My mother's family hails from Germany. Her parents came through Ellis Island in the 1920's and settled in Ridgewood, Queens. Ridgewood was a predominantly German neighborhood in a borough of New York City. Even though my mother was born in this country, she did not speak English until she went to school. My grandfather was a copper smith and my grandmother learned to cook in a German hotel. We referred to them as Oma and Opa. The great aunts were called Tante. I even had a great uncle who owned a German Delicatessen. My grandparents would converse in German when they didn't want the grandchildren to know what they were talking about. The rest of the time they spoke English with some German words thrown in here and there. My cousin Wendy and I were usually able to pick out the four letter German words.
Wendy and I used to stay at my grandparents' house quite often in the summer. Opa would take us to the park to play while he met the other retirees for a game of chess. He also loved to take us to Gouz Dairy to buy milk, eggs, and ice cream. Their tag line was "Gouz rhymes with Cows". Not brilliant, but 50 years later I still remember it, so it wasn't terrible advertising. Gouz had some livestock inside a fenced in area. We were allowed to pet them through the fence. A chicken pecked me once. I haven't been a big fan of pet chickens ever since. Oma and Opa had a vegetable garden in their back yard. They also had a pear tree, gooseberries and current bushes. Wendy and I would have to help pick the pears and then peal and core them so Oma could preserve them for the winter. She placed a cinnamon stick in each container. Those were some great pears. We watched while she made gooseberry preserves and current jelly. Does anyone eat gooseberries or currants anymore?
As I said, my Oma learned to cook from pros. She was an AWESOME cook! Traditional German food doesn't even try to pretend to be healthy. Fat, noodles, pastry and beer are not low calorie foods. They are, however, delicious. My Oma produced delicious meals and desserts from scratch. When the electric mixer couldn't handle the toughest dough, she used a wooden spoon and "elbow grease". I can still picture some of the desserts that she whipped up in her tiny green kitchen. Linzer Torte is still one of my favorite treats. Lunch was usually served on wooden sandwich boards and consisted of several types of wurst (pronounced vusht), bread, mustard, possibly some schmaltz or tartare with a raw egg and onion on top. Okay, lunch wasn't my favorite meal. I wouldn't eat some of the meats because I didn't like the looks of them or the names of them. Take for instance a lunch meat called "head cheese". Now, what American child would dare to eat THAT? Not this one. How about Blutwurst? That translates into blood sausage. No thanks. Liverwurst? No way! Dinner time was a different story. Oma often cooked American meals, but occasionally we would be lucky enough to be treated to potato pancakes, crepes, Sauerbraten, bratwurst, knockwurst, pork and sauerkraut, etc. I even remember eating goose once. Nothing beats a home made potato pancake dipped in applesauce. Rather than filling her crepes as the French do, Oma mixed fruit right into the batter and stacked the pancakes on top of each other. "Apple pancakes", as she called them, with sugar and cinnamon sprinkled on top were scrumptious. On days where we repeatedly asked what we were having for dinner that night, Oma would eventually use a phrase that translated to "little mice dipped in syrup".( She also had another fun saying that she used when we asked "how" or "why" too often. It translated into "how does the cow s%$t get on the roof?".)
I was raised on Long Island in a suburb of New York City. For those of you who have never been to Long Island, its hard to explain what it looks like. There are many small towns that seem to the uninformed to be one endless town. You really can't tell where one town ends and another one begins unless you see a sign. You can travel across three or four towns and not have gone very many miles. Therefor going to another town to shop or eat is very common but there isn't much reason to travel more than a few miles for a specific type of food. There are numerous ethnic restaurants in the every town. When I was growing up we went to a German restaurant called Koenig's for many special occasions. It was two towns away. My favorite thing to order was a tomato juice appetizer and then a roasted half of a duckling. Koenig's is still there, but I haven't been there in a while. While on a recent trip to New York to visit family, my husband and I met my sister and some of her children at another German restaurant. My sister has been telling my about this place for a long time. We never seemed to have to opportunity to go there. This time around we had a free night and decided to check it out. The Oak Chalet, in Bellmore, New York was fabulous! It was everything my sister said it would be.
For starters, when we walked in the door we were greeted by a lady with a German accent. I looked around and noticed that most of the customers had gray hair. That was a good sign. Most of the German immigrants in the area are from that generation. If it wasn't authentic, they wouldn't be spending their time or money there. We sat down to look at the drink menu. There was no way I was going to a German restaurant and not having a beer. There were two choices of draft beer-dark or light. The name brand was not even listed. Germans are very efficient people. Why waste time discussing brand names and having 30 choices. Two is enough. Choose one and drink up. Prost! When it came time to study the menu I saw some of my old favorites. I ordered Sauerbraten and red cabbage. It was just like Oma used to make. Delicious!! The beef was tender and had just the right amount of vinegar flavor. The red cabbage was tangy. There were some dishes that I had never heard of. All of the names were in German. There was wiener schnitzel, platters that offered a variety of wursts, smoked shrimp appetizer, spaetzle. Some traditional items, such as Rouladen, weren't on the menu, but they would prepare it if requested. Every dish that was ordered was enjoyed. The food was outstanding. Everyone in our party was too full to consider dessert. What a shame. I'm sure the strudel was excellent.
