Shortfield's opens in downtown Travelers Rest

Two thumbs up for Shortfield's, a new restaurant and sports bar that recently opened at 24 S.  Main Street, Travelers Rest.  After two trips to try out their menu, I can say that this will be one of my regular haunts for lunch and dinner.  And it's close(ish) to home. (Always a plus.)   And has something on the menu for everyone.

During the first swing through I tried the White Wings (Jalepeno Pepper Slice with Pepper Jack Cheese Wrapped in Chicken, Wrapped in Applewood Smoked Bacon).  Let me rephrase: I wolfed down the White Wings.  These things are dangerously savory, delicious! (Great for a party, by the way.)

I also tried the K.C. Wings (mini pork shank, fried and tossed in Bourbon BBQ sauce).  Have you ever heard of such a thing?  They were tender and amazingly flavorful.

You are quickly realizing that I had the all meat platter during my first round there, aren't you? I also tried their crabcakes.  LOVELY crabcakes.  Tons of crab, nicely seasoned, a little crispy on the outside with a roasted corn and a cajun aioli.  Chef Ken Frashier, who came from the Cliff's, is cooking up quite a nice menu of affordable lunch offerings, then kicks it up a notch with dinnertime offerings including Carolina Mountain Trout, Shrimp and Grits, Lobster Cake, and several nice looking cuts of steak and pork.  And I can't NOT mention they have Chicken and Waffles.  Mercy!

For the second trip, I rallied my Bible Study Girls, who were more than happy to help me sample the menu.  We ordered an Onion and Mushroom Flatbread Pizza, Crabcakes (again!), the Roasted Beet Salad, Chicken Fingers and Fries (for our little munchkin member), Wedge Salad, and the Fruit Nachos, which were the star of lunch.  We shared all of the plates, but everyone at the table couldn't get enough of the giant plate of corn tortillas, chicken, cheese, lettuce, jalapenos, sour cream, guacamole, fruit and pico de gallo.

As everyone sat back rubbing their bellies, a surprise arrived at our table. Owner, Cory Satterfield, sent over a dessert sampler.  He didn't want us to leave without trying their sweet offerings.  His mother-in-law makes many of the desserts on the menu, and they sell out fast.

Leave room after your meal at Shortfield's for one of these tasty treats: homemade pound cake with blueberry sauce, brownies, peanut butter pie or silky and rich cheesecake.  Our fave?  The peanut butter pie.  Oh, heavens!

I'm happy to see so many new things going on in my hometown of Travelers Rest, and it thrills me to have new dining options that will please even the pickiest eaters in my extended family.  Make sure you go check this place out, folks, and tell them you heard about them from Gap Creek Gourmet.

Cheers!

The October meeting of the TR Cookbook Book Club

On the second Monday of every month, a group of home bakers and passionate food lovers join Gap Creek Gourmet (that's me) at Upcountry Provisions in Travelers Rest for the TR Cookbook Book Club.  Our club, now almost a year old, cooks from a new cookbook every quarter, chosen by the club, and members sign up on the group's Facebook page to make recipes out of the chosen book.  This month, we cooked from The Epicurious Cookbook by Tanya Steel and the editors of Epicurious.com. We are also able to choose recipes from the website. Our table was full of wonderful fall flavors.  I thought I would share with the class.

I made a Fuji Apple Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Icing. So, it wasn't the prettiest cake I have ever made, but it was very tasty. (I ate a piece for breakfast this morning. Apples, cream cheese, flour...that's healthy, right?)

One of my favorite dishes of the night was a Roasted Butternut Squash and Caramelized Onion Tart made by one of our longtime members.  The crust was absolutely perfect. And since she was already making butternut squash, she also made Roasted Squash and Red Pepper and Jack Cheese Quesadillas with Chipotle Lime Sour Cream.  I know, right?!  Both dishes were awesome.

There was also Wild Mushroom Risotto.

Crab Balls.

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots and Cranraisins.

Chicken Under a Brick that was so tender and delicious!

Roasted Beet Salad.

Bratwurst and Beer with Caramelized Onions and Apples.

Peanut Butter Pie.

(I swear I want to sub in the Cookie Butter from Trader Joe's in this recipe.)

And that's only part of the delicious fun.

The food is always amazing. Part of the joy, is going around the table to let everyone talk about their dish. Sometimes there are cooking disasters.  Sometimes people have to travel to the ends of the earth for ingredients.  Last night we had six new people around the table.  It was an awesome experience.

