Week 49 ... Happy Hour!!!

This week we decided to go out for a Happy Hour at Bar Louie. Bar Louie is relatively new to Greenville. It's been here for about 16 months. Much to my surprise I found out it is a chain restaurant. It didn't have that feel which I guess is a good sign.

Bar Louie seems to have quite a active Happy Hour crowd. We arrived around 5:30pm on a Thursday and found the bar was fairly crowded. Those also have a nice patio seating area that attracted quite a few people. We came for Happy Hour and some early dinner. They have some excellent Happy Hour specials like 1/2 price wines, 1/2 off flatbreads, etc... They are known for their Martinis which we didn't partake in.

We started off by ordering a Buffalo chicken Flatbread, which is grilled chicken, green onion, blue cheese crumbles, buffalo sauce, smoked onion ranch, provolone, mozzarella. The flatbread was delicious and really could have been treated as a entree.

As for entrees, Becky ordered the salmon Sliders which was three small filets of salmon on brioche buns. Maeve had the The Voodoo sandwich which was blackened chicken breast, pepper jack, andouille sausage, sautéed peppers, lettuce, tomato, pickle, mayo, brioche bun. Finally, I had the BBQ Pulled Pork which contains smoked pulled pork, barbecue sauce, cheddar, fried onion strings, brioche bun.

Overall, we were all very happy with the food, service, and atmosphere of Bar Louie. It definitely caters to a adult crowd as we didn't see anybody under 18 there. We would definitely go back again, especially for Happy Hour.

Ratings      (0 to 5 stars)

Food            3.5 stars

Service        3.5 stars

Next Up       Ruby Tuesday

Week 48 ... Our First Sports Bar

We first came across the Carolina Ale House when we were looking to move to Greenville. This location was downtown Greenville. So when we moved to Simpsonville we were pleasantly surprised that they had another location on Woodruff Rd. This is where we had a full crew sans Emily for this week.

Carolina Ale House is classic pub grub with a tremendous amount of televisions for the sports fanatics. Their menu has a wide variety of food with everything from salads to seafood. Not sure exactly of their specialty however.

As we perused the menu for our entrees, we started with the Five Cheese Spinach Dip. It is a combination of multiple warm cheeses served with warm tortilla chips.

Four our entrees we ordered the following:

GREEK CHICKEN PITA
Grilled chicken breast, feta cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onions, Kalamata olives & balsamic vinaigrette wrapped in a warm pita.
BUFFALO ZINGER WRAP
Hand-battered chicken tenders tossed in our Buffalo sauce & wrapped in a flour tortilla with ranch dressing, Monterey Jack & Cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato & red onion.
BONELESS CHICKEN ZINGERS
Fresh cut chicken tenders hand-battered or grilled & tossed in your choice of sauce. Served with housemade blue cheese dressing, celery & carrots.
GRILLED CHICKEN TACOS
Spicy grilled chicken with queso fresco, pico de gallo & housemade apple coleslaw wrapped in soft flour tortillas.
BAJA GRILLED CHICKEN SALAD
Black bean corn relish, pico de gallo, tomatoes & Cheddar cheese topped with guacamole, tortilla strips & housemade chipotle ranch dressing.

We all enjoyed our meals. It is pub grub that you can find at many places like this. If you are looking for good food and a fun atmosphere then Carolina Ale House is a good place to go. I prefer the downtown Greenville location but that's because they have better outside dining options.

Ratings      (0 to 5 stars)

Food            2.5 stars

Service        3 stars

Next Up       Bar Louie

Week 47 ... Quick One

This week we crossed over I-85 and started a long haul before we make the turn back to Simpsonville. We hit the Subway for a quick sandwich. You can find a Subway on just about  every street corner down here, However this Subway was particularly clean and the staff was friendly.

As you enter the Subway you are greeted by the smell of fresh baked bread. In my opinion the most important part of the sandwich is the bread. In the month of February Subway has a $6 foot long promotion. Becky and I did a splitsky on a Tuna and Provolone on Whole Wheat.

I have to say for a lunch for two that is under $10, Subway did a very good job. The bread was very fresh and you can load it up with all sorts of vegetables. Throw in a couple of drinks and you are good to go. I would definitely rate this franchise above average against your typical franchises. We were very satisfied.

Ratings              (0 to 5 stars)

Food                   2.5 stars

Service                3 stars

Next Up              Carolina Ale House

Week 46 ... I forgot

We made our final stop in the Shops at Greenridge this week. We went to the very popular chicken chain called Buffalo Wild Wings. If you are a sports fan and enjoy dressed up bar food then this is your place.

