We recently had Restaurant Week in Greenville, which is one of my favorite weeks!! In the past, Peter and I would go out to a couple of spots, but now things have changed quite a bit. Instead, we snuck away for an early dinner at the closest spot on the list, HA! Thankfully, Stella's Brasserie has been on my "want to try" list for a while now. I really wanted to try it since I've only heard great things about it, plus the ingredients are all from local farms. A true Farm to Table style restaurant is always a favorite of mine. Peter's brother and sister-in-law were excited to try it with us, so it was a wonderful double date night, away from all the kids and babies!

One of the best spicy margaritas I've ever had! 

Then, Joy and I were excited to try the cheese appetizer once we sat down at our table, so delicious.

The Restaurant Week Menu

I obviously chose a lot of meat since they are known for their meat dishes, but the pistachio cake was to die for! Peter and I both loved it!! I was also a huge fan of Joy's shrimp and grits. It reminded me of my favorite shrimp and grits dish at High Cotton. I will definitely choose that for my meal next time. It was a fun night out, with a long and slow dinner, just what two sets of parents need!! I'm so thankful to have family who live in town that we love to do things with. (& a mom who always begs for us to have a date night!) It really is such a blessing!!! 

Sights + Seats // Iron Hill Brewery

Peter and I got to enjoy a date last night since our church community group was off this week. My mom always comes over to watch Solomon while we are at group, and we usually take Asher with us. Last night we decided to leave them both at home with Gigi, since she watched them both last Friday, and things went very well. It was nice to have a quick dinner date night at a new spot in town. My cousin actually text me about Iron Hill Brewery earlier this week after she attended a soft opening. I was surprised when I mentioned it to Peter because he had been to one of the PA locations several times while he was visiting for work. He said he enjoyed the restaurant there, and I was happy to make reservations for us, after I took a look at the menu!

Peter has been called a beer snob a time or two and he really liked the beer we ordered. We picked the Hipster IPA and it was so crisp and juicy! I love a good New England Style IPA and this one was delicious. We got their early enough to enjoy happy hour (5-7) which also included some apps for a great price. We chose the brussel sprouts and the pretzel sticks with mustard and beer cheese. The sprouts were very good but the pretzels weren't anything exciting. I compare all pretzels with beer cheese to Sierra Nevada now, and these definitely fell short. I'm glad we got to try some appetizers while they were at a discount during happy hour. I know we will come back to try some more on the menu soon, especially since you can enjoy the happy hour specials on the patio, as well. 

Since the beer and pretzels filled us up a bit, we decided to share a burger and fries for our meal. We chose the drunk monk burger and the brie cheese was so good on it. The juice was running down my hand as I took my first bite. I can't wait to try their pimento cheese burger next time, when I don't have to share with Peter. He's not a fan of pimento cheese burgers but I always choose that if I see it on a menu. 

Mmmm, date nights. So good + so needed! 

I'm looking forward to several date nights this summer since my mom can watch both the boys for us. I'm hoping we can try several new spots in Greenville  and I can share more Sights + Seats posts. I really love writing these!!

Sights + Seats // Biscuit Head

I have been dying to try Biscuit Head for such a long time now. I honestly can't believe how long they have been open now, since this was our first visit. I guess eating breakfast at home is easier after having a baby?? But, we had some errands to run on Friday morning, and Peter took the day off of work, so we could tackle them together. After we were finished I was starving and Biscuit Head was right across the street. Asher was in that milk drunk heavy sleep and didn't wake up when we put him in his car seat, which is a miracle, so it just seemed like the right thing to do!! And boy, did we enjoy it!!!

Peter got the fried chicken biscuit which had an awesome sriracha slaw and sweet potato butter. The combination of the two was so great!!! I didn't even pay attention to what Peter ordered, so when they brought it out, I thought they had the wrong  biscuit for him. He's not crazy about southern food but he definitely made a great choice!! I picked the pulled pork biscuit. DUH. My eye always goes straight to pulled pork when there is the option on a menu. Once I saw the jalapeno pimento cheese, bacon and maple syrup combined with pulled pork I was done. I did change the poached egg to an over easy egg though. It was perfection!! We also got the huge fruit bowl with chocolate bread to share with Solomon. We were all very happy with our plate and enjoyed sharing a few bites with each other! 

Peter approved, which says a lot for my food snob husband. ;) 

Asher woke up and wanted to join in the party for a bit. 