Don't live close?  Start your own cookbook book club.  Partner with a local independent book store to order your cookbooks.  Shop local, people!  I look forward to cookbook club every single month and have made some lasting relationships there. Here's to next month ladies (and gentleMAN!) Cheers!

Upcountry Provisions expands menu offerings.

It's Friday Night Lights come to life tonight as long time rivals Blue Ridge Tigers and Travelers Rest Devildogs go head to head tonight at TRHS for homecoming. In honor of the rivalry, I came down the mountain to my hometown to try out the new and greatly expanded sandwich line up at Upcountry Provisions, which, coincidentally has a few sandwiches named after these hometown teams.

The Devildog BLT includes bacon, mixed greens, tomato, provolone, Cherrywood ham, and chipotle mayo on fresh, housemade foccacia  bread.

The Blue Ridge has turkey, pepperoni, red onion, red pepper, mixed greens, blue cheese, and balsamic vinegar.

I ordered up their Traveler sandwich, roast beef on honey wheat bread with bacon, feta, sauerkraut, and horsey sauce.  It was freaking awesome.  I've never had a bad sandwich here.

And not to be left out (they've covered all bases) they also have a sandwich named for the Furman University Bell Tower. That's my husband's alma mater and he proposed under that bell tower! The Bell Tower sandwich has grilled chicken, feta, cranberry chutney (so good), cucumbers and balsamic vinegar.

There are now ten sandwiches in total with daily specials and their usual case of fresh made baked goods: blueberry muffins, peanut butter sandwich cookies, croissants, and a daily rotating selection of bread.

Located just a short walk (or ride) off the Swamp Rabbit Trail, this is the place to be for lunch.

Go Devildogs!

The Hungry Drover

Folks, today, I jumped off the gluten-free wagon feet first right into a slice of Dark Corner Tomato Pie, then, Mediterranean Pie and Mushroom and Rice Soup and Lemon Chess Pie and Double Chocolate Cake.  Yes, that is a lot of food, but when my friend John saw me walk through his door, he welcomed me excitedly and just kept feeding me!  Now, a true southern lady doesn't turn down a good piece of pie  now, does she? And you should have seen the perfect flaky crust on their pies.  John Wilson and co-owner Sheila Springfield may have gotten their start catering BBQ, but they could win world awards with their pie crust.

It was on a whim that I went in to check the place out, really.  It's been open since August, but I never seem to be passing at a good time.  Today, my stomach was growling, and I really didn't want the chili that was sitting in my fridge waiting on me, so that was a good enough time for me.

The Hungry Drover is located at the corner of Tigerville Road and Highway 290 in Travelers Rest. It's  old country store meets country diner.  LOVE it. There is art and hand crafts from local artists all over the place, home grown produce along the wall, butter and milk and eggs for sale in the fridge. The menu is full of homemade favorites like handmade biscuits, grits, eggs and bacon for breakfast. Chicken salad and smokey pimento cheese,  fresh salads, soup, BBQ, pies and desserts for lunch. 

I love the large community table down the center of the room where any ole body can pull up a chair and make a new friend.  I couldn't leave without a pound of John's BBQ to go.  I have intentions of making BBQ Quesadillas for dinner. Yum!  If you're in the area, be sure go to by and have lunch.  Two hours later and I'm still licking my chops.  It was that good.  They are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 2 pm. on Saturday. 

Cool off with a cone from Travelers Rest's Trailside Creamery

It's super-duper hot outside which makes for good business at Trailside Creamery.  The little ice cream shop is one of the many new businesses opening on and around Main Street Travelers Rest and it's one of my daughter's favorite stops for an afternoon snack.  I gotta say, I kinda dig it too! The ice cream is thick and the creamiest soft serve I've ever eaten.

There is a limited selection of options, but the place gets a big two thumbs up for their two rotating flavors.  This week it was peach and blackberry! They always have vanilla and chocolate and can swirl two flavors together if you want to mix things up.  There are also some fixins' like candies and coconut, etc, a few ongoing specials (Furman University students get a discount!) and be sure to give the freezer a peek for some delicious ice cream sandwiches or ice cream to go!

My daughter raves about Jen's lemon ice cream, and though it wasn't on her flavor menu this week, she said it was on tap for next week.  Guess what that means?  We shall return.  One thing is for sure, we gobbled up our peach ice cream with happy faces.

Wanna hear something cool?  See that bike?  It is a restored 70 year old grocery deliver bike.  Saturdays, the creamery is going mobile on the Swamp Rabbit Trail, making regular stops at these cute little hand painted ice cream birdhouses! (There's a map.)  My daughter said the basket was big enough for three corgis! That's a lot of ice cream! Keep an eye out on their site for specific dates and special stops for the Trailside Creamery Pedaler. 

