The Distillery, Savannah GA

Oh Savannah, glorious little town.  You could make a vacation of eating through this town and the fact that you are allowed to carry a drink around with you in a plastic cup anywhere you go definitetly adds to the charm.

I wandered into The Distillery for dinner tonight.  It's a cool little place with a great atmosphere and the biggest bonus, it's across the street from my hotel.  So on rainy nights, cold nights, or "these shoes are killing me" nights (such as tonight), instead of walking a few blocks down to City Market or the riverfront, I head over to The Distillery.

You walk in and get the feeling of a neighborhood bar in Boston or a pub in England.  Not because it's dark and damp, b/c it's not, but b/c it's the kind of place you go with your friends for a good beer and some good food and to pass the hours.  It's lit just right and a mixture of brick walls and beautiful dark woods.  The tv's play black and white movies, Charlie Chaplin era, though tonight The Three Stooges were on with a Halloween episode.  The only other thing they will show on tv is Sports (Allelulia), so don't bring your crowd there for an American Idol night or to see who the latest cheesy Bachelor will propose to and never marry, they simply won't play it.

The beer, well, they boast over 100 different craft beers, and well, that is what they have.  You will not find a Bud Light in the place, but go ahead, be adventurous.  The staff won't steer you wrong.  Plenty of Liquor (hey, it is called The Distillery) and a fair selection of wine are available for those of you who don't care for our hoppy friend.

Food....Must, Must, Must have the Cream of Crab Soup!  Yum.  I had the Black Bean Burger...those of you afraid of the vegetarian options are missing out on this one.  It's a spicy little surprise and so delightful you may not even notice there was not a cow on your plate.

I feel I'm not doing this place justice.  Walking in is like releasing a bottled feeling of friendship.  This is what a neighborhood bar should be, and if in Savannah with friends, go, have a beer, and don't be surprised when you look at the clock and hours have passed you by.

Fresh House Restaurant, Locust NC

Well, until last week I did not even know there was a Locust, NC, let alone a Fresh House Restaurant.  Thank goodness for a lunch appointment that landed me there.

When you walk in you're greeted by a wave of nostalgia for a time before your time and given a taste of what Cracker Barrel may have been had it remained local and not established itself at every other exit on the highway.

You walk into a quaint general store stocked up with Old School Authentic Antique Foods made just down the road in Albemarle NC (got to love a place that keeps it local!).  They offer everything from old fashioned cookie mix, to licorice whips...and something I didn't quite understand, chocolate babies.  Don't have time to stay for lunch?  They sell homemade ice cream and baked goods in the store.

The restaurant is a collection of rooms and a real treat in southern cuisine.  After dinner at a friend's house a couple weeks ago, I have become hopelessly addicted to Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwiches.  Oh wow, did they ever deliver on my newest indulgence!  As if they already knew I was a girl that loved a little kick in her food, they added jalapenos!  What a delight, though for those who don't care for the extra sizzle, they do offer it without the jalapenos.  I had to pair it with macaroni and cheese (when I eat down-home southern I go all in). 

Should you ever find yourself anywhere near Locust, NC go to Fresh House.  It would be a crime to your tastebuds to not.