We will definitely make an effort to visit Biscuit Head again!! Like, this weekend. ;) 

Sights + Seats // Jianna

Jianna is the new "hot spot" in downtown Greenville and I've been dying to go. I've heard amazing things about it and I'm a sucker for any kind of Italian restaurant. Since we were on a date, we wanted to find a spot at the bar. One of our favorite things to do back in the day before becoming parents. We almost always preferred a bar seat over a table... luckily, I walked in and found two open spots right by the open windows. We were excited to find a spot since they didn't have any open reservations for the night. It was a great start to our date night, for sure! I only wish I liked Oysters, because everyone raves about them. We actually sat next to this adorable retired couple at the bar, and they said they are wonderful at Jianna. Maybe I should give them another try once I birth this baby....? Maybe?

Look at my giddy face, I was so excited and nervous. Solomon was having his first overnight stay at my mom's house, so Peter and I went out for a date night. It was also the last day of restaurant week in Greenville, and when I saw Jianna listed, I knew we had to go. We ordered one of the 3 for $30 meals, then an extra app, and shared it all. The meatballs and gnocchi were hands down the best. The flavors were so rich and full.

It's true, the pasta was magic! We also got a steak entree and it was okay. Peter wasn't a fan, I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either. Next time we will definitely stick with the pasta meals. However, the lemon almond torte was delicious. The perfect mix of lemon and almond. I honestly forgot that it even had almond but instantly could taste the sweet almond flavor. One of my favorite things about almond in a dessert.

We will definitely head back to Jianna for a date night soon!! 

Check it out if you are in Greenville, I'm sure you'll love it too!

Sights + Seats // The Cantina

If you know me at all, you know my love of mexican food, tequila and pretty much anything that can go on a tortilla chip. While we were in Asheville a few weeks a go, we found this heavenly place, while we were shopping. It was a LOT colder than we were expecting and after one shop and a very windy walk to the next, we decided to get lunch instead! Chips and salsa for the win. Always! 

Inside The Cantina was beautiful and eclectic, like most things in Asheville. It's one of those restaurants that you want to try over and over so you can taste everything on the menu, but then you never change your mind because the first thing you eat is too good to pass again. I got the pork enchiladas with a creamy cilantro sauce that was the perfect amount of spicy. It will definitely be hard to pass up that meal ne We also got the cheese dip which came with chips and two kinds of salsas. The verde was my favorite, which is normally the case. Spicy tomatilla gets me every time, just like a spicy margarita, which was also delicious. 

All the sides sounded great but the coconut rice (rice cooked in coconut milk and sauteed veggies) was so good!! The brussel sprouts were also cooked to perfection. Mmm, I always hate doing these posts when I can't drive to the location to enjoy a meal and a drink again. We will be going back to Asheville in the spring (if not before then) and this spot is definitely on the list. I'm dying for Peter to try it!! 

If you are in Asheville, definitley give The Cantina a try, you will not be disappointed!! Promise!

Sights + Seats // Angel Oak Restaurant

A friend of ours gave us the recommendation to try out the Angel Oak Restaurant and after her description of the place, I knew we had to go at some point. Last night was rainy in Charleston so we wanted to take a drive to dinner instead of walking like we normally do when we stay downtown. Peter reminded me of the restaurant and I called to make a reservation once I checked out their website. Small, farm to table, delicious... all great things in our book! 

We decided to try the crab cake appetizer to share. It was so good, juicy lump crab meat and the peppery crunch from the arugula on top was so great with it. 

I had to choose the shrimp and grits after reading the description on the menu. They were not your normal shrimp and grits. And fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese grits, yes and yes! 

I'm never a fan of salmon but I have to say, Peter's meal was incredible. I think I could have eaten the entire plate. The sides were also out of this world, the best candied brussel sprouts (OMG) and mashed potato croquettes which pretty much means fried balls of mashed potatoes. Incredible!

Then, I decided I had to try the banana pudding and the waiter brought out something even better. He didn't realize that the chef had changed the banana pudding to strawberry pudding. I had never even heard of that... that's a thing, I thought?!? With chocolate sauce?? I was a little apprehensive at first but it was even better than banana pudding!

If you find yourself in Charleston and want to take a little drive away from downtown, please drive straight to Angel Oak! You won't be disappointed, I promise!