So much for the mountains on to the beach......

Next stop was North Myrtle Beach. Lots and Lots of choices. Restaurant row is what it's called. The first night we ate at Martinis. What a nice nice experience. The new owner greeted us and seated us. The server eventually came over but the wait was way too long. And so the night progressed....we waited and waited. Thankfully, the drinks were cold and the food was exceptionally good -- Steak Diane for me...yum. Repeat visit: Definitely.

Another good choice was Benitos also on the main drag. It reminded me of an old fashioned Italian pizzeria type place. The line was long and the place totally casual but the food was totally basic and the prices so low. Very typical of a place like this, the waiter was also a fun friendly guy. Repeat: YUP

35 miles south of Mytrle we found a really good small chain breakfast place called Eggs Up Grill. Crowded was not the word but they had an unbelievable seating method complete with headphones and lists. We were promised a 20 minute wait but in actuality it was over an hour. Once seated the service was so good and our breakfast was hot and tasty. My only complaint was the coffee was like dishwater -- very very weak. Otherwise, if you spot one of these places in SC be sure to stop. It was well worth the wait. Extensive menu, fresh ingredients, hot food, great service. YES YES YES

A big DO NOT GO was on the main drag in Cherry Grove. It was called: Crab Shack
Long wait, robot like "slam the food down" service, dark and dreary, dirty, food was crap and drinks totally horrible too. I cannot find one redeeming thing about this place. Totally BAD tourist. DO NOT GO...HORRIBLE.

My daughter said that her experience at Dick's was wonderful. Seafood so fresh and good service. Try that one too.

It has been a long long hot hot summer.....

lots of traveling, entertaining grandkids and visiting friends.

Let's start with my visit to the mountains to see my friends, Chris and Cathy. We went to Hendersonville for dinner and ate at the Never Blue on the main drag. Although we had reservations, they were clueless when we got there but eventually seated us outside. Seats were pretty uncomfortable but we stole some cushions from neighboring chairs. This restaurant's menu was anattempt at a tapas theme. Drinks were just ok -- not as cold as they should have been in such warm weather.
I ordered the lamb which was nice but the peas that were served alongside the skewers were dry and shriveled like they were left out all night! Gross...when I mentioned this to the waitress, she agreed and kept on going. No repeat visit here.

Next visit was to Brevard. Love this little town. We stopped for lunch after walking the fun annual art fair. We had lunch at Hob Nob. Much to my amazement, we were served the freshest, most interesting salads we have had in a very long time. Mine was unbelieveable!! The dressing had a cantaloupe base and was LUSCIOUS!! My only criticism was that the waiters uniform was stained and dirty -- a real sore spot with me. So sad since he was exceptionally good. The laugh of the day was when a "well to do" southern lady who we were speaking with during lunch waved farewell to us and said, "It was so nice meeting REAL southern people....and you too honey (referring to me". Niiice.

Lastly we had drinks at the Grove Park Inn. Anyone in the area has got to stop there for a look. Naturally gorgeous with large rock walls, etc. I almost thought I was in Texas with everything built so BIG. Drink on the back patio was soo nice and relaxing.

Just an OK place in Charlotte

The Dock Restaurant on East Blvd. in Dilworth is the third try for this location in the past 2 yrs. We sat on the top open air "patio". Everyone ordered drinks and appetizers. The drinks were great. The margaritas were made from fresh lemon/lime juice and were thoroughly enjoyed, the wine was good and my house vodka (SKY) was fine. The strawberry/basil(?) mojito was way too sweet and was never removed from the bill even after two trys to make it less sweet wtih some club soda. The FOOD: Fish tacos were very good and the sauce served with it GREAT. She crab soup good but a little more orangy than normal. Hummus good with fresh red pepper and warmed pitas -- nice touch. Guacamole was very tasty with nice plump pieces of shrimp and chips were slightly salted and crisp. My ceviche was mediocre. The fish tasted either a bit freezer burned or of absorbed odors from the frig. Nothing when compared to the ceviche served at the Mexican restuarant across the street!!! Thank God the company made up with what was lacking in my ceviche! Bathroom was fairly clean and parking easy. Repeat Visit: Probably not.

Charleston

I was totally psyched about visiting Charleston and the many good restaurants I was going to experience there. Not so much.....

Here is what I came up with:

Hyman's Seafood: People lines up the zing yang. Very organized in their seating style. We were seated, orders were taken for drinks and curiosity got the best of us about the two carefully placed straws on the saucer of our hot tea. Reason: According to the waiter they don't own spoons! And we thought it was a Southern custom we had not heard about. Nope, no spoons.
Food order was incorrect. Food was cold. Fish was not fresh.
Best part of the visit was the owner stopping by the table. Very personable. Repeat visit: NO.

Hanks: House Wine -- mediocre. Cosmos -- very good. Appetizers -- Great. Main course -- just o.k. Good service, nice atomosphere, priced fairly. Repeat Visit: YES

Magnolias: Great ambience. Appetizers were larger than expected and very good! My salmon salad GREAT! The waiter graciously opened my friends sealed tea bags, fluffed it up with his fingers and gently placed it in her hot water!! YUCK -- wondering if he washed his hands after I saw him at the urinal. (don't ask).
Return visit: YES

Blossom: Sunday brunch: Nicely decorated. Seated pretty promptly. Good Bloody Marys and believe or not they had fresh horseradish. Good so far. Second round of drinks were served in different glasses not only from the first round but also from each other. Explanation for serving different glassware at the same table: We were very busy today and no more clean glasses!! I guess the chef wasn't in too good a mood either because he wouldn't make an egg white omelet -- nope no special orders at Cypress!! Return visit: Probably not

Southent Brewery: Burgers and Pork Sandwich were good, prompt service, worse thing here was the bathroom two flights up!! Return visit: Yes

Fleets Landing: Drinks Great, Food very fresh and prepared correctly, service o.k. Worse part of the visit: took 20 minutes to get our check and their bathrooom could be cleaner. Return visit: Yes

Drinks on the top floor of the 225 building. Great drinks, great atmosphere. Very expensive. Repeat: YES!

So that's it peoples. My advice: Drinks and appetizers in Charleston is the way to go.