Tag: restaurant

MONZA… quite possibly the best pizza on earth?

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD2 Comments

Have you been to Monza? Located in Charleston, SC it’s quite possibly the best pizza you’ll ever taste! Here’s a general blip about their pizza from their website:

Hundreds of thousands have been making the pilgrimage to Monza since 1922. They go to witness greatness and glory. Sometimes horror. Sitting in the stands, some hanging in trees, they watch Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Lotus run wild along 6.25 miles of sexy twists and turns. Monza is an Italian super speedway forever etched in racing history. Catapulting drivers into heroes. From La Pista Magica – the magic track – comes our Neapolitan style pizza. 

Our dough is made using imported San Felice wheat flour, natural Neapolitan yeast, filtered and pH balanced water then kneaded with a mixer imported from Naples. Our pizza is baked in a wood fired oven at 1000 degrees resulting in a thin crispy crust, topped with fiore di latte mozzarella, and fresh local and regional ingredients whenever possible. Rev it up for Monza.

 That crust they speak of… pure heaven in your mouth. It’s thin, but not like most thin/cardboard pizza. This is so good you just won’t believe it. Everything was exquisite. The mozzarella, the crust, the fresh sauce, oh boy, did we have a great lunch! We love their butter beans. A weird thing to love, but their butter beans taste like nothing you’ve ever tasted. They’re in a word… lovely! After the beans we had pizza… the first one was VON TRIPS it has house made Italian Sausage and seasonal greens. When I asked the waitress about the seasonal greens, she said that day it was kale… they sauté the kale and put it on top of the pizza and bake it. Kale is a nutritional powerhouse… whoa, that turns this into a super healthy food, kinda… Let me say, there was the perfect amount of italian sausage on the pizza, not smothered with it, just a little here and there, it added the perfect flavor without a ton of fat. The second pizza was the Materassi, with the fresh tomato sauce, mozzarella and basil… we split both and came home with enough for lunch! They have great music playing, which adds to the ambiance. The space itself is very cool, someone spent time figuring it out and making it really quite nice. I love the orange glass tiles on the wall. If you’re in the area, I highly suggest you stop by… Here’s a link to their MENU!

Hope to see you there!

Location: 451 King Street, Charleston, SC

843.720-8787 | info@monzapizza.com

Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11am-10pm

Friday & Saturday 11am-11pm

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Red’s Eats, Wiscasset, Maine… a great “lobstah” roll!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, Recipe, TRAVEL1 Comment

There is always a line at Red’s Eats. Voted one of the “10 great places to eat regionally, eat well” by USA Today, people are WILD about Red’s lobster rolls… Have you tried a lobster roll before? If so, where is YOUR favorite place to stop? The location of Red’s doesn’t hurt… nestled nicely in Wiscasset, Maine (known as the Prettiest Little Village in Maine). Wiscasset is a wonderful city filled with great art galleries, restaurants, wine and cheese shop (with desserts, sandwiches and soups as well), and antiques! If you find yourself anywhere near Wiscasset, take a ride through, see the wonderful shops, and perhaps stop for a lobster roll!

Click HERE to see how to make the perfect lobster roll… just like Red’s Eats!

Here’s an interesting tidbit about Wiscasset, Maine from the Budget Travel website:

“Prettiest Little Village in Maine”

Wiscasset is a quaint Historic Village on Route One with several Historic homes and buildings from the early 1800’s.  Beautiful waterfront dock on the deepest river in Maine, The Sheepscot River.  It used to be the largest shipping port North of Boston.  Thousands of tourists visit each year to drive up the coast on Route One and walk to the several fabulous Antique Shops and Art Galleries in Wiscasset and neighboring towns. The famous “Reds Eats” voted top 10 places to eat in USA Today,  is on the corner of Water St. and Rt. 1 known for their lobster rolls. People line the streets all summer long to experience this lobster shack.  Boothbay Harbor  and Damariscotta are also wonderful popular spots North of town and not too far off of Route One.  If you continue North on Route 1 to Rockland, ME, home of the popular Atlantic Blues Festival and Lobster Fest each summer.  Plenty to do in this lovely area of Maine not to mention the perfect summer weather from June to September and fabulous leaf peeping in October. 