When you stop in for your first taste, tell them Gap Creek Gourmet sent you!

*original post from 7/6/12

fun is exhausting part one: bikes, buddies, and a very cool Saturday

Sometimes I just have too much fun for one person, I think.  I can't possibly share it all with you folks.  I'm picture obsessed lately, so at least I've been documenting my grand adventure, right? Here's a condensed version of the past two days.  


On Friday, I went downtown with my mother and my child on a picture taking adventure. I was to procure good shots for my husband's website.  I swear to pete Greenville has the most beautiful downtown! I swung by Pedal Chic, too, to check out their skorts. Robin, the owner, promised me a hug when I told her I was including her store in the Guide to Greenville I was writing for USA Today. I went to cash in and meet her face to face.  They have really awesome stuff in there!  Like shoes and clothes and bags! Not just bikes, so go check them out. Made me want to get back on the bike so I could invest in some smokin' gear!

We ate lunch at Northgate Soda Shop, a Greenville institution.  The walls are lined with old photos, antique soda bottles, and those fans on popsicle sticks that people used to move hot air around with before air conditioning. Little bronze nameplates are spaced down the bar and on the tables - the names of regulars that have passed away.  So sweet, but a little creepy. Northgate is locally known for their homemade pimento cheese, burgers and peanut butter milkshakes. I asked for a sample of pimento cheese and it is totally amazing, but I ordered a club sandwich since it's tomato season... which now that I'm thinking about it, I should have ordered a pimento cheese sandwich with tomatoes. (Coulda, shoulda, woulda. There's a next time!)   Mom got a tuna fish melt which was AWESOME and my child got onion rings and motz sticks.  Not the healthiest of lunches, but if you're in need of some comfort food, this is your place. 

So my buddy's birthday is this weekend. I made her a cake. A chocolate zucchini cake with chocolate ganache and strawberry sauce.  A crazy altered version of this. It was awesome. She's awesome!  Happy Birthday bestie!

These are my friends Cheryl and Steve.  They own Upcountry Provisions, the new cafe and bakery in Travelers Rest.  They let me work in their kitchen this morning FOR FREE! I made bagels! I made veggie pizzas (that were freaking awesome!) and I topped chocolate zucchini cakes with ganache... I was in complete heaven. Then we packed the car and headed out to the Travelers Rest Community Farmers' Market to sell some bread!  Sierra came and helped too.  She's quite the little sales child.

We were stoked to have the Juiced guys beside us at the market. They are hoping to open a place soon, but for now you can find them at the TR market.  They even got Sierra to drink some watermelon juice! Makes you cool in my book. I had the orange and carrot.  Yum.

So that's part one: my Friday and Saturday morning. I'm off to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and my bestie's bday (seriously. It said so on the invite.) and hang out with my neighborhood peeps. Laters! 

(part two, aka Sunday fun, is still in the planning phase.) 

Gatsby, a child headed to therapy, foodie finds and my sandbucket list

I saw the new Great Gatsby movie trailer last night. First of all, I can't believe that I am old enough for Leonardo Decaprio to be playing a "mature" adult.  What the hell?  And second, Fitzgerald's Great Gatsby is one of my favorite books EVER.  That movie was perfect. Robert Redford, Mia Farrow, Sam Waterston? PERFECT!  I'm dubious of a remake. Would they remake Gone with the Wind?  I think not.  Sigh!  Well I have to wait until December to find out. I'm gonna reread (again) this summer.

Only a week or so til school is out. After Memorial Day, what's the point people?  I can already feel my toes in the sand and the island sun on my face. I can't wait to take my Hipstamatic for a snapping good time on the coast! On the last day of school, I have a tradition: embarrassing my daughter.  I drive up to school BLARING Will Smith's Summertime with a big grin on my face, windows down. BOOMING!  Then I make her listen to the High School Musical School's Out, Scream and Shout song (as I sing very, very loudly).  She yells at me from the back seat. Ah, the memories. 

Some of the other tunes I recently added to the summer playlist are: Zac Brown's Chicken Fried southern anthem (thought I'd share), Cruel Summer from the Blue Crush Soundtrack, and OneRepublic's Good Life.  There are few things better than singing your lungs out as you drive down the road with your hair whipping in your face.