The food was terrific but the atmosphere added to the overall experience. Handmade chairs with heart cut outs in the seat backs added a nice touch. There was an abundance of knick knacks, cuckoo clocks, and beer steins. My sister and I had a ball pointing out various objects that we remembered from Oma and Opa's house. We actually own some of the same things that they had there. This was my first visit to Oak Chalet. It won't be my last. I felt like I had come home.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Monday, March 25, 2013
Where the Heck is Saluda?
For your information, Saluda is at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the western part of the state of North Carolina. The city of Asheville is due north. It is very close to the South Carolina border. I know this because I missed the first exit on my way home and ended up driving through part of South Carolina.
Saluda was first known as Pace's Gap. Construction of the railroad through Saluda changed the area forever. It went through many different phases. At one time it was a popular place to go in the summer to escape the brutal heat of the Carolinas. Today it is a small community of artists and craftsman. The main street is just across from the now defunct railroad tracks. Wonderful art shops, craft stores, "old timey" grocery stores, city hall, the police station, and a few restaurants line one side of the road. These are not your run of the mill souvenir gift shops. Items sold here are unique, high quality, and fairly priced. Shop owners are warm and friendly. Saluda hosts events such as Coon Dog Day, Saluda Art Festival, and Town BBQ. You know its a small town immediately because the first question people ask is, "where are you from?". Translation: you do not live here.
Six of the ladies in my book club just returned from a weekend in Saluda. When we planned the trip, "Where the heck is Saluda?" was the response from most of the husbands, offspring and friends. "What's there?" was often the next question. One of our members moved to the nearby town of Flat Rock several years ago. She invited us to come to the area for a visit. Five of us ventured up there to meet her on Friday evening and find out the answers. I had actually spent an afternoon there with my husband once, but I didn't remember much of it. We had gotten some disturbing news earlier in the day and I was in a bit of a fog (as was Saluda a good part of this weekend).
We stayed in the Saluda Mountain Lodge. It sits on the rim of the Green River Gorge and has views of five mountain ranges. Out back is a fire pit/fountain surrounded by Adirondack chairs. Outdoor furniture made from twisted branches sits on the front lawn. Both front and back provide spectacular views. The inn is a long, one story motel building that has been refurbished. Each room is a little bit different. Its a cozy, rustic type of place. The owners are a warm and friendly family. We arrived after dinner on Friday evening. There was a fire laid for us in the fire pit. Once we settled our belongings in our rooms, the owner lit the fire and brought out a basket of s'more ingredients. You just don't get that kind of treatment at a chain hotel. We were offered hot chocolate, given cups for our wine, and basically made to feel at home.
Saturday morning was damp and cold. After sharing breakfast in my room, the six of us ventured into the pint-sized town of Saluda. We didn't get very far down the road before we stopped at The Wildflower Bakery for coffee and tea. The aroma in the bakery was heavenly. Luckily our tummies were full, so we resisted the baked goods. Several hours and many dollars later, we finished perusing the shops of Saluda. We had eaten hand made chocolates and found treasures we simply HAD to buy. There were so many beautiful items to examine. Surprisingly, we saw metal art that was crafted by a man to whom I am related by marriage.
Lunch was eaten at the Saluda Grade Cafe'. The restaurant is painted in bright colors, such as purple and yellow. A long bench with a variety of throw pillows lines one wall. All of the menu items sounded so good that we couldn't decide what to order. Fortunately, we had the option of ordering two halves of a salad, sandwich, or serving of soup. Each of us ordered half of this and half of that. Everything was excellent. The food was fresh, flavorful, attractive, and delicious.
The sun finally came out and we drove to Carl Sandburg's home. A short hike to the main house routed us through the woods and past a lake. A National Park Service volunteer led us on a tour of the house for a whopping $5 entrance fee. The front veranda offered a dramatic view. A path led from the house to the goat barn area. All of the goats there are descendants of the dairy goats that Mrs. Sandburg bred. We played with the animals and enjoyed the sunshine. A path looped us back to the parking lot. Along the way we watched a striped bass and some other fish in the lake. The estate has several hiking trails. You could spend a good part of the day there if you choose to hike the trails. By the way, dogs are not allowed in the house or near the goats, but the trails are dog friendly.
By the time we left, it was five o'clock. Next stop was the town of Hendersonville and a visit to the Appalachian Brewery. Our original plan was to head into Asheville for dinner. After chatting over some craft beer and hand made pretzels, the group voted to skip going into Asheville. The small town charm of Saluda was too captivating. Since I was the driver for the weekend, that was fine with me.