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo: Bocci’s Restaurant… special memories!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD2 Comments

This is a neat old restaurant located on Church Street in downtown Charleston, SC. It’s where we ate dinner on our wedding night almost twenty years ago! I love this neat brick and the cool awning, it’s a very authentic feeling space. We haven’t been in years, have you? Let me know if you’ve been recently, what did you get? Here’s their MENU. I don’t recognize any of our old favorites from long, long ago…  Strolling around downtown makes for some fabulous photo taking! I’ve seen artists paint Bocci’s and it’s always such a cool painting! Hmmm, Italian food is sounding mighty tasty right about now!

Charleston restaurants have such character…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Jack’s Cosmic Dogs, the best hotdogs of all time… a cool concept no doubt!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HOMELeave a comment

We have the coolest restaurants in Charleston, SC. Some are fancy and expensive, some are cheap and bare bones… then we have some really creative people that come up with the coolest concepts. As Holly Herrick described Jack’s Cosmic Dogs “where the Jetson’s meets “Happy Days”!” The other day when we were there we each got a hotdog, shared (which was hard because they were really good) fries, coleslaw and an iced tea. It was too tasty! Here are a few quotes from Jack’s Cosmic Dogs website , photos from their website, photo above is from their Facebook page! If you haven’t been… go now!

“Jack’s serves up the best hot dogs I’ve ever had. Ever.
”Food Channel star Alton Brown

“Out-of-this-world dogs, flash back to the fifties at
this hot dog shack, and enjoy heaven on a bun.”
Southern Living Magazine- November 05

“The Jetson’s meet ‘Happy Days’ at this hip, hot dog joint.”
Post and Courier Food Critic Holly Herrick

“The Cosmic Dog…almost a new food group.”
Channel 2 Reporter

“This retro slice of American nostalgia, Voted Best Hot Dog in Charleston last 5 years.”Charleston City Paper

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Fleet Landing photo and menu… (there’s nothing like a good menu)!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HOME, TRAVELLeave a comment

I took this photo years ago when my husband and I went on a cruise with my parents. That was back when Norwegian Cruise Line departed out of Charleston. That was handy. We had a great time, caught the Little Black Taxi to the cruise terminal and were on our way for a week of rest and relaxation! When we were leaving Charleston I snapped this photo of Fleet Landing Restaurant. A great place if you’re visiting, it’s in the heart of the city, you can eat inside or out. On nice days there is nothing like eating on the water, even from inside a GREAT VIEW. Good view, friendly staff, not overly priced. Check out their menu!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

From me to you… Happy Valentine’s Day!

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS2 Comments

A little something from me to you… H A P P Y V A L E N T I N E S D A Y !! What are your plans for Valentine’s Day? Ahhh, the dreaded question for many? Fred and I typically stay in… we save going out to a nice restaurant when we can savor it and not be rushed through it… Flowers… Crazy prices for Valentine’s Day… we usually have something on our table (beautiful “winter” tulips from Whole Foods right now, gorgeous!) – and trust me… I need candy like I need a hole in my head (ok, another really creepy saying…)… so we’ll undoubtedly whip up some fantastic dinner… (last year it was filet mignon, mushrooms, baked potato, hmmm, that’s what I’m remembering anyhow),and have a wonderful Valentine’s Day… but then again, we always manage to have a great time no matter where we go or what we do. Life is what you make it! Or as a card says that my mom sent to me a while back… LIFE’S SHORT… PICK THE FLOWERS!

Enjoy your day!

