Summer has officially begun and there’s no better way to showcase the bounty of the season’s fresh produce than with a stellar salad. Here are five you’ll want to try before summers end.
 
Surf House Oyster Bar & Surf Camp, Carolina Beach
 
Chef Craig Love has created a salad of chilled crab, pickled corn, sun gold tomatoes and basil with a buttermilk dressing that embodies layer upon layer of summer flavors. 
 
Solterita, Savorez
 
A couple of years ago chef Sam Cahoon partnered with the NC Sweet Potato Commission to create a several recipes honoring on of the states most widely grown crops. Today, the Solterita salad, which includes sweet potato, roasted corn, white beans, avocado, jalapeno, queso fresca, grape tomatoes and cilantro, tossed in a red wine vinaigrette, can be found at Savorez, where the presentation is as delightful as the flavors. For those who might like to try this one at home, the recipe is available online.
 
Heirloom tomato and burrata, Brasserie du Soleil
 
While the Brasserie is known for its create-your-own salads, chef Marc Piscitello is serving up a plate of North Carolina-grown heirloom tomatoes and creamy burrata cheese topped with a balsamic reduction, brown butter croutons and micro basil. Enjoy it as a sharable starter or a summertime lunch.
 
Spicy Sonoma Caesar Salad, Chopt
 
Perfectly timed for summer, Chopt’s current round of destination salads highlight the flavors of sunny California. They’re bringing the heat with the Spicy Sonoma Caesar, featuring chipotle chicken, avocado, parmesan quinoa crisps, pickled cherry peppers, romaine, kale and purple cabbage tossed with a traditional Caesar dressing.
 
Waterfront salad, The Rooster & The Crow
 
One of downtown’s newest waterfront restaurants, located in Chandler’s Wharf, is serving up a sweet and savory salad of spring mix topped with fresh strawberries and blueberries, goat cheese and coconut crusted cashews topped with a coconut balsamic vinaigrette. This super flavorful summer salad will keep you coming back for more.
 
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