Saphron

After almost two weeks of suffering from the flu, the husband wanted to get out of the house as he is now recovered. Friday night, we had a date to a restaurant owned by an acquaintance. The reviews and talk around town were good so I was very much looking forward to it.

And I was not disappointed.

The food was out of this world. It was low country South Carolina fare and the best collard greens I’ve ever had.

The atmosphere was calming and sophisticated. I felt like I was somewhere other than my little town. I loved the French Bistro chairs.

The proprietor came out to see us and told me that he and I have actually met. That I had taken his photo on many occasions. I was embarrassed to say that I didn’t remember…possibly because he was out of context on those occasions where we had met. And he had on a tie.

Even though the husband stood in extended conversation with some friends who were dining at another table, I rathered enjoyed the ambience of the restaurant. By myself.

He eventually came back to me. He was confined to the house for a long time so I wasn’t upset.

I enjoyed it so much that we went back with my visiting mother and our reluctant and tired kids the next night. However since they served the best crab dip and mac & cheese in town, the kids came around. This plum wine came with the girl’s crab dip, which I drank rather than risk having giving her the first sip of alcohol at 13. And the reading glasses were a great touch at each table.

I obviously needed them to take this shot since the boy is out of focus. And the glasses don’t do anything for him.

Bravo on a wonderful restaurant. I hope they continue to do well.

Visit Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday.

Late Breakfast

Hosted by Cecily and Izzy ‘N Emmy

After an “early dinner” we went to a “late breakfast.” We tried to get on the senior’s schedule but it was hard. We have two teenagers. There was only one place to go to breakfast in that area, Steve’s Diner. It’s the kind of place I like, great food and great prices. I wish we could have stayed for dinner too. The country fried steak sounds good.

It was a place run by a first generation American who’s obviously loves what he does. And the food is fantastic, did I say that already?

But part of the charm is that Mr. Steve runs his place like he runs his home. With a tight fist. This patron behind Frank was having a discussion with Mr. Steve about seating arrangements when Mr. Steve finally yelled, “Then sit on the floor!” Which caused the husband to both cringe and laugh at the same time.

This waitress rushed by yelling at Mr. Steve, “You’re killing me!”

I love it. After breakfast the husband takes out his wallet to pay and was told that they only accept cash. Which then forced Frank to break out his wallet too. It’s an authentic atmosphere for sure.

And the food? Lots of it, homemade and delicious.

The husband was praying over the food while I was snapping photos. Lord forgive me.

And my little girl? Well, she can eat. Just like her mamma and her grandma. She ordered two huge (I mean huge) pancakes, a breakfast sandwich on a bagel and some hashbrowns. She also ate some of my steak. Yes, I ordered a sirloin steak with two eggs. I have to step up my cardio workout this week.

When it was all over with,all that was left was this lone breakfast biscuit.

The next time I complain about my weight, I want you to slap me.

Early Dinner

Last weekend the family and I flew to Tampa, FL to spend some time with my in-laws. It was a quick trip, literally an over-nighter. We flew in Saturday night after the boy refereed his game and flew out a short 24 hours later.

We have been meaning to go for so long…but schedules, life, work, and school prevented us from doing it. Grandma Lybrook was not happy about it either. So instead of disappointing her again, we thought a quick trip was in order.

It was really rather fun…the benefits of the husband’s job made it possible. And I’m so grateful.

As a result of the late start, we didn’t get to Florida until late evening and we then made dinner plans. But I forgot that seniors like to eat early. I’m not sure why but they do. We on the other hand, are used to a much later dinner hour, we have to get in all of our commitments before we can sit down and eat. Why is life so crazy?

Anyway, we didn’t arrive to the restaurant until after 7 pm…and by now Grandma Lybrook and Frank were pretty hungry.

In keeping with my penchant to photographing food at restaurants, this was our menu.

Saganaki. A fried Greek cheese dish that is incredibly delicious and way too many calories to count. I ate the whole thing.

Oysters on the half shell. Not for everyone but definitely for me…I love them.

and this dish…shrimp Parmesan. Oh my aching heart and hungry tummy. I loved it so much, I’m going to copy it in my kitchen one day. I swear I will.

And this gourmet masterpiece? It’s what the boy would eat every day, except on Sundays which are  mac and cheese days.

I guess I was hungry too…

Lunch With The Sister

Last week, I took the sister out to lunch. The fact that she can’t feed herself really doesn’t matter. It’s a way to get her out of the house and get some air, it’s really not for the food.

However, one of my favorite things to do is eat, so I constantly look for a place that has great ethnic food, a place where the cook is indigenous to the country whose fare the restaurant boasts. This place is one of those. It’s a Vietnamese pho (roughly translated noodle soup) place. It’s a place that where the cook, the waiter, and the patrons are mostly Vietnamese.

So like I said, the sister can’t feed herself, so I get her a lot of things that doesn’t require the use of hands. I get her a lot of drinks with straws.

This is what I order, a bowl of steaming hot pho with noodles, rare flank steak and other unmentionables.  It’s delicious. I guess the sister could have used a straw to drink out of the bowl. I have long gotten over the fact that people stare at us with pity when I’m out with her, but drinking soup out of a bowl with a straw in public may be pushing the envelope.

Instead, I order her a simple rice and beef meal and I feed her with chopsticks.

I order this every time I go to this place. It’s a coconut, red bean, and jelly drink. I don’t have the ingredients at home to make it, so it’s my treat every time I go there. I’m going to find out and send all of you the recipe.

I am so hungry.