Acropolis - Pelham Road

On a recent Friday evening, we went to the Acropolis restaurant on Pelham Road (3620 Pelham Road; 458-8900). The restaurant serves Greek and Italian specialties - and shouldn't be confused with the other Acropolis restaurants in town - they are not related to each other!

Hubby wanted to carb load before a running race that he was participating in the next morning. (First place in his division, yea!!!) - so this place was perfect for that. This restaurant was also recommended to us by friends - even more of a reason to give it a try!

We liked the decor of the restaurant - very nicely done (except for the fact that I kept getting whiffs of the restroom "sanitizer" everytime someone opened the bathroom door!). The place was packed on the Friday, families and dates were sitting and waiting for a table.

I ordered the hummus platter shown above - this is an appetizer - and is enough for a family to share!!! Very good with the kalamata olives and feta cheese - it truly is a meal in itself. It comes with a side of pita bread.

The rest of the family ordered spaghetti. The kids shared a regular order with meat sauce (no kids menu) and DH ordered spaghetti with meat sauce and mushrooms. Uhmmm - the mushrooms were soooo disappointing - they were just canned mushrooms thrown on the top before serving the dish!!!! Look at the picture! Yuck!!! Is it really too much to ask to saute some real mushrooms????

The kids didn't like their dish - and it is pretty hard to mess up a basic spaghetti dish! I tried it and agreed - the sauce was very odd tasting - not sure what the kitchen did to it - but it wasn't tasty at all!!!

We left most of the spaghetti on the table (Thank goodness for the bread that they brought to go with the spaghetti - or the kids would have starved!!) and I thought it was strange that the waiter didn't once take notice that we weren't eating it.

For Greek/Italian food, we still vote for the Acropolis on Wade Hampton Blvd. - very yummy and won't disappoint!!!

I'm Still Here!

Geez.... I know alot of you are wondering what is happening with this blog.... so am I! I seriously lost my blogging mojo - and am truly hoping that it starts to come back soon!

I took a look at my 2009 New Year resolutions... and I pretty much didn't accomplish them. Another Geez... but what is a resolution anyway? Do you really know anyone who keeps them?!?

This year, I would like to blog more - I am going to shoot for 2-3x a week - hopefully in the areas of Stampin', Eating (recipes and/or restaurant reviews) and local sights. Let's see how it goes!

The Overlook Grill

The Overlook Grill (601 S. Main St, 864.271.9700) is a place that we have walked by numerous times without really stopping to look at the menu. Which is odd, because we have always commented on how nice it was to overlook the park and would be perfect to sit outside and take a break during a nice day!

One day this Fall, we had company in town and chose to stop by for a lunch while showing them the downtown area. Wow! We were in for a surprise - and feelings of regret for not visiting here sooner!

The inside of the restaurant is very nice, along with the great patio seating that overlooks Falls Park and the Reedy river. The wait staff were very friendly and the whole place gave us that "We know you already" feel.

I ordered the loaded bird wrap, (grilled chicken, onions, peppers, american cheese and honey mustard) and chose to stick with just the potato chips that came with it instead of ordering fries or something else. (BTW - the best way to eat plain potato chips? Dip them in mustard! Seriously!) I liked it - very tasty and filling!

DH and another person had the burger. It wasn't the best burger that they had ever had, but they both liked it and gave it a thumbs up.

The menu has a lot of sandwich selections on it, along with a few pastas, salads, and other choices - so there should be something for everyone's taste palate.

Verdict? A great place to visit for a drink (they have a fully stocked bar inside) or a meal.

Taco Casa

After driving by Taco Casa (1002 N. Pleasantburg Dr.) numerous times, my timing was right to stop by one day for lunch. Warning! This place gets PACKED at lunchtime - but it does move quickly!


From what I understand, Taco Casa is pretty much an institution here in Greenville. Some of my neighbors who were born and raised here remember going there after school for a bite to eat...


But I have to say - if all you want is cheap prices and quick service - then this is your place. If you would actually like a meal that you could say was tasty and you enjoyed - then head to any other true Mexican restaurant in town.


I ordered the daily special - for about $4, I received a drink, taco, burrito (?), and a cherry empanada. They do have a self service "sauce" bar - not really salsa, but several different types of taco sauce to meet your taste needs. I found out that the foods needed major help to be edible!

I guess the phrase "You get what you pay for" is accurate here.. look at the photo.. cheese sauce poured over the top? Really? By the time I ate it, the cheese had cooled and was congealed and lumpy - ewwwww!

So - like I said - if you want cheap, then go here. If you want cheap and tastier, go to Taco Bell. If you want good Mexican food, go to another Mexican restaurant (any will beat this restaurant!) and pay a couple of dollars more for a meal that you can say was worth it!!!