Did you realize that Valentine’s Day has been celebrated since at least the 1600’s? Get out! Interesting about the history… read HERE…

And a quick I L O V E Y O U F R E D ! I am a very lucky Valentine!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Bowens Island Seafood Restaurant Menu…

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD10 Comments

New menu available since this post, click this orange link to see the April 2013 menu!  (photo below is the older menu):  BOWENS ISLAND RESTAURANT (NEW)

Menu from OCTOBER 2011 visit:

Bowens Island. Some of you have been there, many may have heard or read about it in magazines and newspapers. Great seafood! It’s not a fancy place, so don’t go expecting it to be… it’s VERY casual. Great seafood and a view that can’t be beat, bring a camera! In one of my PAST posts about Bowen’s Island I included a link to their menu. Not long after that they changed their menu and there was no longer a link… so here is a photo I took of the menu on 10/28/11 – obviously prices and menu items could change, but as of that date, this is the deal. The menu has been pretty much the same as long as I can remember. Their prices are so reasonable I don’t really pay much attention. Good food, good prices… check it out if you get a chance! It’s in Charleston, SC only five minutes from Folly Beach…

Please excuse the poor quality photo… the menu is well used and in plastic, so…. that’s as good as it gets!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Wanted: Halloween costume wearing patrons… @ Taco Boy in Charleston TONIGHT!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOMELeave a comment
Image from Taco Boy, Charleston, SC

Those of you who know me know how I love Taco Boy restaurant. The ambiance can’t be beat, and luckily neither can the food… Every day is a party at Taco Boy… and although I’m not one that stays up late, I want to let the rest of you know there is a PARTY at Taco Boy tonight… there will be live music, games, contests AND the best costume wins $1000! Whaaaat? So what are you going to be?? Hey, get a group together, best group costume is $500! Spend a few minutes, come up with something creative and go for it! Have fun, and if you go, I’d love to hear about it!

A stay at the Island House Hotel on Mackinac Island, MI = HEAVEN!

On By Barbara StroudIn TRAVELLeave a comment
Image: TheIslandHouse.com

Mackinac Island, MI… ahhh the memories. It’s one of the most magical places on earth. It’s like you’re back in time (no cars, bikes and horses only) with modern conveniences (AC for the warm months, great coffee shops, fabulous food, amazing scenery everywhere you look… fantastic hiking/biking trails, the list goes on and on)… My mom, sister and I headed out for a three day vacation, something we had never done before. Now I wonder what took us so long?! What a great time we had. Due in great part to the Island House Hotel. We had a fabulous room that overlooked the marina/Straits of Mackinac and wrapped around for views of downtown. It was magical. If you haven’t been to Mackinac Island, MI, it’s a place YOU MUST put on your bucket list. If you want a truly special stay, I would hands down choose the Island House Hotel. With it’s wide sweeping porches full of rocking chairs, a view that simply cannot be beat, the comfortable, clean and beautiful rooms, the dining room (1852 Grill Room) that will make your head spin it’s so good… I’m a bit of a drama queen but not in this case. Trust me. I know a lot of you are artists… this is a beautiful place to paint, it’s a small island with a rocky coast and beautiful views. It’s much like Maine in the way the coast looks, especially on the back side of the island. My sister and I took a ride around  the island at sunset… like I said… heaven! A ride around the island is only about 8 miles.

Mackinac Island is situated between the upper and lower peninsula of Michigan. You reach it by ferry, there are three ferry lines, Sheplers, Arnold, and Star Line. Arnold is closest to the Island House, Shepler is the one that we’ve taken since we were kids, and I’m not that familiar with Star Line… but however you get here, you need to!!

Check out the 1852 Grill Room’s MENU – let me just say, there are a lot of restaurants on the island. We had dinner the first night at the Island House, and it was so delicious (out of this world good!) we went back the second night, and again the last night! The whitefish was to die for, as was the Greek Pasta Toss… the desserts, the coffee, oh heavens… and I didn’t even bring up the heavenly breakfast buffet did I? Let me just say, that put a smile on everyones face!

One of my favorite parts of the trip was getting up early each morning, heading to the lobby, pouring a cup of coffee and heading out to the porch to watch the dark sky lighten. I met a lot of nice people and we had a great time! Next trip will be with my husband! We haven’t been to the island together in about ten years!