I hope to be on the road a bit more this summer. Fingers crossed!  I interviewed for a very cool writing job this week in Columbia that will involve a little bit of travel and a lot of fun.  Hearing back something mid June-ish.  Here's hoping!

Do you have whiplash yet from my rapid change of topics?

Upcountry Provisions should be finally (softly) opening for lunch today in Travelers Rest.  I'm so excited!  A grand opening date is coming soon.  Don't forget to comment on the Snag that Swag #2 post so you'll be entered to win lunch on me and a few other bits of swag from the new cafe!

(she takes a quick coffee refill break) 

I wanted to cover a few more quick things that have been sitting on my desk to share with you.

A new little market and art shop is opening soon on Hwy 290 in Travelers Rest.  The Appalacian inspired market is called The Hungry Drover and will have farm to table foods in the cafe, market to table meals to go, a space for private events and music nights, etc.  It's located in a little building at the intersection of Tigerville Road and Locust Hill Road which in the early 1900's was a General Store. My friends John and Debbie Wilson are in on this endeavor so I am so proud for them and can't wait to give it a visit.  

Another little restaurant on Hwy 290 grabbed my attention a month or so ago.  Flour Haven Restaurant and Bakery is on my way to Target, so I pass it all the time.  An afternoon fit of crazy hunger finally drew me in, that and the sign that promised fresh donuts.  I grabbed a few to go.  They are like if Krispy Kreme and Dunkin' Donuts had babies.  They have a giant list of breakfast offerings including eggs, crepes, pancakes and french toast and have a selection of fresh breads and pastries for grab and go, too.  I hear their morning offerings are fabulous, though I haven't gotten there that early yet. 2345 Locust Hill Road, Greer.  Go check them out! 

(flipping through my stack)

On a particularly bonkers day in early Spring, I walked to my mailbox and discovered a package from my Aunt Kay in San Diego.  It was filled with Chocolate!  God bless that woman.  I swear I almost fell to my knees with thanks.  I'm telling you, it was THE BEST DAY IN THE WORLD to get a package full of chocolate.   My cousin was attending CalPoly, San Luis Obispo, where, wouldn't you know, they make chocolates on campus.  What the heck, right?  They actually offer a chocolate production course, the only one taught in an American university, as a part of their "learn by doing" philosophy.  During a visit to see him, she snagged me a handful of bars and dropped them in the mail so I could share with you folks.  I apologize it has taken me so long.  Folks, this ain't Hersey's.  It's dark and rich, made with organic, fair trade bittersweet chocolate.  Though I preferred the plain and the coffee varieties, there were also a few bars made with a variety of spices and chilies.  Not a fan of super spicy chocolate. Anyway, if you're heading Cali way, go check out the chocolate factory.  For more details or to order your own for a tasting go here. 

A friend of mine posted something on her Facebook page this week that was kindof fun.  Have you heard of a Sandbucket List?  It's not things you want to do before you die, but things you want to do before this summer ends!  Here's my list:

1) Read. Read. Read.  The stack groweth.
2) Standup Paddleboarding on the coast
3) Waterpark!
4) Grits and Groceries.  A very awesome restaurant. Look it up.
5) Take my daughter to the Columbia Zoo to draw the animals.
6) Lake with Griets.
7) Plane ticket to Cali.

Wow!  I really had to think on that one! What's on yours?

I am now a little bit closer to a clean desk!  I hope you all have a fantastic day!  

GCG Snag That Swag Giveaway #2

It's time folks!   The second Gap Creek Gourmet Snag That Swag Giveaway is coming to you courtesy of Upcountry Provisions, opening any day now in Travelers Rest!  The lucky winner of this giveaway will receive a travel mug, a shopping bag (reduce/reuse!), and lunch (up to $10 value) at the Bakery and Bistro!  Very awesome, right?  If you're an out-of-towner, I'll ship for this one!

Owners Steve and Cheryl and their staff served up delicious sandwiches on scratch made savory breads, fresh veggie succotash, extraordinary Cesar salad, and freaking fabulous artisan desserts. Since Cheryl is one of the Valley Girls, our families were some of the lucky few to be invited to sample their fare on Monday night.  There's a giant wooden communal table in the dining area which we all just fell in love with immediately. It's destined to be my favorite new hangout as soon as the doors are officially open. Their lunch menu (via website) includes a hummus plate with veggies and flatbread, a meat or cheese plate, salads, soups, sandwiches and even sushi!  I'll keep you posted.  Opening day should be sometime late this week or early next.  Stop in to hang out with me!


