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drinkin’ on the job…strollin’ to stella’s

08 Thursday Jun 2017

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Our latest TALK Magazine contribution…

from stellasbrasserie.com

There’s a new kid in Hollingsworth Park…Stella’s Southern Brasserie… and Stella wants her new friends to come out and play! The spawn of the beloved Stella’s Southern Bistro in Simpsonville, this little brasserie has some sass. Owners Julia and Jason Scholz along with Chef Jeff Kelly and beverage director/face at the front Aimee Maher have created the perfect neighborhood spot for any time of day. With all kinds of eatin’ options and clean, classic cocktails, this is the perfect summer sortie.

from stellasbistro.com


About Stella…
Now this is a story that tugged at our dog-lovin’ heartstrings. Julia and Jason’s first love was a black lab named…you guessed it…Stella. When the time came to name their first restaurant, “Stella” was the winner hands-down. They wanted Stella’s qualities (boundless energy, full of affection, and always happy to see a friendly face) to carry over into the vibe of their establishment(s). We think they nailed it!

Not your grandpa’s gin & tonic…


The “House Featured” cocktail is a gin and tonic like no other! Choose your spirit from a vast array of clean, pure, refreshing gins that won’t flush your face or change your personality. It’s a collection that will have you earning your gin stripes in no time. And speaking of refreshing, the Citadelle and Tonic is exactly what you need to help you recover from the wilting heat. Made with Citadelle gin (merci Cognac, France!), scratch-made tonic (you’ve never tasted tonic like this…we are converts), and sprinkled with lavender, this refreshing beverage will put more spring in your step and have you imagining a cool breeze. This could be our go-to summer cocktail.

The Parisian Puppy…

photo by Cindy Hosea

The drinks here are concocted so you focus on the liquor and savor the simple. With the best ingredients and savvy bartenders, one doesn’t need a slew of elixirs, syrups, and tinctures to enjoy a good libation. The Parisian Puppy features Boyd and Blair vodka (au revoir Tito’s…this stuff is awesome), fresh pink grapefruit juice and a bergamot sugar rim defining its pure simplicity and balance. This cocktail is magnifique, mouthwatering, subtly sexy and so satisfying.


Have your way with the wine…
Aimee strives to maintain a wine list that combines classics with a few interesting “stretches” to expand patrons’ horizons. But no need for commitment phobia…the entire wine list can be ordered as a petite pour (perfect for a single), a fun pour (perfect for sharing with a friend without going overboard) and, of course, the bottle (for those who are ready to take the plunge). And the same goes for the brews. Order a “beer for one” or a “beer for fun”…also known as the “take one down, pass it around” approach.

from stellasbrasserie.com

Morning, noon and night, Stella’s Southern Brasserie has options galore. Enjoy fresh pastries and coffee served sun-up to sun-down, savor a classique lunch of Croque Madam (above), or move right on to the crispy duck leg on the ever-changing dinner menu (they shop, buy, and serve local as much as possible).  Really…you have no excuse for not finding a time to pay Stella a visit! Our favorite option…amble over to a patio seat on a summer afternoon, order one of Aimee’s “really delicious, well-made cocktails”, and savor the simple!

Stella’s Southern Brasserie . 340 Rocky Slope Road, Ste 100. Greenville
(864)626-6900 . stellasbrasserie.com

birds fly south…our latest bar-hoppin’ experience

04 Thursday May 2017

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Our TALKGreenville adventures took us out to the hip side of town this month.  Birds Fly South Ale Project was quite the cool experience.  Click here for the published article…read on for the details…

drinkin’ on the job…somethin’s brewin’


We headed into Greenville’s hip West End Water Tower District for this month’s “drinkin’ experience”…landing with the cool birds at Birds Fly South Ale Project.  We could not believe how cutting-edge we felt as we pulled into this up-and-coming area that was all aflutter, much to our surprise and delight.  Owners Lindsay and Shawn Johnson welcomed us to their uber-chill nest of ale activity…and we nest-led right in.  You will want to do the same!

What’s brewin’… 

First, about the name.  Lindsey and Shawn, both with Southern roots, spent years on the fly with the Coast Guard but were always lookin’ to head back South.  When the opportunity presented itself, they flew right in and settled in Greenville…thank goodness!  Shawn’s passion for beer took root and the rest is history.  They make craft beer with a “throwback approach” saying, “we don’t make beer, we wait for the beer to tell us what it wants to be”. We were quite impressed with how smart beer is these days!