The Island House Hotel is a beautiful historical hotel that is impeccably managed. Each and everyone was so kind, it was a real treat. Check out their website, it’s a good one! Click HERE to read about the history of the hotel which is fascinating! Here are a few pictures from our trip, the rest will appear on weekends on this blog… catch you back here tomorrow!

Waiting for the ferry - Mackinac Island, MI
Me, Mom and Bridget waiting for the ferry home, ugh…
Our gorgeous, comfortable and clean room!
A warm welcome with beautiful flowers everywhere!

Live Long, Live Strong, Eat Seafood: THE SLIPWAY RESTAURANT (formerly Dip Net)

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD2 Comments
Image: http://maine-slipway.com

I am pleased as punch to spread the word about the old Dip Net restaurant that used to be in Port Clyde (not the one that Linda Bean bought and kept the name, but the original Dip Net) – It’s baaayaaaack as Jack Nicholson would say and it’s name is THE SLIPWAY – it’s located at 24 Town Landing, in the former Harborview Restaurant in Thomaston, ME. We had many memorable meals at the old restaurant and are looking so forward to visiting THE SLIPWAY for memorable meals in the future!! They also have a Facebook page, so check them out!

Click HERE to see a sample menu.

A blip from their website (you know how I like to include ‘blips’ from everything…)

We are right on the harbor with a 120′ dock, plenty of outdoor seating and a menu pretty similar to the great food we’ve provided for years in Port Clyde and Camden. Chef/Owner is Scott Yakovenko ran the Dip Net Restaurant in Port Clyde for eight years.

If you’re in the area go visit! If not, click to visit their Facebook page !

Husk Restaurant in Charleston, SC is the top new restaurant in AMERICA!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOODLeave a comment
Image: HuskRestaurant.com

It’s pretty exciting that Bon Appetit magazine has named Sean Brock’s new restaurant HUSK, the top new restaurant in AMERICA! Woohoo… Sean Brock is a man with a vision. He renovated a worn out building (or two) and made it into one exquisite space! I know the old building, I’ve taken art classes there… I love the plan for HUSK, LOCAL INGREDIENTS… love it! Makes my mouth water… We look forward to visiting HUSK soon… CONGRATS SEAN!

Here’s a blip from their WEBSITE (gorgeous website, complete with the daily menu, check it out!), and pictures from the website below…

HUSK IS

centrally located in historic downtown Charleston, Husk, the newest offering from James Beard Award-winning Chef Sean Brock of McCrady’s and the Neighborhood Dining Group, transforms the essence of Southern food. Led by Brock and Chef de Cuisine Travis Grimes, a Lowcountry native, the kitchen reinterprets the bounty of the surrounding area, exploring an ingredient-driven cuisine that begins in the rediscovery of heirloom products and redefines what it means to cook and eat in Charleston.

Starting with a larder of ingredients indigenous to the South, and set within a building complex dating to the late 19th century, Brock crafts menus throughout the day, responding to what local purveyors are supplying the kitchen at any given moment. The entrance beckons with a rustic wall of firewood to fuel the wood-fired oven and a large chalkboard listing artisanal products currently provisioning the kitchen, but like the décor that inhabits the historic building, the food is modern in style and interpretation.

At Husk there are some rules about what can go on the plate. “If it doesn’t come from the South, it’s not coming through the door,” says Brock, who has even stricken olive oil from the kitchen. As he explains, the resulting cuisine “is not about rediscovering Southern cooking, but exploring the reality of Southern food.” This modern approach results in playful dishes such as Deviled Eggs with Pickled Okra and Trout Roe, and new classics like South Carolina Shrimp and Choppee Okra Stew with Carolina Gold Rice and Flowering Basil.

Seed-saving, heirloom husbandry, and in-house pickling and charcuterie efforts by the culinary team are the basis of the cuisine at Husk. The restaurant is as casual as it is chic, evoking a way of life centered on seasonality and the grand traditions of Charleston life—one lived at a slower pace, preferably with a cocktail and a wide porch in the late afternoon. It is a neighborhood gathering place for friends, and a destination dining spot for travelers, with a little bite of the South for everyone’s palates.

