Are you a SWEEEET Genius? (I mean Basil)

Hello, My name is Mark and I'm a Food Network Junkie. "Hi Mark." And to make it worse, I am turning my kids into Food Network junkies. Just the other day, my 3 year old didn't ask to watch a cartoon, she asked "if we could turn on a cooking show?" What is going on here? Am I turning my children into little foodies? You bet. Its part of my master plan, to have the world run by foodies. A commercial came on the Food Network and my 3 year old looked at me and said "Hey Dadoo! Are you a sweeeeeet genius?" Brillant Honey. I'm such a proud Dadoo. But to be perfectly honest, I am not a Sweet Genius, but I am a Food Genius.

Last week, I was shooting a video at work for an upcoming event.  We were talking about Greenville, SC and my line was "the food scene is spectacular!" What a stretch by the marketing team. Get the Fat Guy talking about food. But it got the Food Genius thinking. (Travel Plug) Greenville really is a great place and very underrated when it comes to food. Our food scene really is spectacular. With that being said, its time that the Fat Guy spends a little more time talking about the great restaurants near his house.  Let's start with one of my favorite Thai Restaurants, "Sweet Basil". 

I've been going to this place for years. Why haven't I told everyone about it? Come on Fat Guy! Get your head in the game. On this particular visit, I was with my friends Amy Elliott from ScanSource, Jordann Griffin from KAM Sales and Dwayne Johnson.  Whoa! Fat Guy, you went to lunch with the Rock. The People's Champ! That's Awesome!! Slow down wrestling fans, it wasn't that Dwayne Johnson. I didn't smell what the Rock is cooking. It was my buddy Dwayne Johnson from Security Door Controls.

Sweet Basil is a neat little place. Whether you are doing a business meal or going on a hot date, Sweet Basil is your place. The decor says Thailand. And that's a good thing, cause if they served something other than Thai food, it would be a little awkward. We showed up on a Tuesday around lunch. The place was packed. I can usually walk right in with a party of 4 early in the week, but I guess everyone was in the mood for Thai.

I love going to Sweet Basil at lunch.  When you order an entree you get a complimentary Spring Roll.  Those little bad boys are fried heaven.  This day it was raining, cool and damp, so I needed a little something more.  I needed something to warm me up. Cue the Tom Yum Goong. Tom Yum Goong is a spicy Thai shrimp soup (contains lemongrass, galangal line juice, chili paste, cilantro, red onion, mushroom and of course shrimp).  I always get it with medium spice to wake up the old taste buds.  The table also ordered some Steamed Dumplings. I didn't really eat them. I was too busy with the soup and spring roll.



Pad Thai with Chicken

 As for the entree, I got the National Dish of Thailand, Pad Thai. This time I got mine with chicken, medium on the spice level.  How can you not love Pad Thai. The rice noodels, the combination of egg, green onion, bean sprout, diced tofu, peanut and don't forget the special sauce. I have no idea what is in the special suace and frankly, I don't want to know. All I know is that it is awesome.

Siam Fried Rice

Some of the other dishes that the table got where the Siam Fried Rice and the Chili Fried Rice. I have had both of these dishes.  They are great. The Siam Fried Rice is the Thai version of Fried Rice that you get at your local Chinese Restaurant. The only difference is Siam Fried rice has much more flavor. As for the Chili Fried Rice, It is very similar to the Siam Fried Rice but its got a nice Chili Flavor and a little heat.

I've tried a number of the dishes at Sweet Basil. From the Pad-See-U to the Chili Noodle to teh Spicy Basil. I've never had a bad dish here.  You can get most dishes at various spice levels, from tenderfoot (mild) to Thai Hot or what I like to call LAVA.

If you are looking for a change from the usual where they treat you like family, stop on by Sweet Basil. You won't be disappointed.