The Purple Onion was the unanimous choice for our evening meal. Live music was on the agenda at the restaurant. I guess word was out, because the place was crowded when we got there. We headed to the bar for a glass of wine while we waited for a table. Being that we were a bunch of middle aged women let loose for a weekend "chatfest", we requested a table in the room that didn't have a loud band playing in it. We were accommodated very nicely. The proprietors had closed a patio in with tent sides. We were seated out there and warmed by heaters that hung above our heads. The appetizers and entrees were wonderful. Service was friendly. The only negative thing I could say is that the waitress really didn't know the answer to one particular question. Instead of finding out the answer, it was obvious she was just making it up. I ordered something else. My food was great, so no big loss. Before we sat down, several of the women were eyeing the desserts and planning to eat one. By the time we finished our dinner, nobody had room for dessert.
We all waddled out of the restaurant and back the the Lodge. We decided to settle our bill that night instead of waiting until morning. The owners were happy to do that for us, and we stood talking with them for a long time. Their precious three year old son ran back and forth to their apartment to bring each of us a Dove chocolate. The couple offered to build us another bonfire. We were all tired, and it was cold out, so we opted to turn in for the night.
Sunday morning was rainy and the fog was thick. We were able to sit by the window and watch the fog coming and going for several hours. I felt like I was up in the clouds. After sharing our breakfast again, we packed up and headed home. It poured all the way home, making the drive less than ideal.
Our weekend in Saluda was relaxing and fed our souls. The time was short and sweet. If you were to have a week or two to spend in the area, there are plenty of things to keep you busy. Nearby attractions include The Biltmore, Chimney Rock, Dupont State Forest, UNC-Asheville, Flat Rock, Lake Lure, the Broad River, French Broad River, the Green River, and Asheville.
Now that you know where the heck Saluda is and a little bit about what is there, you should hurry up and make a reservation. I know I plan to go back there. Who wants to come?
Saluda was first known as Pace's Gap. Construction of the railroad through Saluda changed the area forever. It went through many different phases. At one time it was a popular place to go in the summer to escape the brutal heat of the Carolinas. Today it is a small community of artists and craftsman. The main street is just across from the now defunct railroad tracks. Wonderful art shops, craft stores, "old timey" grocery stores, city hall, the police station, and a few restaurants line one side of the road. These are not your run of the mill souvenir gift shops. Items sold here are unique, high quality, and fairly priced. Shop owners are warm and friendly. Saluda hosts events such as Coon Dog Day, Saluda Art Festival, and Town BBQ. You know its a small town immediately because the first question people ask is, "where are you from?". Translation: you do not live here.
Six of the ladies in my book club just returned from a weekend in Saluda. When we planned the trip, "Where the heck is Saluda?" was the response from most of the husbands, offspring and friends. "What's there?" was often the next question. One of our members moved to the nearby town of Flat Rock several years ago. She invited us to come to the area for a visit. Five of us ventured up there to meet her on Friday evening and find out the answers. I had actually spent an afternoon there with my husband once, but I didn't remember much of it. We had gotten some disturbing news earlier in the day and I was in a bit of a fog (as was Saluda a good part of this weekend).
We stayed in the Saluda Mountain Lodge. It sits on the rim of the Green River Gorge and has views of five mountain ranges. Out back is a fire pit/fountain surrounded by Adirondack chairs. Outdoor furniture made from twisted branches sits on the front lawn. Both front and back provide spectacular views. The inn is a long, one story motel building that has been refurbished. Each room is a little bit different. Its a cozy, rustic type of place. The owners are a warm and friendly family. We arrived after dinner on Friday evening. There was a fire laid for us in the fire pit. Once we settled our belongings in our rooms, the owner lit the fire and brought out a basket of s'more ingredients. You just don't get that kind of treatment at a chain hotel. We were offered hot chocolate, given cups for our wine, and basically made to feel at home.
Saturday morning was damp and cold. After sharing breakfast in my room, the six of us ventured into the pint-sized town of Saluda. We didn't get very far down the road before we stopped at The Wildflower Bakery for coffee and tea. The aroma in the bakery was heavenly. Luckily our tummies were full, so we resisted the baked goods. Several hours and many dollars later, we finished perusing the shops of Saluda. We had eaten hand made chocolates and found treasures we simply HAD to buy. There were so many beautiful items to examine. Surprisingly, we saw metal art that was crafted by a man to whom I am related by marriage.
Lunch was eaten at the Saluda Grade Cafe'. The restaurant is painted in bright colors, such as purple and yellow. A long bench with a variety of throw pillows lines one wall. All of the menu items sounded so good that we couldn't decide what to order. Fortunately, we had the option of ordering two halves of a salad, sandwich, or serving of soup. Each of us ordered half of this and half of that. Everything was excellent. The food was fresh, flavorful, attractive, and delicious.
