Tag Archives: cocktailin’

drinkin’ on the job…home is where the hearth is

02 Thursday Nov 2017

Posted by in what's ringin' our belle

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,

Our latest TALK magazine cocktailin’ adventure…


We are blessed here in our beautiful little city to have a thriving dining (and drinkin’) scene. Our choices have exploded up and down Main Street and well beyond in recent years…but sometimes we just want to settle into a cozy old stand-by. This month we did just that by heading out Wade Hampton to The Open Hearth. Family owned and operated since 1959 by the Melehes family, this place is still hoppin’! 

Way back when…


Jim and Paula Starr Melehes own and operate this icon these days, but Jimmy’s dad, Mike, was the brain behind its beginning. Mike and wife, Tula, owned Michael’s on Main Street back in the 40’s and 50’s, but Mike had this great idea to close his downtown doors and move all the way out to Taylors to treat the “out-of-towners” to some fine dining. The Open Hearth has been a part of family celebrations (and every-day dinners) ever since.

The Ciroc Lemon Drop Martini…


We deem this the ideal way to start your evening! Awaken your tastebuds and perk up that palate for what is sure to be a delightful meal. This cocktail is a feast for the eyes with its crisp, clean liquid, a sugared rim, and lemon curl flourish. Your senses will be raring to go after you wake them up with this cocktail!

The Toasted Almond Martini… 


We mentioned how to start your evening, and we’d be remiss if we didn’t offer our vote for a perfect ending. The house specialty is a mouth-watering combination of Kahlua, cream, amaretto, nutmeg and of course, toasted almonds. This gem of a dessert drink won’t leave you disappointed or feeling heavy. It’s the sweet finish to a guaranteed perfect evening .

The regulars…


There are “regulars” who chat it up at the bar each night, and others who arrive for dinner like clockwork…each one of them greeted by a smiling staff and a warm handshake from Jim himself. But there’s another kind of “regular” too…the classics on the menu. Started as an upscale steakhouse, The Open Hearth has not strayed far from its roots. The steaks still play a starring role along with the baked potatoes (with the condiment merry-go-round). But we happen to know some folks who won’t miss the chance to have some of the best fried chicken this side of Kentucky! And our favorite part…the onion rings (just a couple) with every entrée. And our other favorite part…ordering a full plate of o-rings to share with the family!

Make a plan now to venture out Wade Hampton for a visit to this Greenville mainstay. Jim and Paula Starr will give you a warm welcome…and it’s well worth the drive!

The Open Hearth . 2801 Wade Hampton Blvd . Taylors. . (864) 244-2665 . theopenhearthgreenville.com

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

drinkin’ on the job…after 5 in the ’05

01 Thursday Sep 2016

Posted by in bar belles

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,


We didn’t stray far from home for our TALKGreenville cocktailin’ adventure this month. With summer coming to an end and school back in full swing, we thought sticking to our neighborhood might be a good idea. And – bonus – we had a new joint to check out! Open just a few short months, The 05 is a hot destination among the Augusta Road (and beyond…way beyond) crowd. And with Justin behind the bar with his quick wit and top-notch toddies flowing, we can see why there’s such a buzz!

Nibbles-n-Bites…





While we had drinkin’ on the mind, we couldn’t help but swoon over the creative eats at the 05! With an impressive selection of cheeses (of the cow, goat, and sheep varieties), charcuterie, and tapas (olives&almonds, Chorizo-stuffed dates, and a goat-cheesy focaccia to name a few), there’s a nibble to suit all tastes. For those in search of a bigger bite, the salads and flatbreads will not disappoint!

The cocktails…


Our faves…


The ‘05
A pretty little signature drink, “the 05” will take the edge off a long day for sure! Fresh-n-fruity with a bit of sting from the tequila, it will sweeten your attitude and give you a fresh perspective for the evening. A mix of Blanco Tequila, Grand Marnier, lime, raspberry, basil and mint, “the 05” is tasty enough to knock your socks off, yet light enough to keep you from falling off the barstool. You will want to put this one repeat!