Restaurant: Sweet Basil
Cuisine: Thai

Address: 8590 Pelham Road #15
Greenville, SC 29615
Phone: 864-627-4151
Website: www.sweetbasilgreenville.com
Hours:
Lunch  M-F 11am - 2:30pm
Dinner M-Th 5pm - 930pm
            F-Sat 5pm- 10pm
Closed Sundays

No Nuts and Bolts Here

On our way out of town for Mrs. Fat Guy's Birthday Weekend in Western North Carolina, I was looking for some breakfast.  The kids were with the in-laws so it was just the Mrs and I.  I didn't want the typical fast food breakfast.  I wasn't even in the mood for Waffle House and those of you that know me, I love me some Waffle House Breakfast.  Where to go? Where to go?  We hit the road and decide we will find something along the way.  As we pull into Traveler's Rest (aka TR) I have a thought. "How about Williams Hardware?"  I know what your thinking.  Fat Guy, have you lost it? Why would a hardware store have breakfast? It just does. And it's good.  My wife first discovered this little gem. She is learning the ways of the Food Force. What can I say, she has a good teacher.  Located in an old hardware store, The Cafe at Williams Hardware is in beautiful Downtown TR. Started by sisters Joyce McCarrell and Nancy McCarrell, the Cafe at Williams Hardware offers you a place to grab a bite and visit with friends.  The last time I was there, we met our good friends Lynn and Rick (aka Mr Coffee). Rick makes a mean cup of coffee every Sunday morning in our Sunday School class.  If you're ever in Greenville for the weekend, come have some coffee one Sunday morning with Rick and I.  Okay, back to the story. 

Inside View

We walked in at 8am when they open on Saturday mornings.  As soon as you walk in, you get this relaxed feeling. It's like all your cares were left out front on a rocking chair. It's got this warm feeling of come on in and let's talk. But before I can do that, we have more important things to worry about. Like what am I going to stuff my face with?  I grab a menu and immediately I am shocked.  Can this be right?  2 eggs, grits or hashbrowns, bacon or sausage and toast or homemade biscuit for $4.99? Really? And coffee is only $1.50. And I can have more than one cup. Are you kidding?  Is there a hidden camera and everyone is going to laugh at me. Seriously Honey, order before they figure out the prices are wrong.  I look a little further down the list and what do my eyes see? Corned Beef Hash. Jackpot.  If there is one breakfast meat I am a sucker for it's corned beef hash.  It's hard to find good corned beef hash much less any corned beef hash in the South.  I'm in.  To accompany my corned beef hash, I also get 2 eggs over-easy, home fries and a biscuit.  Oh, and a cup of joe.  I need a kick start this morning.

Corned Beef Hash and
Friends

I grab a seat and start mixing up my coffee.  It was just a matter of minutes before my breakfast was sitting in front of me.  The plate looked perfect.  The corned beef was ground. It had the perfect amount of spices, onions and large hunks of potatoes.  I took a bite.  It's good, but it's missing something.  Think Fat Guy. Think.  Aww yes.  The Eggs.  I place the 2 eggs over-easy on top of the corned beef hash and break them open so the yolk can ooze all over the place.  We have reached perfection.  After demolishing the plate, I take the scratch made biscuit and put it to use sopping.  For those of you not from around here, sopping is the art form in which you take a biscuit, toast or just about any piece of bread and use it to clean every last morsel of goodness off your plate.  This can be done with soups, sauces, or in my case eggs and corned beef hash. 

You are probably asking yourself, hey Fat Guy, how much did this plate of sweet goodness cost you.  You won't believe me but it was only $6.99.  Now before you pack up the family truckster and head to the sleepy little town of Travelers Rest, let me tell you that The Cafe at Williams Hardware is only open on Saturday mornings from 8am - 11am for breakfast.  If the weather is nice, sit out on the patio.  It's located on the Swamp Rabbit Trail so bring your bike or some running shoes and burn off that meal.

For those of you that don't want to get up that early or can't make it on a Saturday for breakfast, don't worry. You can still experience their lunch Monday through Sunday from 11am - 3pm.  But what I hear, their dinners are to die for.  They are open for dinner Friday and Saturday from 5:30pm - until you stop eating or run out of money. Whichever comes first.  Fat Guy Note: Seems that the time you will stop eating or run out of money will be 9pm. Cause that is when they are shutting down. I haven't been up there for dinner yet, but it's only a matter of time.

So next time you are in the Greenville Area, take the short drive north to Travelers Rest and stop in and see the McCarrell sisters. It's totally worth the drive.
Fat Guy Hint: As good as the menu is, don't forget about the special board.  You can't miss the big huge chalkboard behind the counter.  It always has some delightful choices and all the desserts of the day.  And yes, according to my 3-year old Lucy, it's OK to have dessert with breakfast.