Image: HuskRestaurant.com
Image: HuskRestaurant.com

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Fabulous food at Marine City Fish Company… (Michigan)!

On By Barbara StroudIn TRAVELLeave a comment
Image: MarineCityFishCompany.com

While visiting in Michigan recently we popped in our favorite local restaurant, Marine City Fish Company located in… guess… Marine City, MI! It’s an eclectic restaurant, not too small and not too big, it’s just right. The service was spectacular, the food was delicous and we had a great time! There is much to look at while in this restaurant (other than the river which offers gorgeous views), they have lots of neat old vintage type posters, all have to do with fishing… very fun place to have a nice lunch or dinner. If you find yourself in the area, pop in… they’re also on Facebook, check them out. I had the Panko Shrimp (ohmy!), Fred had the perch sandwich… I had homemade potato chips with mine, Fred had the long skinny french fries that are to die for (probably literally, ha ha)… it’s not health food, but it’s GOOD food! Click HERE to see their menu! OH! Did I mention the dessert???? Baked Bing Cherries with Puff Pastry Ala Mode… Heaven help me! This is big enough for a family of four, but we ate (almost) the entire thing…

 Catch you back here tomorrow…!

Bowen’s Island… where you either like it or you don’t!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOODLeave a comment

 

 It’s funny when you look at this picture. If this were anywhere else on earth it would be deemed a catastrophe. But for some reason it just WORKS and works perfectly at Bowen’s Island seafood restaurant… (I guess that’s why it’s in so many magazines!) where the motto is something like YOU EITHER LIKE IT OR YOU DON’T… ha ha… no kidding. This isn’t where we ate this year, they built a new building, where you can still write on the walls, but it is a little more refined… no paint or anything, but it’s big and the food is delicious! I noticed since my last Bowen’s Island post that the link to their menu no longer works… hmmm. I’ll have to see what I can do about that! This is the building closest to the water (right on the water) where I believe they have parties, charity functions, as well as other functions. It’s very “Bowen’s”… unique, likeFolly Beach. Nothing dressy, but hey, the food is beyond fantastic and you see people there who have just woken up (quite possibly after a looooong winters nap?), dressed for church and everything in between. Someone sent me a comment asking if they serve oysters in months that don’t have an “R”. We were there in May and YEP, they were serving oysters. Another commenter mentioned that things have changed since that rule was in place long ago… who knew? Thanks to those of you who keep me up on things! Catch you back here tomorrow!

If you get a chance, check out my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !

Rustica in Rockland… whoa baby!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, TRAVELLeave a comment
Image: RusticaMaine.com

While in Maine we had several friends tell us of a wonderful Italian place to visit for dinner. FINALLY we got around to trying it and I swear we will be back each and every year we’re in Rockland! It was absolutely unreal! The pasta was TO. DIE. FOR. Specifically this one… via the Rustica website: 

Sausage and Broccoli Rabe ~ Penne with House made hot Italian sausage, broccoli rabe, caramelized onion and marinara.

The restaurant is kind of kitty corner from the Farnsworth Museum if you’re familiar with it… Check it out, give it a try!

Catch you back here tomorrow! If you get a chance visit my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !

Fast & French… yo… G&M is a tasty treat!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOODLeave a comment
Image: FastAndFrench.org

Some refer to this restaurant as Fast and French, others as G&M and the rest of you as Gaulart et Maliclet Cafe. It’s the cool little restaurant on Broad Street in Charleston where you see many of the locals as well as some visitors. It’s a great place to meet people. It has to do with the seating, there aren’t separate tables and chairs, there is a long bar area and a few shorter wider bars where you sit across from people. It’s perfect for dining alone, or meeting new people. You can always find someone interesting to talk to at G&M. Thursdays is fondue night, a popular night for many. I happen to love their cold cucumber soup especially on a hot summer day when anything heavier than that just doesn’t sound good. They have wonderful sandwiches among many other dishes at night. Great coffee and desserts too… check out their MENU.

Catch you back here tomorrow, in the meantime if you get a chance check out my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !