when I drive past a restaurant that’s been open for a while, and I’ve heard nothing about it, I’m suspicious. A mystery like that makes me skeptical, especially when I look up the menu and it reads like fine dining, yet it’s in a shopping center. Other cuisine locations like that are commonplace. Cheap Thai food in a strip mall? Sure. Tacos in a hole in the wall? Delicious. But fine dining? What the heck?
Little D’s claimed to be “offering seasonal fare, and shareable plates, with a purpose.” That tag line seemed a bit much to me until I experienced it…