Restaurant: The Cafe at Williams Hardware
Cuisine: Southern

Address: 13 South Main Street
Travelers Rest, SC 29690
Phone: 864.834.7888
Website: www.cafeatwilliamshardware.com

Excuse me Mr. President. Can you pass the salt?

The Fat Guy doesn't just travel for work.  I went on a weekend getaway with my wife for her birthday.  We decided to take the 1+ hour drive up the mountain to the town of Asheville.  Nestled in the the mountains of Western Northern Carolina, Asheville is a great getaway for the foodie.  There are a number of local restaurants that pride themselves in using local ingredients.  But you know the Fat Guy, I want the best.  So I start asking a bunch of foodie friends of mine.  The Sheriff, aka Doyle Burdette, is always bragging about this little place called "The Corner Kitchen". I did some checking and its had some pretty famous guests.  President Obama was in Asheville some time ago and he and the First Lady had dinner there.  If its good enough for the Commander in Chief, its certainly good enough for the Commander in Food, aka the Fat Guy. So after spending the morning shopping and walking around Asheville, I worked up a pretty good appetite. We made our way up to The Corner Kitchen.

Time out: History Lesson.  The Corner Kitchen is located in a 180+ year old house that was built by Richard Sharpe Smith. Smith was one of the architects for George Vanderbilt.  The George Vanderbilt that built the 250 room, 135,000 square foot Biltmore House.  You know the Biltmore House, the largest, privately owned house in the United States.  How many kitchens do you think the Biltmore House had? Time In.

Corn and Crab Chowder

Biltmore Village Reuben and Friends

We were at The Corner Kitchen on Saturday around 1:30ish. The place was hopping.  There was a 20-25 minute wait.  After the short wait, we sit down and I start to check out the menu.  They serve a nice brunch menu on Saturdays from 7:30am - 3pm.  I start out with the house soup, a corn and crab chowder. The soup was great.  It was thick, with a lot of crab meat.  It had a little bit of heat but not enough that even a tenderfoot couldn't handle it.  It was one of the best soups I've had.  I commented to the waitress how much I liked it and she asked if I would like the recipe.  Seriously! I can have the recipe.  Count me in. After demolishing the soup and using the nice biscuit for sopping, it was on to the my entree.  After all that sitting in stores like Chico's and Charming Charlies and some crazy gift shop, I needed some nourishment.  Something that would fill me up.  And what did I see on the menu? Hello Mr. Biltmore Village Reuben.  Only the king of the sandwich world.  If there is one sandwich at lunch that I am a sucker for, its the Reuben.  And this one did not disappoint. Consisting of thin sliced, house cooked corned beef on griddle toasted (with butter, a thank you) with melted swiss cheese, yummy homemade sauerkraut and homemade 1000s island dressing.  Excuse me for a moment, I am off to my happy place. (insert your favorite song here)  And I'm back.  Did I mention that the Reuben didn't come alone to my lunch party.  It brought 2 friends of my choosing.  I selected Chef Joe's homemade chips and Feta Cheese Potato Salad.  I know, I know. Fat Guy, you got potatoes twice.  What gives?  Two things: (1) I like potatoes and (2) I mean come on, feta cheese in potato salad.  Who has heard of such a thing. I had to try it.

Close up of the Reuben. Why?
Cause its the Reuben.

The Reuben was wicked awesome.  I would but it up against those New York Deli's any day.  The chips were pretty cool.  It wasn't just your standard russets or golden potatoes.  There were fried sweet potatoes and a few purple peruvian potatoes for color.  As for the potato salad.  The feta cheese mixed in was great.  If the reservation book wasn't completely full for the night, I was coming back for dinner.  But don't worry Chef Joe. The fat guy will be back.  I took a copy of the menu with me on the way out.  There are a few dishes that I want to try out.  Sweet Mustard Glazed Three Meat Meatloaf with Collards, Cheddar Grits and Three Sauces. Seriously??? Put me down for one of those.  Throw in the Seared Wild Striped Bass in Saffron Tomato Nage with Soft Polenta and Pest Ciabatta. That would kinda be like a surf and turf.  And just because I want to try the Apple Duck Hash, throw in the Moularde Duck Breast on Apple Duck Hash with Roasted Root Vegetables and Horseradish.  Chef, where do you come up with these combinations? 

