Parker and Otis has recently opened in the space formerly occupied by Fowlers. I stopped by for lunch last week. The menu is short but the food is fresh and tasty. I had a vegetarian sandwich of avocado, sprouts, tomato, lettuce and white bean puree. It needed salt and pepper but that wasn't a problem because I got it to go.
I'm not sure what Parker and Otis is. Is it a candy shop with a wine section and a deli attached? Or is it a deli with some wine and candy? In a way, the place reminds me of what Foster's on the Durham Chapel Hill Blvd is doing, but at Parker and Otis the emphasis is definitely less on restaurant side and more on the retail side. Rumor has it the owner used to work at Foster's. I have no idea if this is true.
If I want good candy or wine, I go to A Southern Season. Parker and Otis is more convenient but they do not yet have a proven track record with me yet on wine (like Fowlers did and A Southern Season still does) and most of their chocolates were American. Like my wine, I want my chocolates to be French!
As far as I can tell, Parker and Otis stands the best chance of success if it emphasizes the restaurant/deli/cafe side of the business. But that means comfy tables and chairs are necessary. Right now the actual dining experience is somewhat lacking. That's why I got my sandwich to go. I hope there are plans to improve the eating space.
6 comments:
The wife and I went in for breakfast a couple weekends ago. I was underwhelmed by the candy section (didn't I read in the paper that it would be top notch? How are Swedish fish -- love them though I do -- top notch?), and disappointed by the grocery section, which I was hoping would more closely resemble a reasonably priced Mom and Pop corner store.
Still, the sandwiches were excellent (if a tad pricey). An easy Sunday brucnch choice.
I was very pleased with the wine and beer selection at Parker and Otis. They have a very nice selection of reasonalbly priced wines. Their candy selection is overall quite good. They are a great addition to the brightleaf area. I have had their sandwiches several times and have been very pleased each time. They were able to make a great basket for a wedding gift.
I go there oftern and am always pleased with their selections.
The owner's name is Jennings Brody. I know that she has a food background, and I am quite sure that she never worked at Foster's. I think that her food is WAY better than Foster's--- having eaten at both many times. I thought that Fowler's was a joke. I say go for the food, pick up some "groceries" if you have a chance. Buy local. I think it is a little bit like Southern Season, but smaller.
I work at Parker and Otis, so I eat there a lot. Even on days off, because I love the breakfast items, if a bit egg rich. I agree the sandwichwes are a bit pricey, but they use local and top quality ingredients, which are quite costy. They should offer a choice of sides. Customers say the coffee bar is quickly becoming the best in town, in terms of the quality of the drinks. But no wifi.
Jennings Brody most certainly did work at Foster's Market. She was the manager at the Chapel Hill location back in like 2000. I was on her staff there.
Parker and Otis looks exactly like Foster's or well now possibly a Cracker Barrel. But unlike Cracker Barrel, the prices are insane! Looks like someone is interested in ripping-off more than just Foster's image...
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