Holiday Extravaganza!

The Stampin' Up! Online Extravaganza sale is a great way to get started on your Holiday shopping!
For one week only, you can get amazing discounts--up to 50 percent off--on over 40 products and product bundles! See below for complete offering.

• The sale begins Monday, November 23, 2009, 12:01 AM (MT), and ends Monday November 30, 2009, 11:50 PM (MT). Please call or email me today to get your order placed!
  

Item	Description	Regular Price	Discounted Price
120280	Framed with Love Bundle Framed with Love stamp set Full Heart punch	$43.90	$21.95
120281	Thank You Kindly Bundle Thank You Kindly stamp set Scallop Edge punch	$29.90	$14.95
120976	Thank You Kindly Bundle (French) Tous mes remerciements stamp set Scallop Edge punch	$29.90	$14.95
120282	Animal Crackers Bundle Animal Crackers stamp set Star Designer brads	$25.90	$12.95
120283	Corduroy Button Bundle Kraft Corduroy buttons Pumpkin Pie Corduroy buttons Summer Sun Corduroy buttons Basic Gray Corduroy buttons Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttons	$49.75	$24.88
120284	Game Night Bundle Card Games stamp set Game Night stamp set	$40.90	$20.45
120285	Four Square Bundle Four Square stamp set Scallop Square punch	$30.90	$15.45
120286	Heart to Heart Bundle Love You Much stamp set Heart to Heart punch Pretty in Pink 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon	$49.85	$24.93
120310	Heart to Heart Bundle (Spanish) Te Quiero Mucho stamp set Heart to Heart punch Pretty in Pink 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon	$49.85	$24.93
120311	Heart to Heart Bundle (French) J't'aime beaucoup stamp set Heart to Heart punch Pretty in Pink 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon	$49.85	$24.93
120287	Chipboard Letter Bundle On Board Timeless Type On Board Loads of Letters	$25.90	$12.95
120288	Double-Stitched Ribbon Bundle Bashful Blue 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon Rose Red 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon	$17.90	$10.74
120289	Ultimate Stampers' Starter Bundle* Best Wishes & More stamp set Eight Great Greetings stamp set On a Pedestal stamp set Earth Elements Stampin' Spots Earth Elements assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11") Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11") Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Flower Designer brads	$127.70	$76.62
120290	Build-A-Brad Bundle Calendar Alphabet stamp set Pewter Build-A-Brad Antique Brass Build-A-Brad	$40.85	$24.51
120291	Enjoy Every Moment Bundle Enjoy Every Moment stamp set Circle Designer brads Flower Designer brads	$43.85	$26.31
120312	Enjoy Every Moment Bundle (French) Profiter de chaque instant stamp set Circle Designer brads Flower Designer brads	$43.85	$26.31
120292	Cheep Talk Bundle Cheep Talk stamp set Note cards Pumpkin Pie Corduroy buttons	$42.85	$25.71
120293	Sock Monkey Bundle Sock Monkey stamp set Sock Monkey Accessories stamp set Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttons	$58.85	$35.31
120313	Sock Monkey Bundle (French) Sing-chaussette stamp set Sock Monkey Accessories stamp set Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttons	$58.85	$35.31
120294	Alphabet Bundle Jayne's Type Alphabet stamp set Lovely Letters stamp set	$87.90	$52.74
120295	Simply Said Bundle Simply Said stamp set Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Full Heart punch	$52.85	$31.71
120314	Simply Said Bundle (French) Amitié stamp set Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Full Heart punch	$52.85	$31.71
120296	On Board Bundle On Board So Tweet On Board Batch of Blooms On Board Essentials	$42.85	$25.71
120927	Christmas Décor Bundle #1 Holly Berry Wreath Décor Elements (Kraft, Real Red) Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements	$74.85	$44.91
120298	Christmas Décor Bundle #2 Holly Beary Wreath Décor Elements (Chocolate, Real Red) Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements	$74.85	$44.91
120299	Christmas Décor Bundle #3 Holly Berry Wreath Décor Elements (Old Olive, Real Red) Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements	$74.85	$44.91
120300	For All You Do Bundle For All You Do stamp set 5/16" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$36.90	$25.83
120315	For All You Do Bundle (French) Merci pour tout stamp set 5/16" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$36.90	$25.83
120316	For All You Do Bundle (Spanish) Por todo lo que haces stamp set 5/16" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$36.90	$25.83
120301	Striped Ribbon Bundle Bashful Blue 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Pumpkin Pie 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Pretty in Pink 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon So Saffron 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Real Red 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon	$47.73	$33.41
120302	Bling Bundle Sticky Pages Sticky Cuts Sweet Fine Supernova Stampin' Glitter Fine Galaxy Stampin' Glitter	$43.80	$30.66
120303	Fresh-Cut Bundle Fresh Cuts stamp set Fresh-Cut Notes 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$37.85	$26.50
120317	Fresh-Cut Bundle (French) Fraicheur exuise stamp set Fresh-Cut Notes 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$37.85	$26.50
120304	Pendant Note Bundle Pendant Park stamp set Pendant notes 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$39.85	$27.90
120318	Pendant Note Bundle (French) Adorable parc stamp set Pendant notes 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$39.85	$27.90
120319	Pendant Note Bundle (Spanish) Un dia en el parque stamp set Pendant notes 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$39.85	$27.90
120305	Sporting Bundle #1 Large Night of Navy Sporting Décor Elements Night of Navy Just Sports Décor Elements	$67.90	$47.54
120306	Sporting Bundle #2 Large Chocolate Sporting Décor Elements Chocolate Just Sports Décor Elements	$67.90	$47.54
120307	Sporting Bundle #3 Large Black Sporting Décor Elements Black Just Sports Décor Elements	$67.90	$47.54
114864	Ginormous Flowers I Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
114863	Ginormous Flowers II Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
112534	5/16" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$7.95	$5.57
112533	5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$6.95	$4.87
112081	Scallop Square punch	$15.95	$11.17
113693	Full Heart punch	$15.95	$11.17
113694	Heart to Heart punch	$15.95	$11.17
112091	Scallop Edge punch	$15.95	$11.17
112571	Circle Designer brads	$5.95	$4.17
112579	Flower Designer brads	$5.95	$4.17
112572	Star Designer brads	$5.95	$4.17
114785	Small Wonderful Flowers Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
114786	Medium Wonderful Flowers Décor Elements	$69.95	$48.97
114791	Small Wonderful Leaves Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
114792	Medium Wonderful Leaves Décor Elements	$64.95	$45.47