And for you breakfast lovers, they do that too.  If I could get up that early on a weekend, I would be there to try the homemade corned beef hash.  And I got to find out about these F.S. Carbon Waffles from Buchanan, Michigan.

So to sum it up.  The Corner Kitchen is your go to breakfast, lunch, dinner, brunch spot.  Make the trip to Western North Carolina if only to go to the Corner Kitchen.  You won't be disappointed.

Restaurant: The Corner Kitchen
Cuisine: Pan-American w/ a Southern Twist

Address: 3 Boston Way
Historic Biltmore Village
Asheville, NC 28803
Ph: 828.274.2439
Hours: M-F Breakfast 7:30-11am Lunch 11:30am-3pm
Dinner Nightly: 5pm until
Saturday Brunch: 7:30am-3pm Sunday Brunch: 9am-3pm
website: www.thecornerkitchen.com


.

I'm going to make you famous..

My company's warehouse is located just outside of Memphis so I get to come to the area quite a bit.  When in Memphis, there is only one place to stay, The Peabody Hotel. Why the Peabody? Two reasons really. Reason 1: The Peabody Cocktail or as I like to call it, the ultimate sipping drink. It can't be explained, just experienced.  Come to the Peabody and see for yourself.  Reason 2: You are literally right across the street from the greatest slab of ribs in the world, Rendezvous.

Recently, I was in Memphis for a meeting with a friend of Fat Guy with a Little Fork, Mr Keith Ridings.  Keith is an veteran of the blog as he has been featured in numerous posts.  This particular trip was Keith's first trip to Memphis.  So after checking in at the Peabody, we met up with my boss, Fred Dotson and headed off to pay homage to the Capital of Ribville.  After playing frogger, dodging traffic across a few lanes (Yeah! Like I'm going to walk to the end of the block to wait on the crossing sign so I can then cross and walk back up the block to get to my Rib platter when I can just walk across the street.  When we are talking about food, the shortest distance between me and food euphoria is a straight line) we stroll down the alley letting our noses lead us to our destination.

Time out: Let me give you a brief history about Rendezvous. Rendezvous was started on accident.  In 1948, Charlie Vergos was cleaning out the basement below his diner when he discovered a coal chute.  He realized he could use the chute to vent his charcoal grills and allow people to sample his grilling talents.  A legend was born. Three generations later, the world's greatest ribs are stilled being grilled to perfection.  Time In.

Rendezvous Special

When you walk in, the first thing you have to do is walk downstairs to check in with the hostess. On this particular night, there is a 10-15 minute wait.  We give her our name and head back upstairs to the bar to wait.  After a few minutes we get seated. Rendezvous is not a fancy place.  Just a simple setting with memorabilia of time gone by.  Our waiter, Fred comes by to greet us and get us started.  We start out with a pitcher of Memphis's finest local brew and order the Rendezvous Special Appetizer.  It a combination of Ham, Cheese, Salami, Sausage, Pickles and Peppers.  Nothing like starting out a night of carnivorous delight with a plate of meat. 

Rib and Chopped Chicken Combo

Now the reason we are here, the ribs.  I order 1 of 2 things every time I'm here.  Either the Ribs and Brisket Combo or the Ribs and Chicken Combo. On this night, I go with the Ribs and Chicken.  Its a small order of ribs (which is huge) and chopped chicken.  Both are cooked on a charcoal fire.  They are cooked to perfection.  Great smoke flavor and the best dry rub you will ever taste.  Their is sauce on the table if you need it but I don't know why.  The dry rub on the ribs is the perfect combination.  As for sides, they make is simple for you. You get a choice of 2 sides with each plate. Your choices, cole slaw and baked beans. The cole slaw is different, in a good way.  Its a vinegar and mustard based slaw.  I've never had it like that anywhere else.  But let me tell you, it is awesome. As for the other fellas, they had the Rib and Brisket combo. I've had that before and let me tell you, its the best brisket outside of Texas.

As we were finishing up our food and drink, we got to talking to our waiter, Fred.  The conversation with Fred went something like this:

Fat Guy: Hey Fred? How long have you been working at Rendezvous?