Okay, the giveaway rules.  1) Comment on this post here ON THE BLOG (not Facebook).  I want you to tell me about your favorite sandwich of all time. Was it your grandfather's fried bologna and cheese?  A veggie sub with smokey cheese from Publix? (wait...those are mine...) I want to hear it!  2) Share this post with your  friends on your Facebook page! I'm going to randomly choose a winner next Tuesday from the blog comments so post away.

Upcountry Provisions is on Facebook, so make sure you friend them, too!  Here.

May book club, cookbook review and the joy of singing our lungs out

Last night was Cookbook Book Club night!  

I was pulling Sierra's Andouille Sausage Pigs in a Blanket out of the oven and finishing the final touches on my Alabama "West Indies" Crab Salad dish when I realized it started 30 minutes earlier than I thought... all the way across Greenville County. AH!!!  Truly a cuss moment.  Saved by the iPod, I pulled up the quickest route.  45 minutes y'all!  (Usually an hour drive.) Speeding or the wonders of shortcuts.  Not sure, but we made it!

Some of other dishes were Oven-Roasted Sweet Potato and Green Bean Salad, Endive and Roquefort Salad, and Butter Bean Croustades. If you're new to the blog, the Fiction Addiction Cookbook Book Club cooks from a new cookbook each quarter.  Right now we're making our way through "Basic to Brilliant Y'all: 150 Refined Southern Recipes and Ways to Dress Them Up for Company."  Don't go out and buy this cookbook unless you are seriously good in the kitchen.  Virginia Willis worked for Martha Stewart and the cookbook is NOT for a novice.  The recipes are pretty dang daunting and she should fire her editor!  The recipes are not an easy read. They are complicated and not very descriptive for a cookbook with limited pics.  There.  That's my review. Anywho.  The food, though sometimes wing it we must, is very delicious!

The folks at Wine Styles are nice to host us.  Last night, the very nice lady behind the bar kept bringing me and my new friend Joy new wines to try.  You MUST run out and grab a bottle of Apothic White.  Apothic Red is one of my go-to reds at $9 a bottle.  I'd never had the white. Oh, baby. So good!  Will be picking one up today!

My child and I go to book club together.  How very cute of us, right?  She picks out her dish, we make our grocery list and go shopping.  She cooks it herself too (with a little help). She doesn't eat much while we are there, but tries way more than I thought she would!  

We ran through Jack in the Box and sang our lungs out on the way home. Thank goodness we like the same music!  This is our favorite song.  Ever.  I hated nursery rhymes so I sang her the complete Indigo Girls Rites of Passage CD from first song to last.  She was colicky and I had to sing and rock a lot.  It usually took three songs to knock her out: Three Hits, Galileo and Ghost.  Anyway, she still says this is her favorite and still asks me to sing it to her sometimes. 

I'm a busy body... usually.   I finished the work I planned for this morning already and I'm torn as to whether I should watch Smash over lunch or save it for tonight.... decisions.  Thinking of making Pork rolls with greens and black eyed peas for dinner... I'm making this one up as I go folks.  I'll post pics.

PS: stay posted because an Upcountry Provisions give away is coming soon!

It's Friday Y'all!

I should be working. I have an article due today, and we're heading out to dinner soon. Sigh.  Procrastination = time for a listy blog post.  Welcome to my brain.

• The blog How Sweet It Is had this amazing recipe for Fresh Strawberry Coconut Margaritas today.  I'm so making these.

• I had lunch with my good friends (and former TRAM supporters) Loretta and Harriet today at Green Valley Country Club. (I know, how swanky of me!) Those gals keep me in stitches.  The new owners are giving the clubhouse and grounds an overhaul.  Thanks be to God it's about time! 

• I love Belleville Outfit and can't stand it that they broke up. 

Warm weather means Belleville in the afternoons and Margaritas when the hubs gets off of work.

• I'm still reading the last book of the 50 Shades of Grey series. Honestly, they are fantastic books but I'm getting tired of reading about sex.  Yes, it is possible. I'm looking forward to switching gears and starting the new Sookie Stackhouse book this weekend! It's almost vampire season again! True Blood returns in June, I think.

• Is anyone watching Veep?  Haven't started it yet, but it's on the Tivo mocking me.

• Some Valley Girls (and a husband and dogs) gathered this week for an accidental cookout.  Salmon, dirty rice, Flat Tire beer (you know I'm not a beer fan, but surprisingly tolerable) and buttered rum (made with actual butter aka free lip gloss). 

• The bugs ate me alive even with bug spray. I'll look like I have full body acne all summer.  Let the itching begin.