The sun finally came out and we drove to Carl Sandburg's home. A short hike to the main house routed us through the woods and past a lake. A National Park Service volunteer led us on a tour of the house for a whopping $5 entrance fee. The front veranda offered a dramatic view. A path led from the house to the goat barn area. All of the goats there are descendants of the dairy goats that Mrs. Sandburg bred. We played with the animals and enjoyed the sunshine. A path looped us back to the parking lot. Along the way we watched a striped bass and some other fish in the lake. The estate has several hiking trails. You could spend a good part of the day there if you choose to hike the trails. By the way, dogs are not allowed in the house or near the goats, but the trails are dog friendly.
By the time we left, it was five o'clock. Next stop was the town of Hendersonville and a visit to the Appalachian Brewery. Our original plan was to head into Asheville for dinner. After chatting over some craft beer and hand made pretzels, the group voted to skip going into Asheville. The small town charm of Saluda was too captivating. Since I was the driver for the weekend, that was fine with me.
The Purple Onion was the unanimous choice for our evening meal. Live music was on the agenda at the restaurant. I guess word was out, because the place was crowded when we got there. We headed to the bar for a glass of wine while we waited for a table. Being that we were a bunch of middle aged women let loose for a weekend "chatfest", we requested a table in the room that didn't have a loud band playing in it. We were accommodated very nicely. The proprietors had closed a patio in with tent sides. We were seated out there and warmed by heaters that hung above our heads. The appetizers and entrees were wonderful. Service was friendly. The only negative thing I could say is that the waitress really didn't know the answer to one particular question. Instead of finding out the answer, it was obvious she was just making it up. I ordered something else. My food was great, so no big loss. Before we sat down, several of the women were eyeing the desserts and planning to eat one. By the time we finished our dinner, nobody had room for dessert.
We all waddled out of the restaurant and back the the Lodge. We decided to settle our bill that night instead of waiting until morning. The owners were happy to do that for us, and we stood talking with them for a long time. Their precious three year old son ran back and forth to their apartment to bring each of us a Dove chocolate. The couple offered to build us another bonfire. We were all tired, and it was cold out, so we opted to turn in for the night.
Sunday morning was rainy and the fog was thick. We were able to sit by the window and watch the fog coming and going for several hours. I felt like I was up in the clouds. After sharing our breakfast again, we packed up and headed home. It poured all the way home, making the drive less than ideal.
Our weekend in Saluda was relaxing and fed our souls. The time was short and sweet. If you were to have a week or two to spend in the area, there are plenty of things to keep you busy. Nearby attractions include The Biltmore, Chimney Rock, Dupont State Forest, UNC-Asheville, Flat Rock, Lake Lure, the Broad River, French Broad River, the Green River, and Asheville.
Now that you know where the heck Saluda is and a little bit about what is there, you should hurry up and make a reservation. I know I plan to go back there. Who wants to come?
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Potent Potables, Jamestown, NC
What a great name! It just sounds like a fun place. On a whim, I purchased a Living Social coupon for my hubby to do a craft beer tasting. I had never heard of the place, but it was only a half hour away, so I thought it would be a fun thing to do on a day when we had nothing going on.
Yesterday was another rainy Saturday, so I presented the voucher to my spouse and suggested we check it out. For some dumb reason I thought the tasting was for 2 people, but it wasn't. I called ahead to be sure. The lovely lady who answered the phone assured me that one tasting was sufficient for 2 people. The samples were very generous in her opinion. The coupon was for four samplers and a pint of the beer of your choice. Being that some craft beer has an alcohol content at over 10%, we decided she was probably correct. With our big black dog in the back of my vehicle, we headed down the road the Jamestown.
Jamestown was first settled in the 1700's by Quakers. It later became a town, and was named after James Mendenhall. It currently boasts a population of about 3,300 people in a little under 3 sure miles. In my opinion, this makes it qualify as "off the beaten path". It is, however, very, very close to the cities of Greensboro and High Point. Jamestown is very quaint. Main Street is attractive and has several eateries, watering holes, gift shops, a library, etc. The buildings have great character.
Potent Potables opened about three months ago. It occupies a building that has been home to a gym and a restaurant, among other businesses. Sadie Mays was a very popular restaurant on that site for many years. The new owners kept the sign from Sadie Mays and having it hanging on the back wall as a tribute. Potent Potables (go ahead, say it three times, fast) is a wine shop/beer store/gift shop/gathering place. Owners and spouses Steve and Abby have done a great job making the establishment feel very welcoming. Steve is the resident beer expert and Abby is the wine pro. They have a variety of wine bottle toppers, cork screws, bottle openers, as you would expect in that type of shop. They also have some yummy looking snacks and some very pretty perfume bottles. That sounds out of place, but they add some charm to the surroundings. When you first walk in, you notice a generous wine selection. Then you notice a large, inviting booth, and a table and chairs. As you walk across the store, you notice a fabulous selection of beer. There is a fridge with some "cold ones", as my husband would say. Look toward the back of the store and you will be pleasantly surprised. There is a wooden bar with stools, and a bunch of wooden tables and chairs. Each table has a deck of cards on it. They seem to be inviting the customers to stay and hang out a while. The bar contains an assortment of craft beer on tap. Abby informed us that the selection changes frequently. Don't rush off. Sit down and do a beer or wine tasting. Order a pint or a glass. Chat it up with the other customers. Get to know Abby and Steve. If you're lucky, you will be there on a day when they set out a crock pot with their complimentary Southwest style chicken soup. We were lucky. They had it out on a table, with bowls, tortilla chips, and cookies. One of the other customers told us that they sometimes have finger sandwiches and other goodies. On certain days they have a food truck come and park outside so patrons can go out and purchase food and bring it inside to eat. They also allow you to bring your own food in. How great is that? They have all kinds of daily specials. Sometimes there is live music. This place is a little gem. I truly hope that the business takes off. It is so inviting. My only regret is that it isn't five minutes from my house!
