Eating Out

Our big fat Greek(ish) dinner

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After our outing to the Greenville Zoo on New Year’s Eve, Mr. McB and I were starving. He really wanted pizza so we headed down to Pelham Road to have a pie at Bertolo’s only to find that they were closed. The same was true for Moe’s Southwest and Acapulco.  It was just four in the afternoon so the folks who own/run these establishments must have been gearing up for quite that party that night.

We notice that The Original Acropolis (3620 Pelham Road – Earth Fare Plaza) was open and since he was starving, McB was more willing to try a Greek restaurant that normal. Things were pretty quiet so we got a seat immediately. The décor is very showy. It seems that this is true of many Greek restaurants in the US. I don’t mind it, it’s just very…fancy.

We review the menu and quickly realize that Acropolis serves a mix of Greek and Italian dishes. This seems to be pretty popular in this area. We had a good experience at Greek/Italian Pomodoros just south of Asheville and our beloved Mythos pizza comes from a Greek/Italian kitchen.

I am pretty hungry so I select the moussaka. It’s a heavy dish but I’m hungry enough to handle it. McB picks pizza (regular Italian not the pita version.)

Greek saladMy meal came with a Greek salad. It was a good basic salad with a flavorful Greek vinaigrette that really popped with the olives and feta in the salad.

 

MoussakaThe moussaka was a bit different than what I was expecting. I was presented with a slightly Americanized version of Greek moussaka (eggplant/potatoes, seasoned ground beef, béchamel sauce) but it was surrounded by a hearty tomato sauce with slices of feta. It was like a little Italian moat around my moussaka castle. The core dish was good for the most part. The beef was well seasoned with the traditional cinnamon and all spice. The potatoes weren’t cooked as thoroughly as I would have liked.  There was also some bitterness to the eggplant but it’s eggplant and sometimes that just happens. The tomato sauce and feta pairing was good but I feel like they were there on the plate trying to cover for the shortcomings of the moussaka. While this odd combination wasn’t horrible, it didn’t provide the authentic experience I was looking for.

Pizza from AcropolisMcB’s cheese pizza featured the same sauce that surrounded my moussaka. It was a heavy sauce that was applied liberally – too liberally for his taste. The crust held up to the sauce but the ratio of cheese to sauce was less than ideal. The next day I tried to have one of his leftover pieces as cold pizza but this pizza just isn’t made to be eaten cold. I wrapped it in foil and reheated in the oven. I wasn’t fond of the pie. The sauce was just too much for the pizza.

I’m not sure we’d head back to The Acropolis. We only go out once or twice a week so I don’t see us using one of our limited opportunities there. It’s not a horrible place, the service is good and the portions are plentiful and other than the pizza, the food isn’t bad. It’s just not the place I would pick.

Heading to the Strip Club

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You can relax. I’m writing about The Strip Club 104, a steakhouse in downtown Greer.

I stumbled upon The Strip Club 104 (104 East Poinsett Street) through an Upstate Deal email. After giggling at the name, Mr. McB and I salivated over the menu and decided to buy into the deal.

We used our special for a mid-week dinner in early December. Reservations are recommended. The restaurant is small and popular. I called on a Friday afternoon for our reservation on the following Wednesday. I thought everything was taken care of – I repeated the day, date and time and our name before the end of the conversation. Yes, I looked at a calendar before making the call since I’ve already admitted to having some trouble with dates these days. When we arrived on the appointed night, there was no record of our reservation. I was annoyed by this but more bothersome was the fact that the restaurant was empty when we arrived and yet the hostess had to make us stand in a state of flux for a few minutes and then make a big production over talking to the manager to see if we could get a table. He seemed to look at her as if she was crazy and we were seated shortly. I’d like to note that even with a large party, the restaurant wasn’t full when we left. I looked at the computer while the hostess left us in purgatory and there were only two reservations so really, what was the big deal?

If you make it past the hostess stand, the restaurant itself is warm and inviting. There are exposed beams and brick along with lots of crisp white linen and wood accents. The retro pinup-girl prints provide a witty decorative touch and make for fun conversation.

Our server was wonderful. His demeanor soothed whatever feathers the hostess ruffled. He went over the specials in detail, answered questions, and offered advice when asked.

I admit that we really splurged during our visit. We began the meal with flaming saganaki. I do love the theatrics that go along with this flaming Greek cheese and this was a very appetizing version. I should back up a moment to say that the meal actually began with buttery, warm biscuits. Ummm…biscuits.