The 19th Hole
If a cocktail can cause a craving, “the 19th Hole” would be the one! Cool and complex with the pleasantly surprising taste of cardamom, it’s like a spa in a glass…conjuring images of a far off and exotic land. The blend of vodka, basil, cucumber, cardamom, celery salt and small batch tonic makes you want to keep sippin’…with your curiousity and craving growing with each taste. This libation will keep you cool and coming back for more!


Inside-n-out…
The indoor-outdoor setup at this trendy little spot will be hard to beat when the summer heat fades to fall. Step inside to grab a solo seat at the bar, grab a table with friends or make new friends at the community table…or step outside for your cocktailin’ pleasure. The whole place opens up to patios in front and out back for all to enjoy the great outdoors. A little fresh air will do ya good!

The ’05 is the perfect watering hole to meet with your gal pals or rendezvous with your significant other for a little date-night liquid concoction and a light bite. Fashion varies at this little oasis…anything from workout wear to cocktail couture is acceptable. The vibe is more about enjoying the atmosphere and savoring the company. Conversation and mood trump attire every time. How nice that it’s always five o’clock somewhere…and that somewhere is in our neck of the woods!

cocktailin’ at “the strip club”…a Valentines treat to remember

04 Thursday Feb 2016

Posted by in bar belles

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,

Our latest TALKGreenville outing sounds a bit scandalous…read on:

 

from thestripclub104.com

 

The Strip Club 104, the steak-house sister restaurant to our much-loved Bin112 in Greer, is another cocktailin’ winner in our book. We love that the name sounds slightly scandalous…the perfect bit of raciness for a Valentine’s dinner with your sweetheart (or the one you’re trying to woo). The vibe is a bit more masculine than its counterpart with its large bulky bar, and lots of leather and light…and menu categories with names like “foreplay”, “XXX-tras”, and “sexy combinations” will get your motor runnin’. And those choices extend to the cocktail list…a requirement in our opinion!

 

from thestripclub104.com

 

The Flying Pig 

Chef Jason is a master in the kitchen, but is also a culinary genius behind the bar. He takes the art of the cocktail to another level with “The Flying Pig”…aging his own cocktails (old-fashioned, manhattan) as well as flavor-infused bourbons, tequilas and vodkas. “Barreled” for at least 72 days, these spirits – served neat or over an ice ball – are well worth the trip. You will want to travel this road often!

 

 

photo by Cindy Hosea

  

The Gentleman and the Jackass

The name is something many can relate to, but appreciate more when it comes in the form of a cocktail. Atomized with essence of peach to bring out the nose, Corner Creek Reserve Bourbon is blended with fresh lemon, Fee Brothers peach bitters, fresh basil, and a smoked paprika syrup creating a smooth-talking (gentleman) libation with just the right amount of kick (jackass).

  

photo by Cindy Hosea

 The Gun and Garden

With love in the air, we felt this was an appropriate “opposites attract” choice of cocktail (garden/gun, she/he). We pride ourselves in being well-versed in the mojito department, and this one takes the cake. Mount Gay Black label rum, loads of fresh mint and basil, Fee Brothers Rhubarb bitters, a squeeze of lime and a splash of soda make this a masterful marriage of our favorite ingredients. This one will stand the test of time.

 

a sampling of the whiskeys served

  

Take flight…    

With thirty-plus bourbon styles and more than twenty choices in the rye, scotch, and ‘shine categories, TSC104 is whiskey heaven! Order up neat or choose 3 for a flight for your sippin’ pleasure.

from yelp

 
With Jason Clark’s vision and “hospitality king” Jeff Dye’s know-how, TSC104 has become the steak house of the new age (no smoky darkness here). The traditional steak house options are the stars of the menu (“house-aged Black Angus beef, creative side dishes that mimic comfort food” to borrow their description)…but the tradition stops there. The experience is like no other…kind of like your sweetheart…so plan your visit now!