Yesterday was another rainy Saturday, so I presented the voucher to my spouse and suggested we check it out. For some dumb reason I thought the tasting was for 2 people, but it wasn't. I called ahead to be sure. The lovely lady who answered the phone assured me that one tasting was sufficient for 2 people. The samples were very generous in her opinion. The coupon was for four samplers and a pint of the beer of your choice. Being that some craft beer has an alcohol content at over 10%, we decided she was probably correct. With our big black dog in the back of my vehicle, we headed down the road the Jamestown.
Jamestown was first settled in the 1700's by Quakers. It later became a town, and was named after James Mendenhall. It currently boasts a population of about 3,300 people in a little under 3 sure miles. In my opinion, this makes it qualify as "off the beaten path". It is, however, very, very close to the cities of Greensboro and High Point. Jamestown is very quaint. Main Street is attractive and has several eateries, watering holes, gift shops, a library, etc. The buildings have great character.
Potent Potables opened about three months ago. It occupies a building that has been home to a gym and a restaurant, among other businesses. Sadie Mays was a very popular restaurant on that site for many years. The new owners kept the sign from Sadie Mays and having it hanging on the back wall as a tribute. Potent Potables (go ahead, say it three times, fast) is a wine shop/beer store/gift shop/gathering place. Owners and spouses Steve and Abby have done a great job making the establishment feel very welcoming. Steve is the resident beer expert and Abby is the wine pro. They have a variety of wine bottle toppers, cork screws, bottle openers, as you would expect in that type of shop. They also have some yummy looking snacks and some very pretty perfume bottles. That sounds out of place, but they add some charm to the surroundings. When you first walk in, you notice a generous wine selection. Then you notice a large, inviting booth, and a table and chairs. As you walk across the store, you notice a fabulous selection of beer. There is a fridge with some "cold ones", as my husband would say. Look toward the back of the store and you will be pleasantly surprised. There is a wooden bar with stools, and a bunch of wooden tables and chairs. Each table has a deck of cards on it. They seem to be inviting the customers to stay and hang out a while. The bar contains an assortment of craft beer on tap. Abby informed us that the selection changes frequently. Don't rush off. Sit down and do a beer or wine tasting. Order a pint or a glass. Chat it up with the other customers. Get to know Abby and Steve. If you're lucky, you will be there on a day when they set out a crock pot with their complimentary Southwest style chicken soup. We were lucky. They had it out on a table, with bowls, tortilla chips, and cookies. One of the other customers told us that they sometimes have finger sandwiches and other goodies. On certain days they have a food truck come and park outside so patrons can go out and purchase food and bring it inside to eat. They also allow you to bring your own food in. How great is that? They have all kinds of daily specials. Sometimes there is live music. This place is a little gem. I truly hope that the business takes off. It is so inviting. My only regret is that it isn't five minutes from my house!
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Greenville, NC
Yes, its been over 6 months since I last made an entry. My computer hard drive crashed, we bought a new one, had trouble loading the operating system, blah, blah, blah. Our son, James, finally whisked it away to be rescued by some geeks that he knows from work. It finally works, but I still can't figure out how to get sound to come out of the speakers. I have to wait for someone more tech savvy than myself to come visit.
Our daughter got engaged to a wonderful young man in August. Since then I have been in the throws(sp?) of wedding planning, bridal gown shopping, celebrating, guest list writing, Pinterest surfing, experimenting with various crafty decorations (Modge Podge is my friend), and reading about how to pull this all together without losing my mind. My new moniker is M.O.B., which stands for Mother of Bride. Fortunately, my daughter is very organized, efficient, and low maintenance. Her fiance is humble and easy to get along with. I haven't caught him rolling his eyes at me or muttering under his breath yet. I am trying hard not to be a Monster-in-Law. My husband has resigned himself that it is often in his best interest not to offer his opinion unless asked--and then to be very, very, careful. So far, we all like each other. I think. Needless to say, I have been busy. I am so very grateful to be alive and healthy during this time. Sadly, my Mom passed away when I was engaged. She was not able to be part of any of the wedding planning. I am thrilled and excited by every detail and I am relishing every moment. My daughter has humored me so far. I just hope she is enjoying this time. I haven't caught her rolling her eyes yet either, but I can tell by her voice when I've asked too many wedding questions for one day.