Fred:  Ah Man.  I'm a rookie.  I've only been here 24 years.

FG: (With much surprise) Seriously?

Fred: Yes Sir.  We've got guys that have been here since 1963.

He then gave us one of the brochures that showed the Old Timers.  The picture has a group of 6 guys that have been slinging ribs for a minimum of 30 years.  All 6 were working that night. I can only imagine how many ribs those guys have served.

Well this got the Fat Guy to thinking.  Fred should be on the brochure. I mean come one.  24 years is nothing to sneeze at.

FG: Hey Fred. I got an idea.  We need  get a picture so I can put you on my blog.  I'm going to make you famous.

Fred: (Laughing) You are going to make me famous?  Not like these the pictures over here. The first one is me and Roy Williams (coach of the UNC Tarheels Men's Basketball Team). The second one there is me and Blake Griffin. (Only the 2010-2011 NBA Rookie of the Year).

FG: Fred. That is awesome.

Fred: There's one more. Look in the case.

FG: Is that...

Fred: Yes Sir. That's me between President George Bush and the Prime Minster of Japan.  But no, your blog should put me on the map.

FG: (After a little ribbing from my buddies and a bunch of laughing). That's a good one Fred.  You got me buddy.

So as promised, here is the man, the myth, the legend.  Fred, my favorite waiter at Rendezvous.  No that's not a famous coach or ball player, or even the President and a foreign dignitary.  Its Mr Ridings, Fred and The Fat Guy.

So take a trip to Memphis.  Go to Rendezvous and have some of the best ribs in the world.  You won't be disappointed. And do me a favor. When you get there, asked to be seated in Fred's section.  And make sure to tell him "The Fat Guy with a Little Fork sent me."  The other guys might be on the brochure, but Fred is the only one who made the blog.

And to my friend Fred. Thanks for a great meal.  See you next time I am in Memphis.


Cuisine: Charcoal Ribs
City: Memphis

Restaurant: Charles Vergos Rendezvous
Address: In the Alley, Downstairs, Behind
52 South Second, Memphis, Tennessee, 38103
Phone: (901) 523-2746
Website: http://www.hogsfly.com/

The sea was angry that day, my friends...

like an old man trying to send back soup in a deli.- George Costanza.

With a quote like that, it can only mean one thing, I'm heading to a deli.  I was in Tampa with a good friend of mine, Neil Hellwig of Security Reps.  After seeing a few customers in the morning, it was time for one of my three favorite meals of the day, lunch.  Before I could even open my mouth, Neil put the car in drive and screeched the tires.  We stop 5 minutes later in from of a office park.  I'm thinking to myself, I thought we were getting lunch, not visiting another customer.  As much as I like talking with customers, I do a much better job of it with a full stomach.

I grab my notebook and Neil says "What in the world are you doing?" 

Fat Guy: "Ahh, getting my notebook so we can talk to these people"

Neil: "The only people we are talking to are the people who will take our order."


Ariel View of Moxie'sToo



FG: "Order for what?"

Neil: "Lunch, duh!"



What I was thinking: You mean in this office park that we pulled into.  Yeah.  This office park just screams great restaurant.  Is this another wild goose chase. I mean come on, look at this picture.  This area doesn't say great restaurant, it says I would like to buy a copier or go see my doctor.

What I said: "Oh, all right."


The Tampa Cuban


We walk in and it was nothing special.  A bunch of tables and a counter to order at.  However, there was a line 6 or 7 deep and half the tables were full. Interesting, but still not sold.  I grab a menu.  It is huge.  They have just about every sandwich you can think of.  I look at the lady at the counter and Neil and say, "first time here, what is your signature sandwich?" In unison they say "the Tampa Cuban".  Its a ham and pork sandwich, with Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard, put in a hot press.  After a few minutes its hot and ready to go.  Man can't live on sandwiches alone. So to accompany my Tampa Cuban, I get an order of homemade black bean soup.


Black Bean Soup


As for the sandwich, it was great.  The bread was phenomenal.  It was crispy on the outside and soft and doughy on the inside. It was loaded with meat and nice gooey melted cheese.  The black bean soup had just the right amount of kick.  The fresh diced onions added a nice flavor and crunch.  Note to self: get some gum after lunch.