New York Strip, balsamic glaze, mac-n-cheese, asparagusFor his entrée, Mr. McB selected the New York strip with a balsamic glaze. His sides were mac-n-cheese and grilled asparagus. The aged steak was massive and didn’t cook away despite the fact that McB ordered his steak well done. I want to pause for a moment and give the server props for not trying to dissuade the hubby from ordering his steak well done. My husband isn’t quick to anger but please just tell him how to order his steak and you’ll see the temper. McB was very pleased with his entrée and sides. He loved the balsamic glaze as an accompaniment to the beef. The asparagus was light and tender. The mac-n-cheese was a heavenly blend of cheesy goodness. I also approved of the sides. The steak was good but for my own tastes, it would have been magnificent if only it was medium but it wasn’t my steak so I can’t really complain.

Redneck DelicacyI selected the “Redneck Delicacy.” This meal featured two spicy/tangy shrimp (Boom, Boom Bang Shrimp per the menu) and spinalis of black angus. Spinalis are the cap of the ribeye –well marbled yet very tender when properly cooked and this was tasty and tender. The sides were smoked bacon collard greens and garlic mashed potatoes. The whole delicious mess was finished with a lobster sherry gravy and warm pimento cheese. The flavors played nicely together. I was impressed by the meal as a whole. On their own, the collard greens fell a little short. They were nice but didn’t live up to the description in the menu. In all honesty, I think their blandness worked for my selection but had I ordered them as a side for a simpler dish, I would have been a bit disappointed.

My small plate version of the entrée left room for dessert. I chose the carrot-cake cheesecake. It was nice. There was a lot of creamy cheese goodness which I enjoy very much. I didn’t enjoy the raisins but I should have expected them, it was carrot cake after all. McB chose a chocolately dessert. It was a bit rich so he didn’t finish, but he enjoyed what he had.

McB and our frequent stripper cardDespite the rocky start, we had a lovely evening at The Strip Club 104. The food was original and tasty. Our server was great. We came home with the loyalty card so they’ll definitely be seeing us again. I’ll just be calling to reconfirm those reservations.

Nose Dive

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Last June I came to Greenville to see my sweet husband  and explore our new city. On my first full day here, we went for a lovely stroll downtown. It’s really a gorgeous place with the falls and lots of shops and restaurants to boot.

When lunchtime rolled around, Mr. McB suggested Nose Dive, (116 South Main Street, Greenville, SC). I was a little surprised that Mr. Pickypants would willingly eat at a “gastropub.” He’s a wonderful guy but not an adventurous eater. I was definitely game so before he could change his mind, we were making our way to a table.

Nose Dive has a very clean look. There is a lot of glass and metal decor. It is modern and maybe a bit industrial without being overly cold. Incidentally, I love the plates and serving pieces. It’s all very white or taupe but the shapes and sizes are just a bit funky.

Enough of the fluff, let’s get to the substance and there’s plenty of it at Nose Dive.

Carolina DipOn our first visit, Mr. McB ordered the Carolina Dip, a french dip made with pork instead of beef. It came with fries and a lovely au jus. He was very happy with his meal.

 

oxtail tacosI opted for the oxtail tacos. The plate (see the cool basket-style serving dish) came with a delicious guac, fresh jalapeno slices, fresh pico (simple, tasty), and cabbage. The oxtail was so flavorful and tender. My mouth is watering at the memory of this meal. Ordinarily I would put cheese on a taco but it wasn’t offered and I didn’t miss it one bit.

We topped the meal off with the Krispy Kreme creme brulee. If I remember correctly, there was a spoon fight over the final bite. Our bellies were already full so that says a lot.

We knew then that we would want to take guests to Nose Dive and finally had the opportunity to do that earlier this month when my parents came for a little visit. It wasn’t until we got to the restaurant that we realized that the menu had changed significantly since the summer. I assume that they use seasonal menus since the dishes offered seemed a bit more “wintry.”

While I had been dreaming of oxtail tacos, I was easily distracted by the Vietnamese Bahn Mi. This delicious cold sandwich was served on french bread and featured tasty, tender pork topped with pickled veggies and fresh jalapenos. The tastes came together to make a delicious and filling meal. The jalapenos added just the right amount of heat to compliment the tangy vegetables and slight sweetness of the pork.

My mom ordered the cassoulet. It was a hearty blend of beans, vegetables and smoky meat. It was a great dish for a cool, wet day.

Dad ordered the fish and chips. The portions were generous and the fish was not greasy. He compared the quality to Eamonn’s Dublin Chipper in Old Town Alexandria. If you’ve had the opportunity to eat at Eamonn’s you know what a compliment that is.

Mr. McB ordered a burger. It was a nice juicy patty with cheese and lots of delicious fries.

I’m sorry that I forgot to bring the camera but trust me when I say, it was delicious and all very appealing to the eye as well.