Okay, none of that has anything to do with today's subject. It merely explains my long absence from blogging. I decided to switch to a location way across the country from our Alaska adventures to tell you about a few places in a mid size city in eastern North Carolina. One of my friends told me to blog about something closer to home, because she is never going to Alaska. I'll get to the restaurant and hotel reviews eventually.
Our youngest son graduated from East Carolina University in the beginning of May, 2012. Go Pirates! Arrrrgh! The average high temperature in Greenville, North Carolina in the beginning of May is eighty degrees. It was ninety-five degrees the weekend of his graduation. Pat wanted to attend not one, not two, but three graduation ceremonies. We dutifully attended ceremonies for the Construction Management class, the College of Technology and Computer Science, and the main University ceremony. Each of our three offspring had now officially graduated from college in four years. That means that we had three college graduations in five years, plus a grad school graduation in August and another one this coming May. We had made our last tuition payments, monthly living expense payments, etc, and we would have gladly attended any number of ceremonies to mark the occasion. The ceremonies for his major and his college were indoors and air conditioned. The main graduation was outside on the football field. Yes, the graduation was in the morning, but by the time it was over, the heat was almost unbearable. We climbed up as high as we could get on the bleachers to where there was a little bit of shade. I was impressed to see that some of his room mates had actually rolled out of bed to attend the ceremony. They had also made the climb to the top for the shade. The sunlight was probably too much for their college student eyes at that hour.
After the main graduation, we headed to a pretty part of campus for a family photo session. Our middle son has a photography/media business on the side, so he was recruited to do the honors. We went back to our hotel for a poolside lunch of Subway sandwiches, junk food, and desserts. We were all feeling just zapped by the heat. The College of Technology and Computer Science ceremony was not until later that day.
So you get the picture. A bunch of hot, sweaty, tired people on a very long, busy, happy day. After all the ceremonies were complete, we went to dinner at Cafe Duo. We had never heard of it and didn't know anyone who had eaten there. Months before, I had gently nudged---no, requested---no, encouraged---okay, nagged, my Patrick to start looking for a nice restaurant for us to enjoy a post graduation dinner at. He checked the two or three nice restaurants he knew of, we searched online for others, and were coming up short. He had been to one place that he liked, but it had changed hands and wasn't getting good reviews. I think it ended up closing. One of his professors recommended another one, but it was already full for that night. I've been down this road with two other offspring, which is why I asked (badgered) him to start looking in January. We aren't the type of people that like big chain restaurants, so he had his work cut out for him. He happened to see Cafe Duo when he was out checking out some of the other places. it was fairly new, and it looked nice. He talked to someone there and called me about it. We looked on line, it had a nice menu, good reviews, and had reservations available. Bingo!
Let me just say this. IT WAS WONDERFUL! We went on what was probably the most crowded night of the year in Greenville. The service was fantastic, the food was delicious, the drinks refreshing. It was far above anything we had experienced in our previous visits to Greenville. Patrick and his girlfriend recognized the waiter from another restaurant that they had been to for a special occasion. He was professional, but warm and friendly. Everyone loved whatever they ordered. I admit that I did not have high hopes for a dinner of this quality in Greenville. It was such a pleasant surprise. They had the air conditioning cranked up so it was nice and cool without being cold. If I had to choose something negative to say, the only thing I can think of is that they could use more bathrooms. There was just one for each gender. On a crowded night like this, there was a bit of a line. The door at the end of the corridor where the restrooms are located opens to the outside seating area. They were propped open for some reason that night. The hot, humid air was coming in and heading straight down that hall way where we were lined up waiting for the loo. Maybe they were trying to cool off the folks that opted to eat outside, or maybe they were open for the convenience of the wait staff. Whatever the reason, it made the wait on that line very uncomfortable. The restaurant is fairly small, and this is probably not a problem on a normal night. ECU is a fairly large university, so this was probably a huge crowd for them. Overall, we could not have asked for a better dining experience. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who finds themselves in Greenville, North Carolina looking for a good restaurant.
Cafe Duo is tucked away in a strip on Red Banks Road. You could pass right by it without realizing that it is a nice place it since there are so few nice restaurants in town. Their website describes it as "A neighborhood casual restaurant locally owned and operated by a duo of chefs".