Well done Mr. Hellwig, well done.  You have impressed me yet again. Now I have to find an excuse so I can get back to Moxie's Too to try their Reuben. No need for a marine biologist.  The whale is going to make it, for he had a great sandwich and soup.

Cuisine: Deli
City: Tampa

Restaurant: Moxie's Too
5925 Benjamin Center Dr. #115
Tampa, FL
Ph: 813-882-4499
Website: http://www.moxies2.com/

Ride the Wave

tsu·na·mi [tsoo-nah-mee] an unually large sea wave produced by a sea quake or undersea volcanic eruption.  Generally speaking, tsunamis are a very destructive force.  However, when speaking of sushi, tsunami is a great thing.  Instead of a large sea wave, I like to think of a wave of goodness produced by an eruption of flavor.

The other day, my good friend Ernie Berardi from ACTi was in town.  After a day of exhausting meetings and arguments (Ernie is more like a brother to me than a business partner). Actually, if you have seen our meetings and arguments, they can be described as a tsunami, but that's another story.

Ernie looks at me and says: "Fat Guy, I got a fever and the only prescription is..."

Fat Guy: "More Cowbell" Timeout: I love that Saturday Night Live Skit.  Christopher Walken is great and Will Ferrell makes you think the cow bell is the greatest instrument in the work.  Don;t know what I'm talking about.  Check it our here. Time in.

Ernie: "Ha. No. Sushi."

FG: "No worries. I got the place. Quick to the Fat Mobile."

Ernie: "Shouldn't we get some more people, besides its only 4 o'clock."

FG: "Sorry about that.  But you got me in sushi mode and I can only think of 1 place, Tsunami. I'll try to tone is down for a couple hours.  Let me make reservations."

We get a table for 8 lined up.  We are all meeting down there a 6:30pm.  Now what do I do for the 2+ hours.  "Fat Guy. Conscious here.  How about you work for the next 2 hours." Conscious, you're pretty funny. 



Inside the Tsunami

 After the slowest moving 2 hours in history, the time had finally come. Quick to the Fat Mobile.  After a short ride to downtown Greenville, its time to find a parking space.  Somebody is looking out for the Fat Guy.  Perfect spot, less than 1/2 a block away.  I walk into Tsunami.  Its got a great vibe to it.  The decor is very contemporary and cool. This would be a cool place to hangout.

After being seated, we get a round of drinks and a couple orders of edamame.  Freshly steamed edamame is the perfect start to a night of sushi.  On to the menu.  We grab a couple appetizers for the table.  First we start with Beef Tataki, seared beef marinated with ponzu sauce and scallions and Spicy Tuna Tataki, chunks of tender red tuna in ponzu sauce wasabi sauce.  The tatakis were awesome.  The Tuna Tataki is great, but there is something about the Beef Tataki that takes the cake.

Fat Guy Note: What exactly is Ponzu Sauce? Its a citrius based sauce used in Japanese cuisine. Ponzu is made by simmering mirin, rice vinegar, katsuobushi flakes, and seaweed (konbu) over medium heat. The liquid is then cooled, strained to remove the katsuobushi flakes, and finally the juice of one or more of the following citrus fruits is added: yuzu, sudachi, daidai, kabosu, or lemon.


Our Sushi Boat



Now on to the sushi.  What better way to ride a tsunami than in a boat.  On a side note, what is it with the Fat Guy and Sushi boats. Its like I order I either get a small boat or a large boat.  When did the boat become a unit of measurement?  As for the type of sushi that we ordered, that is a great question.  There were four of us eating off of this boat, The Fat Guy, Ernie, Wes and Russ.  I hope they will shed some light as to the cargo of this boat.  I know I ordered the spicy tuna roll - tuna, avo, hot sauce and repper as well as the yellowtail roll.  We also got a rainbow roll, which consists of tuna, salmon, yellowtail, seaweed, crab cake and avo.  I can definitely tell you that this boat was gone is 20 minutes.  There was no talking at my end of the table. There were just 8 arms moving like hummingbirds.  We were picking it up and shooting it down.  The sushi was phenomenal and very fresh.  I can't wait to my next trip to Tsunami to get some more of that great, fresh sushi.

Cuisine: Japanese, Sushi
City: Greenville

Restaurant: Tsunami
106 East North Street
Greenville, SC 29601
Ph: 864-467-1055
website: http://www.tsunamigreenville.com/

Who you calling lazy?