I think that Nose Dive may be my very favorite restaurant in Greenville. The food is tasty, inventive and plentiful. I highly recommend it and can’t wait to take new guests there.

 

The accidental Christmas parade or our new home for the holidays

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A friend asked if I felt that my brain cells were dying off during this period of unemployment. I answered with a polite “no,” realizing that this person doesn’t understand what a challenge it can be to get adjusted to a new town, rock the household stuff, and look for a job. I’ve also got a library card and an appetite for really thick historical non-fiction so, again I say “no, my brain is doing just fine.”

I must admit that my brain isn’t concerned about the actual calendar date like it was when I was working outside the home. I know what day it is, but the date – not so much. It’s for this reason that we wound up going to dinner in downtown Greenville on the same night as the Christmas parade. I was pretty sure that the parade was on December 3 (which it was) and that December 3 was a Friday (no, nope not at all.)

We drove down to the West End to eat at Smoke On the Water (more on this later) and quickly realized that the parade is indeed the same night. We found a parking spot, with just a little difficulty, and decided to make a full night of it.

First for dinner, Smoke On the Water, “a saucy Southern tavern,” specializes in burgers, smoked entrees, and barbecue.  The atmosphere is relaxed and modern-rustic. Our server was fast and helpful. Before our meals were served, we were treated to cornbread and brought a variety of bbq sauces. While Mr. McB found the sweet sauce to be his favorite, I went for the thin peppery sauce that was a bit like Tabasco. Neither of us were overly fond of the mustard-black pepper sauce but agreed that it was an interesting spin on the Carolina mustard sauce. I thought it could help clear the sinuses.

McB had the bbq chicken sandwich. He was pleased with the saucy, grilled breast that was topped with melted cheese. We were both quite pleased with his fries. I don’t know what’s happening, but I’m becoming a fry-thief and these were definitely worth taking.

I had the “home plate” which featured three side dishes of my choice. I selected the baked beans, squash casserole, and loaded potato cake. The baked beans were sweet and spicy; I’m almost positive that there were a few bits of jalapeno in the dish. The squash casserole was good but since it contained red peppers, something I wasn’t expecting, I had to pick around those pieces. For that reason alone, I probably wouldn’t order it again. I’ve saved the best for last with the loaded potato cake. The cake was made from mashed potatoes blended with something both creamy and tangy. It was then breaded with panko and deep-fried before being finished with a sour cream sauce and chives. That was a little lump of heaven. It melted in my mouth, my big smiling mouth.

Our meals were reasonable and we felt full but not miserable as we made our way from the restaurant and out to explore before the parade began. Our first stop was The Cook’s Station.  It’s a local, high-end culinary store. They have beautiful things including some dream kitchen setups and lots of nifty gadgets. We had lots of fun looking around. The husband made a mental note that if the bank account is drained, I may have blown it all there.

We continued to stroll around until we found a spot for parade viewing. The night was warm and we enjoyed the people watching before things got started. The parade itself was lots of fun. There were bands, floats, cute little kids, several Grinches, Storm Troopers, Santa and everything else you could expect from a Christmas parade.

After the show was over, we continued up to The Chocolate Moose for a treat. We were dismayed to see the mess that folks left behind on the street and sidewalks.  The pizza boxes, bottles, cups, napkins, and other rubbish were all contrary to the civic pride of the parade. Once inside the cupcake shop, we grabbed a seat and enjoyed delicious, rich cupcakes (black-and-white for him, black bottom for me) and fresh coffee that really hit the spot.

As we made our way toward the car, we made a quick stop at Ice on Main and the Christmas tree. Despite the fact that the ice wasn’t optimal for skating, everyone seemed to be having a good time including the guys in shorts.

Just this past Sunday, we decided to add another Upstate Christmas tradition to our holiday celebration and headed to see the Roper Mountain Lights. The fee is $10 per car and proceeds go to the Roper Mountain Science Center and several educational charities. They also offer a deal on three admissions for $21 which would be perfect if you are expecting company during the holiday season. In addition to the drive-through features, there is a walk-through Winter Wonderland where you can sit on Santa’s lap and roast marshmallows though not at the same time.

We enjoyed both parts of the attraction. After roasting (and eating) marshmallows, we saw the large boards that were decorated by various local schools. There was a lot of creativity and good use of recycled materials in many of these displays.

The drive-through features were quite nice as well. I thought the big caterpillar near the butterfly garden was especially cute. Our only complaint is that you don’t get a good view of the majestic star at the top of the mountain.

I hope to repeat both of these holiday traditions in 2012. I can’t wait to add new experiences to the repertoire too, as long as we still get to go to The Chocolate Moose that is.