We have stayed in several lodging facilities in Greenville. None were awful, but some were better than others. Some were chains, some were privately owned. The best of the best was the 5th Street Manor. I swear it was called the 5th Street Inn when we stayed there, but their website now says Manor. I hope nothing else has changed. We had the good fortune to stay there twice. It is almost impossible to get a room there during football season. The alumni group has it booked up for every game. If you visit at a different time you have a better chance. I don't know how we managed to get in during football season, but I am so glad that we did. 5th Street Manor is located on the edge of campus near the chancellor's house on the corner of East Fifth Street and Library Street. It is in the historical district and is registered in National Historic Places. Convenient to campus and near many sorority and fraternity houses, it is surprisingly quiet. Picture a B&B. Cozy, comfy, soft hues, old fashioned charm, good mattresses, great breakfast, a nice little porch to sit in and sip wine. Add a really nice owner, super friendly staff. You have the 5th Street Manor in a nutshell.
The city of Greenville is a college town. It has a fantastic medical center and a great university. It is often overlooked and overshadowed by the other great college towns and universities in North Carolina. You know them. The ones with the famous football and basketball teams. ECU has those too. Well, a good football team at least. ECU is a large university that has a small college feel. The atmosphere is friendly. Yes, it has a reputation as a party school, but so does every other university or college. ECU churns out great health care providers, teachers, project engineers, and more. Our son landed a great job months before his graduation as a result of recruiters coming to the campus career fair. Beyond the school and the hospital, it doesn't hold much interest for me. You may disagree. Eastern North Carolina is brutal in the summer. Hot, humid, buggy. If I'm not at the beach, I don't see the point of being there. I had to give a shout out to the university and a few worthwhile businesses though.
If you happen to be in Greenville and have a little extra time, be sure to take the short drive to Washington, NC. This little waterfront town is worth a stop. It is so quaint with its little shops, restaurants, waterfront area. Washington, NC boasts being the first city to be named for George Washington. I have no idea if that's true, but its a cute little place.
Another worthwhile drive from Greenville is Goose Creek State Park. DO NOT VISIT DURING HOT WEATHER!!! The mosquitoes will eat you alive!!!!! We made that mistake and had to run for the car to escape them. During cool weather, it is a very pretty place to take a walk, camp, enjoy the water.
That was longer than I intended, but I didn't really think that Greenville warranted more than one entry so I didn't want to split it into two. Besides, its a wet and snowy morning. Its a good day to sit at the computer.
Our daughter got engaged to a wonderful young man in August. Since then I have been in the throws(sp?) of wedding planning, bridal gown shopping, celebrating, guest list writing, Pinterest surfing, experimenting with various crafty decorations (Modge Podge is my friend), and reading about how to pull this all together without losing my mind. My new moniker is M.O.B., which stands for Mother of Bride. Fortunately, my daughter is very organized, efficient, and low maintenance. Her fiance is humble and easy to get along with. I haven't caught him rolling his eyes at me or muttering under his breath yet. I am trying hard not to be a Monster-in-Law. My husband has resigned himself that it is often in his best interest not to offer his opinion unless asked--and then to be very, very, careful. So far, we all like each other. I think. Needless to say, I have been busy. I am so very grateful to be alive and healthy during this time. Sadly, my Mom passed away when I was engaged. She was not able to be part of any of the wedding planning. I am thrilled and excited by every detail and I am relishing every moment. My daughter has humored me so far. I just hope she is enjoying this time. I haven't caught her rolling her eyes yet either, but I can tell by her voice when I've asked too many wedding questions for one day.
Okay, none of that has anything to do with today's subject. It merely explains my long absence from blogging. I decided to switch to a location way across the country from our Alaska adventures to tell you about a few places in a mid size city in eastern North Carolina. One of my friends told me to blog about something closer to home, because she is never going to Alaska. I'll get to the restaurant and hotel reviews eventually.
Our youngest son graduated from East Carolina University in the beginning of May, 2012. Go Pirates! Arrrrgh! The average high temperature in Greenville, North Carolina in the beginning of May is eighty degrees. It was ninety-five degrees the weekend of his graduation. Pat wanted to attend not one, not two, but three graduation ceremonies. We dutifully attended ceremonies for the Construction Management class, the College of Technology and Computer Science, and the main University ceremony. Each of our three offspring had now officially graduated from college in four years. That means that we had three college graduations in five years, plus a grad school graduation in August and another one this coming May. We had made our last tuition payments, monthly living expense payments, etc, and we would have gladly attended any number of ceremonies to mark the occasion. The ceremonies for his major and his college were indoors and air conditioned. The main graduation was outside on the football field. Yes, the graduation was in the morning, but by the time it was over, the heat was almost unbearable. We climbed up as high as we could get on the bleachers to where there was a little bit of shade. I was impressed to see that some of his room mates had actually rolled out of bed to attend the ceremony. They had also made the climb to the top for the shade. The sunlight was probably too much for their college student eyes at that hour.
After the main graduation, we headed to a pretty part of campus for a family photo session. Our middle son has a photography/media business on the side, so he was recruited to do the honors. We went back to our hotel for a poolside lunch of Subway sandwiches, junk food, and desserts. We were all feeling just zapped by the heat. The College of Technology and Computer Science ceremony was not until later that day.