• Farmers' Markets kick off this weekend in the Upstate!  YEA!!!! I can't wait to see what's going on at the Traveler Rest Community Farmers' Market on Saturday morning.  Some of my other favs are the Whole Foods Market on Tuesday afternoons in Greenville and the Flat Rock Market in Flat Rock, NC on Thursday afternoons 3-6pm. Shame on me but I haven't been to the downtown Gvlle market in years.  The prices are jacked up (admittedly so by the farmers) though there is a pretty awesome selection, cooking demos, etc, from what I hear.  Okay, I promise I'll make it out and report this year.

• I hear Upcountry Provisions is opening soon in Travelers Rest.  Inspections went well and all is a go.  They've started a cool little garden, too. The owners are giving me some swag for a blog give away.  So stay tuned.

• I need a good source for organic strawberries.  Anyone in Upstate, SC?  (Be careful folks!  Local does not equal organic.  Wash your fruits and veggies!!!

Okay.  That wasn't exciting, was it?  I'll do better next time. Off to help my child put together a toy before she spazzes out.

It's Friday y'all!

Mae's on Main

*Note: This restaurant has sadly, closed.)

On Wednesday I stopped into Mae's on Main, a little, itty bitty, cafe on Main Street Travelers Rest.   My hair lady, Laura Gibson, talks about the place all the time, so I thought I'd finally give their lunch a try. Toasted homemade pimento cheese on homemade white bread, with a giant bowl of fresh fruit and a cupcake... oh, and a can of coke.  I wasn't going for healthy here.  It was honestly like chillin' in someone's kitchen.  

Debra, the owner,  was out at a meeting, but while I ate, her sister, Laura, told me stories about the Kramer family while she frosted cupcakes.  The family has lived on the property since the 1930's.  They apparently come from a long line of stock car racers and adventurists.

Her great grandfather was obsessed with bicycles his whole life and would teach himself tricks in a hay field, against his dad's wishes.  He wanted his son to be a farmer. (How practical.) Instead, Henry Kramer ran off to join the circus.  

"We call ourselves the Carnie Family," she said.  Henry died in 1959.  He broke his hip riding a bike and never recovered. 

Okay, get this, her father followed the family tradition and rode bikes, juggled and did magic in his own traveling show.  Her mom was his showgirl until they settled down to have kids. 

Okay, more stories.  So her grandmother fell in a well on her head when she was little and it ruined her hair follicles.  All of her hair fell out so she wore wigs most of her life.  

When she was just hanging around the house, she'd wear a towel turbaned around her head held on with a pretty little pin...one of which, they use to hold the curtain back on the front door.  A quick look around the place and you'll find all sorts of family relics including a mounted ice crusher, pictures of family and furniture straight out of the 50's (at least!). 

I had the best time and a wonderful lunch.  I swear I came out of there with a full stomach and a full spirit.  You gotta try this place!

TEDxGvlle and a little Travelers Rest chow buzz

Oh, I am such a bad, bad blogger!  I have neglected my audience (that would be you) for way too long and for that, I am so very sorry!   I have been busy, and well, quite frankly a little nuts this week...not quite enough for the men in the little white coats to show up on my doorstep, but...  No worries. It's passing, so I'm back at it. Now on with it!  Let's get caught up a bit.

TEDxGreenville was last week.  I helped.  Mrs. VIP helper checked people in at the VIP party and added a certain cheeriness to the air... oh, and I had a little VIP chow which included a shrimp and grits bar from Good Life Catering Company.  Check out the speaker line-up from day of.  I assume the videos will be posted online soon.  It was awesome to see the beautiful poetess Glenis Redmond and to meet Jennifer Pickering who founded Lake Edens Art Festival (LEAF)! Other hightlights were Mac Arnold & Plate Full O' Blues, The Bent Strings, sintax.the.terrific aka Josev Brewer and meeting Ian Belknap, founder of Write Club. Very cool event. Looking forward to TEDxSpartanburg in late summer.

Last week I also met a few TR people-that-know-things at The Forest (formerly Leopard Forest Coffee Company) and go the 411 on the changing culinary tide in my hometown.  This is the buzz: A new dog friendly restaurant/bar is slated to open on Main Street TR across from the gazebo. Upcountry Previsions is moving right along and will be opening soon around the corner from All About Me (may already be open?). Chef Giovanni's is also on again and hopefully will be open by mid-May.  That's three new restaurants!  The TR Community Farmer's Market starts the 1st Saturday in May.  I'm so excited to see Travelers Rest moving forward!