 

 

cocktailin’ while the show goes on…

05 Thursday Nov 2015

Posted by in bar belles

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,

We’ve been out doing some more cocktailin’…this time with a bit of a theatrical flair!  TALKGreenville’s November issue is now on the stands, and here is our contribution… 

photo, Cindy Hosea

 
November is here, and there is so, so much to be thankful for…the fall leaves showing off their colors, football is in full swing (cheers to those rivalries), sweater weather has settled in to stay, and Thanksgiving is right around the corner (our favorite holiday…food, wine, food, wine)! Cocktailin’, of course, will play a major part in that kick-off to the holidays…kinda goes with the territory. We figured now would be a good time to scout out Genevieve’s at the Peace Center to prep for the upcoming shows (including some holiday favorites…a delicious cocktail adds an enticing dimension to The Nutcracker in our opinion!) because an informed imbiber is a happy imbiber.

 

http://www.peacecenter.org

We are privileged and grateful to have the Peace Center right at our fingertips, chock-full of events to please all tastes, and Genevieve’s has upped the ante on this fine establishment’s amenities. We paid them a little visit during a recent show and came away with quite a few suggestions for pre-performance, intermission, and post-performance hob-nobbing and libations.

 

the view from Genevieve’s can’t be beat!

 A Word about Genevieve’s schedule…

This place deserves a Tony for its performance in a supporting role! With its breathtaking views of the Reedy River and cocktails created with nods to all things theatrical, this delightful space could be open seven days a week for all to enjoy. However, they are wisely focused on serving as an amenity, opening their doors and wowing guests only when Peace Center-presented performances are in-house. And let us give you some tips on how to “work” Genevieve’s to your best advantage. Arrive a bit early for your show and grab a table (you can also reserve a table in advance). Relax and enjoy a refreshing beverage along with some snacks, then let your server know that you would like to place an order for intermission. Here’s the mind-blower…they will take that order, let you pay in advance, and will have that order sitting at that very same table, all fresh-n-ready for you when you walk in after the first act! Tony. Award. Just sayin’!

Bar “boss”, Justin, has something to suit all tastes.  These were our favorites…

 

photo, Cindy Hosea

 
“My Favorite Things”…

If you haven’t noticed, gin has come out of retirement and is making a rousing comeback of late. An alcohol that had taken a backseat to younger, trendier liquors, this boozy broad has re-entered society with smashing success! Justin, the suave and savvy bar manager, has quite a few creations featuring this throw-back spirit, and his love for the theater shines through in each delicious one. “My Favorite Things” is named after a childhood favorite of his, the Sound of Music. Here, gin takes center stage (told you gin was back in action) but is enhanced by cardamom bitters, cucumber and bay leaf. This drink deserves a standing ovation as the components play off of each other to perfection.

  
The “Employees Only”…
Much ado is made about the performers and the front of the house, but let’s not forget the hardworking staff that sets the scene, scurries backstage and puts all the pieces together. Justin has rewarded cast and crew with a liquid accolade in their honor. We can’t guarantee that it will be front and center on the menu, but if you ask for this secret cocktail, you won’t regret it. Earthy, with subtle notes of anise, a hint of sweetness, and an acidic note from a squeeze of lime, this beautiful amber elixir will warm you and energize you for the rest of the show.

  
The “Modern Gambler”…

You should be dancing into Genevieve’s at intermission soon to enjoy this concoction. Motown the Musical is showing this month, and Justin (bar manager extraordinaire) created the Modern Gambler with this show in mind. A true American dream story, and a great show for everyone, it’s uplifting, toe-tapping, and not to be missed. With songs like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “My Girl”, we can’t imagine not seeing this smashing hit. And the Modern Gambler will get you ready for all of that fun!