So you get the picture. A bunch of hot, sweaty, tired people on a very long, busy, happy day. After all the ceremonies were complete, we went to dinner at Cafe Duo. We had never heard of it and didn't know anyone who had eaten there. Months before, I had gently nudged---no, requested---no, encouraged---okay, nagged, my Patrick to start looking for a nice restaurant for us to enjoy a post graduation dinner at. He checked the two or three nice restaurants he knew of, we searched online for others, and were coming up short. He had been to one place that he liked, but it had changed hands and wasn't getting good reviews. I think it ended up closing. One of his professors recommended another one, but it was already full for that night. I've been down this road with two other offspring, which is why I asked (badgered) him to start looking in January. We aren't the type of people that like big chain restaurants, so he had his work cut out for him. He happened to see Cafe Duo when he was out checking out some of the other places. it was fairly new, and it looked nice. He talked to someone there and called me about it. We looked on line, it had a nice menu, good reviews, and had reservations available. Bingo!
Let me just say this. IT WAS WONDERFUL! We went on what was probably the most crowded night of the year in Greenville. The service was fantastic, the food was delicious, the drinks refreshing. It was far above anything we had experienced in our previous visits to Greenville. Patrick and his girlfriend recognized the waiter from another restaurant that they had been to for a special occasion. He was professional, but warm and friendly. Everyone loved whatever they ordered. I admit that I did not have high hopes for a dinner of this quality in Greenville. It was such a pleasant surprise. They had the air conditioning cranked up so it was nice and cool without being cold. If I had to choose something negative to say, the only thing I can think of is that they could use more bathrooms. There was just one for each gender. On a crowded night like this, there was a bit of a line. The door at the end of the corridor where the restrooms are located opens to the outside seating area. They were propped open for some reason that night. The hot, humid air was coming in and heading straight down that hall way where we were lined up waiting for the loo. Maybe they were trying to cool off the folks that opted to eat outside, or maybe they were open for the convenience of the wait staff. Whatever the reason, it made the wait on that line very uncomfortable. The restaurant is fairly small, and this is probably not a problem on a normal night. ECU is a fairly large university, so this was probably a huge crowd for them. Overall, we could not have asked for a better dining experience. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who finds themselves in Greenville, North Carolina looking for a good restaurant.
Cafe Duo is tucked away in a strip on Red Banks Road. You could pass right by it without realizing that it is a nice place it since there are so few nice restaurants in town. Their website describes it as "A neighborhood casual restaurant locally owned and operated by a duo of chefs".
We have stayed in several lodging facilities in Greenville. None were awful, but some were better than others. Some were chains, some were privately owned. The best of the best was the 5th Street Manor. I swear it was called the 5th Street Inn when we stayed there, but their website now says Manor. I hope nothing else has changed. We had the good fortune to stay there twice. It is almost impossible to get a room there during football season. The alumni group has it booked up for every game. If you visit at a different time you have a better chance. I don't know how we managed to get in during football season, but I am so glad that we did. 5th Street Manor is located on the edge of campus near the chancellor's house on the corner of East Fifth Street and Library Street. It is in the historical district and is registered in National Historic Places. Convenient to campus and near many sorority and fraternity houses, it is surprisingly quiet. Picture a B&B. Cozy, comfy, soft hues, old fashioned charm, good mattresses, great breakfast, a nice little porch to sit in and sip wine. Add a really nice owner, super friendly staff. You have the 5th Street Manor in a nutshell.
The city of Greenville is a college town. It has a fantastic medical center and a great university. It is often overlooked and overshadowed by the other great college towns and universities in North Carolina. You know them. The ones with the famous football and basketball teams. ECU has those too. Well, a good football team at least. ECU is a large university that has a small college feel. The atmosphere is friendly. Yes, it has a reputation as a party school, but so does every other university or college. ECU churns out great health care providers, teachers, project engineers, and more. Our son landed a great job months before his graduation as a result of recruiters coming to the campus career fair. Beyond the school and the hospital, it doesn't hold much interest for me. You may disagree. Eastern North Carolina is brutal in the summer. Hot, humid, buggy. If I'm not at the beach, I don't see the point of being there. I had to give a shout out to the university and a few worthwhile businesses though.
If you happen to be in Greenville and have a little extra time, be sure to take the short drive to Washington, NC. This little waterfront town is worth a stop. It is so quaint with its little shops, restaurants, waterfront area. Washington, NC boasts being the first city to be named for George Washington. I have no idea if that's true, but its a cute little place.
Another worthwhile drive from Greenville is Goose Creek State Park. DO NOT VISIT DURING HOT WEATHER!!! The mosquitoes will eat you alive!!!!! We made that mistake and had to run for the car to escape them. During cool weather, it is a very pretty place to take a walk, camp, enjoy the water.
That was longer than I intended, but I didn't really think that Greenville warranted more than one entry so I didn't want to split it into two. Besides, its a wet and snowy morning. Its a good day to sit at the computer.
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