Alas it is my bedtime.  I am taking a break from A Dance with Dragons to read some Nicholas Sparks.  Needed a change of pace.  Night all!

to be continued....

Birthdays and Breakfasts

I read a really great blog post by The Amateur Gourmet, Adam Roberts, this week.  He says everyone should drink Champagne on their birthday.  I agree.  I've decided to go halfsies with a friend to purchase a nice bottle. I've never had real Champagne, that I can recall. How have I not done that!?!  I foresee a sunny afternoon on the porch sipping bubbly.

Yesterday was my daughter's 10th birthday.  We have officially arrived at double digits.  (Yes, that is a tattoo on her face...and yes, I let her wear it to school. Why not?) I drug my body out of bed extra early to make her chocolate chip pancakes.  

I met a friend at Restaurant Next at 1879 N. Hwy 25 in Travelers Rest yesterday for my own breakfast.   I pass this place at least twice every day, but haven't stopped because, frankly, it just doesn't look that welcoming.  There are rarely cars parked outside and when you look in the front door, you are staring at a wall, so you can't really tell what to expect when you walk through the doors.  I was surprised to find it is nice inside.  A bit chilly and both the television and music were playing at the same time... a little too much for me at 9 am, but it the owners were super welcoming.

The decor is nice.  The walls are warm and the lights are dim.  There were daffodils (my favorite flower) on our table. We selected two coffee mugs, doctored our West End Coffee Company coffee and found a seat by the window.  I opened the blinds to let in some natural light.    We ordered Bacon, Egg and Cheese biscuits, which though slow getting to the table, were stupendous! The biscuits and eggs were fluffy, the bacon was crisp.  I'm definitely going back for lunch and dinner soon.  The owners ran Manna Deli in Travelers Rest for a while and I always enjoyed their lunch.  The service was slow and is still a bit sluggish, but good customer service goes a long way!

Pizza Slices and Monte Cristo Sandwiches

Greenville has some great pizza joints.  (Unfortunately none of those great places deliver to Gap Creek.) When my hubs told me about a pizza place called Torrelli's by University Square near Furman University that had the biggest slices of pizza he's ever eaten AND it is really good, I put it on my to do list.  Yesterday, I took my daughter on a foodie adventure after school since it was Valentine's Day and we gave it a whirl.

He wasn't kidding about the slices. They were GIANT.  For $5.96 you get two incredibly enormous pieces of cheese pizza and a drink.  Each pizza slice came on not one, but two plates.  Paper plates. Swanky, right?  It was a little greasy on top, but really, really good New York style pizza with a thin crust that was crispy around the outside.  The pizza was salty and bubbly and well seasoned with Italian spices... they didn't just sling some cheese on there.

My child and I stared at our pieces for a minute and developed an eating strategy before digging in. She worked her way from a corner and I rolled mine. No way we could finish either piece, so we got a to-go box which I retrieved out of the fridge and reheated for lunch today! (She's gonna be mad that I ate her leftovers.)

  I can't wait to go again.  They had some great dinner specials too like Chicken Parmesan with sides of spaghetti, two rolls and a salad for $12.95.  What do you want to bet it's enough for two?

I have to say that the the atmosphere is not stupendous, but for these prices, and some good food? Who cares?  Keep in mind we're not talking top of the line foodie gourmet, but regular, everyday people food.

We were still pretty stuffed at dinner, but I surprised my husband with a handmade card and a Monte Cristo Sandwich complete with a side of Raspberry jam.    That's his all-time favorite.  I found this recipe online for baking the batter soaked sandwich instead of frying it. The bread turned out a little soggy on the inside from the meat or the mustard, we weren't sure, but they were crispy on the outside and got two thumbs up from Dan.  That's all that mattered.  The heart was a nice touch, don't you think?

A BBQ truck review, little chef makes cupcakes and Smash.

This weekend the hubs and I decided to check out the local BBQ truck.  It's been around for a couple of years, oddly parked on the side of the road just down the road from the locally famous F-Mart on Hwy 276 in Marietta, South Carolina.  Friday through Sunday the smell from the smoker signals passing traffic that it's time to get their grub on. It took us a while, but we caved and decided to give it a try.

Where we live, there is no pizza delivery.  You don't "run" out for quick bite.  If you forget something at the store and they don't have it at the F-Mart, you are out of luck unless you want to spend 40 minutes in the car... at least.