Sip and Savor… 

Our first foray into this ale-tasting was a surprisingly colorful array of brews.  After perusing the vast menu and making some picks, we were presented with a group of 4-ounce pours to sip and savor…giving us the chance to pick a fave or two.  Rustic Sunday was one favorite with its hint of rye and golden color, while Anchorage was perfect for a neutral, classic palate.  Other offerings ranged from a dark and earthy brew called Parachute to Joos Raspberry with a strong element of fruit (the wine spritzer of beers if you will).  Across the board, Shawn’s creations did not disappoint!

photo by Cindy Hosea

Brand New Eyes and Petite Blanc…

We had a tie for our “blue ribbon” award!  While this place had us looking at everything with new eyes, Brand New Eyes was a delight for our feminine tastes. Citrusy, mild, smooth and mellow, it’s the perfect sipping ale for a warm day. And Petit Blanc locked us in and kept us wanting more.  Because we are foodie-centric, we were particularly pleased with this wine-infused ale. Talk about elevating your average beer!

from mobilefoodnews.com

Keep on truckin’…

The Johnsons keep a steady schedule of local food trucks pulling in for their patrons’ nibbling pleasure, and they bring in live music to keep the crowds entertained (beyond beer, music is another of Shawn’s passions).  If it happens to be a quiet afternoon/evening, pick up a game (Cards Against Humanity, anyone?) and have some fun. Their “urban farmhouse” is designed to inspire conversation, exploration and sharing.

If you have not discovered the West End Water Tower District, let us fill you in.  The area is home to an old cotton warehouse now known as Hampton Station.  Birds Fly South, and their neighbors (which will soon include White Duck Taco) have taken the area up a notch or two.  Seems we had been missin’ out on where the cool kids hang out.  Now that we have found it, good luck keepin’ us in the city! 

Birds Fly South Ale Project . 1320 Hampton Ave Ext . Greenville . bfsbeer.com

a&a

 

drinkin’ on the job…no “toss” up here!

03 Thursday Nov 2016

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Our latest TALKGreenville article…


There’s a new pizza pub in town…and it’s no toss-up…Toss Pizza Pub is a winner in our book!  Recently opened at the corner of Church Street and University Ridge near downtown Greenville, this place is sure to be a hit among the pizza-eating, game-watching (and much, much more) crowd.  We encourage you to go…and go often!

Cellos take a starring role (and we don’t mean the instrument)…

Cam and his crowd keep the cellos fresh and fun for your sipping pleasure.  Handmade on site, these elixirs are certainly worth a try!  Of course, they have the basic lemon (how could they not?) but they keep it interesting with strawberry, orange, pineapple…if you can imagine it, they probably make it.  Try it as a “digestif” or go for “on the rocks” with soda.  Refreshing!

 

The Aviation 

Take off with the Aviation!  Pretty and sweet with a cherry on bottom (not on top) this is a surprising little “purple people eater”…beware!  A delightful concoction of Botanist Gin, Crème de Viollette, Luxardo Maraschino liquer, and lemon juice, you’ll be flying high in no time! (but fly responsibly please!)

 

The Pepperoncini Martini

Besides being a mouthful to pronounce, this kickin’ creation packs a spicy punch!  Although the ingredients are few, Titos handmade vodka, vermouth, and pepperoncini juice, they combine to make a BIG statement.  It’s certainly a must-try…but be warned.  Just sayin’.

the fire sticks

Meatballs, mushrooms, and fire sticks, oh my! 

The pizza is (with great reason) the main attraction on the menu at Toss, but one must not hesitate to explore!  What’s the fun in that?!  The hand-crafted meatballs are an excellent way to start your adventure into the offerings from the kitchen…or add them to your pasta for a tasty protein punch.  And we encourage you to throw carb-caution to the wind with the fire sticks.  You won’t regret it!  We promise!

the Texas Mule

While the menu at Toss pretty much says it all…endless pizza possibilities, starters, salads, pastas, and quite an impressive cocktail selection (including the Texas Mule on tap…for those who can’t wait for the mixin’ & pourin’), going off-menu might prove to be the easiest way to join the “family”!  Those “in-the-know” order “The Italian Grandma” (one shot of Grand Marnier followed by a shot of pepperoncini juice – wow!)  The Toss team will welcome you with open arms with this order…but it’s certainly not a requirement.  They will love you either way.  Stay Gold!

Toss Pizza Pub, 823 S Church Street, Greenville, SC – 864-283-0316 – tosspizzapub.com