*This bundle is only available while supplies last.

Huntin' Camp BBQ

Finally! Another restaurant review! To be honest, I have several new restaurants that I have been to - but time hasn't been on my side to write about them here. I will try to be more consistent!

Always on the look out for good BBQ, we have been to the Huntin' Camp BBQ (2221 Highway 25, Traveler's Rest; 864.834.2102) a few times.

They specialize in the buffet - but they do have a menu that you can order from also.

I have had the buffet each time I go - pulled pork and bbq chicken are the meats, along with basic side items and cobbler for dessert. The bbq is good, the sides are mediocre at best. But as long as you can eat as much bbq as you want, the sides don't really matter! They have the standard sauces for a bbq joint, sweet, spicy, vinegar, and mustard based sauces - plenty to choose from!

The star of the show are the hush puppies that they bring out to the table when you arrive! Sweet and warm, made even better by dipping them in the honey butter that also comes to the table (Country Crock brand, not homemade).

The place has always been busy while we are there - and I would say about half of the crowd is just ordering off of the menu (which offers ribs, hamburgers, and other items). I think I would like to do this the next time also - try something else since the buffet side items don't really do it for me.

Overall - worth a trip if you are heading up to Asheville or near the Traveler's Rest area. But honestly, I do believe that other bbq places (Bucky's, Henry's) offer more in taste and value.

Zwiebelmarktkuchen (Weimar Onion Festival Cake)

This week's recipe was Zwiebelmarktkuchen (Weimar Onion Festival Cake). Follow along with the Real German Cooking Challenge on Amiexpat's blog - she is the organizer for these challenges! I noticed that Gourmet magazine's November 2009 issue also has a variation of this exact same recipe!

This recipe involved yeast - which I just am not completely comfortable with! The dough almost doubled for me - and I found it to be a little "tough" to roll out - but was able to fill a jelly roll baking sheet with it. The recipe called for it to go up the sides of the pan - I didn't have enough dough to do that. Think rustic pizza dough - that's what I had.

The onion mixture smelled so good! 3 onions, cooked until they were a little caramelized - with bacon - yum! The recipe called for them to be cooked until translucent, but I couldn't resist cooking them just a little longer to add the color and extra flavor that caramelizing gives it.

Once this mixture was poured on the dough, a sour cream and egg mixture was poured on top and the entire thing is baked.

The crust turned out flaky and crisp on the bottom - very much like a flatbread. It was tasty with the onion mixture. The caraway seeds in this made me keep thinking of sauerkraut - but it really did add alot of flavor to the dish.

Not sure if I would make this again though - my kids definitely wouldn't eat it with onions being the shining star.. and DH also was reluctant to try it (but his excuse was that he had just had lunch... which he had..)

Next week: Muschelsalat (Mussel salad) I hope that I can find jarred mussels... seems so much easier than shelling 2 lbs. of mussels!!! But the recipe sounds good - have to love mussels! Join us in the challenge!