I've been called many things, but lazy...yep I've been called that too. I definitely got a lazy streak from time to time.  Its usually between 8:30am to 5:30pm, Monday through Fridays.  But Fat Guy, isn't that when you are at work?  Ssshhhh.  Let's just hope my boss doesn't read this post.


Whenever I travel, I always ask people for the best local places to eat.  I never realized the pressure that put on you.  The other day, my friend Renier from Milestone Systems was coming into town.  Of course, anytime some one comes into town, who do they call for restaurant suggestions? You guessed it, the Fat Guy.  I now feel your pain.  There is a lot of pressure trying to find the perfect restaurant. Will everyone like it?  Is this a good representation of my town?  What am I in the mood for?  So many questions.  Ouch.  The pain.  My head hurts.  Deep breath Fat Guy.  You can do this.  Think buddy think.  Great Greenville Restaurant.  Priced middle of the road. Wait for it.  Its coming.  Ahh yes.  I've got it.  Its time to get Lazy. The Lazy Goat that is.  How would you describe the Lazy Goat.  I've been there many times, but I'm just feeling too lazy to think of anything. So I check the Lazy Goat's website and they have the perfect description:


The Dining Room



"A dining experience designed around taking your time, and sharing great food and stories, The Lazy Goat is an escape wrapped in succulent flavors from all around the Mediterranean. The Lazy Goat is the ultimate in social dining.  Its a chance to slow down, treat your taste buds and take the time to truly enjoy company and conversation."



Moroccan Lamb



Its a great layout.  You walk in, there are steps to the left going down to the main dining room. To the right is the bar.  Its a great place to hang out while waiting on your party.  And since I'm the first one there, I believe a nice cocktail is in order.  Once everyone got there, we head down to the dining room.  Its very open.  There are plenty of windows offering great vies of the Reedy River and Peace Center.  .  Its just a nice inviting environment. Our waitress drops by an introduces herself.  After another drink order and our wine selection, its time to peruse the menu.  For those of you who haven't been there, their menu is very different. The have meat and cheese options to start with.  Then there is the "Graze & Nibble" Section aka appetizers.  Next up the "Share or Not Share" portion of the menu.  This is where I usually get greedy and say "Not Share". I start out with the Moroccan Lamb.  its a braised lamb shank served with warm pita, cucumber yogurt and plantain chips.  Its like heaven in a bowl.  I love it.  The spices, the flavors. Ok what's next.



Pan Seared Grouper

 On to the entree.  I've been to the Lazy Goat before and tried many of there dishes.  Tonight, I will have the Pan-Seared Grouper. It was perfectly cook, served over a lobster rapini risotto with a saffron vanilla sauce. 3 words: Fa - Bu - Lous.  This dish was awesome.  And the pairing of the fish with risotto. Let's be honest, I'm a fool for some good risotto.



The Lazy Paella



I've been to the Lazy Goat before as I said.  I had the Chief, my boss Paul Constantine, with me at dinner.  He was having trouble picking so who does he look to, the fattest guy at the table of course.  And since that guy was in the bathroom, I was next up.  I directed him to the "Lazy Paella".  The Lazy Paella is their take on the classic Spanish dish.  It's loaded with calamari, prawns, mussels and chirizo.  Its a nice dish.  Very flavorful and fun to say. Try it, Paella.  It just rolls off the tongue.  Fat Guy Note:  I know many of you food purists are going to say, "But Fat Guy, this isn't Paella."  Well, it's very good and I like is so get over it.  Order something else but don't bad mouth the Lazy Paella.

Also joining us in this visit, was my partner in product management crime, Meg.  For the life of me, I can't remember what she got. I'm sure it was awesome.  I only hope that she will comment later and give us an update on her meal.

 Overall, the Lazy Goat is a great place to meet friends and share a drink or a plate.  But if you come, don't be in a hurry.  It has nothing to do with the service, which is top notch.  But the Lazy Goat just makes you want to take a deep breath, let your cares drift away and enjoy some great conversation.

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Restaurant: The Lazy Goat

170 River Place

Greenville, SC 29601

Phone: 864-679-LAZY

Website: http:/www./thelazygoat.typepad.com/

City: Greenville