   
And now for a brief word about attire and such. With such sleek and sophisticated surroundings, we are compelled to put our best foot (we love a good shoe) forward! We encourage you to consider the performance and go from there. One might see jeans and cowboy boots for something like a Willie Nelson concert while the Nutcracker warrants a bit more festive, holiday slant to the wardrobe. However, the goal here is to bring a wide range of entertainment…and people…together for all to enjoy. Time to call the box office y’all!

a&a

bacon and booze…cocktailin’ with the brothers

02 Thursday Apr 2015

Posted by in bar belles

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,

IMG_2727We’ve been up to the cocktailing again, and this time we upped our game with a bit of bacon as a bonus! We headed out to Bacon Brothers Public House to sample their already legendary menu of creative cocktails…and they did not disappoint. This place is reeling with enthusiasm and a real passion for what they are doing behind that buzzing bar.  These bartenders (they don’t like the pretentiousness of the term “mixologists”…big points there) all create, share, and have input on the fine details of the libations. They make their own bitters and shrubs (see our description below) daily, letting inspiration, spontaneity, and creativity guide them.  We reap the rewards.  Holla!  

The Bacon Brothers cocktail menu...see what we're talkin' about?

The Bacon Brothers cocktail menu…see what we’re talkin’ about?

We tried the “Gin Shrub Fizz” and the “Fog Cutter” (perfect the San Francisco native), and we were quite happy with our choices!

Made with Damrak Gin, fruit shrub (spiced-apple in this case), and sparkling wine, the “Gin Shrub Fizz” kept us effervescing for a bit…a quality we love! It’s a nice balance of fruity and crisp…a cool, calm, collected sort of drink. This particular concoction will change as the shrub flavors change, so it might be worth a try every couple of weeks!

The “Fog Cutter”, made with rum, gin, brandy, byrrh (pronounced “beer”), allspice dram (again…we will explain this in a minute), and a touch of kumquat, is a strong, swarthy sort of cocktail. The citrus of the gin balances the bitterness found in the byrrh which is made with quinine, said to aid with digestion…a healthy bonus! Kumquat is apparently the next trend in cocktails. We are all aboard!

Now…to explain the “shrub”, which beats anything you’ll find in the yard! Used to flavor cocktails or sodas, this kind of shrub is a blend of fruit, sugar and vinegar. The recipe dates from 15th century England but is enjoying quite a revival. Gabriel, the brilliant Bacon Brothers beverage manager, uses in-season fruits to create a new shrub every couple of weeks.

And as for that “dram”…a dram can simply be a small portion of something to drink. However, the allspice dram used in the Fog Cutter is made with highly-spiced rum. We have discovered that allspice dram is apparently hard to come by, so Bacon Brothers is in the know!

"The Burger"...need we say more?

“The Burger”…need we say more?

And one should never cocktail-it-up without a nibble or two!  We sampled the pimento cheese with bacon jam with house-made saltines…wow! We would have licked the bowl if our mamas hadn’t taught us right…(besides it was too crowded to get away with it!).  And had we not filled up on the snack (mama lost the battle here…we ruined our dinner!), we would have sampled the heavenly burger the waiters so bravely brandished about!  They need to watch their step…we might just decide to grab one and run next time!

On a follow-up visit, the belle with the son who’s pretty much all about bacon discovered that we are quite partial to the Bacon Caramel Popcorn…

Lord, have mercy!

Lord, have mercy!

It’s a real winner…a must-try!

As far as what to expect of this fine establishment if you haven’t ventured over there just yet, Bacon Brothers is a relaxed, casual kind of place…so anything goes. The décor is rough-hewn with cozy lighting, exuding warmth and comfort…like your favorite pair of jeans. And the food is as creative and authentic as the cocktails!

So, belles…we suggest you make your reservations now!  When (not if) you go, plan to step out of your box and experiment with options you won’t have just anywhere. Save the Pinot and suds orders for less creative establishments.  Let these guys show you what they can do. You won’t regret it!

a&a