So we were stoked to find a good weekend food option so close to home. For $6.00 you walk away with a take-out full of moist, lean BBQ pork, a selection of two sides, a bun and your choice of four bbq sauces.  For sides we tried the mac-n-cheese, beans, potato salad and vinegary bbq slaw. The mac-n-cheese and potato slaw were just like mom's - as homemade as can be.  The beans were just your basic beans, but the slaw was bold and vinegary and different... more like a NC bbq slaw than anything you'll find south of the border.  The sauces: a sweet, a spicy, a mustard and a vinegar based sauce.  I wasn't a fan of the vinegar... too much vinegar and not enough spice.  I actually grabbed two little bowls from the kitchen and mixed a few of the others together. I'm a fan of doctoring sauce. Dan mocked me, and as he shoved a fork in his mouth he declared we would be regulars of the BBQ Hut. It's worth a trip up the mountain for those of you in the city... if nothing else, than for the experience and the view.

My daughter is making her own Valentines (aka cupcakes) this year.  I pulled out the go-to Birthday Cupcake recipe and she measured and poured and mixed and proudly produced 27 cupcakes to take to school on Tuesday.  We tasted one to make sure they were as tasty as they looked.

I have a new obsession that might bump New Girl from top slot on my Tivo: Smash.  The show is about the making of a Broadway musical.  Debra Messing stars and had me at hello. Aside from an awkward scene where she tells her husband why she simply must write a musical about Marilyn Monroe, she is spot on and may have found herself a show post Will and Grace that won't get canceled!  I heard the show called an adult Glee... and sort of have to agree.  Teen angst is pushed aside for adult angst: adoption, divorce, career choices and post college rise to fame with a few dance numbers thrown in.  Love it. And even those with an aversion to spontaneous singing can get into the strong characters and story lines.  Monday nights.  Don't miss it.

And Happy Valentine's Day.  Listen, if you don't have a Valentine, don't sit around moaning and posting sad messages to the masses on Facebook.  Go out, grab yourself some flowers and candy, a good steak, some candles and bubble bath, download some Adele... make yourself a valentine and post it on the mirror.  Who says you can't be your own Valentine?

Family Hot Dog joint opens on Swamp Rabbit Trail

Occasionally, I take my little food critic along for an adventure.  After school this week, we stopped in at Duke's Doggs, a new hot dog cafe on the Swamp Rabbit Trail in Travelers Rest.  The place is named after a bold little entrepreneur who at 2 1/2 decided he would change his name to Duke.  Six and a half years later, on a handshake with his grandad, he became part owner in Duke's Doggs along with his grandparents, Mike and Anne Burns and his aunt Kristy.  Not many 8 year olds can say they own a restaurant.

"He takes it very seriously," said Kristy, as she ran down the culinary connections between her restaurant and her family history.  Turns out I know Kristy... and her ENTIRE family!  That's what happens when you are from a small town.  You can't throw a stone without hitting someone you know.

Kristy said the coleslaw recipe they use is her grandmother GG's and the chili on the beef hot dog came from her Nanny.  Pictures of Burn's grandparents sit on the tables with write-ups about their contributions to the restaurant, their community and her family.   This is as down-home family restaurant as they come.  

The hot dogs are as good as you'd get in anyone's home kitchen, too. I can imagine after a warm summer day of walking or riding on the trail (there is a Duke's Dogg's bike rack outside), it would be good to come in for a tea and a dog... or on a day like that day, when the temperatures were at freezing.

This time last year it had snowed what? Twice?  When I was a kid, and it would snow, my dad would load us into his old Bronco and take us to American Cafe in Travelers Rest for 2 for $1.00 hot dogs.  Everything else in TR would be closed, but somehow that guy got to work and opened his restaurant. Can't find a hot dog for $.50 anymore, and American Cafe has long since closed, but for $5.50 you can swing by Duke's and pick up 2 doggs, chips and a drink.

Most impressive is Duke's selections for picky eaters!  A Trail Dogg (sans bun) for those laying off the carbs. A Missing Dogg for those opposed to wieners. And a Hudson Hotdogg with a turkey dogg, turkey chili, mustard and onions.  Every hot dog comes with a little brownie square, too.  They also have a Devildogg named for the home team mascot that consists of a brat, sauerkraut, and Dijon Mustard.

And as you can tell from the above pic, my daughter gave her thumbs up.  She devoured her corn dog and while I was distracted with taking pictures, she also ate half my hot dog. As we were leaving, she said, "You'd better give this place a good review Mom!"  The hot dog was so good she even ate the onions.

Duke's Doggs is located at 327 South Main Street and is open Monday-Saturday 11:00am-7:00pm.