We were accompanied by Bridget this week who came home for the weekend from Clemson. The place was packed for a Friday night. We arrived around 8pm and were able to garner a high table near the bar.

We decided to pass on appetizers this evening and went straight to the entrees. Maeve ordered the boneless wings with medium sauce. They have a selection of 21 different sauces for the chicken wings. They range in different flavors and heat (spicy). Bridget opted for the Grilled Chicken Buffalitos, which are tortillas with Buffalo chicken and seasoning. Becky went with the Buffalo Ranch Chicken sandwich. I had the Buffalo Ranch Chicken wrap.

It took awhile for the food to come out but that is okay because the beer was refreshing and we were in no rush. When the food arrived we were all ready to consume it. It was very good bar food. It's not overwhelming but satisfying. So if you are looking for a place to watch sports and drink beer then BWW is the place.

BTW, we forgot to order Wings....ouch

Ratings                         (0 to 5 stars)

Food                          3 stars

Service                       3 stars

Next Up            We cross I-85 to the Subway

Week 45 ... It's Raining Burgers

There seems to be a trend in the last five years at least of restaurants that are geared around the hamburger. I'm not talking about fast food burgers but the "gourmet" burger. We visited one such burger "joint" this week called Red Robin Gourmet Burgers. I was first exposed to Red Robin when we use to spend our vacations in the Poconos. So I was pleasantly surprised to see that they opened a franchise here in Greenville.

 Becky, Maeve, and I visited this establishment that is also located in the Shops at Greenridge. They were offering a good special where it was two Tavern Double Burgers and a appetizer for $15. Maeve and myself took advantage of that. Becky had the Grilled Turkey burger. All meals come with bottomless fries and unlimited drinks. I am surprised obesity exists in SC...ugggh

We started with a Shorty stack of Onion rings with a compliment of dipping sauces. They never had a chance. Something about deep frying onions that are delicious. Our main courses followed shortly thereafter. They were cooked to perfection and were delicious. While the Tavern Double isn't the biggest burger on the menu it is more then filling. Becky as usual enjoyed her Turkey Burger,

So with all the Burger options that now exist out there the Red Robin is a solid choice. 

Ratings               (0 to 5 stars)

Food                   3 stars

Service               3.5 stars

Next Up             Buffalo Wild Wings

Week 44 ... Steak Joint

This week we continued our journey in the Shops at Greenridge. We had dinner at the chain steakhouse called LongHorn Steakhouse. LongHorn is part of the Darden Group that owns and operates a ton of casual restaurants , i.e. Olive Garden.

Once again we arrived right before the crowd descended upon the restaurant. It seems that Woodruff Rd gets very busy in these chain type establishments. We were seated and perused the menu. You really have to like beef to go here but they do offer seafood and poultry. We placed our order with the waitress. In the meantime they brought a nice warm loaf of bread with butter. It's good thing we passed on the appetizers.

Becky ordered the Atlantic salmon in a bourbon marinade. Maeve settled on the 8oz Prime Rib. I had the Ribeye. All the orders came with 2 sides. We all started with salads and for sides we chose Creamed Spinach, Asparagus, and Mac&Cheese

All of our meals were good. However without bragging, I can get a better steak at the butcher and throw it on the Weber. It is delicious. But with that said  it is solid steak joint but don't expect it to be a Ruth Chris as a comparison. Good steak and Good value.

Ratings                     ( 0 to 5 stars)

Food                        3 stars

Service                    3 stars

Next Up                  Red Robin Gourmet Burgers

Week 43 .... Wood Fired Pizza

We had a full crew sans Emily for our next establishment, Brixx Wood Fired Pizza. Brixx is a chain restaurant that is fine casual dining. In other words it's fancy pizza that they get to charge a premium for. The restaurant is located in the Shops at Greenridge.

I like to go to dinner at 6pm before the crowds descend upon places like this or I am getting older. I hope it isn't the latter. By doing this we get seated straight away. After the usual greetings we order some appetizers and drinks.

We started with the Bruschetta which is one of our favorites.

For the main course, Becky ordered the Spinach Salad (no shock there). Grace had the fresh house made mozzarella sandwich. Bridget, Maeve and I split two 10" pizzas. We shared the Margherita and the Buffalo chicken pizzas.

We have no complaints about the food. It was very good. My only comment was that the pizza was piping hot. It probably was sitting out for awhile.The big issue is price related. It is pizza after all. We have had better pizza elsewhere in Greenville. However if you are looking for atmosphere and good food then Brixx is a solid choice.

Ratings         (0 to 5 stars)

Service             3 stars

Food                 3 stars

Next Up      Long Horn Steakhouse